When Elijah prayed that it might not rain, he prayed earnestly because God is reluctant to chastise His people. There was no need of pleading with God to bring the rain again; this was His pleasure-to bless His people.
When Elijah prayed again after three years and six months, at the time of the evening sacrifice, "the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit" (James 5:1818And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. (James 5:18)).
"Many days" really were years. This is also true of the 1260, 1290, and 1335 "days" at the time of the coming tribulation. The Lord notes every day of sorrow through which His people pass. The angel of His presence followed them on their way to Canaan. In the coming days of restoration, to which the Psalms apply, we see, detailed, the feelings of God's earthly people as they pass through Jacob's last trouble. Many of these feelings are the same as Christ's when He was here in this world.
After seceding from Judah, Israel set up two calves to worship, one at Bethel and one at Dan. Bethel was the place where the promises were first made to Israel, who was Jacob at that time. "Dan" means "judgment." Idolatry in a worse form was added at the coming of Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, into the kingdom. Jezebel was the daughter of the king of the Zidonians. Baal worship was the religion of Zidon in that day (1 Kings 16:3131And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. (1 Kings 16:31)). It is remarkable that Elijah lived in Zarephath, a city of Zidon, for the three years or more of famine in Israel and was sustained by a Zidonian widow and her son. There were 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the groves. Not only was idolatry introduced into Israel, but the groves were connected with the worship of intermediate beings which provoked God to jealousy.
This is a picture of coming days, after the true church is taken to glory, just before God restores Israel and takes away their sins. Idolatry will be such that the unclean spirit in Israel will take "seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first" (Matt. 12:4545Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. (Matthew 12:45)).
This will also be true of the professing church when they are given the great delusion because of their giving up the truth of "the mystery, Christ and the church." Man has proved himself bad under every trial, and blessing can come only where there is a new creature as the result of the death and resurrection of Christ. Faith is the door into this blessing.
Both in Luke's gospel and the epistle of James, chapter 5, we learn that the heavens were shut for three years and six months. Since travel was mostly on foot in those days, considerable time was spent in Elijah's journey to reach Ahab. There must have been deep exercise on Elijah's part, in the presence of God, because of the wickedness which he could expect to witness on arriving in Israel and meeting with Ahab. All of this could have absorbed the six months beyond his stay of three years in Zidon. When the rain fell again, three years and six months had elapsed.
Obadiah must be reached first as he represented the seven thousand true believers in Israel.
Before Elijah could call down rain from heaven, idolatry and the groves had to be removed. That was the very reason why the heavens had to be shut up-idolatry. The idolatrous king Ahab must come face to face with Elijah, the man of God, just as when Elijah prophesied, "As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word."
This period of no rain would suggest in picture the absence of Jesus from Israel upon His rejection and the lack of blessing, "no rain", until the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Malachi says in chapter 4, verses 5 and 6, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Morally, the Spirit of God is presenting the work of Jesus unto the hearts of both fathers and children at the time of refreshing which will surely come-and that very soon.
Elijah has passed on. It was said of John the Baptist that "this is Elias, which was for to come." John has passed on. All who went before were only pictures of One and the only One who could turn any hearts to repentance and blessing. When Jesus finally comes, He will set everything right and put down all idolatry. Although Elijah's mission is completed in this chapter, and the hearts of all Israel are turned, his work is but for a moment, giving a little picture of what Christ will do when He comes again to His people Israel.
There could not be rain again unless Elijah, upon repentance of the nation, called it down from heaven-openly, before all of the people and in the presence of the king. This is connected with a sacrifice, showing that there was only one way for God to bless Israel-through the work of His own Son.
Whatever else we may find in the ministry of Elijah that is precious to the eye of faith, what we have just spoken of was his mission.
"And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim" (1 Kings 18:17,1817And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 18And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim. (1 Kings 18:17‑18)).
To be privileged as King Ahab and to be favored as the king over God's people was honor indeed; yet there was no understanding with him. Ahab had not sought the Lord, and he had forsaken the commandments of the Lord. God's Word is the only way of happiness and blessing for man in this world. Obedience is the secret to joy and fruitfulness.
Two things are especially noticeable in the ministry of the prophets-first, the conscience spoken to, second, hope set before the remnant of faith. Some of the ministry reached further, typically, leaving a picture, not discernible then, but for us setting forth the heavenly blessings.
Upon rejecting the Word of God, the religious man seeks a substitute to cover up a stinging conscience. Satan has a well-organized system, using men to carry it out, which can easily be substituted for God's way. Unknowingly, all men are either under the power of the Spirit of God or under the power of Satan.
