41 46<\/strong>. The prophecy of rain. Elijah awaits its approach on Mount Carmel and then goes to Jezreel (Not in Chronicles)<\/p>\n 41<\/strong>. Elijah said unto Ahab<\/em> ] The king had been present through all the events of the day, but had been powerless to stay the slaughter of the false prophets. Ahab was overpowered by what he had seen, and Jezebel was not at hand to prompt him to oppose either the prophet or the people.<\/p>\n Get thee up, eat and drink<\/em> ] There was probably preparation made for the king’s refreshment on the top of Carmel, where the offerings had been made, and the words of the prophet apply to Ahab’s return from the Kishon, which was at a lower level. The expression ‘eat and drink’ has been taken by some to be spoken in mockery or uttered as if to one who was callous even after such a scene of butchery. It would rather seem as if Elijah had not yet despaired of Ahab, and was giving the king, who must have been paralysed by the scene, the best advice for his present need, after the long and tragic day. The words may also imply that now there was no longer any fear of want, for the rain was coming at once. Thus they would form a fit introduction for the announcement which follows.<\/p>\n for<\/em> there is a<\/em> [R.V. the<\/strong> ] sound of abundance of rain<\/em> ] The expression is definite in the original. The LXX. has a very poetical paraphrase , ‘for there is the sound of the feet of the rain.’<\/p>\n Get thee up, eat and drink – <\/B>Ahab had descended the hill-side with Elijah, and witnessed the slaughter of the priests. Elijah now bade him ascend the hill again, and partake of the feast which was already prepared, and which always followed upon a sacrifice.<\/P> There is a sound of abundance of rain – <\/B>Either the wind, which in the East usually heralds rain, had begun to rise, and sighed through the forests of Carmel – or perhaps the sound was simply in the prophets ears, a mysterious intimation to him that the drought was to end, and rain to come that day.<\/P><\/p>\n 1Ki 18:41-46<\/span><\/p>\n And Elijah said unto Ahab.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n The conquest of faith<\/strong><\/p>\n This passage:–<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>The good man possesses an earnest spirit. Elijah needed rest.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>The good man possesses a humble spirit. The victory Elijah had achieved produced an amazing influence on the minds of the spectators.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>The good man possesses a devout spirit. He retired to pray. He cast himself upon the earth, and put his face between his knees.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>His confidence. There were no indications of the approaching storm. The air was calm, and clear, and cloudless. Elijah had faith in God. He remembered Cherith, Zarephath, and Carmel.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>His patience. Disappointed once, twice, even six times, he sends again. Elijah knew what God had promised He had power to perform. He waited.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>His perseverance. Elijah had noted the rustling among the trees, but this did not set aside the necessity of prayer. Elijah prayed, continued in prayer. Dont let us be discouraged in our approaches to God.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>There is a Visible indication of Gods purposes. Behold there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, <\/em>like a mans hand. Gods children have the earliest intimation of Gods purposes. Like a mans hand. Small beginnings–in literature, science, and religion–often have important and far-reaching results.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>There is a special warning for the kings preparation. Go, say unto Ahab. Elijah had predicted that rain should come according to his word.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>There is a direct answer to a particular request. Elijah prayed for rain. The blessing was sent while he sought it. It was a great rain.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>That God imparts strength to the good man for the performance of the most arduous duties. The hand of the Lord was on Elijah. Man is a poor fragile thing, but God can gird him with infinite strength. Gods influences touch the body, the mind, the heart.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>The resources of infinite strength are within the reach of a good man. What God did for Elijah He can do for the Church–individuals. (Preachers Analyst.