10/08/2008
1 Kings 17:1 (HCSB) 1Now Elijah the Tishbite, from the Gilead settlers, said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel lives, I stand before Him, and there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command!”
1 Kings 18:17 - 19 (HCSB) 17When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, you destroyer of Israel?” 18He replied, “I have not destroyed Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have abandoned the LORD’s commandments and followed the Baals. 19Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
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Israel had split from Judah and had a succession of kings. Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom was afraid that the kingdom would turn back to God by worshiping in Jerusalem and reunite with the southern kingdom. For this reason, he set up two golden calves as idols, proclaiming to Israel, “this is your god that brought you out of Egypt.” Ahab was the seventh king of Israel and he, like all of his predecessors pushed Israel (the northern kingdom) further from God.
God raised up a prophet, Elijah, and commanded him to tell Ahab there would be no rain or dew until he commanded it.
God has a way of getting our attention. He sent Elijah to Ahab with a very simple message, then sent Elijah away in hiding. Ahab had searched for Elijah because of the drought and was becoming desperate. It would have been an easier task to turn Israel back to God, but Ahab refused. Ahab wanted to capture Elijah and force him to bring rain.
When the time had come, God told Elijah to present himself back to Ahab. Ahab accuses Elijah of bringing the drought, but Elijah points out rightly that Israel has been destroyed because of Ahab and his fathers’ sins.
This reunion commences with the showdown at Mount Carmel where the pagan priests try to bring fire from heaven to light an altar. They struggle by crying, wailing, self mutilation and so forth, but there is no answer. Yet, Elijah has his altar drenched with water before he gives a simple prayer and the altar is completely consumed by fire from heaven.
God wants to demonstrate His power in our lives. But this requires that we stay focused on Him. Israel had become dry and desolate because of the sins of the king and the people. Our lives too, become a wasteland because we fail to keep Him at the right place in our lives.
What must God do to get your attention? Who are you accusing for your problems when you should be looking at yourself? Let God demonstrate His power in you by keeping your life focused on Him.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2008 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
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