In
Chapter 18, we read Elijah's challenge to the priests of Baal. Sooner
or later God will go head to head with disobedience. This was a
pivotal time for the Israelis. 1 Kings 18:21, “And Elijah came unto
all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if
the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the
people answered him not a word.” Then Elijah proposed a contest to
determine the true God. The priests of Baal built an altar and
prepared a sacrifice. The God who answered with fire would be
recognized as the one and true God.
The
priests of Baal called upon the name of Baal from morning till noon
but there was no answer. They leaped about upon the altar they had
prepared but still no answer. Elijah mocked them saying perhaps he is
talking, on a long journey or even asleep. They cried aloud, cutting
themselves until the blood gushed out. They continued their appeal
until the time of the evening sacrifice but, “there was neither
voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded” 1 Kings 18:29.
Baal never showed.
Elijah
prepared his altar and sacrifice. Then he commanded, “...Fill four
water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on
the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the
second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the
third time.” vs 33-34. Elijah prayed an anointed prayer and God
answered. 1 Kings 18:36, “...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. 37Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou
art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.”
God answered Elijah's prayer. “Then the fire of the LORD fell, and
consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the
dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench,” 1 Kings
18:38. The people fell on their knees in acclamation that the Lord,
He is God. (To be continued). The Message: A Critical Review Of End
Time Events, p 23-24, available at Amazon.com.
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