Elijah was a prophet of Israel’s God.  Elijah had power because of God’s power given to him, to pray for no rain for 3 years.  Famine resulted.  Elijah then obeyed the LORD and sent for King Ahab to bring 450 prophets of Baal to Mount Carmel.

  Elijah then ordered the prophets of Baal to take two oxen, choosing one for themselves to present a sacrifice to Baal.  Elijah would take the other ox to sacrifice to God.  The priest of Baal built an altar on that mountain, cut up the ox and put it on wood on the altar.  But build no fire.  Pray for Baal to send fire and accept their offering.  The prophets agreed to this.  They were to call on their god and Elijah would call on his God, the god or God who answered by fire, then He is God!  All the people said “That’s a good idea.”  1 Kings 18:1, 22-25

  The prophets called on Baal all morning long, nothing happened to the sacrifice.  No fire came down to consume it.  These men leaped around the altar, nothing happened.
  At noon, Elijah made fun of them, mocked them – maybe you’re not calling loud enough, maybe your god has gone on a journey or is asleep, wake him up!  1 Kings 18:26-27

  Those prophets, all 450 of them, cut themselves until blood gushed out on them.  They continued to rave until the time of the evening sacrifice.  No answer, no voice, no one paid attention to their antics.  1 Kings 18:28-29

  Elijah asked the people to watch closely.  He repaired the altar of the LORD, he took 12 stones and built the altar in the name of the LORD.  The 12 stones represented the 12 tribes of Israel.  Elijah then made a trench around the altar large enough to hold 5 ½ gallons of liquid!  Elijah arranged wood on the altar and the cut up ox then he asked for four pitchers of water, he poured the water on the altar, over the ox, and the wood and he said bring another four pitchers of water two more times.  The water flowed around the altar and he also filled the trench with water.  Then he prayed to God, giving Him the credit for the sacrifice.  He asked God to hear him so that the people would know that He was God.  Fire fell, consuming the thoroughly wet sacrifice and wood.  Even licking up the water in the trench.  1 Kings 18:30-38

  The people all cried out when this miracle of God happened: “The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God.”  1 Kings 18:39

God’s Word ~ Alive!
1 Kings 18:39b
“The LORD, He is God; 
the LORD, He is God.”

What will it take for you to acknowledge the living God?

Categories: God's Word ~ Alive!