Bible Study - Elijah (6) - Lead Others to Serve - 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:6-14 August 29, 2021

 

Bible Study – Elijah (6) – Lead Others to Serve – August 29, 2021

This is our sixth and final lesson in this series of study, “Elijah: Living Outside the Comfort Zone.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:6-14.

Lead others to serve GOD.

GOD calls and gives opportunity for those who know the truth to have a part in leading others to serve GOD. GOD had to give Elijah on-the-job training. Elijah had the opportunity to pass his experience on to Elisha.

Let’s consider their names:

Elijah – means “Yahweh is my GOD”

Elisha – means “Yahweh is salvation”

Under the leadership of GOD, Elijah revealed The One True GOD of the Israelites to both the Israelites and those who worshipped the false god Baal. GOD then called Elisha to lead Israel back into worshipping The One True GOD of Israel, Yahweh.

It is one thing to be aware that GOD exists but quite another to know HE cares enough about you to be your eternal Savior.

We will see in our study that GOD still had work for Elijah to do before HE removed him from earth in a spectacular way. Let’s explore!

The transfer of Spiritual power can be symbolic. In this study, we see that Elijah’s mantle was a symbol of GOD’S presence. Many prophets of GOD wore a robe, cape or loose-fitting tunic referred to as a mantle or cloak. The passing of this physical object signified the transfer of prophetic responsibility and GOD’S accompanying power.

I believe Spiritual mantles are still transferred today, which I will not get into. The Holy Spirit unites with the human spirit the instant a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins and for JESUS to come into his or her life. We are born first physically. When we ask JESUS into our hearts, believing that He gave HIS sinless life to pay in full for all of our sins, we are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, never to be Spiritually unborn. JESUS did this just for you and me that we might have eternal life. At the instant of our salvation, HE gives us HIS Holy Spirit to confirm and assure us that we belong to HIM.

How do we as Spirit-born Christians know this. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans Chapter 8 verse ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 

The Holy Spirit confirms and assures every child of GOD of his or her salvation from eternal death and has received eternal life and citizenship in Heaven.

Back to our study ----

GOD led Elijah to locate Elisha and Elijah goes as he was directed by GOD ----

Let’s read 1 Kings 19:19-21:

Elisha’s Appointment as Elijah’s Successor

¹⁹ Elijah left there and found Elisha, son of Shaphat as he was plowing. Twelve teams of oxen were in front of him, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah walked by him and threw his mantle over him. ²⁰ Elisha left the oxen, ran to follow Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you.”

“Go on back,” he replied, “for what have I done to you?”

Elijah told Elisha to go do what he needed to do to respond to the calling of GOD for him to be a prophet called by GOD.

²¹ So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered^[b] them. With the oxen’s wooden yoke and plow, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him.

When Elisha made his commitment to GOD, he meant business. His family was obviously wealthy since he was plowing behind the twelve team of oxen. All this material wealthy would likely be his one day but Elisha responded to the call of GOD.

The Prophet Elijah threw his mantle over Elisha and that was the moment the call was made from GOD to Elisha. Elisha made his decision to accept his call from GOD at that instant.

Elijah instructed Elisha to “Go on back,” he replied, “for what have I done to you?” Elisha, you need to ponder the call that GOD has issued to you. GOD wants you to be fully committed to HIM and not being compromised with your call and thinking “I should have stayed home.”

This is a very different response than the call JESUS made to the young man HE called to follow HIM. The young man told JESUS that he needed to first bury his father. That seemed like a reasonable request except that his father was alive and well. JESUS knew this young man’s heart. GOD knew the heart of Elisha. Elisha responded and was eager to learn from Elijah all he needed to be GOD’S prophet.

Time passes and it was time for Elijah to be taken up to Heaven.

Let’s read 2 Kings 2:1-14:

Elijah in the Whirlwind

2 The time had come for the Lord to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal, ² and Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord is sending me on to Bethel.”

but Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So, they went down to Bethel.

It was about eight miles from Gilgal to Bethel. Elisha said no, I want to be with you every step of the way while you are upon earth.

³ Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?”

He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

⁴ Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; the Lord is sending me to Jericho.”

The next leg of the trip from Bethel to Jericho was 14 miles. Elijah gave permission to Elisha to stay behind but Elisha said no. How often do we stay behind and realize that by doing so, we missed a blessing?

