The Way
A Cloud the Size of a Hand
The cloud seen the seventh time
Story
After the fire fell, Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink. I hear the sound of heavy rain.” The sky was still clear. While Ahab went up to eat and drink, Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed down to the ground. He buried his face between his knees.
Elijah said to his servant, “Go up and look toward the sea.” The servant went and came back and said, “There is nothing there.” Elijah said, “Go back again.” The servant climbed up again and again. The seventh time, the servant came back out of breath and said, “A little cloud, as small as a man's hand, is rising from the sea.”
Elijah said to his servant, “Go and tell Ahab to hitch his horses to his chariot and go down before the rain stops him.” Soon the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and a heavy rain poured down. Ahab drove his chariot hard toward Jezreel. The hand of the Lord came upon Elijah, and Elijah tucked his cloak into his belt and ran through the rain ahead of the king's chariot.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and the Prophets
Go up, eat and drink. I hear the sound of heavy rain pouring down.
Look, a little cloud, as small as a man's hand, is rising from the sea.
Go and tell Ahab to hitch his horses to his chariot and go down before the rain stops him.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 1 Kgs 18:41–46
Background
From the top of Mount Carmel the Mediterranean lies in full view to the west. The road to Jezreel was nearly thirty kilometers long, and Elijah ran it ahead of the king's chariot.
Pause and Reflect
Even when the answer is slow, do I keep praying to God?