BibleProject | Heaven and Earth on the MountainНамуна

Fire on the Mountain

Today, we’ll explore a mountain scene in the prophet Elijah’s story.

During King Ahab’s reign, many Israelites reject God and worship a Canaanite deity named Baal. Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal to a mountaintop contest to see whether or not Baal is for real.

Up on Mount Carmel, Elijah and the other prophets prepare two separate sacrifices, each praying to see which deity can light them on fire. Baal is a storm god, so igniting the sacrifice with lightning bolts should be no problem, but prayers to Baal achieve nothing. When Elijah prays to God, however, fire suddenly rains from the sky to burn the entire sacrifice (and altar!) to ash.

After that showdown, Queen Jezebel threatens to murder Elijah. In fear, he flees into the wilderness rather than trusting God’s protection, and eventually arrives at Mount Horeb—that is, Mount Sinai (see Day 3 of this plan). Centuries before, at this same mountain, God appeared to Moses and the Israelites in thunder, fire, and quaking ground, displaying the intensity of his glory. Now, God again appears to a prophet on Mount Sinai to reveal himself.

But this time it’s a faint noise that reflects God’s presence, and we’re invited to consider something new about God’s self-revelation. In Elijah’s despair, God meets him through a gentle whisper, calling him to hope and trust in God’s wisdom for the future.

Reflection Questions:
What additional similarities and differences do you see between Elijah’s experiences on Mount Carmel (1 Kgs. 18:20-40) and Mount Horeb (1 Kgs. 19:1-3, 8-12)?

What do you learn about God through the way he responds to Elijah’s despair?