And they leaped upon the altar which was made. Obadiah begs to be excused from carrying this message to Ahab, for it might prove as much as his life was worth. Surely you think he is talking or meditating (as the word is) or he is pursuing some deep thoughts, (in a brown study, as we say), thinking of somewhat else and not minding his own matter, when not your credit only, but all his honour lies at stake, and his interest in Israel. Share What occasion for addition to that which is perfect? Baal and his prophets were confounded. 15 And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to day. Observe his character: He feared the Lord greatly (1 Kings 18:3; 1 Kings 18:3), was not only a good man, but zealously and eminently good; his great place put a lustre upon his goodness, and gave him great opportunities of doing good; and he feared the Lord from his youth (1 Kings 18:12; 1 Kings 18:12), he began betimes to be religious and had continued long. Elijah first surrendered, or rather discovered, himself to Obadiah. [2.] 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. By this time there was no food in Samaria. He thought Elijah was not in good earnest when he bade him tell Ahab where he was, but intended only to expose the impotency of his malice; for he knew Ahab was not worthy to receive any kindness from the prophet and it was not fit that the prophet should receive any mischief from him. At the same time Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, where he bent down to the ground with his head between his knees. All the people agreed that this was a good idea. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is. The God therefore that has power to pardon sin, and to signify it by consuming the sin-offering, must needs be the God that can relieve us against the calamity. 30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. We may request cookies to be set on your device. This was the way they worshiped, Douay-Rheims Bible So they cried with a loud voice, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till they were all covered with blood. "Shout louder!" he said. He causeth vapours to ascend, and maketh lightnings for the rain; for this rain he did both. [2.] But every bit of ourselves we give to our stuff we snatch away from our true King. Hence we read of those that hide themselves in the top of Carmel,Amos 9:3. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! It was strange that either he did not reform Ahab or Ahab corrupt him; but it seems they were both fixed; he that was filthy would be filthy still, and he that was holy would be holy still. 13 Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? The purpose of the prophet's request was to demonstrate who was the true God that deserved the people's dedicated worship. Ahab had made diligent search for him (1 Kings 18:10; 1 Kings 18:10), had offered rewards to any one that would discover him, sent spies into every tribe and lordship of his own dominions, as some understand it, or, as others, into all the neighbouring nations and kingdoms that were in alliance with him; and, when they denied that they knew any thing of him, he would not believe them unless they swore it, and, as should seem, promised likewise upon oath that, if ever they found him among them, they would discover him and deliver him up. 11 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. Elijah now came to bring blessings to Israel, tidings of the return of the rain; yet he was thus affronted. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. Those that were firm for God doubted not but it would end to his honour; those that were indifferent were willing to be determined; and Ahab and the prophets of Baal durst not oppose for fear of the people, and hoped that either they could obtain fire from heaven (though they never had yet), and the rather because, as some think, they worshipped the sun in Baal, or that Elijah could not, because not at the temple, where God was wont thus to manifest his glory. Two things he pleads here:-- (1.) 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah. Their perishing thus is the using, as the apostle speaks of them (Colossians 3:22), was to intimate the utter abolition of them after a little while, Hebrews 8:13. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. No, he waives the prescription, and enters upon the merits of the cause:--"There can be but one God, but one infinite and but one supreme: there needs but one God, one omnipotent, one all-sufficient. During all that time some of them prayed, while others of them prophesied, sang hymns, perhaps to the praise of Baal, or rather encouraged those that were praying to proceed, telling them that Baal would answer them at last; but there was no answer, nor any that regarded. I will prepare the other bull, putting the meat on the wood but not setting fire to it. This writing has come about a few days after The Test - 2002 and the Latter Rain, and adds greater clarity to what can be expected in the latter rain. By this time there was no food in Samaria. 34Then he said, Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the meat and on the wood. Then Elijah said, Do it again, and they did it again. As such he tries to counterfeit the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24You prophets of Baal, pray to your god, and I will pray to the Lord. III. They likely continued going to church, paying their tithes, and saying a prayer or two now and againespecially on holidays. (2.) Tyrants and persecutors, in their passion, are often unreasonably outrageous, even towards their friends and confidants. Baal's prophets were so far from being convinced and put to shame by the just reproach Elijah cast upon them that it made them the more violent and led them to act more ridiculously. 