1 Kings 18:1 (NKJV): And it came to pass after many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, "Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth."
'Elijah' here speaks of 'God coming down and presenting Himself to humankind'. Some 2,000 years ago, God came down (John 1:11-14) and presented Himself to humankind, and with Him also came grace and truth (John 1:17). Not only that, victory had also been won for us (those who believe) when He died on the cross!
On the other hand, 'Ahab' here speaks of 'humankind', yet susceptible to influences, whether good or bad. In Ahab's case, he was very much influenced by his wife, Jezebel, worshipping and serving Baal, and provoking the Lord God of Israel (YHWH) to anger more than all other kings of Israel who were before him (1 Kings 16:31-33). This led to God proclaiming a drought in the land (1 Kings 17:1).
Note: 'Baal' speaks of 'other gods'.
Let's now go to the background leading to the rain coming. Elijah then said to Ahab in 1 Kings 18:19, "Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table." Interestingly, the word 'Carmel' literally means 'orchard, fullness of blessing, fruitful field, or a plentiful place', derived from the Hebrew word 'kerem', meaning 'vine, vineyard'.
In other words, Elijah called on the people to gather at Carmel, a place of 'fullness of blessing', where they would witness who the real 'Vine' is! (see also John 15:1, John 15:4-5) Today, God is also calling the people to return to the 'Vine', the very source, where the 'orchard, fullness of blessing, fruitful field, or a plentiful place' is! It's a call to stay connected with Him, just like a 'branch' to the 'vine', no matter what happens in this end-time.
That's why Elijah threw a challenge to all the people those days, saying, "How long will you falter (waver) between two opinions? If the Lord (YHWH) is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." (1 Kings 18:21) People of God, this is an important time to continue to fix your eyes on Jesus and not waver or doubt, no matter how the 'Baals' of today may try to 'side-track' you.
Elijah then said to the people, "Therefore let them (the prophets of Baal) give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it." (1 Kings 18:23) And to the prophets of Baal, Elijah said, "Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord (YHWH); and the God who answers by fire, He is God." (1 Kings 18:24)
The prophets of Baal soon tried to call down fire, but in vain. They even cried aloud and cut themselves with knives until blood gushed out on them! (1 Kings 18:28) Yet, there was still no fire! This speaks of men's 'self-effort' to try to earn the favor of their 'gods'.
When it came to Elijah's turn, he then said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down (1 Kings 18:30). He then put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, "Fill four water pots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood." (1 Kings 18:33) This indeed is a beautiful 'picture' of the sacrifice of Jesus on the (wooden) cross! At the cross, blood and water also came out from the body of Jesus, as He was being nailed and pierced.
And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah said, "Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and I have done all these things at Your word." (1 Kings 18:36) Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench (1 Kings 18:38). This is a 'picture' of Jesus becoming the burnt offering for you on the cross. And just as fire consumed the burnt sacrifice in Elijah's time, God is also well-pleased with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross! And when the work was completed, Jesus said, "It is finished!" (John 19:30) This happened in the ninth hour, at the same time of the evening sacrifice!
Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The Lord (YHWH), He is God! The Lord (YHWH), He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39)
This also marked the ending of drought, and the beginning of rain (speaks of 'blessing') again for Israel (see 1 Kings 18:41-46). It is the same today. As a believer, know that He is here for you too, even if you've failed Him time and time again (just like the people in Elijah's days). Look to Him, draw near to Him, and call on the name of the Lord again, no matter what you are faced with right now. With men, it may be impossible, but with God, all things are possible (Mark 10:27), just as happened in 1 Kings 18. He can turn things around for you, just as He did through Elijah.
People of God, 'drought' is a curse. It's never meant to be when God created man (and woman) and the Garden of Eden! Today, it's also never meant for you too. Indeed, He has never changed. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). So, whatever your 'drought' may be at the moment, know that Jesus has already become a 'drought' ('curse') for you on the cross (Galatians 3:13), and in exchange, you now have your 'rain' ('blessing'). Believing this, and you'll receive. In Jesus' name. Amen!