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The prayer of faith<\/strong><\/p>\n On the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and opposite the far-famed town of Acre, on the south side of a beautiful bay, there is a range of mountain-land rising to an elevation of from 1200 to 1500 feet. This range of hills stand out with marked distinctness and forms a very prominent object from the sea and from all the country round about. It is known by the name of Mount Carmel. The view from the summit is very imposing. The tableland on the summit extends inland for some eight or nine miles. It is a locality interesting not simply on its own account, but also from its varied scriptural associations.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>Look at his posture. He is on his knees with his head bowed downward, so that his forehead touches the ground. This was the attitude assumed in supplication on occasions of special urgency. Standing in prayer was not unusual in ordinary worship (Mar 11:25<\/span>; Luk 18:13<\/span>). Attitude in prayer is of small moment in comparison with the spirit of devotion; yet as an outward indication of inward feeling is net altogether unimportant:–<\/p>\n (1)<\/strong> Elijahs attitude was the sign of reverence and humility: reverence is conspicuous in the prayers of the most devout.<\/p>\n (2)<\/strong> Listen to his petition. We hear not indeed the words, but we know the matter of his prayer. The <\/em>land was desolate and the people ready to perish for lack of rain. Showers of blessing are wanting for the Church! Oh for the spirit of Elijah.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>He expected the rain, although as yet there was no sign of its coming, and it had been withheld for more than three years. He says (1Ki 18:41<\/span>), There is a sound of abundance of rain; but this was as yet only in the word of Gods promise.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>He continued So expect although the fulfilment of the promise was long delayed. He said to his servant seven times:–Go again. Go again. It will come! God often tries faith and patience by delay.<\/p>\n The rain<\/strong><\/p>\n Rain at last<\/strong><\/p>\n There are certain characteristics in Elijahs prayer which we must notice as we pass, because they should form part of all true prayer.<\/p>\n Elijah an example of the true spirit of prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n Persevering prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n Gods seasons are not at your beck. If the first stroke of the flint doth not bring forth the fire, you must strike again. That is to say, God will hear prayer, but He may not answer it at the time which we in our own minds have appointed; He will reveal Himself to our seeking hearts, but not just when and where we have settled in our own expectations. Hence the need of perseverance and importunity in supplication. In the days of flint and steel and brimstone matches we had to strike and strike again, dozens of times, before we could get a spark to live in the tinder; and we were thankful enough if we succeeded at last. Shall we not be as persevering and hopeful as to heavenly things? We have more certainty of success in this business than we had with our flint and steel, for we have Gods promise at our back. Never let us despair. Gods time for mercy will come; yea, it has come, if our time for believing has arrived. Ask in faith, nothing wavering; but never cease from petitioning because the king delays to reply. Strike the steel again. Make the sparks fly and have your tinder ready: you will get a light before long. (C. H. Spurgeon.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Prayers for fire and for water<\/strong><\/p>\n The prayer for fire was answered at once; the prayer for water was not. By putting the two instances together we shall see how <\/em>they explain one another, and what a striking argument for their common probability is established. Notice as the fundamental fact that the prayer for fire was answered instantaneously, and that the prayer for water was not answered until it had been offered seven times.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>There was an urgency in the one case which there was not in the other. The king was waiting; so were the prophets; so were the people; it is an unprecedented crisis in the history of the nation. In the case of the rain, the prophet was alone; no immediate expectancy on the part of the public was to be answered.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>We are not to live in the unusual and the exciting, but in the ordinary and regular. It was good for Elijah himself to be taught that he was only a suppliant, not the Lord. God has always been sparing of His exceptional manifestations. Christ was sparing in His miracles: He never did them merely for the sake of doing them.