Background and Context

Elijah, a prophet of the Lord, emerges as a pivotal figure during a time of rampant idolatry in the northern kingdom of Israel. Under the reign of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel, the worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity, had become widespread, leading the people of Israel away from the worship of Yahweh. Elijah's mission was to call the nation back to the covenant faithfulness to the God of Israel.

The Confrontation on Mount Carmel

The dramatic confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal is recorded in 1 Kings 18. Elijah challenges the people of Israel to choose whom they will serve, stating, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). To demonstrate the power of the true God, Elijah proposes a test on Mount Carmel.

Elijah instructs the prophets of Baal, numbering 450, to prepare a bull for sacrifice and call upon their god to send fire to consume it. From morning until noon, the prophets of Baal cry out, "O Baal, answer us!" (1 Kings 18:26), but there is no response. Elijah mocks them, suggesting that their god might be deep in thought, busy, or traveling.

Elijah's Prayer and God's Response

After the prophets of Baal fail, Elijah repairs the altar of the LORD, using twelve stones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. He prepares the sacrifice and drenches it with water to eliminate any doubt of trickery. Elijah then prays, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command" (1 Kings 18:36).

The LORD responds with fire from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and even the water in the trench. The people fall prostrate and declare, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39).

The Execution of the Prophets of Baal

Following this divine demonstration, Elijah commands the people to seize the prophets of Baal. He takes them to the Kishon Valley, where they are executed. This act is seen as a fulfillment of the Mosaic Law, which prescribes the death penalty for false prophets who lead the people into idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:1-5).

Significance

Elijah's actions on Mount Carmel serve as a powerful testament to the sovereignty and supremacy of Yahweh over false gods. This event underscores the seriousness of idolatry and the necessity of exclusive devotion to the LORD. Elijah's zeal for the LORD and his boldness in confronting apostasy highlight the role of the prophet as a guardian of the covenant and a voice calling God's people back to faithfulness.1 Kings 18:40
And Elijah said to them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
Nave's Topical Index

The Mystery
... In the same manner also, Elijah did not bring rain ... in this slaughter of the witnesses
or prophets; that as in ... Whence likewise he kills, who inflicts on any one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... Each nation, each tribe, each city, worshipped its own lord"Adoni** "or its
master"Baal*** "and each of these was designated by a special title to ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... THAT is the way thou must go; it was cast up by the patriarchs, prophets, Christ,
and His Apostles; and it is as straight as a rule can make it. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

What is the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God take Enoch and Elijah to heaven without them dying? | GotQuestions.org

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