1. Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. (Obadiah was a true follower of the Lord. Then he dug a ditch around the altar that was big enough to hold about thirteen quarts of seed. It is a chapter in which are many things very observable. 20So Ahab called all the Israelites and those prophets to Mount Carmel. I. 43Then Elijah said to his servant, Go and look toward the sea.. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is. The long drought was over, and it was demonstrated that the prayers of Elijah both withheld the rain and then subsequently brought the rain. One may guess how people stand affected to God by observing how they stand affected to his people and ministers. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. First, the Lord was the true God and men were to worship Him. Paul goes even further. Ahab agrees with the request, but only 450 of the 850 priests (those who serve Baal) accept the challenge and show up (1Kings 18:22). How deaf Baal was to them. 10 million Ukrainians without power because of Russia. Why did Elijah kill the prophets of Baal? He proposed to bring the matter to a fair trial; and it was so much the fairer because Baal had all the external advantages on his side. Also bring the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebels table.. 29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. April 28 2020 Elijah might have looked for rain seventy times seven times, and not have seen it, if he had not thus begun his work at the right end. They covet the precedency, not only for the honour of it, but that, if they can but in the least seem to gain their point, Elijah may not be admitted to make the trial. 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. I would have healed Israel, but they would not be healed. 6:9). As for why the worship of Baal and Asherah specifically was such a problem for Israel, there are several reasons we can cite: first, the worship of Baal and Asherah held the allure of illicit sex, since the religion involved ritual prostitution. He mentions this, not in pride or ostentation, but to convince Elijah that though he was Ahab's servant he was not in his interest, and therefore deserved not to be bantered as one of the tools of his persecution. 44The seventh time, the servant said, I see a small cloud, the size of a human fist, coming from the sea., Elijah told the servant, Go to Ahab and tell him to get his chariot ready and go home now. (2.) Was John the Baptist conceived via an immaculate conception? During all that time some of them prayed, while others of them prophesied, sang hymns, perhaps to the praise of Baal, or rather encouraged those that were praying to proceed, telling them that Baal would answer them at last; but there was no answer, nor any that regarded. Report Otherwise, the rain will stop him.. Didnt the prophet trick him? By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. ly. When we shall see the doctrine of the individual responsibility of each Christian fully felt and carried out into individual action. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. 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. Money becomes a spiritual power that too often uses us rather than the other way around. While Baal worshipers went hungry during the drought, God fed Elijah meat and bread delivered to him daily by carrier ravens (see v. 6). How sharp Elijah was upon them, 1 Kings 18:27; 1 Kings 18:27. II. Did they tithe to themselves? And all the people came near unto him. Ahab got in his chariot and started back to Jezreel. 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah. Practicing the King's Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give. 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. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. 21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? Obadiah begs to be excused from carrying this message to Ahab, for it might prove as much as his life was worth. Ahab issued out writs accordingly, for the convening of this great assembly (1 Kings 18:20; 1 Kings 18:20), either because he feared Elijah and durst not oppose him (Saul stood in awe of Samuel more than of God), or because he hoped Elijah would bless the land, and speak the word that they might have rain, and upon those terms they would be all at his beck. Baals 450 prophets worked themselves into a frenzy, cutting themselves, dancing, and chanting to their god. Ahab is the Achan, the troubler, who follows Baalim, those accursed things. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. 45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Note, The worship of idols is a most ridiculous thing, and it is but justice to represent it so and expose it to scorn. God never required his worshippers thus to honour him; but the service of the devil, though in some instances it pleases and pampers the body, yet in other things it is really cruel to it, as in envy and drunkenness. The sad state of Israel at this time, upon two accounts:--. Moses's altar and Solomon's were consecrated by the fire from heaven; but this was destroyed, because no more to be used. (2.) 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. Report. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Let the prophets of Baal choose one bull and kill it and cut it into pieces. King Ahab sent for Obadiah, who was in charge of the king's palace. Observe his character: He feared the Lord greatly (1 Kings 18:3; 1 Kings 18:3), was not only a good man, but zealously and eminently good; his great place put a lustre upon his goodness, and gave him great opportunities of doing good; and he feared the Lord from his youth (1 Kings 18:12; 1 Kings 18:12), he began betimes to be religious and had continued long. 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. Had he, by his spies, surprised Elijah, he would have triumphed over him; but, now that he was thus surprised by him, we may suppose he even trembled to look him in the face, hated him, and yet feared him, as Herod did John. They thought to trim the matter, and play on both sides, as the Samaritans, 2 Kings 17:33. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. And they did it the third time. "I love Jesus and it is the honor of my life to get to portray him," he said. The battle for their hearts took place in part on the battlefield of their bank accounts. 1621), of rich men sent to hell for their failure to let go of their wealth for the sake of their neighbor (see Luke 16:1931), and of eternal judgment declared on the basis of ones willingness to share with those in need (Matt. hear us, O Baal! Does the Bible encourage the practice of Lent? In a truly horrific passage, Jeremiah writes that our worship of idols consumes not only our flocks and herds but also our sons and daughters (Jer. The prophets of Baal, as criminals, are seized, condemned, and executed, according to law, 1 Kings 18:40; 1 Kings 18:40. You have gone after the Baals. His interview with Obadiah, one of Ahab's servants, by whom he sends notice to Ahab of his coming, 1 Kings 18:2-16. These were the 450 prophets of Baal; the 400 prophets of the groves (who, some think, were Sidonians), though summoned (1 Kings 18:19; 1 Kings 18:19), yet, as it should seem, did not attend, and so escaped this execution, which fair escape perhaps Ahab and Jezebel thought themselves happy in; but it proved they were reserved to be the instruments of Ahab's destruction, some time after, by encouraging him to go up to Ramoth-Gilead, 1 Kings 22:6; 1 Kings 22:6. A little cloud at length appeared, no bigger than a man's hand, which presently overspread the heavens and watered the earth, 1 Kings 18:44; 1 Kings 18:45. Psalms 24:6, Thy face, O Jacob!Hosea 12:4. 