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>No human imagination would have risked such a conjunction of immediateness and delay as is given in this chapter. Such a contrary act on the part of God is a simple impossibility to the imagination. It amounts to what is called, sometimes foolishly, a discrepancy or contradiction. Yet it is the very law of the mystery of our life! We live it, but dare not imagine it! Great honours are followed by great reverses to keep us sober. Out of this reasoning comes the high probability of the historical and literal truthfulness of the whole narrative. Literary completeness there is none. No attempt is made to satisfy the suggestions of fancy. All tricks of management, all skill in artistic disposal of incident is ignored, and truth is left to attest and vindicate its reality. (J. Parker, D. D.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The rustling and the rain<\/strong><\/p>\n The <\/em>solemn scenes Ahab had just witnessed would, we should think, have made the most flippant thoughtful, and earnest; but Ahab is unmoved. Get thee up, eat and drink, Elijah says to him. That is all he is fit for. He is quite ready for a good banquet; he would be out of his element at a prayer-meeting. In like manner there are some to-day who seem unmoved by any manifestations of Divine power. They pass out of church after listening to a most moving sermon, and merely complain of the length, or criticise the preachers style. Human nature, even when totally unregenerate, often manifests some traits that are noble and genuine. It is seldom so outrageously carnal and callous as <\/strong>Ahab seemed on this occasion. We turn with relief to Elijah. There is a sound of abundance of rain, he had said to Ahab. Perhaps he heard it only with the ear of the spirit by faith. But why should not Elijah also eat and drink? He was exhausted with the labour and strain of the day. Why not be content, now that he has heard the soughing in the trees, and just eat and drink until the rain fall? Because the rustling was not the rain, it was only the precursor of the rain, and a call to prayer. How often we hinder blessing through lack of prayer. We hear the rustling and we take our ease. If we waited without prayer for the fulfilment of the promise, it would seem as if we thought we had a right to the blessing. Once we begin to take our mercies as a matter of course, there is no blessing with them to our souls. So we find two features specially prominent in this prayer of Elijahs–his utter self-abasement before God and his believing perseverance. But why does not the first prayer prevail? It is good <\/strong>that our faith should be tested and our desires proved. It is well, too, that we should be taught our dependence upon God. Perhaps if our prayers were always answered at once we should seem rulers and commanders in the things of God, and forget our subordinate and dependent position. We might even make an idol of prayer, as the Israelites did of the brazen serpent, and look upon our prayers as a charm or divining red, giving us a legal claim upon the bounty of heaven. (F. S. Webster, M. A.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The coming rain<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>Primary cause, Gods mercy. He seems to catch beforehand the sound of its footsteps (LXX.). But as the punishment was not brought about without the prophets intervention, so now the rain is to be hastened by his prayers.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>What we may describe as the instrumental cause was Elijahs fervent supplications. It is the instance of the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availing much. He prayed again, and the heaven gave rain (Jam 5:16-18<\/span>).<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>We learn <\/strong>from this lesson that prayer is of avail with regard to outward things.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>We see clearly that it must be the prayer of faith, and not of human caprice, which is offered.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>The lesson also warns us that national sins bring down national chastisements. (W. H. Hutchings, M. A.<\/em>)<\/p>\n Verse 41<\/span>. Get thee up, eat and drink<\/B><\/I>] It appears most evidently that Ahab and the prophet were now on good terms, and this is a farther evidence that the slaying of the false prophets was by the king’s consent.