I think Elijah was testing Elisha. Was he ready to assume the responsibility of being Israel’s prophet?? Did he want to learn and experience all that Elijah and GOD needed to teach him before the departure of Elijah? What was Elisha’s decision?

But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So, they went to Jericho.

⁵ Then the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?”

He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

Who were the “sons of the prophets?” Bible scholars think they were a gild of prophets in training. We know the rest of this story and a prophet had to be 100% correct with the prophecy passed on. Both of these gilds were spot on their relationship with GOD. When GOD confirms HIS message through us it is exciting because it is truth from HIM and not some notion from our own minds.

⁶ Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord is sending me to the Jordan.”

But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So, the two of them went on.

⁷ Fifty men from the sons of the prophets came and stood observing them at a distance while the two of them stood by the Jordan. ⁸ Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water, which parted to the right and left. Then the two of them crossed over on dry ground. ⁹ When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken from you.”

So, Elisha answered, “Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit.”

Was Elisha being greedy? No! Notice in verse 12, Elisha cried our “My father, my father. Elijah was Elisha’s Spiritual father. According to Jewish law at the death of the father the son left to carry on the household received? If you said, “A double portion.” You would be correct.

According to Bible scholars, there have been 8 miracles attributed to Elijah and 16 miracles attributed to Elisha. The point? Elisha received what he requested, a double portion! GOD is so good.

¹⁰ Elijah replied, “You have asked for something difficult. If you see me being taken from you, you will have it. If not, you won’t.”

Why was it difficult for Elijah to grant Elisha’s request? Elisha had to remain faithful to GOD. GOD would allow him to witness something unusual. Would he run, cover his head and face or stay to the end? As we read on, we see that Elisha remained witnessing what was taking place to the very end.

¹¹ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in the whirlwind. ¹² As Elisha watched, he kept crying out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!”

Why was Elijah taken up in such a manner? Many of us try to figure out this phenomenon but speculation can be misleading. GOD did it and we read later in Matthew 17 that Moses and Elijah reappear at the transfiguration of JESUS or testing of JESUS.

GOD still had plans for Elijah and Moses and maybe Enoch the other Biblical person who did not experience physical death. (Genesis 5:23-24 - ²³ So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. ²⁴ Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him.)

What is written in Matthew 17:1-3: After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. ² He was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun; his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him.

What happened to Moses when he died? Let’s read Deuteronomy 34:5-6:

⁵ So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the Lord’s word. ⁶ He buried him^[b] in the valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows where his grave is. 

GOD buried Moses and GOD took Elijah to Heaven in a dramatic manner. Moses represents the law and Elijah represents the prophets. Both had the purpose of vetting JESUS on the Mount of Transfiguration as HE was approaching HIS crucifixion. Had all been fulfilled? YES!!! Then JESUS proceeded to Jerusalem to fulfill HIS calling.

Notice, that Elijah and Elisha crossed from the promised land to Moab where Moses ended his called purpose of leading the Israelites to the promised land. GOD had appointed Joshua to pick up where Moses left off and completed the promise. When Elijah had completed his purpose for GOD, GOD led him back to where Moses left off. Elisha was commissioned to continue to rebuild the Israelites faith in Yahweh, The One True GOD of the Israelites. Just as Joshua completed what Moses started, Elisha returned to the Promised Land to complete what Elijah began.

Elisha watched “As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in the whirlwind.” Elijah went to heaven in a whirlwind.

Elisha watched until he could no longer see Elijah. There are times when we need to stop looking and get back to what GOD has called us to do. That is where the rubber hits the road.

Elisha Succeeds Elijah

When he could see him no longer, he took hold of his own clothes, tore them in two.

Tearing of one’s clothing was a sign of mourning. It is natural to mourn family, friends and especially those who have invested in our lives. Yes, Elisha mourned but he had to move on because there was work to do. So, what did Elisha do next ----

 ¹³ picked up the mantle that had fallen off Elijah, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 

Elisha retraced their steps and returned to the Jordan River. GOD needed to verify to Elisha that he was HIS chosen new prophet. So how did GOD reveal this to Elisha?

¹⁴ He took the mantle Elijah had dropped, and he struck the water. “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” he asked. He struck the water himself, and it parted to the right and the left, and Elisha crossed

Elijah’s mantle had fallen off Elijah and Elisha picked it up. Elisha struck the water and the Jordan River parted. Elijah’s mantle worked for Elisha. What is GOD communicating to us? GOD’S power was not in Elijah’s mantle but in the faith, Elisha had in GOD.

