Elijah: Listening to God No Matter What

Elijah: Listening to God No Matter What

By Joel B.

1 Kings 18:21-22 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

Here’s the situation. There were four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and then there’s Elijah. The contest was to see whose God was the true God. Elijah may have been outnumbered but he certainly wasn’t outgunned.

So, Elijah threw down the challenge:

1 Kings 18:23-24 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: 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. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

The prophets of Baal were certain they had this contest in the bag, so they quickly agreed to Elijah’s challenge. So they chose a bullock, dressed it, and began calling out to Baal. They even danced around and cut themselves with lancets hoping to get Baal’s attention. Apparently Elijah saw some humor in this and he mocked them, suggesting that Baal was asleep, busy talking, or on a journey. So the prophets of Baal called out to there god all throughout the day to no avail. There was no answer from Baal. No, none at all.

Now it’s Elijah’s turn. He dressed the alter just as the Lord had commanded. This included taking twelve stones, which was the number of the tribes the sons of Jacob. Not only did he do this, but he had the people fill four barrels of water twice and poured it on the offering. Then he had them do it a third time, which overflowed and filled a trench that was surrounding the alter. Eventually the time came for Elijah to call out to God and the results were amazing:

1 Kings 18:36-37 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. 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.

As soon as Elijah called out to the Lord, fire came down from the heavens and completely consumed the sacrifice. Not only was the water-drenched bullock consumed, but also the wood and the stones. Even the water in the trenches was licked up. Wow, that must’ve been an amazing site to behold.

The people who witnessed this scenario instantly fell to their faces and began to worship the Living God. Elijah then commanded the people to take the prophets of Baal, and not let one of them escape. All the prophets of Baal were captured and slain.

Friends, lets have the faith of Elijah to do things that the Lord asks us to do, no matter how big or small they may seem. Lets also not be afraid to challenge followers of false gods. Remember, we are rooted in Truth and have nothing to fear. Our God will bring us through, just like He did with Elijah versus the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. Lets have faith in our Amazing and Glorious God. Thank you for reading and God bless.