1 Kings: Walk Before Me FaithfullySample

'How long will you waver between two different opinions?’ (v. 21) – whether to follow the Lord or Baal. That’s the challenge set by Elijah to the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and he declares, ‘The god who answers by fire – he is God’ (v. 24). Fire is one of Baal’s powers, supposedly. 

God does not want us wavering ‘between two opinions’. Some people try to hedge their bets, professing some Christian faith but not wholeheartedly. But God wants total love and devotion. How committed is your devotion to God? What are the pressures to compromise that? 

The prophets of Baal go first in the test, calling on their god all morning. ‘But there was no response; no one answered’ (v. 26). Elijah mocks them, and even suggests that Baal may be travelling, (perhaps implying, in the original Hebrew, that he is visiting the toilet!), or that Baal may be asleep. Even after cutting themselves in some superstitious rite, again ‘there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention’ (v. 29). The silence is deafening. 

Elijah’s prayer is the key to this contest. He prays, by himself and with no shouting. He does not simply pray for fire from heaven. Rather he prays, ‘so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again’ (v. 37). 

People may see a miracle or dramatic act of God, but not acknowledge God. The real concern here is that people acknowledge that Yahweh is God, not Baal. When we pray for people – for healing or a need to be met – we should at the same time pray that God will show them that it is he who answered the prayer with healing or provision. How often do we see answered prayer and yet people do not then acknowledge that God is God? 

Elijah’s prayer is answered dramatically (v. 39). The people acknowledge Yahweh is God, the prophets of Baal are put to death and the drought ends at Yahweh’s word as promised.

Reflection

Pray for people you know who need to see that God is indeed God, and there is no other.