YES! GOD confirmed that HE was still with Elisha. Some may say, “I wish I had a mantle to allow me to prove that GOD is with me!” But we do and HE is called the Holy Spirit. How does HE manifest Himself to us? Think about last week’s lesson ----- “In a still small voice.” The “Still small voice of GOD is more powerful than the wind, fire or earthquakes.” Oh! I admonish you, if you have not heard the “still small voice of GOD,” ask HIM to reveal Himself to you. That is the Holy Spirit revealing and speaking to you. It is beautiful and personal. It is a special moment but only to reinvigorate us to serve JESUS according to HIS leadership.

Elijah lived outside his comfort zone. GOD did not condemn him as he transitioned from GOD being the GOD for Israel to the GOD of Elijah. GOD worked with him to reveal this relationship and build him up. Elijah went from GOD working nationally to GOD working through him personally. That is exactly what GOD desires in each of us.

What did JESUS teach HIS disciples as recorded in Matthew 17:20 - “Because of your little faith,” he told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Faith in GOD through faith in JESUS. It is where you place your faith – in yourself or JESUS? Who has the power? JESUS!!! JESUS moves mountains and it our faith in JESUS that is vital.

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Elijah (5) - Serve Even When Discouraged - 1 Kings 19:1-18 - August 22, 2021

 

Bible Study – Elijah (5) – Serve Even When Discouraged – August 22, 2021

This is our fifth lesson in our series entitled, “Elijah: Living Outside the Comfort Zone.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Kings 19:1-5a, 11-18.

Don’t let discouragement keep you from serving.

Satan uses every tool he can to prevent GOD’S chosen from serving GOD. The Prophet Elijah had just had one confirmation after another that GOD was very much leading and guiding him:

-         Elijah told King Ahab that the One True GOD of Israel would reveal HIS power over the false god of rain and fertility, Baal, by not allowing it to rain.

-         GOD led Elijah to the wadi (small puddle of water) where HE ministered to Elijah’s physical needs by the wadi having water and the ravens bringing Elijah food twice a day.

-         When the wadi was ready to go dry, GOD led Elijah to go into the city of Zarephath, which was in the middle of Baal worship to a Gentile widow lady. Elijah was obedient to GOD’S instructions and asked her for water and “oh, by-the-way, bring me a small loaf of bread.” By this request GOD made it known to Elijah and to us the dire situation of the widow and her son. When she made the bread, it would their last meal because her supply of flour and oil would be depleted. She did as Elijah instructed. Yet, her supply of flour and oil never gave out so she could feed her family during the famine. GOD also showed the widow lady that HE had the power to restore life to her dead son.

-         GOD was building Elijah’s faith in HIM and the widow lady and her son. A major event was coming up for Elijah. It was the Mount Carmel Challenge between the false god, Baal and The One True GOD of Israel. GOD revealed to the Israelites that HE reigns supreme over all. HE is The One True GOD, YAWEH of the Israelites.

-         So, this brings us to the next event in the life of Elijah. The prophets of Baal had been killed. Elijah prayed for rain and rain came. King Ahab told Queen Jezebel what Elijah had done. So, why did the king not tell her that The One True GOD of Israel, YAWEH, had defeated Baal? What was Jezebel’s reaction to this news? Let’s read on -----

Let’s read 1 Kings 19:1-5a:

Elijah’s Journey to Horeb

19 Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. ² So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!”

Notice, the king does not tell Jezebel that YAWEH had defeated Baal by proving that Baal was a false god.

Queen Jezebel sent a message to GOD’S Prophet Elijah that She was going to have Elijah killed within 24 hours. How would Elijah respond to such a threat? Let’s read on ----

³ Then Elijah became afraid^[a] and immediately ran for his life. When he came to Beer-sheba that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there, ⁴ but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my ancestors.” ⁵ Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree.

Why do you think Elijah reacted the way he did? After all he had experienced the mighty hand of GOD at work both in his life and in the lives of the widow and her son and on Mount Carmel. Yet, he ran.

Elijah knew GOD’S protective care of him when he served him but now the threat from Jezebel was personal. Yes, Elijah knew that GOD was faithful to do what HE had instructed Elijah to do for HIM but now this was personal. This was a threat from the Queen who had powerful resources and after all, her false god’s world had collapsed but she had physical resources.

