Ahab is stated as being the king who:

1 Kings 16:33 "... did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him."

Elijah means "YAHWEH is God". Very appropriate for God's warrior spokesman, who suddenly appears on the scene to contend for the faith (1 Kings 17:1 ). The contest with Baal begins with an announcement of devastating drought. We are to:

Jude 3 "... earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. "

Elijah believed what God said in Deuteronomy 11:16-17. As a prophet of faith he was sent to announce it, and close the heavens because of the wickedness into which Ahab was leading Israel. Characteristics of the man God can use against the evil of our day, that were in Elijah.

	Personal courage to confront evil.
	Personal faith in the Word and the Spirit's leading.
	Personal commitment to stand alone.
	Personal prayer (James 5:17 ).
	Personal service - standing before God, awaiting orders.

Elijah was told to hide by the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:3 ), a stream in Gilead, east of Jordan. How practical is the God we serve. First told to present himself to Ahab - now to absent himself from Ahab. Obedience affords protection. It is a solemn indictment on a community or nation when God hides His prophets. The dew and rain withheld was not only literal but spiritual (Deuteronomy 32:2 ).

God gave His Word to provide for Elijah (1 Kings 17:4 ). When we are in the place of God's choosing, we will find its the place of supernatural providing. Faith must not be in the ravens or instruments God uses. Faith must be in the Lord who commands them. In the fulfilment of God's Word the brook dried up (1 Kings 17:7 ). Brooks can dry up - God is our source. God orders the drying up according to His will - leading into new supplies of grace provision.

What a surprise to Elijah that God chose to hide him at Zarephath. This was from where Jezebel, the wicked corrupter of Israel, had come (1 Kings 16:31 ).

Matthew Henry says: "To show Jezebel the impotency of her malice, God will find a hiding-place for His servant even in her country."

God knows best how to protect and provide for His own. Elijah went to Zarephath. Serving God means treading the path of obedience. Elijah is sent, and the woman is commanded of God to provide for him (1 Kings 17:8,9 ). God works at both ends. In being obedient to God, the woman preserved her own life and that of her son (1 Kings 17:12 ). Obedience in serving the need of Elijah first brought the meeting of all her need by God (1 Kings 17:15,16 ). She learned, as a Gentile, that her salvation was brought about by the Lord God of Israel. There is salvation and deliverance in none other. God's word is the impregnable foundation on which faith may securely rest.

Supernaturally fed, the widow of Zarephath may have assumed that all her troubles were over, but sudden sickness left her son actually dead (1 Kings 17:17 ). Do not be deceived - it can be in the time of richest blessing that the severest trials can be experienced (1 Peter 4:12 ). As in the case of Lazarus and his sisters, what happens can be for the glory of God (John 11:4 ). What a mixture of faith, unbelief, pride and humility is to be found in the widow's blame she put on Elijah (1 Kings 17:18 ). Elijah did not retaliate but asked to be given the dead son, creating faith in her for the son's restoration, and showed by calmness and gentleness, that he was indeed God's servant.

Lessons in the raising of the widow's son:

	He prayed in secret (1 Kings 17:19; Matthew 6:6 ).
	He emphasised his relationship with God (1 Kings 17:20 ).
	He believed his presence as a man of God, should avert tragedy (1 Kings 17:20; Matthew 10:13 ).
	He humbly identified with the child (1 Kings 17:21 ).
	He was persistent and prevailed in prayer (1 Kings 17:21 ).
	He was heard and received the miracle (1 Kings 17:22 ).
	He returned the now living child to his mother (1 Kings 17:23 ).
	He announced the miracle (1 Kings 17:23 ).
	He received a God-honoured confession (1 Kings 17:24 ).

The state of the country must have been dreadful after three years of no dew and no rain. God had hidden His prophet Elijah from the wicked Ahab's vengeful anger against him - now He sends Elijah to confront Ahab again (1 Kings 18:1 ). God's men need courage and boldness to carry out God's assignments - the Holy Spirit gives the boldness needed.

Ryrie says, "We know from secular records that Ahab must have had several thousand horses."

He was desperate to keep a semblance of military might. What a picture of the hardened heart. Ahab did not seek repentance, but relief from the consequences of his sin. His words to Obadiah reveal this.

1 Kings 18:5 "... Go into the land, ... we may find grass ..."

The people of Jeremiah's day were as Ahab.

Jeremiah 5:3 "O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return."

God's corrections should make us hear and obey His voice. (Hebrews 3:7-11 ). "Harden not your hearts" (Hebrews 3:8 KJV).

Obadiah, though serving in Ahab's personal employment, is truly a man of God.

