ELIJAH/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 making his way to Jezebel." (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 and darkening the 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 Baal prophets.  The wayward Israel too were being given a chance to wash away the terrible stain of Baal worship in the land.

Surely Elijah hoped 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 days had furnished powerful reasons to make such changes.  Of course, we cannot know what was going through Ahab's mind at the moment. The account simply tells us that the king "kept riding and made his way to Jezebel." Had he learned anything?  Was he resolved to change his ways?  Later events suggest that the answer is no.  Still, the day was not yet over for Ahab-nor for Elijah.

Next time:  ELIJAH/He Watched and He Waited - Jehovah Brings Relief and Blessings

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