Elijah was in for the greatest teaching from GOD, that to me, transcends all that we have studied so far. GOD’S desire is for HIS Children to have a dynamic personal relationship with HIM. It is not about the dramatic but the “still small voice.” GOD was teaching Elijah that HE was personal to him. This is a lesson for Christians as well. GOD is personal. GOD is not out there but within. GOD never leaves or forsakes us. Now back to our scripture ----

Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, “Get up and eat.” ⁶ Then he looked, and there at his head was a loaf of bread baked over hot stones, and a jug of water. So, he ate and drank and lay down again. ⁷ Then the angel of the Lord returned for a second time and touched him. He said, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” ⁸ So he got up, ate, and drank. Then on the strength from that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. ⁹ He entered a cave there and spent the night.

GOD ministered to Elijah’s physical needs to get him to the point where HE could minister to Elijah Spiritually. Often, GOD has to get us to a point where we will stop and listen to HIM. GOD desires for each person to be led to a point where he or she has a choice to either accept or reject JESUS as their Savior. Let’s read on ----

Elijah’s Encounter with the Lord

Suddenly, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

¹⁰ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.”

Who are they? Who ran? Did GOD take care of Elijah as he ran? Elijah was on a mountain top but in the valley of despair which reveals that Elijah was human even though GOD had done mighty things through him. GOD needed to reveal to Elijah that he was Elijah’s GOD as well.

GOD understands our human behavior and builds upon it. Elijah needed to experience GOD personally and build upon that personal relationship. This is exactly what GOD desires for every Spirit-born Christian. It is building a personal relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Salvation is just the beginning of experiencing GOD.

There are times when we, as Christians, have to leave our safe place/cave where we take physical shelter to get up and face the world of despair. We must get up and face the issues of life as led as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Let’s read 1 Kings 19:11-14:

¹¹ Then he said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.”

At that moment, the Lord passed by. GOD revealed Himself physically. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

After the powerful physical forces of nature had subsided, suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Notice that the powerful physical forces of nature did not move Elijah but when Elijah heard the voice of GOD, a soft whisper, Elijah knew it and “he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” Elijah took action and came out of hiding. Elijah needed to make a confession.

¹⁴ “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies,” he replied, “but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they’re looking for me to take my life.”

Elijah was disappointed in GOD. Elijah had great hope in the “LORD GOD of Armies,” but where have YOU been? Oh my, often when GOD has worked through us, we look at what we have done and not that it was GOD working through us. So, what was GOD’S solution to help repair Elijah’s attitude toward HIM?

Let’s read 1 Kings 19:15-18:

¹⁵ Then the Lord said to him, “Go and return by the way you came to the Wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. ¹⁶ You are to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. ¹⁷ Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu. ¹⁸ But I will leave seven thousand in Israel—every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

In essence, GOD told Elijah, you need to retrace your steps and go back because GOD was still in charge and HE would show him that HE was still in charge. Elijah would see that he was not alone in serving The One True GOD of Israel. GOD still was working through Elijah. GOD gave Elijah a vote of confidence. GOD still had work for Elijah to do for HIM.

Never give up on GOD because HE never gives up on you!!!

Often, we can get bogged down in thinking we are alone in serving our LORD and HE has to open our eyes to HIS activity in the world around us. When GOD opens our Spiritual eyes and reveals where HE is working, that is our invitation to join HIM in that work.

Please pray for those who desperately need a helping hand in Afghanistan, Haiti and other parts of the world.

In Zachariah 4:6, we read - ⁶ So he answered me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Armies.   

The LORD of Armies is still at work today. Do not lose faith but rejoice that our LORD is alive and at work in our world today. HE has not abandoned us but still seeks to be our Savior and LORD of our lives. Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life? If not, now is that opportunity.

Blessings!!!

 

ible Study - Elijah (4) - Serve with Loyalty - 1 Kings 18:20-26, 31-39 - August 15, 021

 

Bible Study – Elijah (4) – Serve with Loyalty – August 15, 2021

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled, “Elijah: Living Outside the Comfort Zone.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Kings 18:20-26, 31-39.

GOD deserves our loyalty and sacrifice.

We must be careful here. The natural flow from our hearts is that we are in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. When Christians are in right relationship with GOD there is a natural flow of loyalty and sacrifice. Often, we think our busy works pleases GOD but what pleases GOD is recorded in Psalm 51:17 – “The sacrifice pleasing to God is^[a] a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.” --- Often, we think our effort pleases GOD but it is our effort under the direction and power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

How do we build the right relationship with GOD? We spend time with HIM, reading and studying HIS Word and being obedient to HIS leadership.

