Today’s Devotion
Topic: A Passionate Prophet Vrs His Evil King (Part 14)
(Self Assessment 214)
Introduction: Last week we studied that after seizing the prophets of baal, Elijah then commanded they be brought down to the Kishon Valley where they were slaughtered.
Elijah afterwards told king Ahab to go and eat for there was the sound of heavy rain, while he himself climbed to the top of Carmel to pray.
Where is the rain he promised or is he now praying that it comes? How is Ahab going to react if it fails to rain? How is this not going to affect the young faith Israel is nurturing in Jehovah since they saw fire come down from heaven to consume Elijah’s sacrifice?
For answers to these and more, let us zoom straight into today’s Bible study.
Text: 1 Kings 18: 43- 46
43 “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.
“There is nothing there,” he said.
Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”
44 The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”
So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”
45 Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. 46 The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. Amen
Questions:
1. The prophet sent his servant 6 times to look towards the sea to see if clouds are forming. Each time the servant didn’t see the sign of rain, Elijah would send him again. Till on the 7th time when the servant saw a small cloud rising. What is going on here? How do we explain this?
2. Also, kindly explain why with the rising of a cloud as small as a man’s hand, Elijah still confidently sent word to Ahab again. This time to “hitch up his chariot and go down before the rain stops him”.
3. Is it Elijah’s faith in verse 45 bringing the rain after years of drought, or it’s Jehovah’s faithfulness to honor Elijah’s prophetic office or Israel’s choice to serve Jehovah now paving the way for abundant rain?
4. The power of God caused Elijah to run ahead of the chariot of Ahab which was already in motion way before Elijah was done praying these 7 times. What can you say about this? Is there a limit to the power of God in the life of a believer? How can this apply to our lives now?
5. What have you learnt from today’s discussion?
Kindly share your answers with us through this same social media platform (WhatsApp/Facebook). We also learn a lot from what you share.
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