<\/P> <\/p>\n Get thee up from the river, <\/B>where the king and he had been present at the slaughter of Baals priests, to thy tent; which probably was pitched on the side of Carmel. <\/P> Eat and drink; <\/B>take comfort, and refresh thyself; for neither the king nor any of the people could have any leisure to eat, being wholly intent upon the decision of the great controversy. <\/P> There is a sound of abundance of rain; <\/B>the rain is as certainly and speedily coming, as if I did actually see it, or hear the noise which it makes. Gods wrath is now appeased, and thou shalt have no cause to repent of this days work. <\/P> <\/p>\n And Elijah said unto Ahab, get thee up<\/strong>,…. From the brook and valley where the execution of the prophets had been made; either up to his chariot, or to the tent or pavilion erected on the side of the mount, where the whole scene of things was transacted;<\/p>\n eat and drink<\/strong>; which he had no leisure for all the day, from the time of the morning sacrifice to the evening sacrifice, which was taken up in attending to the issue of the several sacrifices; but now he is bid to eat and refresh himself, and that in token of joy and gladness, as became him, both for the honour of the true God, which had been abundantly confirmed, and for the near approach of rain, of which he assures him:<\/p>\n for there is a sound of abundance of rain<\/strong>; the wind perhaps began to rise, and blow pretty briskly, which was a sign of it f; besides, according to the Tyrian annals g, there were loud claps of thunder at this time, at least when the heavens became very black, as in<\/p>\n 1Ki 18:45<\/span>.<\/p>\n f “Fit fragor, hinc densi—-nimbi”, Ovid. Metamorph. l. 1. Fab. 8. v. 269. g Apud Joseph, Antiqu. l. 8. c. 13. sect. 2.<\/p>\n Rain Sent on the Land.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/I><\/span><\/P> <\/TD> B. C.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN> 906.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR> <\/TABLE> 41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is<\/I> a sound of abundance of rain. 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is<\/I> nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot,<\/I> and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. 45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the LORD<\/B> was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.<\/P> Israel being thus far reformed that they had acknowledged the Lord to be God, and had consented to the execution of Baal’s prophets, that they might not seduce them any more, though this was far short of a thorough reformation, yet it was so far accepted that God thereupon opened the bottles of heaven, and poured out blessings upon his land, that very evening (as it should seem) on which they did this good work, which should have confirmed them in their reformation; see Hag 2:18<\/span>; Hag 2:19<\/span>.<\/P> I. Elijah sent Ahab to eat and drink,<\/I> for joy that God had now accepted his works,<\/I> and that rain was coming; see Eccl. ix. 7<\/span>. Ahab had continued fasting all day, either religiously, it being a day of prayer, or for want of leisure, it being a day of great expectation; but now let him eat and rink<\/I> for, though others perceive no sign of it, Elijah, by faith, hears the sound of abundance of rain,<\/I> v.<\/span> 41<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. God reveals his secrets to his servants the prophets; and yet, without a revelation, we may foresee that when man’s judgments run down like a river God’s mercy will. Rain is the river of God,<\/I> Ps. lxv. 9<\/I><\/span>.<\/P> II. He himself retired to pray (for though God had promised rain, he must ask it, Zech. x. 1<\/span>), and to give thanks for God’s answer by fire, now hoping for an answer by water. What he said we are not told; but, 1. He withdrew to a strange place, to the top of Carmel,<\/I> which was very high and very private. Hence we read of those that hide themselves in the top of Carmel,<\/I> Amos ix. 3<\/I><\/span>. There he would be alone. Those who are called to appear and act in public for God must yet find time to be private with him and keep up their converse with him in solitude. There he set himself, as it were, upon his watch-tower,<\/I> like the prophet, Hab. ii. 1<\/span>. 2. He put himself into a strange posture. He cast himself down on his knees upon the earth, in token of humility, reverence, and importunity, and put his face between his knees<\/I> (that is, bowed his head so low that it touched his knees), thus abasing himself in the sense of his own meanness now that God had thus honoured him.<\/P> III. He ordered his servant to bring him notice as soon as he discerned a cloud arising out of the sea, the Mediterranean Sea, which he had a large prospect of from the top of Carmel. The sailors at this day call it Cape Carmel.<\/I> Six times his servant goes to the point of the hill and sees nothing, brings no good news to his master; yet Elijah continues praying, will not be diverted so far as to go and see with his own eyes, but still sends his servant to see if he can discover any hopeful cloud, while he keeps his mind close and intent in prayer, and abides by it, as one that has taken up his father Jacob’s resolution, I will not let thee go except thou bless me.<\/I> Note, Though the answer of our fervent and believing supplications may not come quickly, yet we must continue instant in prayer, and not faint nor desist; for at the end it shall speak and not lie.