It is an instance of the courage of Elijah that he durst stand alone in the cause of God against such powers and numbers; and the issue encourages all God's witnesses and advocates never to fear the face of man. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. Obadiah feared God greatly; Ahab had sold himself to work wickedness; and both discovered their character by the manner of their address to the prophet. The sad state of Israel at this time, upon two accounts:--. Their greedy hearts created other gods out of every coin in their coffers. 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. Elijah vs. the priests of Baal. Then Ahab went to meet Elijah. 1416). He put himself into a strange posture. 'You Raise Me Up' Duet Earns A Standing Ovation From The Judges, 7 Tests to See if Your Worship Is Truly Christian or Pagan, 3 Bad Church Approaches to Good Money Stewardship, 5 Critical Rules to Teach Your Kids to Help Them Stay Safe, 4 Things You Should Know about Jesus Revolution, Jesus on Adultery: Its More Controversial Than You Think, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. Thats why Jesus warned his followers to watch out for all kinds of greed (see Luke 12:15). At the same time Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, where he bent down to the ground with his head between his knees. Then he said, Do it a third time, and they did it the third time. We have here the meeting between Ahab and Elijah, as bad a king as ever the world was plagued with and as good a prophet as ever the church was blessed with. 17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? But God would not suffer the devil to do it now, because the trial of his title was put on that issue by consent of parties. 5:3). Does the Bible encourage the practice of Lent? Being an idolater, she was a persecutor, and made Ahab one. When Jezebel cut off God's prophets God cut off the necessary provisions by the extremity of the drought. Elijah first surrendered, or rather discovered, himself to Obadiah. And they limped [they hobbled] around the altar that they had made." I don't think those two uses of the word limp or hobble are an accident. III. I. The sailors at this day call it Cape Carmel. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. He insists upon it that we mortify our lusts and corruptions; but corporeal penances and severities, such as the Papists use, which have no tendency to that, are no pleasure to him. They leaped up and down, or danced about the altar (so some): they hoped, by their dancing, to please their deity, as Herodias did Herod, and so to obtain their request. This happened seven times. 45After a short time the sky was covered with dark clouds. He durst not strike him, remembering that Jeroboam's hand withered when it was stretched out against a prophet, but gave him bad language, which was no less an affront to him that sent him. The Bible states that during the encounter with Elijah the prophets of Baal, "And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them." ( 1 Kings 18:28 ) Where Do We See God's Power over Baal? Their heart is divided (Hosea 10:2), whereas God will have all or none. 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. What he said we are not told; but, 1. 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. Elijah's Trial of the False Prophets; the Destruction of Baal's Prophets. Article Images Copyright , The Real Reason Israel Worshiped Baal (It Wasn't Just a Pretty Statue), Michael Rhodes, Robby Holt, and Brian Fikkert. 732 views, 45 likes, 11 loves, 7 comments, 73 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from : 22 2023 . V. The return of the mercy of rain, at the word of Elijah, 1 Kings . 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. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. Nay (1 Kings 18:13; 1 Kings 18:13), Was it not told my lord how I hid the prophets? 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 2. ly. 7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah? Such was Elijah's zeal, no doubt, against the idolatry of Baal, and such his compassion to his people, that he thought it long to be thus confined to a corner; yet he appeared not till God bade him: "Go and show thyself to Ahab, for now thy hour has come, even the time to favour Israel." Such living falls far short of the life Jesus invites us to experience. God demands no more from us than he can make out a title to. We become increasingly committed to a lifestyle of an abundance of possessions. 1. He addressed himself to God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, acting faith on God's ancient covenant, and reminding people too (for prayer may prevail) of their relation both to God and to the patriarchs. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. If Ahab had paid the respect to Elijah that he deserved he would have taken him into his chariot, as the eunuch did Philip, that he might honour him before the elders of Israel, and confer with him further about the reformation of the kingdom. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 6:9). They likely continued going to church, paying their tithes, and saying a prayer or two now and againespecially on holidays. 10 million Ukrainians without power because of Russia. 4. We left the prophet Elijah wrapt up in obscurity. ESV - And nothing can't answer you when you call out to it! 28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. Twelve barrels of water (probably sea-water, for the sea was near, and so much fresh water in this time of drought was too precious for him to be so prodigal of it), thrice four, he poured upon his sacrifice, to prevent the suspicion of any fire under (for, if there had been any, this would have put it out), and to make the expected miracle the more illustrious. 