CHAPTER ELEVEN/He Watched, and He Waited - Jehovah Brings Relief and Blessings

 The account tells us: "It came about in the meantime that the heavens themselves darkened up with clouds and wind and a great downpour began to occur.  And Ahab kept riding and make his way to Jezreel." (1 Kings 18:45) Events began to unfold at remarkable speed. While Elijah's attendant was delivering the prophet's message to Ahab, that little cloud became many, filling a darkening sky. A great wind blew. At last, after three and a half years, rain fell on the soil of Israel.  The parched ground drank in the drops. As the rain became a downpour, the river Kishon swelled, no doubt washing away the blood of the executed Baak prophets. The wayward Israelites too were being given a c hance to wash away the terrible stain on the land.

Surely Elijah hope that it would be so! Perhaps he wondered how Ahab would respond to the dramatic events that were unfolding. Would Ahab repent and turn away from the pollution of Baal worship?  The events of the day had furnished powerful reasons to make such changes. Of course, we cannot know what was going on through Ahab's mind at the moment. The account simply tells us that the king "kept riding and made his way to Jezreel." Had he learned anything? Was he resolved not to change his ways? Later events suggest that the answer is no. Still, the day was not over yet for Ahab-nor for Elijah. 

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