<\/I><\/P> IV. A little cloud at length appeared, no bigger than a man’s hand, which presently overspread the heavens and watered the earth, 1Ki 18:44<\/span>; 1Ki 18:45<\/span>. Great blessings often arise from small beginnings, and showers of plenty from a cloud of a span long. Let us therefore never despise the day of small things,<\/I> but hope and wait for great things from it. This was not as a morning cloud, which passes away (though Israel’s goodness was so), but one that produced a plentiful rain (Ps. lxviii. 9<\/span>), and an earnest of more.<\/P> V. Elijah hereupon hastened Ahab home, and attended him himself. Ahab rode in his chariot, at ease and in state, v.<\/I><\/span> 45<\/span>. Elijah ran on foot before him. If Ahab had paid the respect to Elijah that he deserved he would have taken him into his chariot, as the eunuch did Philip, that he might honour him before the elders of Israel, and confer with him further about the reformation of the kingdom. But his corruptions got the better of his convictions, and he was glad to get clear of him, as Felix of Paul, when he dismissed him, and adjourned his conference with him to a more convenient season. But, since Ahab invites him not to ride with him, he will run before him<\/I> (v.<\/I><\/span> 46<\/span>) as one of his footmen, that he may not seem to be lifted up with the great honour God had put upon him or to abate in his civil respect to his prince, though he reproved him faithfully. God’s ministers should make it appear that, how great soever they look when they deliver God’s message, yet they are far from affecting worldly grandeur: let them leave that to the kings of the earth.<\/P><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Storm Clouds Gather, Verses 41-46<\/p>\n Elijah had faith that the Lord would send the rain as He had promised, and so urged Ahab to rise up from his day-long attendance at the contest of Elijah and the Baal prophets. He was to refresh himself with food and drink, which had been neglected, and prepare to depart the place, for Elijah, by the Spirit, herd “a sound of abundance of rain.” While Ahab complied with the suggestion of Elijah the prophet went up to the summit of Carmel and knelt low upon the ground with his head between his knees, praying the Lord to send the promised rain.<\/p>\n This was not out of anxiety that Elijah prayed, lest the Lord fail to send rain, but the part of a faithful and prayerful believer. Today Christians should remain in a prayerful state, asking the Lord to send the things He has promised, though mindful that He will send them. Such exercise in prayer will strengthen the Christian and help him to keep attune to God and His will for him ( 1Th 5:17<\/span>).<\/p>\n Elijah sent his servant to observe the western horizon, out across the sea from where the rains came up on Israel, to apprise him when the clouds appeared. Seven times the servant went up to observe, and six times returned having seen nothing. Elijah did not give up, but remained confidently praying and on the seventh time the servant reported a very small cloud, about as large as a man’s hand. This was enough for Elijah so he sent the servant with a message for Ahab He was to prepare his chariot and hurry back to Jezreel before the rain hindered him.<\/p>\n While Ahab hastened to comply, the heavens grew black with foreboding clouds, and the wind became heavy. There came a great downpour of rain. But Elijah and Ahab both made it back to Jezreel before the noted flash flooding of the Kishon valley could occur (see Jdg 5:4-5<\/span>; Jdg 5:21<\/span>). Perhaps Ahab’s chariot was driven by the noted Jehu, his captain of the host who was a furious driver (2Ki 9:20<\/span>). But the Lord put wings on the feet of Elijah, who outdistanced the speeding chariot of the king, and was standing in the gate when the king arrived at Jezreel. Ahab must have been astounded, but this miraculous act was only further evidence of the Lord’s awesome power in contrast to that of Baal.<\/p>\n Lessons from chapter 18: 1) the Lord’s judgments on a sinful people are sent, not out of vengeance, but out of mercy, that they might repent and turn to Him; 2) men are ever attempting to compromise with the world and always finding themselves in shameful circumstances; 3) wicked men often think to blame God for their reverses, which they have actually brought on themselves; 4) one devoted follower with God is able to withstand everything the Devil can array against him; 5) God still manifests Himself spectacularly, though not miraculously, in behalf of those who call on Him; 6) the miracles the Lord performed were never tricky or suspicious or partial like those of the charlatan miracle workers today; 7) God can always be counted on to do what He has said he would do.<\/p>\n CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 1Ki. 18:41<\/span>. Sound of abundance of rain<\/strong>The cause of the curse of drought being now removed, the blessing came quick. <\/p>\n 1Ki. 18:42<\/span>. Cast himself down upon the earth<\/strong>Betook himself to prayer. This kept him from becoming elate, and indicated his deep concern for the mercy of God to come upon the stricken land. <\/p>\n 1Ki. 18:46<\/span>. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
