![]() ![]() He immediately confirmed his earlier message to the king that rain was coming. Yet he persevered in prayer.Īnd the seventh time it was reported to him that a cloud as small as a man’s hand was rising from the sea. Gene Rice suggests that this expression in Hebrew has a fuller meaning which conveys a more tangible sense of silence that was still, calming Elijah’s anxious-filled heart. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. In the Septuagint (LXX), demamah is translated twice as calm or calmness. ![]() 46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. The Journey to Jezreel (1 Kings 18:4519:2) 18:45 Meanwhile the sky was covered with dark clouds, the wind blew, and there was a heavy rainstorm. 45 And soon the sky was black with clouds. Elijah’s prayers were heard, and the rains were soon to come, so the prophet told Ahab it was time for him to leave, while he could still travel in his chariot. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you’. Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. Then Elijah shouted, Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. Here Elijah was being watched by the huge gathering too. Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. But that needed a continuous praying that would not be discouraged even when six times he heard it said, “There is nothing there!” He knew for sure that God would keep His word. 2 And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. He knew within himself that rain was bound to come for he had obeyed whatever God had told him to do. He was giving birth to the rain through prayer. So it seems that Elijah was undergoing intense labor pains. On top of Mount Carmel, Elijah’s posture of being bent down to the ground and putting his face between his knees was similar to the posture that women of those times adopted while giving birth to their children. This promise was the surety that enabled Elijah to pray on. Here, Elijah was asked by God to present himself before Ahab, and God had promised to sent rain on the land. Remember, such kind of praying is still needed even when God has already promised the answer. You will be able to create studies, sermons and biblical materials in record. It means holding on to the word God had given you and continuing to expect to see the answer manifest itself i.e. A comprehensive collection that includes various versions of the Bible, biblical commentaries, biblical dictionaries, writings of the Church Fathers, Christian books, rabbinic sources, and much more. What does it mean? It means praying on and on, in spite of no sign of your prayer being answered. One of the most valuable lessons on prayer is found here. The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” (1 Kings 18:44a NIV).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |