Good Morning Friends,
Elijah had prophesied that no rain would fall
on Israel for the next few years. True to that word no rain did fall on the
land for three years. In the third year Elijah presented himself to the king of
Israel, Ahab. It was time for a showdown between Ahab’s god – Baal, and the
Lord God Almighty!
Elijah called the people of Israel to a choice
… “‘Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And
bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets
of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.’ Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and
assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said,
‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him;
but if Baal is God, follow him.’ But the
people said nothing.” (1 Kings 18:19-21)
The people would not make a choice – so Elijah
offered a test. “‘I am the only one of the LORD’s prophets left, but Baal has
four hundred and fifty prophets. Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for
themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire
to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to
it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the
LORD. The god who answers by fire — he is God.’ Then all the people said, ‘What
you say is good.’” (1 Kings 18:22-24)
The prophets of Baal went first. They prepared
their altar and sacrifice and called on the name of their god. They danced,
they shouted, they slashed themselves … for half the day … but “There was no
response, no one answered, no one paid attention.” (1 Kings 18:29)
Next it was Elijah’s turn. He prepared his
altar and sacrifice … then made it harder … he poured large amounts of water of
the altar, the sacrifice, and the wood for the fire. Then he prayed, “O LORD,
God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in
Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your
command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O
LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” (1 Kings
18:36-37)
God answered … “Then the fire of the LORD fell
and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked
up the water in the trench.” (1 Kings 18:38)
The Lord, He is God. There is a choice to be
made … and only one option makes any sense!
His, by Grace,
No comments:
Post a Comment