1 Kings 18:3 "... Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:"

The Lord's servants are to be found in the most unlikely places - as in "Caesar's household" (Philippians 4:22 ). Obadiah was appointed by God to be a protector of His servants the prophets in a day of massacre (1 Kings 18:4 ). He managed to save and feed 100 of them. Obadiah experienced mixed emotions upon meeting Elijah - awe and delight at meeting him alive and well, but reluctance at the thought of being Elijah's messenger to Ahab (1 Kings 18:7-14 ). On Elijah's assurance that the Lord would not carry him away, and that he would confront Ahab that very day, Obadiah carried Elijah's message to the king (1 Kings 18:15-16 ).

Waiting for an impending confrontation as Elijah did, would take courage (1 Kings 18:15-16 ). His calm fortitude was born on his being sent by God, and his confidence in God's protection. Ahab would be unnerved by the fact that the prophet was seeking him out. It is the same in the New Testament with Herod (Mark 6:20 ). Felix (Acts 24:25 ). The same Holy Spirit who brings boldness to the messengers of Christ, brings fear and conviction to those who, though influential, have to be confronted.

Upon meeting Elijah, Ahab attacked with accusation of the prophet being the troubler of Israel (1 Kings 18:17 ). Elijah turned the attack back upon Ahab showing that his unrepentant idolatry was the cause of Israel's misery (1 Kings 18:18 ). It is high praise indeed when authorities that are idolatrous followers of Baal, acknowledge the convicting, troubling work of the Holy Spirit through us. And we are in good company with Jesus (Luke 23:5 ); with Paul and Silas (Acts 16:20; Acts 17:6 ). Often their attack is a witness against their own evil (1 Kings 18:18 ).

Elijah charged king Ahab with his sins, and gave instructions, telling him what he must do (1 Kings 18:20 ). This extraordinary authority came from the Lord, and the specific word he had received from God. All Israel had to be gathered at Carmel, and he commanded the presence of the prophets of Baal, the chief male deity of the Canaanites and Phoenicians, and of Asherah, regarded as the wife of Baal in Canaanite mythology. They were summoned to confrontation to show the superiority of the Lord over Baal.

The word of the Lord is the true authority of leaders. When leaders are faithful to God's Word, they carry His authority. Be committed to the Word (2 Timothy 3:16 ). Communicate by the Word (2 Timothy 4:2 ), and correct and convince by the Word (2 Timothy 4:2-4 ).

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Elijah's Challenge To The People (1 Kings 18:21-24)

The time to make a decision had arrived. They could no longer combine worship of the Lord with that of Baal - demon worship. Baal's prophets accept the challenge (1 Kings 18:25-26 ). Ahab and the prophets of Baal believed their god to be capable of answering - he proved to be incapable and unreal. Elijah's ridicule only taunted these prophets of Baal to self-inflicted injury - all to no avail (1 Kings 18:27-29 ). Even the odour of blood failed to arouse their false god.

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Elijah Repairs The Altar Of The Lord (1 Kings 18:30-31)

Elijah had a trench made round the altar. The sacrifice was drenched with water. Nothing was being left to chance in the test (1 Kings 18:32-33 ).

"There is a perennial spring near this traditional site, from which the water may have been brought." Ryrie

Elijah and the people had proof positive that the Lord He is God - fire from heaven consumed the sacrifice (1 Kings 18:36-39 ). The people acknowledged "The LORD He is God."

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Elijah Calls For The Slaying Of The Prophets Of Baal (1 Kings 18:40)

The people did so, giving evidence that they were ready to turn back to God.

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Elijah Confessed To The Unbelieving King

1 Kings 18:41 "...; for there is a sound of abundance of rain."

He then went and prayed into reality that sound he heard by faith. (1 Kings 18:42-45 ). Elijah was given supernatural strength, strength to outrun the chariot of Ahab, some 25 miles, reaching Jezreel ahead of him (1 Kings 18:46 ). Another witness to the God of Elijah being the only true God. God attests the proclamation of the gospel with miracle proof (Mark 16:17-18 ).

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Do we need leaders today with the characteristics of Elijah?
2. Would you recognise from the written word, the word to be spoken to this generation? (1 Kings 17:1; Deuteronomy 11:16-17 ).
3. Do you believe God is your source? Do you also believe and trust Him when He orders the drying up of supplies? (1 Kings 17:7 ).
4. What lessons from the raising of the widow's son, speak to your need? (1 Kings 17:18-24 ).
5. Do you think it takes courage and boldness to carry out God's special assignments (1 Kings 18:11 ). Can you relate an example?
6. What is your response to the correction of God? (1 Kings 18:5; Jeremiah 5:3 ).
7. Have you found the Lord's servants in strange positions? (1 Kings 18:3; Philippians 4:22 ).
8. How are you affected for God by the events on Mount Carmel? (1 Kings 18:20-46 ).