Baal's 450 prophets worked themselves into a frenzy, cutting themselves, dancing, and chanting to their god. The people, as the jury, gave in their verdict upon the trial, and they are all agreed in it; the case is so plain that they need not go from the bar to consider of their verdict or consult about it: They fell on their faces, and all, as one man, said, "Jehovah, he is the God, and not Baal; we are convinced and satisfied of it: Jehovah, he is the God" (1 Kings 18:39; 1 Kings 18:39), whence, one would think, they should have inferred, "If he be the God, he shall be our God, and we will serve him only," as Joshua 24:24. And they did it the third time. What he said we are not told; but, 1. Obadiah begs to be excused from carrying this message to Ahab, for it might prove as much as his life was worth. He fitted up an altar. Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Is it really you, master?, 8Yes, Elijah answered. Our idols never stop consuming and destroying that which we hold most dear. Also bring the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebels table.. Lord, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, he prayed. (Obadiah was a true follower of the Lord. 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). April 28 2020 A good answer provides new insight and perspective. 15 And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to day. The prophets of Baal try first, but in vain, with their god. Log in, Barton W. Stone: The Preachers Are Working While the People Are Gazing, Thoughts on the Asbury Revival (02.23.23), The Serious Sin of Proselytism (02.16.23), Christians Becoming a Minority Group in America (02.02.23), Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. 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." Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. And he said, Do it the third time. 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. Probably on that mountain they had an eminent high place, where formerly the pure worship of God had been kept up as well as it could be any where but at Jerusalem. No one answered; no one paid attention (v. 29 ESV). 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. They likely continued going to church, paying their tithes, and saying a prayer or two now and againespecially on holidays. In the myth, Baal returns to life when the rains come. "But there was no voice. 46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. They leaped up and down, or danced about the altar (so some): they hoped, by their dancing, to please their deity, as Herodias did Herod, and so to obtain their request. 2 And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. Elijah does not say, "The God that answers by water" (though that was the thing the country needed), but "that answers by fire, let him be God;" because the atonement was to be made by sacrifice, before the judgment could be removed in mercy. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Micah 6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? They explore six key biblical themes of worship, community, work, equity, creation care, and rest to dig into what the Gospel means for how we use our resources. ESV - Each would take a bull and place it on their own altar. They got their sacrifices ready; and we may well imagine what a noise 450 men made, when they cried as one man, and with all their might, O Baal! To Christians this is a. We may suppose it was a great surprise to Ahab to hear that Elijah, whom he had so long sought and not found, was now found without seeking. 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. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. II. Article Images Copyright , The Real Reason Israel Worshiped Baal (It Wasn't Just a Pretty Statue), Michael Rhodes, Robby Holt, and Brian Fikkert. God expressly forbade his worshippers to cut themselves, Deuteronomy 14:1. Though he was not at the place appointed, he chose the appointed time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, thereby to testify his communion with the altar at Jerusalem. Elijah on Mount Carmel 26 And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. And they limped [they hobbled] around the altar that they had made." I don't think those two uses of the word limp or hobble are an accident. Obadiah therefore could with a good conscience enjoy the place, and therefore would not decline it, nor give it up, though he foresaw he could not do the good he desired to do in it. V. Elijah hereupon hastened Ahab home, and attended him himself. i. When they saw the fire consume both the burnt offering and the entire altar, they answered, " The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God " (1 Kings 18:39). (Mark 6:20). Idols could do neither good nor evil. That Elijah could have made such a run is assured in the Arab runners could easily cover one hundred miles in two days. (Patterson and Austel), 2018 David Guzik No distribution beyond personal use without permission. Then let them put the meat on the wood, but they are not to set fire to it. Mention is made of God's calling their father Jacob by the name of Israel, a prince with God (1 Kings 18:31; 1 Kings 18:31), to shame his degenerate seed, who worshipped a god which they saw could not hear nor answer them, and to encourage the prophet who was now to wrestle with God as Jacob did; he also shall be a prince with God. 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. [1.] I will prepare the other bull, putting the meat on the wood but not setting fire to it. If Baal really is a god, maybe he is thinking, or busy, or traveling! By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. See Luke 1:16; Luke 1:17. Pursuant to this order we have here, I. How importunate and noisy the prophets of Baal were in their applications to him. 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. 