1 Reis 17

1 Reis 17

Barnes: This threat was dire indeed, since rain (and dew) were crucial for Palestinian agricultural prosperity, in clear contrast to both the lands of Egypt and Mesopotamia, where great rivers were used to irrigate the land. In Palestine, the rains would generally fall during the wet winter season (early rains in late October, and the latter rains tapering off by March or April, but with much variation possible year by year); these rains were essential, especially for the cereal crops raised in this region of the Near East. The dew was crucial, too; it often falls heavily in Israel throughout the year, and it is also important for agricultural success, especially for the grapes, which ripen throughout the dry summer season (Baly 1974:44–46). (See 1-2 Kings - Page 148) C T Lacey - The very mention of his name (ELIJAH) provokes numerous thoughts in believers’ minds, e.g. a dynamic and fearsome personality, a man of miracles, revered by the Jews and linked to the coming of the Messiah (Mal 4:5–6+). Indeed, he is mentioned in the New Testament more often than any other Old Testament character (See note). Such is the aura that surrounds him that there is a danger that he can be regarded as one who is outside the experience on any other man. However, James dismisses such thinking when he describes him as “a man subject to like passions as we are” (James 5:17), i.e. he had the same nature as other men, with the same weaknesses, feelings and experiences. (What the Bible Teaches – 1 and 2 Kings.) Bob