1 Kings 18:16-40
“I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals. Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.
Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”
Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.
At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”
When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.
Baal is impotent - no more able to produce fire than to send the needed rain. It's God who is 'the living Lord'. The fire burns the saturated offering. The people shout "The Lord alone is God.' The prophets of Baal are slaughtered. And the drought ends. But for all this, there will be no deep and lasting religious reform.
Why?
When Elijah asked people to follow God or Baal? People said nothing. Say nothing means no choice, they still doing what they like to do.
Baal is the god of rain, but Elijah shows only the Lord can bring rain to this land.
Even though Elijah did this miracle and proved who is the real God, but Israelites still continue their detestable behavior.
The Miracle is meaningful to the believer, but it does not have much influence on the unbeliever for the problem is their heart.
How?
Please bless my heart and my mind be with the Lord forever!
No comments:
Post a Comment