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, "Shout louder, for he is a god! 25:3146). Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab: This was an obviously supernaturally empowered 14-mile cross-country run. The purpose of the prophet's request was to demonstrate who was the true God that deserved the people's dedicated worship. His interview with Obadiah, one of Ahab's servants, by whom he sends notice to Ahab of his coming, 1 Kings 18:2-16. There are those who trouble Israel by their wickedness, whom the conservators of the public peace are concerned to enquire after. 22Elijah said, I am the only prophet of the Lord here, but there are four hundred fifty prophets of Baal. a. You have gone after the Baals. In the end, Those who make [idols] will end up like them, as will everyone who trusts in them (Ps. 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. God, at length, ordered Elijah to present himself to Ahab, because the time had now come when he would send rain upon the earth (1 Kings 18:1; 1 Kings 18:1), or rather upon the land. 2. Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. (3.) And there was a sore famine in Samaria. He would not make use of theirs, which had been polluted with their prayers to Baal, but, finding the ruins of an altar there, which had formerly been used in the service of the Lord, he chose to repair that (1 Kings 18:30; 1 Kings 18:30), to intimate to them that he was not about to introduce any new religion, but to revive the faith and worship of their fathers' God, and reduce them to their first love, their first works. 9 And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me? Even in those bad times, when the calves were worshipped and the temple at Jerusalem deserted, yet there were some good people that feared God and served him, and some good prophets that instructed them in the knowledge of him and assisted them in their devotions. He stood by them, and patiently heard them for so many hours praying to an idol, yet with secret indignation and disdain; and at noon, when the sun was at the hottest, and they too expecting fire (then if ever), he upbraided them with their folly; and notwithstanding the gravity of his office, and the seriousness of the work he had before him, bantered them: "Cry aloud, for he is a god, a goodly god that cannot be made to hear without all this clamour. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. It is a chapter in which are many things very observable. Prove that you are the God of Israel and that I am your servant. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Should the explanation in Genesis on how God created plants before the sun affect the understanding of creation? Let it go on therefore to a trial. From Pretty Statues to Silver and Gold: Jesus or Mammon? Do you believe that? Why did the prophets of Baal cut themselves? (The Lord changed Jacobs name to Israel.) if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. IV. However, it is put to this experiment, "Let each side prepare a sacrifice, and pray to its God, and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God; if neither shall thus answer, let the people turn Atheists; if both, let them continue to halt between two." shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Our idols never stop consuming and destroying that which we hold most dear. All the people agreed that this was a good idea. 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. Note, Though the answer of our fervent and believing supplications may not come quickly, yet we must continue instant in prayer, and not faint nor desist; for at the end it shall speak and not lie. II. The service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts, these are the two thoughts which it is dangerous halting between. It does not appear that either the increase of the provision or the raising of the child had caused him to be taken notice of at Zarephath, for then Ahab would have discovered him; he would rather do good than be known to do it. Ahab and the people expected that Elijah would, in this solemn assembly, bless the land, and pray for rain; but he had other work to do first. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . The glory of God: "Lord, hear me, and answer me, that it may be known (for it is now by the most denied or forgotten) that thou art God in Israel, to whom alone the homage and devotion of Israel are due, and that I am thy servant, and do all that I have done, am doing, and shall do, as thy agent, at thy word, and not to gratify any humour or passion of my own. With their experiences as a pastor, urban community development expert, and bestselling author of "When Helping Hurts" and president of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development, Michael Rhodes, Robby Holt, and Brian Fikkert offer eye-opening true stories of economic discipleship in action. Like fools, they leaped upon the altar, as if they would themselves become sacrifices with their bullock; or thus they expressed their great earnestness of mind. Then he dug a ditch around the altar that was big enough to hold about thirteen quarts of seed. 21Elijah approached the people and said, How long will you not decide between two choices? Elijah did not interrupt them, but let them go on till they were tired, and quite despaired of success, which was not till the time of the evening sacrifice,1 Kings 18:29; 1 Kings 18:29. A fight to the finish. 