Often, we think that when we substitute our human efforts this pleases GOD. GOD loves a pure heart and a heart as the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13 - ¹³ I can do all things through ^[f]Christ who strengthens me.

Let’s read 1 Kings 18:1-4: (Background)

Elijah’s Message to Ahab

18 After a long time, the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year: “Go and present yourself to Ahab. I will send rain on the surface of the land.” ² So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.

The famine was severe in Samaria. ³ Ahab called for Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Obadiah was a man who greatly feared the Lord ⁴ and took a hundred prophets and hid them, fifty men to a cave, and provided them with food and water when Jezebel slaughtered the Lord’s prophets.

We learn that King Ahab had placed a man, Obadiah, who greatly feared “the LORD” in charge of the place. Obadiah hid 100 prophets when Jezebel slaughtered the LORD’S prophets. GOD was at work and preserving a remnant of HIS prophets among evil rulers. GOD had called Elijah to be HIS representative to approach Ahab and Jezebel. GOD had a plan to show HIS chosen people that HE was still in control among evil earthly rulers.

Let’s continue building background as recorded in 1 Kings 18:5-19:

⁵ Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go throughout the land to every spring and to every wadi. Perhaps we’ll find grass so we can keep the horses and mules alive and not have to destroy any cattle.” ⁶ They divided the land between them in order to cover it. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went the other way by himself.

The king and Obadiah were scouting the land for water and grass for the horses and mules. But GOD had a plan.

⁷ While Obadiah was walking along the road, Elijah suddenly met him. When Obadiah recognized him, he fell facedown and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?”

As Obadiah was searching for water and grass “suddenly” Elijah met him. Obadiah was startled because Ahab had searched the land for Elijah and all of a sudden Elijah appears. Elijah confirms to Obadiah that indeed he had found the one for whom the king had been desperately searching.  Why was Obadiah so concerned about letting the king know that he had encountered Elijah? Could it be that he feared the king knew that Obadiah had hidden 100 of GOD’S prophets and that he had hidden Elijah as well because Ahab had been searching for Elijah? We don’t know but Obadiah was reluctant to give Ahab the news because Elijah might just disappear again. Elijah was firm in his instructions to Obadiah ----

⁸ “It is I,” he replied. “Go tell your lord, ‘Elijah is here!’” ^[a]

⁹ But Obadiah said, “What sin have I committed, that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to put me to death? ¹⁰ As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent someone to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made that kingdom or nation swear they had not found you.

¹¹ “Now you say, ‘Go tell your lord, “Elijah is here!”’ ¹² But when I leave you, the Spirit of the Lord may carry you off to some place I don’t know. Then when I go report to Ahab and he doesn’t find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the Lord from my youth. ¹³ Wasn’t it reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel slaughtered the Lord’s prophets? I hid a hundred of the prophets of the Lord, fifty men to a cave, and I provided them with food and water. ¹⁴ Now you say, ‘Go tell your lord, “Elijah is here!”’ He will kill me!”

¹⁵ Then Elijah said, “As the Lord of Armies lives, in whose presence I stand, today I will present myself to Ahab.”

¹⁶ Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him. Then Ahab went to meet Elijah. ¹⁷ When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, the one ruining Israel?”

¹⁸ He replied, “I have not ruined Israel, but you and your father’s family have, because you have abandoned the Lord’s commands and followed the Baals. ¹⁹ Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

Elijah tells Ahab to gather all the prophets of Baal including the offshoots from Baal to meet Elijah on Mount Carmel.

In essence, The One True GOD of Israel is going to settle this issue once and for all. Ahab agreed. It is vital that we know that this is The One True GOD of Israel, YAWEH, Who was giving the instructions and it was not something the Prophet Elijah cooked up in his mind. GOD proves Himself. We do not dream up ways for GOD to prove Himself.

GOD’S plan is being carried out.

Let’s read 1 Kings 18:20-21:

Elijah at Mount Carmel

²⁰ So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and gathered the prophets at Mount Carmel. ²¹ Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions?^[b] If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.” But the people didn’t answer him a word.

Elijah made known to all who had gathered that the challenge was between truth, The One True GOD of the Israelites and false gods as represented by Baal and the mother of Baal, Asherah. Elijah continued to speak to all who had gathered. Notice, those gathered had nothing to say. They were waiting to see what next rather than taking a stand. So, what next ---

Let’s read 1 Kings 18:22-26:

²² Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. ²³ Let two bulls be given to us. They are to choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire. ²⁴ Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The God who answers with fire, he is God.”

