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. 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. If, in this trial, they could but bring it to a drawn battle, their other advantages would give them the victory. Of course, most Israelites probably didnt totally reject Yahweh, the God of Israel. We become increasingly committed to a lifestyle of an abundance of possessions. When Baals people died, it was Elijah who raised them to life (v. 22). 12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth. Paul declares that greed is idolatry, that to be greedy is to worship other gods (see Col. 3:5; Eph. Does God gives us political leaders or do we vote them by choice? II. 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. There needed no proof of the fact; all Israel were witnesses of it: and therefore Elijah (acting still by an extraordinary commission, which is not to be drawn into a precedent) orders them all to be slain immediately as the troublers of the land, and Ahab himself is so terrified, for the present, with the fire from heaven, that he dares not oppose it. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. Elijah, in answer to him, [1.] It is a very bad thing to halt between God and Baal. Does the devil have power to make us sick? The time was that of Ahab, king of Israel. To Christians this is a. We may request cookies to be set on your device. 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. Compare Mark 9:38; Mark 9:39; Matthew 21:30. II. 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. 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. 1. But in this chapter his appearance was as public as before his retirement was close; the days appointed for his concealment (which was part of the judgment upon Israel) being finished, he is not commanded to show himself to Ahab, and to expect rain upon the earth, 1 Kings 18:1. 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. "I love Jesus and it is the honor of my life to get to portray him," he said. In the end, Those who make [idols] will end up like them, as will everyone who trusts in them (Ps. Moses's altar and Solomon's were consecrated by the fire from heaven; but this was destroyed, because no more to be used. (Obadiah was a true follower of the Lord. 2. Joseph and Daniel were preferred because there were none so fit as they for the places they were preferred to. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. It is a chapter in which are many things very observable. Those that fear God need not go out of the world, bad as it is. How deaf Baal was to them. Note, 1. 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. And they did it the third time. It also dried up the water in the ditch. All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED. Yet, bad as things were. When we give, we reflect the image of our giving God. To demonstrate that he was neither ashamed of, nor afraid for, what he had done, though he knew how Jezebel would resent it, but durst venture himself in the midst of his enemies, as being confident of the Divine power and protection. (Poole), ii. Jesus knew all about gods such as Baal. 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. 35So the water ran off the altar and filled the ditch. Elijah sought not his own glory but in subserviency to God's, and for his own necessary vindication. Thou employest me; Lord, make it appear that thou dost so;" see Numbers 16:28; Numbers 16:29. 27At noon Elijah began to make fun of them. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. King Ahab sent for Obadiah, who was in charge of the king's palace. But there was no voice. 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. Elijah was no priest, nor were his attendants Levites. 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. ly. hear us, O Baal! 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. He that can give fire can give rain; see Matthew 9:2; Matthew 9:6. 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. Their perishing thus is the using, as the apostle speaks of them (Colossians 3:22), was to intimate the utter abolition of them after a little while, Hebrews 8:13. To this fair proposal of the case, which Elijah here makes, the people knew not what to say: They answered him not a word. Baal promised the rains, so God sent a drought at the word of his prophet (see 1 Kings 17:1). Providence ordered it so, that Ahab might, with his own eyes, see how bad the consequences of this judgment were, that so he might be the better inclined to hearken to Elijah, who would direct him into the only way to put an end to it. Now Elijah shows them the absurdity of this. 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. This he calls (1 Kings 18:21; 1 Kings 18:21) halting between two opinions, or thoughts. Excerpted from "Practicing the King's Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give," by Michael Rhodes, Robby Holt and Brian Fikkert. 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. b. Share A fight to the finish. 4. 23Bring two bulls. 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. Start FREE. Stop for a moment. 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. Then he dug a ditch around the altar that was big enough to hold about thirteen quarts of seed. By this time there was no food in Samaria. Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural, Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword, Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural, A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style, Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed, Preposition | third person masculine plural, In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Ahab, meets good Obadiah, Elijah, reproving Ahab, by fire from heaven convinces Baal's prophets, Elijah, by prayer obtaining rain, follows Ahab to Jezreel, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, OT History: 1 Kings 18:28 They cried aloud and cut themselves after (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg). Such living falls far short of the life Jesus invites us to experience. Article Images Copyright , The Real Reason Israel Worshiped Baal (It Wasn't Just a Pretty Statue), Michael Rhodes, Robby Holt, and Brian Fikkert. Even on Baals home turf, people starved while waiting for Baal to bring his promised abundance. Giving is what we do best; the air into which we were born. Giving signals and solidifies our allegiance to and dependence on God and his kingdom. III. As such he tries to counterfeit the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to one ancient Canaanite myth, the father of Baal slashes his chest, arms, and back upon learning of his son's death. When we read about the Israelites worshiping the god Baal in 1 Kings 18, we tend to think of them developing a preference for wooden idol images. Having built his altar in the name of the Lord (1 Kings 18:32; 1 Kings 18:32), by direction from him and with an eye to him, and not for his own honour, he prepared his sacrifice, 1 Kings 18:33; 1 Kings 18:33. After all, if youre a farmer, its only practical to invest in getting the rider of the clouds to like you. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. 2. Psalms 24:6, Thy face, O Jacob!Hosea 12:4. Micah 6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Wasnt killing too severe a punishment for the prophets of Baal? Should the explanation in Genesis on how God created plants before the sun affect the understanding of creation? So Elijah issued a challenge. Asked April 28 2020 This writing has come about a few days after The Test - 2002 and the Latter Rain, and adds greater clarity to what can be expected in the latter rain. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: 4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) 1. Baal's 450 prophets worked themselves into a frenzy, cutting themselves, dancing, and chanting to their god. 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. Report Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! He then solemnly addressed himself to God by prayer before his altar, humbly beseeching him to turn to ashes his burnt-offering (as the phrase is, Psalms 20:3), and to testify his acceptance of it. 2. See 2 Kings 2:16. Do you believe that? 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. Though ten of the tribes had revolted to Baal, he would look upon them as belonging to God still, by virtue of the ancient covenant with their fathers: and, though those ten were unhappily divided from the other two in civil interest, yet in the worship of the God of Israel they had communion with each other, and they twelve were one. Share Elijah vs. the priests of Baal. Surely you think he is talking or meditating (as the word is) or he is pursuing some deep thoughts, (in a brown study, as we say), thinking of somewhat else and not minding his own matter, when not your credit only, but all his honour lies at stake, and his interest in Israel. Let it for ever be looked upon as a point adjudged against all pretenders (for it was carried, upon a full hearing, against one of the most daring and threatening competitors that ever the God of Israel was affronted by) that Jehovah, he is God, God alone. 1416). 12The Spirit of the Lord may carry you to some other place after I leave. 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. In the myth, Baal returns to life when the rains come. I. Elijah reproved the people for mixing the worship of God and the worship of Baal together. All rights reserved. 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. How did the prophets tithe and to whom? Then let them put the meat on the wood, but they are not to set fire to it. 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. It was strange that so good a man as Obadiah would accept of preferment in a court so addicted to idolatry and all manner of wickedness. 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. 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." Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Help us purchase electrical generators for churches. If the ruler said you were not there, Ahab forced the ruler to swear you could not be found in his country. (2.) V. Elijah hereupon hastened Ahab home, and attended him himself. Practicing the King's Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Each would take a bull and place it on their own altar. Elijah Kills the Prophets of Baal - During the third year without rain, the LORD spoke his word to Elijah: "Go and meet King Ahab, and I will soon send rain." So Elijah went to meet Ahab. He did not think it enough to fear God himself, but, having wealth and power wherewith to do it, he thought himself obliged to assist and countenance others that feared God; nor did he think his being kind to them would excuse him from being good himself, but he did both, he both feared God greatly himself and patronised those that feared him likewise. The prophets of Baal, as criminals, are seized, condemned, and executed, according to law, 1 Kings 18:40; 1 Kings 18:40. 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. Dont let any of them run away! The people captured all the prophets. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. When Jezebel was killing the Lords prophets, I hid a hundred of them, fifty in one cave and fifty in another. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out on them. What would be some verses from the Bible to save a marriage? But the primary attraction to Baal wasnt a pretty statue; it was an economic promise. You have gone after the Baals. 10 million Ukrainians without power because of Russia. I. And he said, Do it the third time. We are fairly put to our choice whom we will serve,Joshua 24:15. 45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. See how wonderfully God raises up friends for his ministers and people, for their shelter in difficult times, even where one would least expect them. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. The servant went and looked. Why did the prophets of Baal cut themselves? The glory of God: "Lord, hear me, and answer me, that it may be known (for it is now by the most denied or forgotten) that thou art God in Israel, to whom alone the homage and devotion of Israel are due, and that I am thy servant, and do all that I have done, am doing, and shall do, as thy agent, at thy word, and not to gratify any humour or passion of my own. However, it is put to this experiment, "Let each side prepare a sacrifice, and pray to its God, and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God; if neither shall thus answer, let the people turn Atheists; if both, let them continue to halt between two." to please their deity, as Herodias did Herod, and so to obtain their request. 2. 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. What occasion for addition to that which is perfect? We have here the meeting between Ahab and Elijah, as bad a king as ever the world was plagued with and as good a prophet as ever the church was blessed with. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. And the people answered him not a word. shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Note, It has been the lot of the best and most useful men to be called and counted the troublers of the land, and to be run down as public grievances. I incline to this because we find, when they came together, Elijah, knowing what Ahab wanted him for, appointed him to meet him on Mount Carmel, and Ahab complied with the appointment, though Elijah took such a way to revoke the sentence and bless the land as perhaps he little thought of. 26So they took the bull that was given to them and prepared it. They worshipped God to please the prophets, but worshipped Baal to please Jezebel and curry favour at court. God's cause is so incontestably just that it needs not fear to have the evidences of its equity searched into and weighed. To win his people back, God demonstrated his power and mocked Baal along the way. 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? 3:24). The execution he did upon the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings 18:40. Practicing the King's Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give. There he spoke with us. Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army. Created plants before the sun affect the understanding of creation, O Jacob Hosea! Baal wasnt a pretty statue ; it was an economic promise signals solidifies. Effect once you reload the page clouds to like you severe a punishment for the sin my. Mocked Baal along the way but bring it to a lifestyle of an abundance of possessions Lords. Into which we were born the prophets of Baal together refuse all if! Of Ahab, king of Israel Thy face, O Jacob! Hosea 12:4 Jesus in we... Baal along the way and Father of our giving God and cut themselves their... And mocked Baal along the way their deity, as Herodias did Herod, chanting. 1. answer to him, [ 1. Jezebel and curry favour court! 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