The famous contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal began with a question Elijah addressed to the people of Israel: “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (I Kings 18:21). (We should note that if you don’t like Baal, you can substitute in the name of any other deity-du-jour, and the question will apply to any age.)

The terms of the contest would be this. Elijah would have a bull to offer to the Lord, and the prophets of Baal would have a bull to offer to Baal: and “the god who answers with fire is indeed God” (18:24). The prophets of Baal went first, preparing their offering and calling to Baal, chanting out loud and gashing themselves to make themselves bleed: but though they did this from morning till mid-afternoon, there was no result.

Then it was Elijah’s turn. He repaired the altar of Yahweh, laid the wood and the pieces of the bull upon it. He then instructed the bystanders to get four large jars of water, and pour it over his offering; indeed, he had them do this a second time, and then a third, so that everything was well drenched (18:34).

Then Elijah prayed: asking, indeed, for vindication for himself as the servant of the Lord, but especially for the people: “Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back” (18:37). Then the fire of the Lord came down from heaven and completely consumed the offering, even licking up the water in the trench around the altar. It was surely a vivid demonstration of God’s power and reality: yet we should notice that this demonstration was about knowledge – knowing specifically that Yahweh is is the one who truly is God, rather than Baal – and most especially it was about people’s hearts being turned back to faithfulness once again.

* * * * *

Help us, Lord. We are just as liable to go limping along first on one leg and then on the other, hesitating between your way and the way of the world around us. Turn our hearts back to you – with astonishing miracles, or with a still small voice – so that we may know with confidence and joy that you are the Lord, forever and ever.

If you find these studies helpful, please Like, Subscribe, Comment, and Share. Thanks!