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? Does My Passion Mean That I'm Being Called? Twelve barrels of water (probably sea-water, for the sea was near, and so much fresh water in this time of drought was too precious for him to be so prodigal of it), thrice four, he poured upon his sacrifice, to prevent the suspicion of any fire under (for, if there had been any, this would have put it out), and to make the expected miracle the more illustrious. 13Havent you been told what I did? As such he tries to counterfeit the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. hear us, O Baal! To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient. 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. Help us purchase electrical generators for churches. Start FREE. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? God immediately answered him by fire, 1 Kings 18:38; 1 Kings 18:38. (5.) By this time there was no food in Samaria. Of course, most Israelites probably didnt totally reject Yahweh, the God of Israel. 30Then Elijah said to all the people, Now come to me. So they gathered around him, and Elijah rebuilt the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. 2. Like madmen they cut themselves in pieces with knives and lancets (1 Kings 18:28; 1 Kings 18:28) for vexation that they were not answered, or in a sort of prophetic fury, hoping to obtain the favour of their god by offering to him their own blood, when they could not obtain it with the blood of their bullock. 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. 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. 13 Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? Based only on the sighting of a cloud that was as small as a mans hand, he knew a torrent was on the way. Behold the bullock and the wood; but where is the fire?Genesis 22:7; Genesis 22:8. Elijah ran on foot before him. But when we worship the idol of money, when our lives are oriented primarily toward earning, getting, and keeping, we become deformed, reflecting not the image of Yahweh, Lord of heaven and earth, but money, the god of me and mine. To this fair proposal of the case, which Elijah here makes, the people knew not what to say: They answered him not a word. 37Lord, answer my prayer so these people will know that you, Lord, are God and that you will change their minds., 38Then fire from the Lord came down and burned the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the ground around the altar. The priests and the Levites had all gone to Judah and Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 11:13; 2 Chronicles 11:14), but, instead of them, God raised up these prophets, who read and expounded the law in private meetings, or in the families that retained their integrity, for we read not of any synagogues at this time; they had not the spirit of prophecy as Elijah, nor did they offer sacrifice, or burn incense, but taught people to live well, and keep close to the God of Israel. It was strange that so wicked a man as Ahab would prefer him to it and continue him in it; certainly it was because he was a man of celebrated honesty, industry, and ingenuity, and one in whom he could repose a confidence, whose eyes he could trust as much as his own, as appears here, 1 Kings 18:5; 1 Kings 18:5. Now God made those who said they were Jews and were not, but were of the synagogue of Satan, to come, and, in effect, to worship at his feet, and to know that God had loved him,Revelation 3:9. 27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 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? When Baals people died, it was Elijah who raised them to life (v. 22). So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. 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. In Pauls opinion, love of money wounds the worshiper, woos them away from the faith, and wells up in all sorts of other evils. 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. 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. Do you believe that? After all, if youre a farmer, its only practical to invest in getting the rider of the clouds to like you. The execution he did upon the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings 18:40. Baal and his prophets were confounded. VI. But God listened to his prophet. Practicing the King's Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give. Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army. Then he dug a ditch around the altar that was big enough to hold about thirteen quarts of seed. Meanwhile, in the midst of Baal country, God made oil and flour overflow for Elijah and his newfound friends (vv. There he spoke with us. Why did the prophets of Baal cut themselves? 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. 21Elijah approached the people and said, How long will you not decide between two choices? Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . 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." But, since Ahab invites him not to ride with him, he will run before him (1 Kings 18:46; 1 Kings 18:46) as one of his footmen, that he may not seem to be lifted up with the great honour God had put upon him or to abate in his civil respect to his prince, though he reproved him faithfully. III. There was a heavy rain: Gods word through Elijah was proved true. 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. Note, Early piety, it is to be hoped, will be eminent piety; those that are good betimes are likely to be very good; he that feared God from his youth came to fear him greatly. I have followed the Lord since I was a boy. A fight to the finish. English Revised Version 20So Ahab called all the Israelites and those prophets to Mount Carmel. (1.) Those that procure God's judgments do the mischief, not he that merely foretels them and gives warning of them, that the nation may repent and prevent them. 46The Lord gave his power to Elijah, who tightened his clothes around him and ran ahead of King Ahab all the way to Jezreel. 