What Are You Doing Here?
Part Three

I Kings 19:13
(I Kings 17-19)

In the last Studies (see Archives) we looked at how Ahab was responsible for his actions. Now we will examine how Elijah, by the power of God, challenged Ahab and the false prophets of Baal.

Elijah replied, “I have not made trouble for Israel. But you and your family have. You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and followed the Baals” (I Kings 18:18). Elijah directed the king to call the people together for a challenge that would settle the matter.

The gathering was to take place on Mt. Carmel. This mountain was due west of the Sea of Galilee and overlooked the Mediterranean Sea. Not only were the people to be present but the invitation was extended to the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who ate at Jezebel’s table. (No doubt at the tax payers’ expense.)

The first challenge Elijah offered was to the people. “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” The same question can be asked today of those who profess to be God’s people. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). He also says, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters” (Luke 11:23). There is no joy in the person who like the Roman god, Janis, faces in all directions. To Elijah’s question, the people said nothing.

The second challenge was for the false prophets and the people. “Choose two bulls for us…let them [the false prophets] cut [the one they choose] into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire — he is God” (I Kings 18:23-24).

The people agreed to the idea as did the false prophets. The false prophets selected and prepared a bull and built an altar. From morning until noon they called upon Baal. They danced around the altar and obviously received no response. These were people, who like Belshazzar, praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But they did not honor the God who held in His hand their very lives and all of their ways. (See Daniel 5:23)

To make a point, at noon Elijah began to taunt these false prophets. “Shout louder! Surely he is god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” (See I Kings 18:27)

We can question the beliefs of the false prophets but we cannot question their sincerity. If sincerity were the sole criterion for their success they surely would have won the day. There were those sincere people of whom Jesus referred when He said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me you evil doers’” (Matthew 7:21-23). Sincerity must be founded upon God’s revealed truth.

To demonstrate their sincerity, the false prophets began to shout louder and to cut themselves with spears and swords. They became frantic and desperate. Their belief was on the line as was their reputation. And still no response.

In our next Studies we will see God’s response to Elijah’s prayer.