I. <\/strong>Indicates the bent of a good mans mind. Both Ahab and Elijah went up, but how different their purposes. One went up to eat and drink, the other went up to pray. One event may produce various impressions on different minds. These different impressions indicate the true character of men. The mind of the ungodly man is bent upon pleasure, the mind of the godly man on prayer. We may learn three things respecting a good man from this event.<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>Exemplifies the power of a good mans faith. There are three things about Elijahs conduct that claim our attention.<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>Records the success of a good mans prayer. God had given one answer to prayer–fire had fallen from heaven and consumed the prepared sacrifice. Elijah prayed again. Continued mercies necessitate repeated supplication. To-days prayer will not do for So-morrows blessing. We know not the nature of Elijahs petition, but we see three advantages accruing therefrom.<\/p>\n
IV. <\/strong>Reveals the source of a good mans strength. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah. Remember what Elijah had done! Think of his weariness and hunger, then picture him, outrunning for twenty miles the fleet steed of Ahab. From this superhuman event let us learn two things.<\/p>\n
I. <\/strong>The prophets prayer. He is bold enough before men, but humble indeed in the presence of God.<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>The prophets faith.<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>The prophets success. (Homiletic Magazine.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I. <\/strong>The object of his faith. To procure rain for the parched land. This was the one object upon which his mind was fixed, and which he was stimulated to seek by the promise of God.<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>The means by which he sought this object. He cast himself down, etc. The attitude of prayer. He might have been tempted to have left God to fulfil His own promise, but He did not. His faith was operative, and led him to pray earnestly for the object upon which it was fixed. True faith will always influence us to labour and to pray for its object.<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>The encouragement he received. A sound of abundance of rain<\/p>\n
IV. <\/strong>The discouragement he met with. The servant returned from looking toward the sea and said there is nothing.<\/p>\n
V. <\/strong>The perseverance he manifested. Go again seven times.<\/p>\n
VI. <\/strong>The success he realised. And it came to pass, in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Perseverance is still rewarded by success, and by it Gods servants still honour Him whom they serve. (Thomas<\/em> Carr.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I. <\/strong>It was based on the promise of God. Gods promises are given, not to restrain, but <\/strong>to incite to prayer. They show the direction in which we may ask, and the extent to which we may expect an answer. They are the mould into which we may pour our fervid spirits without fear. They are the signed cheque, made payable to order, which we must endorse and present for payment. Though the Bible be crowded with golden promises from board to board, yet will they be inoperative until we turn them into prayer. We are content to pray, though we are as ignorant of the philosophy of the modus operandi <\/em>of prayer, as we are of any natural law. We find it no dreamy reverie or sweet sentimentality, but a practical living force.<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>It was definite. This is where so many prayers fail. They are shot like arrows into the air. They are like letters which require no answer, because they ask for nothing. They are like the firing by artillery in a mimic fight, when only gunpowder is employed. This is why they are so wanting in power and interest.<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>It was earnest. Elijah prayed earnestly. This is the testimony of the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle James. It was the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man, which availeth much.<\/p>\n
IV. <\/strong>Elijahs prayer was humble. He cast himself down on the ground, and put his face between his knees. We scarcely recognize him, he seems to have lost his identity. Our only plea with God is the merit and blood of our great High Priest. It becomes us to be humble.<\/p>\n
