1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. Now in their experiment observe. 19Now tell all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. Note, Those who profess religion should study to recommend themselves to the esteem even of those that are without by their integrity, fidelity, and application to business. Excerpted from "Practicing the King's Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give," by Michael Rhodes, Robby Holt and Brian Fikkert. They allow the proposal to be fair and unexceptionable "God has often answered by fire; if Baal cannot do so, let him be cast out for a usurper." Elijah, doubtless, had a special commission from God to put it to this test, otherwise he would have tempted God and affronted religion; but the case was extraordinary, and the judgment upon it would be of use, not only then, but in all ages. From Pretty Statues to Silver and Gold: Jesus or Mammon? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. The time was that of Ahab, king of Israel. But, since Ahab invites him not to ride with him, he will run before him (1 Kings 18:46; 1 Kings 18:46) as one of his footmen, that he may not seem to be lifted up with the great honour God had put upon him or to abate in his civil respect to his prince, though he reproved him faithfully. The priests of Baal would pray to their god, and Elijah would pray to his God. Elijah was no priest, nor were his attendants Levites. He knew, by the Spirit, where to meet him, and we are here told what passed between them. Through Elijah, God declared that Baal couldnt deliver the goods and his people couldnt have it both ways. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. Note, The worship of idols is a most ridiculous thing, and it is but justice to represent it so and expose it to scorn. 15 And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to day. "Shout louder!" he said. New Century Version (NCV). The purpose of the prophet's request was to demonstrate who was the true God that deserved the people's dedicated worship. Is it really you, master?, 8Yes, Elijah answered. After Israel had gone more than three years without rain as a judgment for their idolatry, the prophet Elijah confronts the evil king Ahab and challenges him to a spiritual showdown. Moses's altar and Solomon's were consecrated by the fire from heaven; but this was destroyed, because no more to be used. Prove that you are the God of Israel and that I am your servant. Elijah on Mount Carmel 26 And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. But humans cannot serve two kings. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. God reveals his secrets to his servants the prophets; and yet, without a revelation, we may foresee that when man's judgments run down like a river God's mercy will. (2.) Being an idolater, she was a persecutor, and made Ahab one. His prayer was not long, for he used no vain repetitions, nor thought he should be heard for his much speaking; but it was very grave and composed, and showed his mind to be calm and sedate, and far from the heats and disorders that Baal's prophets were in, 1 Kings 18:36; 1 Kings 18:37. We find that the beast which deceived the world does it. Baal's 450 prophets worked themselves into a frenzy, cutting themselves, dancing, and chanting to their god. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Jesus knew all about gods such as Baal. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. Stop for a moment. 41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. As such he tries to counterfeit the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Note, Early piety, it is to be hoped, will be eminent piety; those that are good betimes are likely to be very good; he that feared God from his youth came to fear him greatly. See how wonderfully God raises up friends for his ministers and people, for their shelter in difficult times, even where one would least expect them. Note, 1. That word occurs again in verse 26b when the prophets of Baal are desperate trying to get their god to answer them: "'O Baal, answer us!' But there was no voice, and no one answered. I. Elijah sent Ahab to eat and drink, for joy that God had now accepted his works, and that rain was coming; see Ecclesiastes 9:7. Practicing the King's Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. When we give, we reflect the image of our giving God. 11 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. He sent his prophet Elijah to tell Israel to stop limping between two different opinions (1 Kings 18:21 ESV). II. He ordered his servant to bring him notice as soon as he discerned a cloud arising out of the sea, the Mediterranean Sea, which he had a large prospect of from the top of Carmel. Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. What is the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal? Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, "Shout louder, for he is a god! Obadiah recognized Elijah, so he bowed down to the ground and said, Elijah? Their perishing thus is the using, as the apostle speaks of them (Colossians 3:22), was to intimate the utter abolition of them after a little while, Hebrews 8:13. 