(a) Why did Elijah pronounce drought on lsreal and how did Ahab react to this? (b) What lessons about the supremacy of God do we learn from this event ?

Answer Details

(a) Why Elijah pronounced drought on Israel and Ahab’s reaction

Ahab, king of Israel, married Jezebel, the daughter of the king of Sidon. Under Jezebel’s influence, Ahab began to serve and worship Baal. He built an altar and a temple for Baal in Samaria and also made an Asherah. Ahab therefore led the people of Israel into idolatry and provoked the Lord more than the kings who reigned before him.

Because Ahab and Israel had forsaken the commandments of God and followed Baal, God sent Elijah the Tishbite to pronounce punishment on the land. Elijah appeared before Ahab and declared that there would be no dew or rain for years except at his word. The drought was God’s judgment against the worship of Baal, whom the people believed could control rain and fertility.

During the famine, Ahab sent Obadiah, the governor of his house, to search for water and pasture so that the horses and mules would not die. Ahab went in one direction while Obadiah went in another. Obadiah met Elijah, recognized him and bowed before him. Elijah told Obadiah to inform Ahab that he was there.

When Ahab met Elijah, he said, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” Elijah replied that he had not troubled Israel, but that Ahab and his father’s house had troubled it by forsaking the commandments of the Lord and following the Baals. Elijah then instructed Ahab to gather the people of Israel and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel.

(b) Lessons about the supremacy of God

1. God is supreme over nature, for He withheld rain and dew from the land and later restored rain at His command.
2. God punishes sin and idolatry; the drought came because Ahab and Israel abandoned God and worshipped Baal.
3. God is greater than Baal and all false gods, since Baal could not prevent or end the drought.
4. God provides for His faithful servants, as He provided food and water for Elijah during the famine.
5. God is more powerful than earthly rulers; although Ahab was king, he could not change or stop God’s judgment spoken through Elijah.
6. God protects those who remain loyal to Him, even in times of famine, persecution and national disaster.