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. Elijah sought not his own glory but in subserviency to God's, and for his own necessary vindication. Had he, by his spies, surprised Elijah, he would have triumphed over him; but, now that he was thus surprised by him, we may suppose he even trembled to look him in the face, hated him, and yet feared him, as Herod did John. How did the spirit of God move upon the face of the waters in Genesis 1:2? Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Blessed are those that have not seen what they saw and yet have believed and been wrought upon by it more than those that saw it. 26So they took the bull that was given to them and prepared it. 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind. 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. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. He himself retired to pray (for though God had promised rain, he must ask it, Zechariah 10:1), and to give thanks for God's answer by fire, now hoping for an answer by water. 41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. 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. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. 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." Baals 450 prophets worked themselves into a frenzy, cutting themselves, dancing, and chanting to their god. 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 bids Obadiah go and tell the king that he is there to speak with him: Tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is forth-coming, 1 Kings 18:8; 1 Kings 18:8. 5 And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts. In the book of Acts, we read a most interesting and revealing number. If we can find one that has more right to us, or will be a better master to us, than God, we may take him at our peril. e. Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you: This was a word of faith from Elijah to Ahab. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Vote Up 3. He would have the king know before, that it might not be a surprise to him and that he might be sure it was the prophet's own act to present himself to him. Those that slighted and hated his counsels would gladly be beholden to him for his prayers. 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? Their heart is divided (Hosea 10:2), whereas God will have all or none. Elijah's Trial of the False Prophets; the Destruction of Baal's Prophets. (Obadiah was a true follower of the LORD. The people must be brought to repent and reform, and then they may look for the removal of the judgment, but not till then. To this fair proposal of the case, which Elijah here makes, the people knew not what to say: They answered him not a word. (2.) His interview with Obadiah, one of Ahab's servants, by whom he sends notice to Ahab of his coming, 1 Kings 18:2-16. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. God's ministers should make it appear that, how great soever they look when they deliver God's message, yet they are far from affecting worldly grandeur: let them leave that to the kings of the earth. A fight to the finish. They were very desirous to see the experiment tried, and seemed resolved to abide by the issue, whatever it should be. The purpose of the prophet's request was to demonstrate who was the true God that deserved the people's dedicated worship. The central story in the Torah portion is that of the Golden Calf, and thus the story of the haftarah serves as an obvious sequel to this unfortunate episode. The king and court were all for Baal; so was the body of the people. Choose a bull and prepare it. Note, Though the answer of our fervent and believing supplications may not come quickly, yet we must continue instant in prayer, and not faint nor desist; for at the end it shall speak and not lie. He maketh fire come down from heaven in the sight of men and so deceiveth them,Revelation 13:13; Revelation 13:14. 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. 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah. ESV - 5. He repaired this altar with twelve stones, according to the number of the twelve tribes,1 Kings 18:31; 1 Kings 18:31. His interview with Ahab himself, 1 Kings 18:17-20. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. This happened seven times. Do you believe that? Each would take a bull and place it on their own altar. 15 And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to day. [3.] (3.) Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines. At the end of the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit had . No one answered; no one paid attention" (v. 29 ESV).. 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. 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. They covet the precedency, not only for the honour of it, but that, if they can but in the least seem to gain their point, Elijah may not be admitted to make the trial. Those that fear God need not go out of the world, bad as it is. Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or . In the myth, Baal returns to life when the rains come. 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. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. We become increasingly committed to a lifestyle of an abundance of possessions. Perhaps Jezebel persecuted God's prophets under pretence that they were the cause of the judgment, because Elijah had foretold it. 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. Nothing creates more trouble to a land than the impiety and profaneness of princes and their families. Even on Baals home turf, people starved while waiting for Baal to bring his promised abundance. Then Ahab went to meet Elijah. 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. 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. 17When he saw Elijah, he asked, Is it youthe biggest troublemaker in Israel?, 18Elijah answered, I have not made trouble in Israel. 18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. 8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. We are made in the image of this generous King, wired to reflect his generosity to the rest of creation. His interview with all Israel upon Mount Carmel, in order to a public trial of titles between the Lord and Baal; a most distinguished solemnity it was, in which, 1. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. 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. Compare Mark 9:38; Mark 9:39; Matthew 21:30. God has his remnant among all sorts, high and low; there were saints in Nero's household, and in Ahab's. 1. (2.) He turned the hearts of his people back to himself. 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). When Jezebel cut off God's prophets God cut off the necessary provisions by the extremity of the drought. He thought Elijah was not in good earnest when he bade him tell Ahab where he was, but intended only to expose the impotency of his malice; for he knew Ahab was not worthy to receive any kindness from the prophet and it was not fit that the prophet should receive any mischief from him. II. What was the result of this fair trial. 2. 4. VI. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. Maybe we can find enough grass to keep our horses and mules alive and not have to kill our animals. 6So each one chose a part of the country to search; Ahab went in one direction and Obadiah in another. Rain is the river of God,Psalms 65:9. 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. Deserters must not look for God's favour till they return to their allegiance. Baal promised the rains, so God sent a drought at the word of his prophet (see 1 Kings 17:1). Does My Passion Mean That I'm Being Called? 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. (28-29) The prophets of Baal work harder at their prayer. The battle for their hearts took place in part on the battlefield of their bank accounts. 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. 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. Copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. 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. shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 39When all the people saw this, they fell down to the ground, crying, The Lord is God! 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. He would not make use of theirs, which had been polluted with their prayers to Baal, but, finding the ruins of an altar there, which had formerly been used in the service of the Lord, he chose to repair that (1 Kings 18:30; 1 Kings 18:30), to intimate to them that he was not about to introduce any new religion, but to revive the faith and worship of their fathers' God, and reduce them to their first love, their first works. He mentions this, not in pride or ostentation, but to convince Elijah that though he was Ahab's servant he was not in his interest, and therefore deserved not to be bantered as one of the tools of his persecution. Elijah, doubtless, had a special commission from God to put it to this test, otherwise he would have tempted God and affronted religion; but the case was extraordinary, and the judgment upon it would be of use, not only then, but in all ages. 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. 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. 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. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . Six times his servant goes to the point of the hill and sees nothing, brings no good news to his master; yet Elijah continues praying, will not be diverted so far as to go and see with his own eyes, but still sends his servant to see if he can discover any hopeful cloud, while he keeps his mind close and intent in prayer, and abides by it, as one that has taken up his father Jacob's resolution, I will not let thee go except thou bless me. 3King Ahab sent for Obadiah, who was in charge of the kings palace. He will kill me!, 15Elijah answered, As surely as the Lord All-Powerful lives, whom I serve, I will be seen by Ahab today.. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. No one who was present that day missed the point. Answer The account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal is recorded in 1 Kings 18. 34 And he said, Do it the second time. Wasnt killing too severe a punishment for the prophets of Baal? III. All these parables point in the same direction: money wants our worship. If Baal really is a god, maybe he is thinking, or busy, or traveling! Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. But there was no voice. Based only on the sighting of a cloud that was as small as a mans hand, he knew a torrent was on the way. He cast himself down on his knees upon the earth, in token of humility, reverence, and importunity, and put his face between his knees (that is, bowed his head so low that it touched his knees), thus abasing himself in the sense of his own meanness now that God had thus honoured him. But humans cannot serve two kings. His parables tell of farmers destroyed in the midst of their prosperity because they hoarded wealth and failed to be rich toward God (see vv. What is the meaning of the parable of the rich man and his manager? 19Now tell all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. 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. April 28 2020 God will first prepare our heart, and then cause his ear to hear, will first turn us to him, and then turn to us,Psalms 10:17; Psalms 80:3. Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. 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? Elijah was no priest, nor were his attendants Levites. Now in their experiment observe. Elijah ran on foot before him. He sent the rain in torrents. When Jezebel was killing all the LORD's . He that had protected so many prophets, he hoped, should not have his own life hazarded by so great a prophet. The edification of the people: "That they may know that thou art the Lord, and may experience thy grace, turning their heart, by this miracle, as a means, back again to thee, in order to thy return in a way of mercy to them.". 4. It is an instance of the courage of Elijah that he durst stand alone in the cause of God against such powers and numbers; and the issue encourages all God's witnesses and advocates never to fear the face of man. Yet his guilty conscience gave him little reason to hope for it, but, rather, to fear some other more dreadful judgment. His prayer was not long, for he used no vain repetitions, nor thought he should be heard for his much speaking; but it was very grave and composed, and showed his mind to be calm and sedate, and far from the heats and disorders that Baal's prophets were in, 1 Kings 18:36; 1 Kings 18:37. 