26So they took the bull that was given to them and prepared it. In the myth, Baal returns to life when the rains come. No, he waives the prescription, and enters upon the merits of the cause:--"There can be but one God, but one infinite and but one supreme: there needs but one God, one omnipotent, one all-sufficient. 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. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. I brought them food and water. 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. 20So Ahab called all the Israelites and those prophets to Mount Carmel. Ahab got in his chariot and started back to Jezreel. He fitted up an altar. 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. Practicing the King's Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Used by permission of Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. (5.) According to one ancient Canaanite myth, the father of Baal slashes his chest, arms, and back upon learning of his son's death. [People] who want to get rich, Paul declares, fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (1 Tim. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. He does not insist upon their relation to Jehovah--"Is he not yours, and the God of your fathers, while Baal is the god of the Sidonians? Obadiah begs to be excused from carrying this message to Ahab, for it might prove as much as his life was worth. Elijah does not say, "The God that answers by water" (though that was the thing the country needed), but "that answers by fire, let him be God;" because the atonement was to be made by sacrifice, before the judgment could be removed in mercy. II. 6 So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Israel being thus far reformed that they had acknowledged the Lord to be God, and had consented to the execution of Baal's prophets, that they might not seduce them any more, though this was far short of a thorough reformation, yet it was so far accepted that God thereupon opened the bottles of heaven, and poured out blessings upon his land, that very evening (as it should seem) on which they did this good work, which should have confirmed them in their reformation; see Haggai 2:18; Haggai 2:19. When they called on their god, nothing happened. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. For the nations around Israel, Baal was the rider of the clouds, who brought the rains and blessed the earth.When Baal showed up, the heavens rained oil, the rivers ran with honey, mothers gave birth to healthy children, and even the dead could be raised. His interview with Ahab himself, 1 Kings 18:17-20. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient. The time was that of Ahab, king of Israel. If, in this trial, they could but bring it to a drawn battle, their other advantages would give them the victory. What would be some verses from the Bible to save a marriage? Joseph and Daniel were preferred because there were none so fit as they for the places they were preferred to. i. 8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. (1.) Elijah, in answer to him, [1.] Yet his guilty conscience gave him little reason to hope for it, but, rather, to fear some other more dreadful judgment. St. Joseph New Catholic Version New Testament: Pocket Edition - Slightly Imperfect, St. Joseph New Catholic Version New Testament: Pocket Edition. III. Based only on the sighting of a cloud that was as small as a mans hand, he knew a torrent was on the way. 32Elijah used these stones to rebuild the altar in honor of the Lord. Asked April 28 2020 They just added Baal worship to their insurance policy. Idolatry is an economic issue. Three years and a half's famine would not bring them back to God. Roumie said he was drawn to both "The Chosen" and "Jesus Revolution" because of their scripts and characters, which "spoke to his heart.". 19Now tell all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. (2.) No one answered; no one paid attention" (v. 29 ESV).. They got their sacrifices ready; and we may well imagine what a noise 450 men made, when they cried as one man, and with all their might, O Baal! There was one very good man, who was a great man at court, Obadiah, who answered his name--a servant of the Lord, one who feared God and was faithful to him, and yet was steward of the household to Ahab. Why did Elijah kill the prophets of Baal? Now Elijah shows them the absurdity of this. 29The afternoon passed, and the prophets continued to act like this until it was time for the evening sacrifice. Even on Baals home turf, people starved while waiting for Baal to bring his promised abundance. (2.) How unlike was this to that with which his servant Obadiah saluted him (1 Kings 18:7; 1 Kings 18:7): Art thou that my lord Elijah? The higher the vote, the further up an answer is. The particular Levitical institutions were so often dispensed with (as in the time of the Judges, Samuel's time, and now) that one would be tempted to think they were more designed for types to be fulfilled in the evangelical anti-types than for laws to be fulfilled in the strict observance of them. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. 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. & quot ; Shout louder, for it might prove as much as his life was worth he. To Israel. the blood gushed out upon them providers may collect personal data like your IP address we you! 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