INTRODUCTION: In the time of drought one would do well to find a Man of God that can bring the rain. Follow Obadiah on his journey to find Elijah.
I. THE SEARCH FOR ELIJAH (18:1-16)
A. The Lord Sent Elijah to Ahab (18:1-2)
1. Sent by the word of the Lord (v.1)
2. Sent in the third year (v.1; James 5:17)
3. Sent to announce the coming of rain (v.1)
4. Sent at a time of sore famine (v.2; compare Amos 8:11)
B. Ahab Sent Obadiah to Find Grass (18:3-6)
1. The person of Obadiah (v.3-4)
a. The governor of Ahab’s house (v.3)
b. A man who feared God greatly (v.3)
c. A man who hid a hundred prophets of God (v.4)
(1) Fifty each in two caves
(2) Feeding them bread and water
2. The work of Obadiah (v.5-6)
a. Sent to seek grass to keep the horses and mules alive (v.5)
b. Sent one way while Ahab went another (v.6)
C. Elijah Met Obadiah in the Way (18:7-14)
1. Elijah revealed himself to Obadiah (v.7)
2. Elijah announced his intention to meet with Ahab (v.8)
3. Obadiah feared to tell Ahab of Elijah (v.9-14)
a. Others have sought Elijah and could not find him (v.9-11)
b. The Spirit of the Lord is likely to hide Elijah (v.12)
c. Obadiah proclaimed his own righteousness (v.12-13)
d. Elijah’s disappearance would cause Obadiah’s death (v.14)
D. Elijah Promised to Meet with Ahab (18:15-16)
1. Elijah promised to show himself to Ahab (v.15)
2. Obadiah told Ahab of finding Elijah (v.16)
II. THE SACRIFICE OF ELIJAH (18:17-40)
A. The Challenge Given by Elijah (18:17-24)
1. Elijah’s accuser (v.17); Ahab
2. Elijah’s answer (v.18)
3. Elijah’s invitation (v.19-20)
a. To Mount Carmel
(1) 12 mile long ridge
(2) Juts out into the Mediterranean Sea
(3) Overlooks the Valley of Jezreel
(4) 1400 feet high at probable site of Elijah’s altar
b. With 850 prophets
(1) 450 prophets of Baal
(2) 400 prophets of the grove
4. Elijah’s proposal (v.21-24)
a. Settle the dispute between God and Baal with a contest (v.21)
b. Baal has the advantage of 450 to 1 (v.22)
c. Let each side prepare a sacrifice with no fire (v.23)
d. Let both sides call on the of their god or God (v.24)
e. Accept the God who answers with fire as the true God (v.24)
B. The Charge Elijah Gave to Baal and his Prophets (18:25-29)
1. The sacrifice to Baal (v.25-26)
2. The prophets of Baal (v.26-28)
3. The failure of Baal (v.29)
C. The Conquest of God over Baal (18:30-38)
1. The repair of the altar of the Lord (v.30-32)
2. The pouring of water on the altar (v.33-35)
3. The prayer of the prophet of God (v.36-37)
4. The power of the answer of God (v.38)
D. The Change Wrought in the People (18:39-40)
1. The confession of the people (v.39)
2. The killing of the prophets (v.40)
III. THE SOAKING OF ELIJAH (18:41-46)
A. The Calling Forth of the Rain (18:41-44)
B. The Coming of the Man of God (18:47-48)
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