V. <\/strong>It was full of expecxtant faith. Whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them: and ye shall have them. Faith is the indispensable condition of all true prayer. It is the gift of the Holy Ghost. It thrives by exercise. It grows strong by feeding on the promises: the Word of God is its natural food. It beat strongly in Elijahs heart.<\/p>\n
VI. <\/strong>It was very persevering. He said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. How often have we sent the lad of eager desire to scan the horizon!–and how often has he returned with the answer, There is nothing! There is no tear of penitence in those hard eyes. There is no symptom of amendment in that wild life. There is no sign of deliverance in these sore perplexities. There is nothing. And because there is nothing when we have just begun to pray, we leave off praying. We leave the mountain brow. We do not know that Gods answer is even then upon the way. Not so with Elijah. And he said, Go again seven times. Not unfrequently our Father grants our prayer, and labels the answer for us; but He keeps it back, that we may be led on to a point of intensity, which shall bless our spirits for ever, and from which we shall never recede.<\/p>\n
VII. <\/strong>And the prayer was abundantly answered. For weeks and months before, the sun had been gathering up from lake and river, from sea and ocean, the drops of mist, drawing them as clouds in coronets of glory around himself; and now the gale was bearing them rapidly towards the thirsty land of Israel. Presently the lad, from his tower of observation, beheld on the horizon a tiny cloud, no bigger than a mans hand, scudding across the sky. No more was needed to convince an Oriental that rain was near. It was, and is, the certain precursor of a sudden hurricane of wind and rain. More things are wrought by prayer than this world wots of. Why should not we learn and practise his secret? It is certainly within the reach of us all. Then we too might bring from heaven spiritual blessings, which should make the parched places of the church and the world rejoice and blossom as the rose. (F. B. Meyer, M. A.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I.<\/strong> <\/em><\/strong>The place whither Elijah went to seek him. He ascended to the top of Carmel! Here was a privacy remote from every eye, and well calculated to bring his mind into near and dear communion with God, after the public and awful duties in which he had been engaged–duties equally affecting the honour of Jehovah and the welfare of His people.<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>The prayer of Elijah seems to have been offered up in deep humility. He cast himself upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. Lowliness is the very essence of prayer–for what is prayer, except the souls confession of its unworthiness, its rebellion, its vileness, its helplessness, its merit of Gods wrath, arising out of a broken law and a neglect of all the blessings that are centred in Jesus, and that have been offered to and pressed upon its acceptance?<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>The prayer of Elijah is beautifully distinguished by a spirit of deep and settled earnestness. We do not hear a word spoken, nothing that interrupts the souls silent communion with God. We know not that a tear was shed, we know not that a sigh was uttered; yet have we obviously the supplication of one who wrestled with God, under an almost overwhelming sense of the momentous nature of the petition which he asked at Gods hand.<\/p>\n
IV. <\/strong>He wrestled with God, as one who would take no denial.<\/p>\n
V. <\/strong>Elijah, then, exhibited a full assurance of faith that his petition would be granted.<\/p>\n
VI. <\/strong>Elijah exhibited a waiting spirit of supplication.<\/p>\n
VII. <\/strong>The supplication of Elijah was distinguished by a watchful state of mind.<\/p>\n
VIII. <\/strong>The prayer of Elijah was the pleading of a spirit capable of discovering an answer which common observation could not detect.<\/p>\n
IX. <\/strong>The prayer of Elijah was one which served to strengthen him for duty. It did not suffice to send his servant, that Ahab might be warned, and proceed on his way. No, the prophet arose from his station and posture of lowliness on Mount Carmel, in joy and comfort, to do Jehovahs bidding, as Jehovahs prophet. The hand of the Lord was upon Elijah, and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab, to the entrance of Jezreel. (R. P. Buddicom, B. A.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I. <\/strong>The cause of the famine.<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>The cause of the rain.<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>Lessons.<\/p>\nFuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n