What is the meaning of 1 Kings 18:24? Then you may call on the name of your god Elijah gives the prophets of Baal the first opportunity to appeal to their deity. • Context: 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:22) gathered on Mount Carmel. • By letting them go first, Elijah exposes the impotence of idols—“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands… they cannot speak” (Psalm 115:4-7). • Scripture consistently shows that calling on any god but the LORD is futile (Jeremiah 10:5; Isaiah 44:17). • The phrase “call on the name” implies dependence and worship; here it highlights the emptiness of Baal worship. and I will call on the name of the LORD Elijah’s confidence rests in the covenant name YHWH. • “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you” (Psalm 50:15). • From the earliest days, “people began to call on the name of the LORD” (Genesis 4:26), and that promise stands—“Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21). • Elijah models exclusive loyalty, refusing syncretism. His solitary stance echoes Joshua’s “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). The God who answers by fire, He is God Fire is chosen as the decisive sign of divine authenticity. • Fire often marks God’s presence—burning bush (Exodus 3:2), consuming the sacrifice at the tabernacle’s dedication (Leviticus 9:24), and Solomon’s temple (2 Chronicles 7:1). • Significance of fire: – Purifies (Malachi 3:2-3) – Judges (Hebrews 12:29) – Confirms covenant approval • Elijah trusts that the LORD will act supernaturally, proving He alone is God and exposing Baal, supposedly a storm-god, as powerless. And all the people answered, “What you say is good.” The spectators recognize the fairness of the test. • Earlier Elijah challenged them: “How long will you waver between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). Their agreement shows they know a clear verdict is needed. • Their later reaction—“The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39)—confirms that the sign accomplished its purpose. • Lesson: God graciously provides unmistakable revelation, yet He still calls for a decisive response of faith (John 20:27-29). summary 1 Kings 18:24 sets up a public, unmistakable contest between powerless idols and the living LORD. Elijah invites the prophets of Baal to pray first, then confidently calls on YHWH, trusting Him to answer with consuming fire. The test is fair, the stakes are absolute, and the result will demand a verdict from every witness. God’s fiery answer will declare His exclusive deity, expose false worship, and call the wavering people back to wholehearted allegiance. |
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