1 Kings 18:45
And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
The heaven grew black with clouds and wind and poured out a great heavy night rain in a dark blinding storm, while Ahab rode down from Carmel to the entrance of the gate of Jezreel. That rain broke the three years in which dew and rain had been withheld and locked up by Elijah's word, ending three and a half years of famine. It came after Elijah's prayer on Carmel, after fire fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, after the execution of the eight hundred and fifty priests of Baal, and after the people's confession of sin and return to the God of their fathers. With his face between his knees Elijah prayed earnestly and would not give up though sight was against him, sending his servant seven times until a cloud like a man's hand appeared, and that holding faith that asks great things and will not let go is the pattern for believers now to receive the dew of heaven. Strengthened by the hand of the Lord upon him, he girded his garment and ran before Ahab's chariot through wind and rain to do him homage as king, rebuking pride and teaching God's servants not to count humble menial duty beneath them.
Rain Ends the Drought
The sky turned black with clouds and wind, and a great, heavy rain fell. It came on at night as a dark storm. The wind and rain were blinding, so that Ahab could not see his way before him.
In that storm Ahab rode down from Carmel toward Jezreel. Jezreel was the royal city. He was guided to the entrance of its gate, to the entrance of the city.
The rain ended the drought in which dew and rain had been withheld from the earth. Elijah's word had been the key that locked heaven for three years and then unlocked it, holding back the treasures of heaven. That withholding is also described as three and a half years of famine for Israel.
The rain came after Elijah's prayer on Carmel, where fire flashed from heaven and consumed the sacrifice. It came after God's judgment in the execution of the idolatrous priests of Baal, eight hundred and fifty in number. It came after the people confessed their sins and acknowledged the God of their fathers. With their repentance Heaven's curse was withdrawn and temporal blessing was renewed, the earth being refreshed again with dew and rain.
Faith and Prayer Answered
Elijah did not wait for the heavens to gather blackness, but seeing only a little cloud out of the sea like a man's hand he beheld by faith an abundance of rain and acted in harmony with his faith by warning Ahab to prepare his chariot and get down before the rain stopped him, and then the heaven grew black with clouds and wind and great rain fell as Ahab rode to Jezreel. On the top of Carmel he bowed down with his face between his knees in a painful, humiliating position and prayed strongly and earnestly for rain, and his faith was sorely tried while he waited and continued in earnest prayer. He sent his servant to look for a sign of answer, and though there was none and outward appearance was against him he did not give up in discouragement but bade his servant go again seven times.
His was a firm, importunate faith that would not let go until the request was granted, that did not waver or go away doubting after asking, but asked the Lord for greater blessings and believed He would bless. That persevering prayer answered by the cloud and the rain is the pattern of steady, abiding, holding faith that will stand trial seven times. The same holding faith is needed now, when time is very short and deliverance is coming, to ask great things of the Lord, to believe He will bless and hold on firm and importunate until the blessing comes, to watch against the wiles of Satan, and to hold on to faith whatever feelings are, for the prayer of faith will bring the dew of heaven and water the soul.
God's answering of prayer for fire from heaven and then for great rain proves He is all-powerful and pitiful and grants every request of His servant. The blessed rain testified to the showers of blessing God was ready to pour out on Israel after idolatry was cast down. It came as the token of repentance Elijah had watched and waited for with deep solicitude while bearing a heavy burden for Israel and faithfully warning against national idolatry through three and a half years of famine, after the false priests were judged and the people confessed their sins and acknowledged the God of their fathers, withdrawing Heaven's curse and renewing blessing by refreshing the earth with dew and rain.
The rain marks the high point of Elijah's life-work on Carmel where he stood alone for God through the power of faith, before one failure of faith cut that work short so that the work he had begun he was not to complete. After that display of power he expected Israel to stay faithful and Jezebel to lose influence over Ahab. When Jezebel's threatening message came he forgot that same unchanging power and pity and mercy, and instead of trusting God for protection and another victory he fled discouraged as a fugitive.
Humble Homage to Ahab
The hand of the Lord came upon Elijah because he had been obedient and done God's will, and nerved and empowered by the Spirit and power of God he girded his coarse garment about him and ran before Ahab's chariot. He ran through darkness and wind and blinding rain, guiding the king's course when Ahab could not see his way, bringing him to the entrance of Jezreel and to the gate of the royal city.
That same day he had locked heaven from dew and rain for three years by his word, called down fire from heaven upon the altar, rebuked the king to his face, and humiliated him before his subjects and the people. He had executed God's judgment in slaying eight hundred and fifty idolatrous priests of Baal. Yet he still acknowledged wicked Ahab as his king and sovereign, serving the sovereign he had rebuked by an act of special homage and public respect to show Israel that allegiance.
After exhausting toil and signal triumph he humbled himself to perform the service of a menial, willing to do the work of a lowly runner ahead of the royal chariot. That willingness rebukes pride and teaches all who claim to be servants of God not to feel exalted above menial and needful service. Ministers are taught not to feel above needful, menial service, and young men bearing God's message must come down from ministerial dignity to do humble duties and not consider them beneath them.