I was reading James 5 this morning, and the topic of Elijah's prayer of faith for it not to rain for three and a half years came up. This particular number is a special period of time in Scripture - it equals approximately 1260 days or 42 months. It is mentioned in several places as the time leading up to the "great and awesome day of the Lord," when he comes in judgment and power and glory against his evil foes. It is a time of suffering and tribulation, and it is a story retold again and again in Scripture. (1 Kings 17-19, Luke 4:25, Revelation 11:2-3,6, 12:6, 13:5, Malachi 4:5-6).
What we can glean from this is that the 3.5 years was a time of judgment and peril for the Israelites, and it was brought forth by the Lord through Elijah. John uses this exact same language in Revelation 11-13 concerning the judgment to come to recall in the Hebrew mind that dreadful time of suffering under Elijah's mediation as prophet. It certainly does not have to be taken as a literal 3.5 years (I don't think it is!), but it is meant to bring about the same thoughts and feelings in the Israelite mind as the days of Elijah. I think this is why this specific number is used.
Furthermore, the days of the Son's incarnation are prophesied to be preceded by the prophet Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6). Jesus later says that "Elijah" was actually symbolically represented in John the Baptist and his preparatory ministry. This is just yet another retelling of the story as we prepare for the last days - where the days of Elijah precede the second advent of the Lord.
SDG
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