B-Side - 1 Kings 16:29-17:9

Ahab was even more evil than his evil father. Israel seemed to be prospering by worldly standards, but God was disgusted. Ahab chose Baal because he thought that would bring more wealth and power. True wealth and power only come when you put God first.

Though Ahab is constantly ignoring the Word of God, Elijah is consistently living his life based on the Word of God. Elijah's strength was drawn from his prayer life.

Elijah is a type of Moses, Ahab a type of Pharaoh.

God used unlikely agents of his provision to feed Elijah: the ravens and the gentile woman.

Baal can't even make it rain in his own country, but God moves in and works mighty miracles that Baal could never achieve.

In 1 Samuel 4 and 5, the ark is taken captive, a symbol that God's presence had left Israel. Here, Elijah is moving farther and farther from Israel; as God's Word moves away from a nation, God is judging it, departing from it. Even after months of drought, the people are not clinging to God's word.