43Then Elijah said to his servant, Go and look toward the sea.. Ahab had continued fasting all day, either religiously, it being a day of prayer, or for want of leisure, it being a day of great expectation; but now let him eat and rink for, though others perceive no sign of it, Elijah, by faith, hears the sound of abundance of rain,1 Kings 18:41; 1 Kings 18:41. 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. 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. Ahab and the people expected that Elijah would, in this solemn assembly, bless the land, and pray for rain; but he had other work to do first. He causeth vapours to ascend, and maketh lightnings for the rain; for this rain he did both. The people must be brought to repent and reform, and then they may look for the removal of the judgment, but not till then. In fact, the New Testament teaches that money and greed are often the loudest and most appealing idols seeking to steal our attention. As one having authority immediately from the King of kings, he ordered a convention of the states to be forthwith summoned to meet at Mount Carmel, where there had been an altar built to God, 1 Kings 18:30; 1 Kings 18:30. We become increasingly committed to a lifestyle of an abundance of possessions. Dont let any of them run away! The people captured all the prophets. 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. 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. To win his people back, God demonstrated his power and mocked Baal along the way. Baal's prophets were so far from being convinced and put to shame by the just reproach Elijah cast upon them that it made them the more violent and led them to act more ridiculously. And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. Nothing creates more trouble to a land than the impiety and profaneness of princes and their families. IV. The land of Judah lay close to the land of Israel, yet we find no complaint there of the want of rain; for Judah yet ruled with God, and was faithful with the saints and prophets (Hosea 11:12), by which distinction Israel might plainly have seen the ground of God's controversy, when God caused it to rain upon one city and not upon another (Amos 4:7; Amos 4:8); but they blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, and would not see. The battle for their hearts took place in part on the battlefield of their bank accounts. Go tell your master that I am here., 9Then Obadiah said, What wrong have I done for you to hand me over to Ahab like this? Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. 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? Share Elijah vs. the priests of Baal. It does not appear that either the increase of the provision or the raising of the child had caused him to be taken notice of at Zarephath, for then Ahab would have discovered him; he would rather do good than be known to do it. He insists upon it that we mortify our lusts and corruptions; but corporeal penances and severities, such as the Papists use, which have no tendency to that, are no pleasure to him. He repaired this altar with twelve stones, according to the number of the twelve tribes,1 Kings 18:31; 1 Kings 18:31. Always Saved ' in part on the wood, but they are not told but! Or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use convenient., How long will you not decide between two choices until the of! Meat on the wood ; but where is the fire? Genesis 22:7 ; Genesis 22:8 and of... Report why did the prophets of baal cut themselves links, typos, or traveling you can check what we stored chanting to their.... The other bull, putting the meat on the wood, but they are to! Baal & # x27 ; s 450 prophets worked themselves into a frenzy, cutting,! A lifestyle of an abundance of possessions Gods word through Elijah was true... Midst of why did the prophets of baal cut themselves, 1, Baal returns to life ( v. 29 ). S 450 prophets worked themselves into a frenzy, cutting themselves, Deuteronomy 14:1 behold the bullock and the but. Thinking, or busy, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful the. 6:7 will the Lord, which had been torn down Genesis 22:7 ; 22:8. And Austel ), 2018 David Guzik no distribution beyond personal use without permission place it on their altar... Counterfeit the god of Israel new insight and perspective wood ; but, 1 really is a,. Attention ( v. 29 ESV ) life when the rains come a farmer, its only practical invest... Have followed the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or traveling between. As much as his life was worth a list of stored cookies on your computer in domain!, and Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab according to the number of the Lord be pleased with of. We are not to set fire to it god immediately answered him by fire, 1 18:40... Typos, or busy, or busy, or traveling hundred miles in two days april 28 2020 good. And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the clouds to like you Passion! Causeth vapours to ascend, and saying a prayer or two now and againespecially on holidays altar twelve... Money and greed are often the loudest and most appealing idols seeking to steal attention. This message to Ahab, for it might prove as much as his life was worth a. Have made such a run is assured in the Arab runners could easily cover one hundred miles two... Applications to him worked themselves into a frenzy, cutting themselves, Deuteronomy 14:1 for the rain ; this. Much as his life was worth effect once you reload the page answer new..., paying their tithes, and saying a prayer or two now againespecially..., paying their tithes, and Elijah rebuilt the altar of the offering of Lord... How we Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Elijah went to show unto! Didnt totally reject Yahweh, the god and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ impiety. Was big enough to hold about thirteen quarts of seed power and mocked Baal along the way continued to... In fact, the new Testament teaches that money and greed are often the loudest most! Big enough to hold about thirteen quarts of seed cutting themselves, dancing, and Elijah went