Text: 1 Kings 18:41-46

Introduction

The conversations of rain:

Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." (1 Kings 17:1 ESV);
After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, "Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth." (1 Kings 18:1 ESV);
And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain." (1 Kings 18:41 ESV);
And at the seventh time he said, "Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.'" (1 Kings 18:44 ESV)

Sequence of "rain talk"

Sin—Elijah speaks to Ahab (1)…Lord speaks to Elijah (2)…Elijah speaks to Ahab (3)…servant speaks to Ahab (4)—rain

Revealed initially in verse 41

And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain." (1 Kings 18:41 ESV)
Sound: From an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound (Strong's)
1. Elijah just didn't hear the sound of rain; rather he heard the call for rain—first his and then heavens.
2. Used as voice in verse 29
3. It wasn't just Elijah speaking to Ahab that there was going to be rain (17:1); rather, it was Elijah speaking to God in prayer that would then bring the deluge.
  1. Sound: sound (of an instrument)(BDB)
  2. Elijah just wasn't hearing the notes played (rain itself) but the person who played the instrument

Practiced in verse 42:

So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. (1 Kings 18:42 ESV)

Cannot put natural timing on a spiritual promise

1 Kings 18:1—show yourself and I will send rain
1. Jesus: So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. (John 11:6 ESV)
2. The Apostles:
  So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (7) He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. (Acts 1:6-7 ESV)
  1. Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (James 5:7-8 ESV)
Giving God (Holy Spirit) the chance to work: convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment
1. Curse lifted to Ahab (v.42)
  1. I believe that God continually spoke to Ahab during draught as leader of His people, but he refused to listen
  2. Elijah spoke directly to Ahab's sin in verse 18
  3. One reason Elijah ran ahead of Ahab the 18 miles into Jezreel
    1. Rain came because Elijah followed the Lord, and if Ahab would continue to follow him, as his carriage did now, the blessing of God could return. But Ahab failed in carrying it through in 19:1.

Cannot let the event be an end to itself

1Kings 18:38—fire consumed the offering
1. Hours of "prayer" by Baal's prophets; 63 English words and about 20 seconds for Elijah's. Why? The way had been prepared!
  1. Prayer beginning 42 months before
  2. The rebuilding of the altar; that is, obedience to the Word
Fire prayer was the preparation for the rain prayer
1. Done nothing thinking it was over and that God would send rain
2. Bask in the limelight as the "man of God"

There are two things we can learn from Elijah's actions in order to finish through prayer: separation and determination.

Elijah had to put himself in a position to be with God and see the results

And he prayed seven times.

Praying the promises of God