855 - The Contest on Mount Carmel

The Contest on Mount Carmel


Obadiah went to tell Ahab, that Elijah had come, and Ahab went out to meet Elijah. 


When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, 


“So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?” 


“I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. 


“You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused, to obey the commands, of the Lord, and have worshiped the images, of Baal, instead. 


Now, summon all Israel, to join me, at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets, of Baal, and the 400 prophets, of Asherah, who are supported by Jezebel.” 


So, Ahab summoned all the people, of Israel, and the prophets, to Mount Carmel. 


Then, Elijah stood in front of them and said, 


“How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? 


If the Lord is God, follow him! 


But if Baal is God, then follow him!” 


But the people were completely silent. 


Then, Elijah said to them, 


“I am the only prophet, of the Lord, who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. 


Now, bring two bulls. 


The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish, and cut it into pieces, and lay it on the wood, of their altar, but without setting fire to it. 


I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, on the my altar, but not set fire to it. 


Then, call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. 


The god who answers, by setting fire to the wood, is the true God!” 


And all the people agreed. 


Then, Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, 


“You go first, for there are many of you. 


Choose one of the bulls, and prepare it …and call on the name, of your god. 


But, do not set fire to the wood.” 


So, they prepared one of the bulls, and placed it on the altar. 


Then, they called on the name of Baal …from morning until noontime, they shouted, 


“O Baal, answer us!” 


But, there was no reply …of any kind. 


Then, they danced, hobbling around the altar, that they had made. 


About noontime, Elijah began mocking them. 


“You’ll have to shout louder,” he scoffed,… “for surely, he is a god! 


Perhaps, he is daydreaming, or is relieving himself. 


Or maybe, he is away on a trip, or is asleep… and needs to be awakened!” 


So, they shouted louder, and following their normal custom, they cut themselves, with knives and swords, until the blood gushed out. 


They raved… all afternoon, until the time of the evening sacrifice, ….but still there was no sound, no reply, no response (from their false god). 


1 Kings 18:16–29 (NLT)


Praise be to God!



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