Elijah would endeavour to convince their judgments, and no doubt it was by special warrant and direction from heaven that he put the controversy between God and Baal upon a public trial. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. What he said we are not told; but, 1. They cut themselves and cried out to Baal for hours, but 1 Kings 18:26 says, "There was no voice; no one answered." Their god was a non-entity, a nothing. For the nations around Israel, Baal was the rider of the clouds, who brought the rains and blessed the earth.When Baal showed up, the heavens rained oil, the rivers ran with honey, mothers gave birth to healthy children, and even the dead could be raised. 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. Transfers the title of honour he gave him to Ahab: "Call him thy lord, not me;" that is a fitter title for a prince than for a prophet, who seeks not honour from men. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. It should seem, he made this diligent search for him, not so much that he might punish him for what he had done in denouncing the judgment as that he might oblige him to undo it again, by recalling the sentence, because he had said it should be according to his word, having such an opinion of him as men foolishly conceive of witches (that, if they can but compel them to bless that which they have bewitched, it will be well again), or such as the king of Moab had of Balaam. Note, 1. Moses's altar and Solomon's were consecrated by the fire from heaven; but this was destroyed, because no more to be used. Choose a bull and prepare it. Why did the prophets of Baal cut themselves (1 Kings 18:28) Context: 1 Kings 18:27-28 New International Version (NIV) 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. Share "As long as God keeps bringing me stories that I can honor him with, to me, it doesn't matter what genre they . Had it been true that he was the troubler of Israel, Ahab, as king, would have been bound to animadvert upon him. 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. This he calls (1 Kings 18:21; 1 Kings 18:21) halting between two opinions, or thoughts. Then Ahab went to meet Elijah. How senseless, how brutish, were they in their addresses to Baal! God's cause is so incontestably just that it needs not fear to have the evidences of its equity searched into and weighed. (1.) to please their deity, as Herodias did Herod, and so to obtain their request. 43Then Elijah said to his servant, Go and look toward the sea.. Elijah vs. the priests of Baal. When Jezebel was killing all the LORD's . There was a heavy rain: Gods word through Elijah was proved true. Turn them again to the Lord God of hosts, from whom they have revolted, and all will be well quickly; this must be Elijah's doing. 1. 1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. Paul goes even further. Thats why Jesus warned his followers to watch out for all kinds of greed (see Luke 12:15). Bread and water were now scarce commodities, yet Obadiah will find a competence of both for God's prophets, to keep them alive for service hereafter, though now they were laid aside. Elijah first surrendered, or rather discovered, himself to Obadiah. Trust ye not in lying words, saying . Each would take a bull and place it on their own altar. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. He sent his prophet Elijah to tell Israel to stop limping between two different opinions (1 Kings 18:21 ESV). Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, since there are many of you; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it ." So they took the bull that was given to them and prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "O Baal, hear and answer us." answer us; as it is in the margin: and this for some hours together, longer than Diana's worshippers made their cry, Great is Diana of the Ephesians,Acts 19:34. New Century Version (NCV). Even on Baals home turf, people starved while waiting for Baal to bring his promised abundance. He also recognized, though, that people in his day faced a new, subtler, and perhaps even stronger temptation: to treat money as an idol like Baal, an idol to worship as a god to get what they wanted. The prophets of Baal had failed in their proof, and could give no evidence at all to make out their pretensions on behalf of their god, but were perfectly non-suited Elijah had, by the most convincing and undeniable evidence, proved his claims on behalf of the God of Israel. And all the people came near unto him. There was one very good man, who was a great man at court, Obadiah, who answered his name--a servant of the Lord, one who feared God and was faithful to him, and yet was steward of the household to Ahab. Pursuant to this order we have here, I. Note, Those who profess religion should study to recommend themselves to the esteem even of those that are without by their integrity, fidelity, and application to business. Of course, most Israelites probably didnt totally reject Yahweh, the God of Israel. 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. 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. Baal and his prophets were confounded. 2. But it was utterly false concerning Elijah; so far was he from being an enemy to Israel's welfare that he as the stay of it, the chariots and horsemen of Israel. They prayed to Baal from morning until noon, shouting Baal, answer us! But there was no sound, and no one answered. 10 As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. Joseph and Daniel were preferred because there were none so fit as they for the places they were preferred to. At the same time Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, where he bent down to the ground with his head between his knees. " By afternoon, worshippers of Baal were cutting themselves up and ripping off their clothes, writhing in unspeakable suicidal frustration.When he called on them to shout and wake up . The king and court were all for Baal; so was the body of the people. 13Havent you been told what I did? He pleads that he did not deserve to be thus exposed, and put in peril of his life: What have I said amiss?1 Kings 18:9; 1 Kings 18:9. Maybe he is sleeping so you will have to wake him! 28The prophets prayed louder, cutting themselves with swords and spears until their blood flowed, which was the way they worshiped. Based only on the sighting of a cloud that was as small as a mans hand, he knew a torrent was on the way. Report The battle for their hearts took place in part on the battlefield of their bank accounts. "In reconcilable differences (says bishop Hall) nothing more safe than indifferency both of practice and opinion; but, in cases of such necessary hostility as betwixt God and Baal, he that is not with God is against him." 16So Obadiah went to Ahab and told him where Elijah was. It was great condescension in God that he would suffer so plain a case to be disputed, and would permit Baal to be a competitor with him; but thus God would have every mouth to be stopped and all flesh to become silent before him. Used by permission of Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Idolatry is an economic issue. 7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah? All the people agreed that this was a good idea. IV. Community answers are sorted based on votes. Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab: This was an obviously supernaturally empowered 14-mile cross-country run. Ahab, like himself, basely accused Elijah. Perhaps Jezebel persecuted God's prophets under pretence that they were the cause of the judgment, because Elijah had foretold it. And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. If Jehovah be the true God, Baal is a false God, to whom these Israelites had revolted, and seduced others to the worship of him; and therefore, by the express law of God, they were to be put to death, Deuteronomy 13:1-11. So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. 0 responses (1.) In it, Elijah, the prophet of Gd, puts to the test what was at the time perceived as the most supreme and powerful of all the godsBaal. He also brought them food and water.) It seems, this was the manner of the worshippers of Baal. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. 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. When we cannot carry a reformation so far as we would we must do what we can, and rather comply with some corruptions than not do our utmost towards the extirpation of Baal. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? (28-29) The prophets of Baal work harder at their prayer. 31He took twelve stones, one stone for each of the twelve tribes, the number of Jacobs sons. That man that is true to his God will be faithful to his prince. 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. No one answered; no one paid attention" (v. 29 ESV).. We become increasingly committed to a lifestyle of an abundance of possessions. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. We dont know exactly why it was important to God for Elijah to reach Jezreel first; perhaps it was so that he would be the first to tell Queen Jezebel. The prophets kept shouting louder and louder, and they cut themselves with swords and knives until they were bleeding. Such living falls far short of the life Jesus invites us to experience. 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. Help us purchase electrical generators for churches. It was a very coarse compliment with which he accosted him at the first word: Art thou he that troubleth Israel?1 Kings 18:17; 1 Kings 18:17. The prophets of Baal, as criminals, are seized, condemned, and executed, according to law, 1 Kings 18:40; 1 Kings 18:40. Why did Elijah kill the prophets of Baal? 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. Now if, upon trial, it appears that Baal is that one infinite omnipotent Being, that one supreme Lord and all-sufficient benefactor, you ought to renounce Jehovah and cleave to Baal only: but, if Jehovah be that one God, Baal is a cheat, and you must have no more to do with him." 3:24). 2. The wind began to blow, and soon a heavy rain began to fall. Note, It bodes well to any people when God calls his ministers out of their corners, and bids them show themselves--a sign that he will give rain on the earth; at least we may the better be content with the bread of affliction while our eyes see our teachers,Isaiah 30:20; Isaiah 30:21. ESV - Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. The God therefore that has power to pardon sin, and to signify it by consuming the sin-offering, must needs be the God that can relieve us against the calamity. These Jezebel aimed to extirpate, and put many of them to death, which was as much a public calamity as a public iniquity, and threatened the utter ruin of religion's poor remains in Israel. Wasnt killing too severe a punishment for the prophets of Baal? But no voice was heard; Baal did not answer, and no one paid attention. A fight to the finish. All rights reserved. 3. 2. How unlike was this to that with which his servant Obadiah saluted him (1 Kings 18:7; 1 Kings 18:7): Art thou that my lord Elijah? ly. (2.) 36At the time for the evening sacrifice, the prophet Elijah went near the altar. But it is strange to find such an eminently good man governor of Ahab's house, an office of great honour, power, and trust. The managers of Baal's cause were 450 men, fat and well fed (1 Kings 18:22; 1 Kings 18:22), besides 400 more, their supporters or seconds, 1 Kings 18:19; 1 Kings 18:19. 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. But every bit of ourselves we give to our stuff we snatch away from our true King. Little wonder, then, that when King Ahab chose to marry a woman from Baal territory, the farmers in Israel built a house for this new god and welcomed him to the neighborhood (see 1 Kings 16:31). Obadiah would not have accepted the place if he could not have had it without bowing the knee to Baal, nor was Ahab so impolitic as to exclude those from offices that were fit to serve him, merely because they would not join with him in his devotions. Israel being thus far reformed that they had acknowledged the Lord to be God, and had consented to the execution of Baal's prophets, that they might not seduce them any more, though this was far short of a thorough reformation, yet it was so far accepted that God thereupon opened the bottles of heaven, and poured out blessings upon his land, that very evening (as it should seem) on which they did this good work, which should have confirmed them in their reformation; see Haggai 2:18; Haggai 2:19. If Baal really is a god, maybe he is thinking, or busy, or traveling! (2.) Ahab's care was not to lose all the beasts, many being already lost; but he took no care about his soul, not to lose that; he took a deal of pains to seek grass, but none to seek the favour of God, fencing against the effect, but not enquiring how to remove the cause. Such was Elijah's zeal, no doubt, against the idolatry of Baal, and such his compassion to his people, that he thought it long to be thus confined to a corner; yet he appeared not till God bade him: "Go and show thyself to Ahab, for now thy hour has come, even the time to favour Israel." I see nothing, he said. Start FREE. 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. V. The return of the mercy of rain, at the word of Elijah, 1 Kings 18:41-46. 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. He fitted up an altar. Prophets should be called seers, and shepherds, and watchmen, and ministers, rather than lords, as those that mind duty more than dominion. [2.] Those that slighted and hated his counsels would gladly be beholden to him for his prayers. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient. They allow the proposal to be fair and unexceptionable "God has often answered by fire; if Baal cannot do so, let him be cast out for a usurper." Elijah did not interrupt them, but let them go on till they were tired, and quite despaired of success, which was not till the time of the evening sacrifice,1 Kings 18:29; 1 Kings 18:29. This great good man used his power for the protection of God's prophets. [4.] 21Elijah approached the people and said, How long will you not decide between two choices? He repaired this altar with twelve stones, according to the number of the twelve tribes,1 Kings 18:31; 1 Kings 18:31. Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 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. 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 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. But his corruptions got the better of his convictions, and he was glad to get clear of him, as Felix of Paul, when he dismissed him, and adjourned his conference with him to a more convenient season. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. Needs not fear to have the evidences of its equity searched into and weighed pretence... Making these resources more useful use the convenient to our stuff we snatch away from our king..... 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