It predated the gunfight at the OK Corral. This mountaintop showdown appeared to be hopelessly one-sided, but in the end four hundred and fifty men were easily outgunned by one man. But, it wasn't the one man who made all the difference; it was the One on his side.
This famous showdown is recorded in 1 Kings eighteen, and it is truly an awe-inspiring story. It begins with an ultimatum issued by Elijah the prophet:
"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" (1 Kings 18:19)
The summons went out and all were gathered for the great showdown. Elijah presented the terms of the contest:
"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 Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the LORD's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire--he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good" (1 Kings 18:21-24).
The rest of the story is all there for you to read. Despite the day-long praying, begging, and bloodletting, the false god, Baal, remained silent (what else could a non-existent god do?). But what happened next is best left to be described by the narrative itself:
"At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, 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, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD--he is God! The LORD--he is God!" (1 Kings 18:36-39)
This one indisputable account provides proof to all generations of humanity that there is but One true God, whose name is Yahweh. He alone has created everyone and everything, and remains active in the ongoing activities of His creation. He alone is God, and is worthy of our honor and obedience.
May the lasting legacy of the showdown on Mount Carmel be our undying love and devotional to the Father of us all who has provided overwhelming proof of His existence.
Steve
This famous showdown is recorded in 1 Kings eighteen, and it is truly an awe-inspiring story. It begins with an ultimatum issued by Elijah the prophet:
"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" (1 Kings 18:19)
The summons went out and all were gathered for the great showdown. Elijah presented the terms of the contest:
"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 Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the LORD's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire--he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good" (1 Kings 18:21-24).
The rest of the story is all there for you to read. Despite the day-long praying, begging, and bloodletting, the false god, Baal, remained silent (what else could a non-existent god do?). But what happened next is best left to be described by the narrative itself:
"At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, 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, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD--he is God! The LORD--he is God!" (1 Kings 18:36-39)
This one indisputable account provides proof to all generations of humanity that there is but One true God, whose name is Yahweh. He alone has created everyone and everything, and remains active in the ongoing activities of His creation. He alone is God, and is worthy of our honor and obedience.
May the lasting legacy of the showdown on Mount Carmel be our undying love and devotional to the Father of us all who has provided overwhelming proof of His existence.
Steve
posted by steve @ 8:57 AM
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