26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. ), St. Joseph New Catholic Version New Testament. The king and court were all for Baal; so was the body of the people. He ordered abundance of water to be poured upon his altar, which he had prepared a trench for the reception of (1 Kings 18:32; 1 Kings 18:32), and, some think, made the altar hollow. This is the right method. Showdown on the mount 38 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. One true prophet against 450 false prophets. As he had shown the tenderness of a father to the sons of the prophets, so he showed the reverence of a son to this father of the prophets; and by this made it appear that he did indeed fear God greatly, that he did honour to one that was his extraordinary ambassador and had a great interest in heaven. There are those who trouble Israel by their wickedness, whom the conservators of the public peace are concerned to enquire after. 22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth. I will prepare the other bull, putting the meat on the wood but not setting fire to it. Tyrants and persecutors, in their passion, are often unreasonably outrageous, even towards their friends and confidants. Pray to your god, but dont start the fire.. But humans cannot serve two kings. Elijah's God was neither talking nor pursuing, needed not to be either awakened or quickened; while he was yet speaking, the fire of the Lord fell, and not only, as at other times (Leviticus 9:24; 1 Chronicles 21:26; 2 Chronicles 7:1) consumed the sacrifice and the wood, in token of God's acceptance of the offering, but licked up all the water in the trench, exhaling that, and drawing it up as a vapour, in order to the intended rain, which was to be the fruit of this sacrifice and prayer, more than the product of natural causes. And will a nation change their god?" Idols could do neither good nor evil. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? That man that is true to his God will be faithful to his prince. Because our material possessions so often seduce us into worshiping them like gods, they pose possibly the preeminent threat to worshiping Jesus. I incline to this because we find, when they came together, Elijah, knowing what Ahab wanted him for, appointed him to meet him on Mount Carmel, and Ahab complied with the appointment, though Elijah took such a way to revoke the sentence and bless the land as perhaps he little thought of. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention. This writing has come about a few days after The Test - 2002 and the Latter Rain, and adds greater clarity to what can be expected in the latter rain. When Baals people died, it was Elijah who raised them to life (v. 22). He knew, by the Spirit, where to meet him, and we are here told what passed between them. No one answered; no one paid attention" (v. 29 ESV).. 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. When we worship money, it mauls us. Elijah sought not his own glory but in subserviency to God's, and for his own necessary vindication. 35So the water ran off the altar and filled the ditch. The execution he did upon the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings 18:40. The execution he did upon the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings 18:40. Compare Psalms 135:7. 45After a short time the sky was covered with dark clouds. The Contemporary Parallel New Testament with KJV, NIV, NKJV, NASB, and more! 14 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 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. He would have the king know before, that it might not be a surprise to him and that he might be sure it was the prophet's own act to present himself to him. [2.] 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. From Pretty Statues to Silver and Gold: Jesus or Mammon? Why didnt Abraham bargain with God when it came to Isaac being offered as a burnt offering like he did when it came to Sodom and Gomorrah? Surely you think he is talking or meditating (as the word is) or he is pursuing some deep thoughts, (in a brown study, as we say), thinking of somewhat else and not minding his own matter, when not your credit only, but all his honour lies at stake, and his interest in Israel. 732 views, 45 likes, 11 loves, 7 comments, 73 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from : 22 2023 . These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Compare Mark 9:38; Mark 9:39; Matthew 21:30. God demands no more from us than he can make out a title to. They likely continued going to church, paying their tithes, and saying a prayer or two now and againespecially on holidays. It was strange that either he did not reform Ahab or Ahab corrupt him; but it seems they were both fixed; he that was filthy would be filthy still, and he that was holy would be holy still. 26So they took the bull that was given to them and prepared it. By this time there was no food in Samaria. At the end of the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit had . Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. To win his people back, God demonstrated his power and mocked Baal along the way. This will, by no means, justify those who ridicule the worshippers of God in Christ because the worship is not performed just in their way. You and your fathers family have made all this trouble by not obeying the Lords commands. 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. 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." 5. 2. He sent the rain in torrents. It also dried up the water in the ditch. We are made in the image of this generous King, wired to reflect his generosity to the rest of creation. Let us therefore never despise the day of small things, but hope and wait for great things from it. He will kill me!, 15Elijah answered, As surely as the Lord All-Powerful lives, whom I serve, I will be seen by Ahab today.. He turned the hearts of his people back to himself. Providence ordered it so, that Ahab might, with his own eyes, see how bad the consequences of this judgment were, that so he might be the better inclined to hearken to Elijah, who would direct him into the only way to put an end to it. Such living falls far short of the life Jesus invites us to experience. Elijah, like himself, boldly returned the charge upon the king, and proved it upon him, that he was the troubler of Israel,1 Kings 18:18; 1 Kings 18:18. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. III. 27At noon Elijah began to make fun of them. The prince of the power of the air, if God has permitted him, could have caused fire to come down from heaven on this occasion, and gladly would have done it for the support of his Baal. He causeth vapours to ascend, and maketh lightnings for the rain; for this rain he did both. The edification of the people: "That they may know that thou art the Lord, and may experience thy grace, turning their heart, by this miracle, as a means, back again to thee, in order to thy return in a way of mercy to them.". 7While Obadiah was on his way, Elijah met him. Joseph and Daniel were preferred because there were none so fit as they for the places they were preferred to. Deuteronomy 14:1 Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. Whom the conservators of why did the prophets of baal cut themselves individual responsibility of each Christian fully felt and carried out into individual action told:... 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