Ahab was well aware that there was trouble in Israel, but little did he know that he was the cause of Israel's going astray. He no longer sought to harm the prophet Elijah although he had sought for him in every nation for the purpose of destroying him. Surely the chariots of fire were round about Elijah, though unseen by men.
Power with a man of God is apparent here. Who could touch Elijah while he was carrying out his mission? Ahab must submit, regardless of the number of his followers. Here we are reminded that the Lord Jesus, in Matt. 22:15-4615Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. 23The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27And last of all the woman died also. 28Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 33And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. 34But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. (Matthew 22:15‑46), stopped the mouths of all of His accusers.
Elijah makes reference to Jezebel and the Baal worship that she had introduced into Israel in wickedness. Ahab's subjection to this woman sets forth prophetically the Jezebel of a coming day who rides the beast or controls the leader of the last power which holds the authority of the habitable earth.
"Carmel" means "a park," or it is sometimes called "God's fruitful field." It carries the thought of blessing and was later the abode of Elisha.
The prophet Elijah did not accuse Israel of idolatry; he asked them how long they would be undecided as to who God is. Their own history proved that their God was superior to any enemy that had ever come against them, if they acted in obedience.
"And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them" (1 Kings 18:25-2825And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 26And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 27And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 28And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. (1 Kings 18:25‑28)).
What power Satan has over religious people who have given up the true God! The idolatry referred to will be seen again among the false professors left behind as earth-dwellers after the church has been raptured. In that day God will send strong delusion among them, while the gospel of the kingdom will be received among the nations who have never had the privileges of Christianity. "Yea, they have chosen their own ways... I also will choose their delusions" (Isa. 66:3,43He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. 4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. (Isaiah 66:3‑4)).
To follow in the path of those whom God has set up as leaders is commendable if it corresponds with what we find in the Word of God; otherwise the soul is on dangerous ground.
Although the apostate part of Israel were following Ahab in idolatry, God still had seven thousand, a perfect number, who had not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:1818Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. (1 Kings 19:18)). During every period of man's history God has maintained a remnant of faith, although there may be weakness and very little testimony.
"And it came to pass, when mid- day was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded" (1 Kings 18:2929And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. (1 Kings 18:29)).
What a contrast between the tragic picture which has been before us and the one upon which we are about to enter! Whenever man has his way, there is ruin because man's way is to follow Satan, although he may not be aware of it. God's way not only heals the sorrows and failures but inevitably brings in something new and better to comfort the hearts of those who own their failure.
Elijah invites the people to come near. After the long famine, the time had come, for the people to return to God. It has always been God's desire to have His people near Him so that He can bless them.
Elijah was commanded to call down the rain again, but first there must be true repentance. There cannot be true repentance without seeing the work done by another for us. The work of Christ, in figure, must be set forth ere the rain come. The time will come when the Lord will show His people His hands and His side (John 20:2727Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. (John 20:27)).
God will never be frustrated in His purpose. Satan may try to ruin what he will, but God has the power of resurrection in His hand. There will not be a new, or another, altar. The same altar was repaired, showing that in all failure we must return to the principles from which we departed. There is only one altar-which is Christ (Heb. 13:10,1310We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. (Hebrews 13:10)
13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:13)).
In restoring, God always has in mind His own work, not man's. His work is to have all twelve tribes in their places as the people of God on the earth for testimony and as the channel of blessing to all people, as well as to rule under their king, the Son of David.
When restored, Israel will be a "prince of God" (Gen. 32:2828And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. (Genesis 32:28)). How rich are God's thoughts! Surely God knew Jacob before he was born, yet He blessed him from since the foundation of the world.
The sons of Jacob, as a whole, never commended themselves-rather they were a cross section of mankind. Most of the evils that afflicted man were found among the sons of Jacob. There were exceptions.
In considering the history of God's people who were named "Israel," "Prince of God," we cannot discover one reason for God to take them up for blessing rather than others-only His sovereignty and purpose in making Himself known among the nations of the earth through Israel. Because of Israel's complete failure, in taking them up God makes Himself known as a loving, righteous, patient, holy, covenant-keeping God. It is this that will cause generous praise to flow on earth and in heaven (Psa. 150) (Rev. 19:5,65And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:5‑6)).
At an earlier date, Balaam was made to prophesy of this people who were at the time of our narrative steeped in idolatry: "How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, 0 Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters...
Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee" (Num. 24:5-9).
The sovereignty of God stands out throughout Scripture. Were it not so, none would ever be saved or blessed. He does what pleases Him, but the strange thing is that what pleases Him is to bless the vilest of His creatures, those who slew His own Son.