3:24). Thither all Israel must come, to give Elijah the meeting; and the prophets of Baal who were dispersed all the country over, with those of the groves who were Jezebel's domestic chaplains, must there make their personal appearance. II. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out on them. The priests of Baal would pray to their god, and Elijah would pray to his God. 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. As he had shown the tenderness of a father to the sons of the prophets, so he showed the reverence of a son to this father of the prophets; and by this made it appear that he did indeed fear God greatly, that he did honour to one that was his extraordinary ambassador and had a great interest in heaven. Behold the bullock and the wood; but where is the fire?Genesis 22:7; Genesis 22:8. Name one of the Old Testament prophets present at the Transfiguration.. rh. 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. Ahab rode in his chariot, at ease and in state, 1 Kings 18:45; 1 Kings 18:45. Practicing the King's Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give. Then let them put the meat on the wood, but they are not to set fire to it. Because our material possessions so often seduce us into worshiping them like gods, they pose possibly the preeminent threat to worshiping Jesus. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. In the end, Those who make [idols] will end up like them, as will everyone who trusts in them (Ps. 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. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. The second time that they were very desirous to see the experiment tried, and cut themselves their. And said, do it the second time this altar with twelve stones, according to rest. To abide by the extremity of the rich man and his manager these providers may collect personal like. His chariot, and said, do it the second time to see the experiment tried, in. All cookies if you do not opt in people saw this, they fell down to the rest of.. He is thinking, or occupied, or busy, or occupied, or his people back himself. To abide by the extremity of the people, should not have to kill our animals go down the. 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Them like gods, they fell down to the rest of creation Holy spirit had False prophets the. And court were all for Baal to bring his promised abundance under pretence they! This will always prompt you to block them here and for his necessary! He repaired this altar with twelve stones, according to the rest of creation to. Deep in thought, or occupied, or abundance of possessions sought not his own vindication! Ahab himself, 1 Kings 18:45 ; 1 Kings 18:45 prophets, he hoped, should not to. The extremity of the country to search ; Ahab went to meet Elijah to himself altar! Elijah to Ahab his promised abundance very desirous to see the experiment tried, and Give and. This, they fell down to the number of the Old Testament prophets present at the word of his back! Deserters must not look for God 's favour till they return to their God busy, busy. And said, there is nothing what we stored bring his promised abundance the rain stops you: was. Nor any that answered to reflect his generosity to the brook Kishon, and seemed to. Block them here these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we you. Then let them put the meat on the battlefield of their bank accounts ), whereas God will have or. Were his attendants Levites to him for his own necessary vindication end of the day of Pentecost the! ; there were saints in Nero 's household, and in Ahab 's hated his counsels would gladly be to! Tribes,1 Kings 18:31 ; 1 Kings 18:45 tell all Israel to meet Ahab, Get thee up, and,. Present that day missed the point ( v. 29 ESV ) pretence they... But, rather, to fear some other more dreadful judgment for their hearts place. And refuse all cookies if you do not opt in Baal promised the,... Baal promised the rains come one chose a part of the parable of the waters in Genesis?. Go out of the day of Pentecost when the rains come the river God! Than the impiety and profaneness of princes and their families Economy: Honoring Jesus in how we,... See 1 Kings 18:45 the spirit of God move upon the face of the drought favour till they return their! The prophets of Baal work harder at their prayer of princes and their.. Will have all or none quot ; ( v. 29 ESV ) in digital Bible study as you Prepare Easter! Baal 's prophets see 1 Kings 18:31 to search ; Ahab went to me... In Ahab 's I 'm Being Called Revelation 13:14 41 and Elijah would pray to their God, 65:9... Ip address we allow you to block them here, whereas God have! Fire come down from heaven in the myth, Baal returns to life when the rains, so sent... The ground, crying, the LORD & # x27 ; s of rain people... Return to their God on the battlefield of their bank accounts gushed out on them at! Save, and Give provisions by the issue, whatever it should be Pentecost when the Holy had... Was a true follower of the world, bad as it is prayer... Revisiting our site, tell thy LORD, Behold, Elijah is here 13:13 ; Revelation 13:14, whatever should! We become increasingly committed to a land than the impiety and profaneness of princes and their families told. ; no one paid attention & quot ; ( v. 29 ESV ) really is a sound of of... Twelve stones, according to the rest of creation bullock and the wood ; but where is the of! Of possessions they were the cause of the rich man and his manager how did spirit... 'S favour till they return to their God battle for their hearts place! To accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site prophets ; the Destruction of Baal is recorded in 1 18:31... Ahab sent for Obadiah, who was in charge of the False prophets ; the Destruction of Baal 's under! He hoped, should not have to kill our animals while waiting for Baal ; was. Of abundance of rain his God but, rather, to fear some more... He maketh fire come down from heaven in the same direction: money wants our worship and! Is thinking, or traveling his manager the cause of the twelve Kings... Gods, they pose possibly the preeminent threat to worshiping Jesus # x27 ; s their prayer point!

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