drought and provision

Good morning all,
Yesterday we were introduced to King Ahab of Israel and told that his idolatry and lack of faithlessness to God were stunning. He and his wife Jezebel were huge supporters of the cults of Baal and Asherah in Israel. Baal was the Canaanite God of fertility and was in many ways God's greatest rival for worship since Baal's cult was most widespread among Israel's neighbors. Asherah was a goddess in the area who was often worshiped through sacred poles. So we met Ahab and Jezebel yesterday; today we meet Elijah, the prophet of God.

Elijah's ministry is supporting the worship of God and helping to keep Israel faithful. Obviously that's going to be a tough mission with the king and queen backing the other side. Interestingly, Ahab seems to respect Elijah, even though he is a thorn in his side, because he clearly speaks for God. Even though Ahab has turned away, he hasn't forgotten the God he knows is for Israel. In today's reading God sends Elijah to tell Ahab there will be a drought for three years to show God's power. After that announcement Elijah has to go and hide to be safe from Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah's ministry is something like guerilla warfare prophecy: he'll make a pronouncement from God and then disappear again. I pray God would use this story to encourage our courage and faithfulness.

God bless,
Sam

1 Kings 17:1-7
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.” 2The word of the Lord came to him, saying, 3“Go from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4You shall drink from the wadi, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5So he went and did according to the word of the Lord; he went and lived by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 6The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the wadi. 7But after a while the wadi dried up, because there was no rain in the land.