There is only one Name which will be exalted in the day of Israel's return. We notice that praise begins and ends the last five Psalms, "Praise ye the LORD." (Hallelujah) What endless praise will fill not only heaven, but also the earthly kingdom, in that day. During the millennial day, all nations which will hear the gospel of the kingdom and be saved will join in that happy occupation in which a new nature delights.
Never before do we hear of a trench about an altar. The trench, ditch, valley, pool, or low place-all convey the thought of a state of soul ready for blessing. In Luke's gospel there was a man who digged deep in order to set his house upon the rock that it might survive the coming storm. In Matt. 13 the seed which fell into plowed ground bore fruit.
The "trench" suggests to us the place into which the Gentiles come in connection with the blessings which Israel refused, but also what God had in store beyond Israel's blessings-the rich portion of church blessings. He made a trench in order that those who humbled themselves might be found within the trench which enclosed the fullness of God's purpose.
The word "great" is much used in Luke's gospel, occurring more than thirty times. The coming glory of Christ will be great. The church will be associated with Him in this glory. In John 1:50,5150Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. (John 1:50‑51), it is His greater glory-universal.
"He made a trench" would suggest the path of Jesus all of the way from heaven to the cross and the grave. He could say, "Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit." Had not Jesus humbled Himself, we who were objects of mercy would never know how to humble ourselves.
The trench was as great as would contain two measures of seed. There was no seed in it at the time; only its capacity is given. The trench would contain two measures when the time came. "Two" speaks of fruit found in the day of testimony in rejection. It is the least there can be and yet be a testimony. "Two measures" are a limited sphere where the seed was to be gathered. The western nations within the general confines of the Roman Empire of old seem to be the sphere where Christianity has been propagated (Acts 28:2828Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. (Acts 28:28)). "The gates of hell (Rome) cannot prevail against it."
The trench is seen to encompass completely the altar of twelve stones. The overflow of anything put upon the altar would find its way into the trench. Thus the proper state of soul finds the blessing. The day will come when Israel's blessings will be administered from heaven, by the church.
Israel's blessings, prefigured by the altar of twelve stones, are within the circle of the trench. Christ is a Son over God's own house which is the universe; this is His greater glory as the Son of man. The church is His house as well (Heb. 3:66But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6)). The church will share with Him in this universal glory. "He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head" (Psa. 110:77He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head. (Psalm 110:7)).
The breakdown in Israel gave occasion for the Spirit of God to set forth in this chapter in picture form the full blessing that He, in His sovereignty, had intended for man. These heavenly blessings precede those of Israel, whose blessings are earthly.
"And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time.
With the man of God there seemed to be no lack of anything when it was needed. The supply never failed, yet who was poorer than Elijah? Fed by the ravens, then sustained by a poor widow and her son, and now, in the midst of famine and drought, he said in the language of the poet, "When human cisterns all are dried, I have a fountain still."
The altar, which spoke of Israel, could not contain the water or blessing poured upon it. It surely was cleansed, and so will Israel be when God takes away their sins in one day.
The church is indebted to Israel for mercies (Rom. 11:3030For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: (Romans 11:30)). Besides, we receive blessings that Israel has never known nor will ever know. Both receive the remission of sins, but only the church receives the Spirit indwelling.
How rich our blessings upon whom the ends of the age have come. The heart of God has reached out to bless as it becomes Him, now that His Son has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Four barrels of water speak of what is universal in its application-"Whosoever will." God's desire is that all men might be blessed. "Three" is a figure of completeness. Four barrels, three times, make twelve, or perfection in administration of the kingdom on earth.
What happens in the trench is quite another thing. Being round, it has no limit nor end-nor is there any fixed measure for the seed.
What was so precious in the land of drought as water? Elijah did not seem short of it. "And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied." (Psa. 37:1919They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. (Psalm 37:19)).
If we are in straits as to our circumstances, is it not because our God has allowed it for our good, perhaps at our latter end, as for Israel? In the midst of the distress, Elijah had no need. Water was plentiful to him.
In Elijah's private life he felt the drought with the people. In his public life he drew from an abundant supply for testimony and blessing to others. Was it not so with the Lord Jesus while upon earth? He could say, "Show me a penny," and "The Son of man bath not where to lay his head."
The picture before us shows twelve stones rising out of a great trench of water large enough to contain two measures of seed. Upon the altar was wood, laid in order, and a burnt offering, which had been cut in pieces, laid upon the wood. Over it all were poured four barrels of water three times. The altar, not being able to contain the water, was cleansed as the water ran round about it into the trench. Besides this, he filled the trench with water, in addition to what had passed over the altar. The trench was filled with water; its capacity was great, yet he filled it. This is the larger sphere of blessing-His greater glory-that of the Son of man. To all of this is added the precious thought of the sacrifice offered every evening.
"And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, 0 LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again" (1 Kings 18:36,3736And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. (1 Kings 18:36‑37)).
The time of the offering of the evening sacrifice was of moment for Elijah. The man of God knew what would reach God's ear. What is sweeter to God than thoughts of His Son who made the sacrifice that has glorified God as nothing else? God cannot countenance sin, but the work of which the evening sacrifice speaks has put the sins away. The Lamb in the morning and evening assures blessing for each day of our lives.
When the Spirit of God leads the way to restoration, He will set before both God and the sinner the death of Christ and the shed blood. Here we see also the perfection of the sacrifice, inasmuch as it was cut in his pieces-no blemish within or without.
"How rich the precious blood He spilled,
Our ransom from the dreadful guilt
Of sin against our God."
(Little Flock Hymn Book, No. 196)
In the burnt sacrifice God smells a sweet savor. It was offered wholly unto God.
"Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. (1 Kings 18:38,3938Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God. (1 Kings 18:38‑39)).
Fire is a symbol either of God's judgment of sin or of His approval of the sacrifice. Here we see God's approval of all that Elijah had done. Everything was consumed.
In a day not too distant, after judgment, God will again show Himself for the blessing of His people in turning their heart back again. Elijah is a type of the One who will do this for the last time. What a turning to God that will be, when "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power" (Psa. 110:33Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. (Psalm 110:3)).
God's patience with evil has a limit. The day will soon come when every trace of idolatry will be removed from the habitable earth. After this the rain can fall.
"And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 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, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 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, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not" (1 Kings 18:41-4441And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42So 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, 43And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44And 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, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. (1 Kings 18:41‑44)).
This occasion is a test for both the man of God and Ahab. Elijah falls upon Mount Carmel with his face between his knees and waits upon God in patience until the rain falls. Just a cloud. the size of a man's hand is sufficient to tell the prophet that the rain had come. This pictures Israel's High Priest, Jesus, in intercession until the blessing comes (Lev. 9:2323And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people. (Leviticus 9:23)).
While Ahab is eating and drinking, Elijah is humbled before God. This reminds us of Jeremiah in his lamentations saying, "It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD" (Lam. 3:2626It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:26)).
We learn from Luke 17:2727They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:27) that the very scene before us will be reenacted in the day of the Son of man. Men will be eating and drinking as though nothing unusual were in the offing, only to be engulfed in judgments as were never known before. We are told that all men do not have faith. How thankful we should be for this gift from God.
In the account given here God sends the rain upon all the nation, regardless of the unbelievers among them.
Ahab is instructed, upon the report of the cloud that was the size of a man's hand, to go down to Jezreel (the seed of Jehovah) before the coming rain stops him.
Here we learn much of the heart of God. Nothing on man's part can change that great heart of love. God will bless His people, and He has found a way whereby His own righteousness and glory can be maintained-yea, exalted-by the work done when Christ sacrificed Himself to God. Where there is faith on the part of any, God has removed every spot and stain and says of His people, "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."
How refreshing rain after drought. This was a great rain. In a coming day God will send the early and latter rain. "So the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field" (Zech. 10:11Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. (Zechariah 10:1)).
Elijah's mission being completed, he takes the place of a footman to run before the king so that the people will again honor their king.
To question the character of Ahab was not the thing for Elijah now. Elijah had slain the prophets of Baal and of the groves and had proved to the people who the true God was. He had restored the rain to bless the land. Now he was content to take the low place before all. This shows spiritual maturity, a result of being continually in. God's presence. What a reminder of One who humbled Himself in order that we might have blessing and honor.
Elijah's mission on earth was to turn the hearts of God's people back again to God. In order to do this, the nation must repent. The idols must go. All of this was accomplished. The narrative we have just considered shows what will take place in a coming day by the hand of Jesus (not Elijah, who is merely a type), when the people will not only be turned back to God, but will be willing in the day of His power (Psa. 110:33Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. (Psalm 110:3)).
This chapter is a picture of Israel's coming national repentance when they will go out no more but with a new heart will enter the millennial blessing prepared for them from since the foundation of the world. What glory this will bring to God before all intelligent creatures!
We have also seen the vast blessing for the heavenly inhabitants connected with the coming glory of the Son of man. What universal blessing resurrection will prove when Christ as a Son will come forth as stated in figure in Psa. 19:5,65Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. (Psalm 19:5‑6), "Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof."
Will not this be in the day of the gladness of His heart? He will fully see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied when He sees Israel His people, and the nations, in their place of blessing, and all of the heavenly ones with Himself, and the church as His companion through eternity.