All the people answered, “That’s fine.”

²⁵ Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don’t light the fire.”

²⁶ So they took the bull that he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound; no one answered. Then they danced^[c] around the altar they had made.

²⁷ At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away;^[d] or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up!” ²⁸ They shouted loudly, and cut themselves with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them. ²⁹ All afternoon they kept on raving until the offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was no sound; no one answered, no one paid attention.

There was no response from the false god Baal.

Let’s read 1 Kings 18:30-39:

³⁰ Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near me.” So, all the people approached him. Then he repaired the Lord’s altar that had been torn down: ³¹ Elijah took twelve stones—according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Israel will be your name”— ³² and he built an altar with the stones in the name of the Lord. Then he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold about four gallons.^[e][f] 33 Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood. He said, “Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood.” ³⁴ Then he said, “A second time!” and they did it a second time. And then he said, “A third time!” and they did it a third time. ³⁵ So the water ran all around the altar; he even filled the trench with water.

³⁶ At the time for offering the evening sacrifice, the prophet Elijah approached the altar and said, “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that you are God in Israel and I am your servant, and that at your word I have done all these things. ³⁷ Answer me, Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that you, the Lord, are God and that you have turned their hearts back.”

³⁸ Then the Lord’s fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. ³⁹ When all the people saw it, they fell facedown and said, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!”

Victory is always in The One True GOD, YAWEH. The One True GOD Who has revealed Himself to HIS chosen people the Israelites and finally through HIS One and Only, born in the flesh SON, JESUS to all the world. Salvation is through faith in JESUS. GOD sent JESUS to earth to live a sinless life, as a human. JESUS was sent to be the One and Only Perfect Sacrifice for all people who will accept HIM by faith to be born again in their Spirit to be eternally alive. JESUS opened the path between every human to GOD by paying, in full, GOD’S penalty for sin, which is eternal death. The only way to GOD is through the miracle of spiritual birth. It takes an act of each person’s will to acknowledge that JESUS gave HIS sinless life by shedding HIS blood on the cross to pay for each person’s sin. When a person places his or her faith in JESUS, a miracle takes place. The human spirit, is joined by GOD’S Spirit and Spiritual birth takes place in an instant. JESUS spoke to Nicodemus in John, Chapter three about this:

There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. ⁸ The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

 If you have never asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into life, now is that opportunity. Ask HIM and experience the miracle of Spiritual birth that makes you an eternal member of GOD’S Family. When you exit your human body at physical death you will be instantly eternally alive in the presence of GOD and JESUS in Heaven for eternity. You will return to earth with JESUS at HIS second coming to receive your Glorified Body and forever reign with HIM.

Now for the rest of this story as recorded in 1 Kings 18:40-46:

⁴⁰ Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let even one of them escape.” So, they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon and slaughtered them there. ⁴¹ Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a rainstorm.”

After the false prophets were eradicated, it was time for GOD to reveal to the people that HE alone is sovereign. HE would prove it by sending rain upon the land. Baal was defeated and YAHWEH reigned supreme. This was again to show that HE alone was in control of the elements and not false gods. Elijah had unfinished business. Even GOD’S chosen are tested. Elijah asked GOD seven times to send rain. Seven is the Biblical number for completion.

⁴² So Ahab went to eat and drink, but Elijah went up to the summit of Carmel. He bent down on the ground and put his face between his knees. ⁴³ Then he said to his servant, “Go up and look toward the sea.”

So, he went up, looked, and said, “There’s nothing.”

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

⁴⁴ On the seventh time, he reported, “There’s a cloud as small as a man’s hand coming up from the sea.”

Then Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Get your chariot ready and go down so the rain doesn’t stop you.’”

⁴⁵ In a little while, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and there was a downpour. So, Ahab got in his chariot and went to Jezreel. ⁴⁶ The power of the Lord was on Elijah, and he tucked his mantle under his belt and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

Oh my, what a day! Rejoice, because our LORD is the same today, tomorrow and eternally. In whom do you place your faith and trust? JESUS lives eternally and so will all who place their faith in HIM. Today is the day for your salvation. Salvation is offered to you but you have to take it. It is an eternal gift but as with all gifts when it is handed to you, you must take it. Please do so.

Blessings!!!