(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 (1 Kings 17 and 18)

King Ahab of Israel married Jezebel, a Sidonian princess, and under her influence he built a temple and altar to Baal in Samaria and led the nation into idolatry, doing more to provoke the Lord than all the kings before him.

• Because of this apostasy, Elijah the Tishbite appeared before Ahab and declared, 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. The drought was therefore a judgment on Baal worship, since Baal was believed to be the god of rain and fertility.
• God then hid Elijah by the brook Cherith, where ravens fed him, and afterwards at Zarephath with the widow whose flour and oil did not run out and whose son Elijah later raised to life.

Ahab's reaction:

• Ahab regarded Elijah as an enemy and searched everywhere for him; there was no nation or kingdom where he did not send to seek the prophet.
• When they finally met, Ahab greeted Elijah with the accusation, Is it you, you troubler of Israel?
• Elijah replied that it was Ahab and his father's house who had troubled Israel by forsaking the commandments and following the Baals, and challenged Ahab to gather Israel and the prophets of Baal to Mount Carmel.
• Ahab obeyed and summoned the people and the prophets to the contest, where the Lord answered by fire and Baal's prophets were exposed as powerless.

(b) Lessons about the supremacy of God

1. God alone controls nature; He, not Baal, sends and withholds rain, dew and fertility.
2. God punishes idolatry and false worship, showing He will not share His glory with idols.
3. God protects and provides for His faithful servants, as He did for Elijah at Cherith and Zarephath.
4. God is more powerful than any king; Ahab's throne could not overturn the prophet's word.
5. True prayer to God is answered, proving Him the living and supreme God over dead idols.