Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
Table of Contents
Key Verse
- And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” 1 Kings 17:1 NKJV
Subtopics
1. Background that prompted Intense Prayer
In the thirty-eighth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twenty-two years. However, Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him. 1 Kings 16:29-33 BSB
2. Intense Prayer before Proclamation
- Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. James 5:17 AMP
3. Proclamation Followed By
- Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 1 Kings 17:2-3 NASB
Inference
Elijah prayed intensely (James 5:17 AMP) in view of Ahab’s wickedness (1 Kings 16:29-33 BSB). Then Elijah made the proclamation (1 Kings 17:1 NKJV) which got confirmed by GOD who confirms the word of His servants (Isaiah 44:26 NKJV). It was only after Elijah’s proclamation, that a word from GOD came to Elijah (1 Kings 17:2-3 NASB). Likewise, if we face dire circumstances, pray intensely and proclaim. GOD will back up our words as He shows NO FAVOURITISM.