27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. Idolatry is an economic issue. Thither all Israel must come, to give Elijah the meeting; and the prophets of Baal who were dispersed all the country over, with those of the groves who were Jezebel's domestic chaplains, must there make their personal appearance. These Jezebel aimed to extirpate, and put many of them to death, which was as much a public calamity as a public iniquity, and threatened the utter ruin of religion's poor remains in Israel. Those that fear God need not go out of the world, bad as it is. 44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. Nothing creates more trouble to a land than the impiety and profaneness of princes and their families. The prophets of Baal, as criminals, are seized, condemned, and executed, according to law, 1 Kings 18:40; 1 Kings 18:40. You can check these in your browser security settings. Lord, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, he prayed. 20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. As for those who fall as victims to the fire of God's wrath, no water can shelter them from it, any more than briers or thorns, Isaiah 27:4; Isaiah 27:5. Clarify When Jezebel was killing the Lords prophets, I hid a hundred of them, fifty in one cave and fifty in another. Why did Elijah kill the prophets of Baal? 7While Obadiah was on his way, Elijah met him. [1.] The Holy Bible, New Century Version. He causeth vapours to ascend, and maketh lightnings for the rain; for this rain he did both. All these parables point in the same direction: money wants our worship. 13 Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? And he said, Do it the third time. They worshipped God to please the prophets, but worshipped Baal to please Jezebel and curry favour at court. Why in 1 Kings 18:40 did Elijah take the prophets of Baal down to the brook of Kishon to slew them? Perhaps Jezebel persecuted God's prophets under pretence that they were the cause of the judgment, because Elijah had foretold it. Elijah would endeavour to convince their judgments, and no doubt it was by special warrant and direction from heaven that he put the controversy between God and Baal upon a public trial. He takes it for granted that Elijah would again withdraw (1 Kings 18:12; 1 Kings 18:12): The Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee (as it is likely he had done sometimes, when Ahab thought he had been sure of him) whither I know not. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. But no voice was heard; Baal did not answer, and no one paid attention. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. 10 As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. From Genesis to Revelation, we see that one of our Creator Kings primary qualities is his lavish generosity. They likely continued going to church, paying their tithes, and saying a prayer or two now and againespecially on holidays. Now if, upon trial, it appears that Baal is that one infinite omnipotent Being, that one supreme Lord and all-sufficient benefactor, you ought to renounce Jehovah and cleave to Baal only: but, if Jehovah be that one God, Baal is a cheat, and you must have no more to do with him." (The Lord changed Jacobs name to Israel.) I. But this was not all; to complete the miracle, the fire consumed the stones of the altar, and the very dust, to show that it was no ordinary fire, and perhaps to intimate that, though God accepted this occasional sacrifice from this altar, yet for the future they ought to demolish all the altars on their high places, and, for their constant sacrifices, make use of that at Jerusalem only. The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD , saying, Stand in the gate of the LORD 's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD , all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD . And will a nation change their god?" 6:9). We dont know exactly why it was important to God for Elijah to reach Jezreel first; perhaps it was so that he would be the first to tell Queen Jezebel. Baal promised the rains, so God sent a drought at the word of his prophet (see 1 Kings 17:1). 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind. answer us; as it is in the margin: and this for some hours together, longer than Diana's worshippers made their cry, Great is Diana of the Ephesians,Acts 19:34. Does the Bible encourage the practice of Lent? 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. Those that procure God's judgments do the mischief, not he that merely foretels them and gives warning of them, that the nation may repent and prevent them. [2.] Jeremiah 2:11. Thou employest me; Lord, make it appear that thou dost so;" see Numbers 16:28; Numbers 16:29. But it is strange to find such an eminently good man governor of Ahab's house, an office of great honour, power, and trust. Elijah Kills the Prophets of Baal - During the third year without rain, the LORD spoke his word to Elijah: "Go and meet King Ahab, and I will soon send rain." So Elijah went to meet Ahab. If Jehovah be the true God, Baal is a false God, to whom these Israelites had revolted, and seduced others to the worship of him; and therefore, by the express law of God, they were to be put to death, Deuteronomy 13:1-11. To the brook of Kishon to slew them, dancing, and are... The sky became black with clouds and wind, and no one paid attention God of Israel and. The brook of Kishon to slew them meantime that the beast which deceived the world, bad as it.... Was a persecutor, and chanting why did the prophets of baal cut themselves their God, and made Ahab one made Ahab one or two and. 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