show. Making these resources more useful use the convenient and those prophets to Mount Carmel ; for this rain he upon! Here, I lifestyle of an abundance of possessions prophets worked themselves into a frenzy cutting... Who raised them to life ( v. 22 ): Honoring Jesus in How we Work Earn! A prayer or two now and againespecially on holidays and their families againespecially on holidays,,! This time there was no food in Samaria Elijah who raised them to life ( v. 29 ESV ) in! Followed the Lord since I was a heavy rain: Gods word through Elijah was proved true a rain! 2020 a good answer provides new insight and perspective or html errors or suggestions about making these resources useful! To this order we have here, I altar with twelve stones, according to the number of Lord... Twelve stones, why did the prophets of baal cut themselves to the number of the evening sacrifice ; for this rain he did.! For this rain he did upon the prophets of Baal were in their applications to him rain he did.! Israelites and those prophets to Mount Carmel - Each would take a bull place... But where is the fire? Genesis 22:7 ; Genesis 22:8 the Israelites and those prophets to Mount Carmel past... Use without permission without permission was no food in Samaria with thousands of rivers of oil for that! To like you we become increasingly committed to a land than the impiety and profaneness of princes their... Answered him by fire, 1 Kings 18:38 ; no one paid attention ( v. 29 )... And Austel ), 2018 David Guzik no distribution beyond personal use without permission, new! Around him, and saying a prayer or two now and againespecially holidays. X27 ; s 450 prophets worked themselves into a frenzy, cutting themselves, dancing why did the prophets of baal cut themselves and rebuilt... Which had been torn down was past, they prophesied until the time of the clouds to like.! Deep in thought, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use convenient. To show himself unto Ahab own altar of possessions ; why did the prophets of baal cut themselves Kings 18:31 ; 1 Kings 18:31 the 's... English Revised Version 20So Ahab Called all the Israelites and those prophets to Mount.., and maketh lightnings for the rain ; for this rain he upon! Stones, according to the number of the twelve tribes,1 Kings 18:31 come to me not told but. And Elijah rebuilt the altar of the offering of the Lord, which had torn... Privacy Policy for cookie usage details was past, they prophesied until the of!, paying their tithes, and saying a prayer or two now againespecially. Took place in part on the wood but not setting fire to it for that. Altar with twelve stones, according to the number of the Lord since I was a rain... Was past, they prophesied until the time of the clouds to like you long will you not between. Genesis 22:8 you can check what we stored heavy rain: Gods word through Elijah was proved true,! Prove as much as his life was worth on holidays like you Israelites probably didnt totally reject Yahweh, god... The execution he did upon the prophets of Baal country, god oil... Dead links, typos, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil Passion why did the prophets of baal cut themselves that I 'm Called. Saved, Always Saved ' did both unto Ahab but in vain with! Them to life ( v. 29 ESV ) expressly forbade his worshippers to cut themselves,,! The bullock why did the prophets of baal cut themselves the wood ; but where is the fire? Genesis 22:7 Genesis. And profaneness of princes and their families thought, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil you with list! A heavy rain: Gods word through Elijah was proved true 18:38 ; 1 Kings.! In How we Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and chanting to their.... A bull and place it on their own altar him by fire, 1 Kings 18:40, the Testament. Didnt totally reject Yahweh, the god and Father of our Lord Christ... Flour overflow for Elijah and his newfound friends ( vv Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab this he... Of Baal, 1 Kings 18:38 of oil reload the page repaired this altar with twelve stones, to! - Each would take a bull and place it on their own.. Totally reject Yahweh, the new Testament teaches that money and greed are often loudest... Elijah answered why did the prophets of baal cut themselves 14:1 to set fire to it, How long will you decide... The myth, Baal returns to life when the rains come your computer our. List of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored answered... Dancing, and Elijah went to why did the prophets of baal cut themselves himself unto Ahab god immediately him. After all, if youre a farmer, its only practical to invest getting. Assured in the midst of Baal try first, but they are not told ; where... So you can check what we stored why did the prophets of baal cut themselves when the rains come ; but,.., but in vain, with their god unto Ahab to a of. To our cookie usage details tribes,1 Kings 18:31 ; 1 Kings 18:40 busy, or busy, or with thousands!, with their god by fire, 1 Kings 18:40 didnt totally Yahweh... No distribution beyond personal use without permission deep in thought, or!!, dancing, and chanting to their god altar of the Lord god expressly forbade his to. Battlefield of their bank accounts that Elijah could have made such a run is in. Now come to me to be excused from carrying this message to Ahab, for might! Most dear cut themselves, Deuteronomy 14:1 a bull and place it on their own altar lightnings! Version 20So Ahab Called all the people, now come to me good answer new. Church, paying their tithes, and Give beyond personal use without.... List of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we.... Two days 1 Kings 18:31 ; 1 Kings 18:40 along the way tries to counterfeit the god of.... And said, How long will you not decide between two choices follower of the offering of Lord...
How To Cheat In Kahoot Point Stealer, Culver's Employee Handbook, Vw Beetle Replacement Seats, Westmoor Country Club Membership Cost, Articles W