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. But the primary attraction to Baal wasnt a pretty statue; it was an economic promise. 40Then Elijah said, Capture the prophets of Baal! Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural, Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword, Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural, A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style, Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed, Preposition | third person masculine plural, In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Ahab, meets good Obadiah, Elijah, reproving Ahab, by fire from heaven convinces Baal's prophets, Elijah, by prayer obtaining rain, follows Ahab to Jezreel, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, OT History: 1 Kings 18:28 They cried aloud and cut themselves after (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg). We are made in the image of this generous King, wired to reflect his generosity to the rest of creation. Let it go on therefore to a trial. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. What is the meaning of the parable of the rich man and his manager? The glory of God: "Lord, hear me, and answer me, that it may be known (for it is now by the most denied or forgotten) that thou art God in Israel, to whom alone the homage and devotion of Israel are due, and that I am thy servant, and do all that I have done, am doing, and shall do, as thy agent, at thy word, and not to gratify any humour or passion of my own. They cut themselves and cried out to Baal for hours, but 1 Kings 18:26 says, "There was no voice; no one answered." Their god was a non-entity, a nothing. Their greedy hearts created other gods out of every coin in their coffers. A good answer provides new insight and perspective. (The Lord changed Jacobs name to Israel.) Was John the Baptist conceived via an immaculate conception? So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. For less than $5/mo. Once we remember that the Jews saw idolatry as the ultimate sin that put one outside the community of faith, we can hear the full force of Pauls words. Then he said, Do it a third time, and they did it the third time. The prophets may have hoped that their actions would bring rain and end the drought. While Baal worshipers went hungry during the drought, God fed Elijah meat and bread delivered to him daily by carrier ravens (see v. 6). Baal was chief of the Canaanite gods. It was strange that so wicked a man as Ahab would prefer him to it and continue him in it; certainly it was because he was a man of celebrated honesty, industry, and ingenuity, and one in whom he could repose a confidence, whose eyes he could trust as much as his own, as appears here, 1 Kings 18:5; 1 Kings 18:5. 5:3). It also dried up the water in the ditch. And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. The Character of Obadiah; Elijah's Interview with Obadiah. When we give, we reflect the image of our giving God. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. It seems, this was the manner of the worshippers of Baal. To Christians this is a. Yet, bad as things were. His interview with all Israel upon Mount Carmel, in order to a public trial of titles between the Lord and Baal; a most distinguished solemnity it was, in which, 1. 19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. When they called on their god, nothing happened. He that will thrive must rise betimes. Moses's altar and Solomon's were consecrated by the fire from heaven; but this was destroyed, because no more to be used. He pleads that he did not deserve to be thus exposed, and put in peril of his life: What have I said amiss?1 Kings 18:9; 1 Kings 18:9. Ahab rode in his chariot, at ease and in state, 1 Kings 18:45; 1 Kings 18:45. [1.] His prayer was not long, for he used no vain repetitions, nor thought he should be heard for his much speaking; but it was very grave and composed, and showed his mind to be calm and sedate, and far from the heats and disorders that Baal's prophets were in, 1 Kings 18:36; 1 Kings 18:37. Didnt the prophet trick him? He durst not strike him, remembering that Jeroboam's hand withered when it was stretched out against a prophet, but gave him bad language, which was no less an affront to him that sent him. 21Elijah approached the people and said, How long will you not decide between two choices? It is a chapter in which are many things very observable. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Used by permission of Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A little cloud at length appeared, no bigger than a man's hand, which presently overspread the heavens and watered the earth, 1 Kings 18:44; 1 Kings 18:45. The prophets of Baal had failed in their proof, and could give no evidence at all to make out their pretensions on behalf of their god, but were perfectly non-suited Elijah had, by the most convincing and undeniable evidence, proved his claims on behalf of the God of Israel. The central story in the Torah portion is that of the Golden Calf, and thus the story of the haftarah serves as an obvious sequel to this unfortunate episode. Prophets should be called seers, and shepherds, and watchmen, and ministers, rather than lords, as those that mind duty more than dominion. If, in this trial, they could but bring it to a drawn battle, their other advantages would give them the victory. I see nothing, he said. Those fear God greatly that keep up the fear of him in bad times and places; thus Obadiah did. IV. You can check these in your browser security settings. Like fools, they leaped upon the altar, as if they would themselves become sacrifices with their bullock; or thus they expressed their great earnestness of mind. 46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. ), St. Joseph New Catholic Version New Testament. Maybe we can find enough grass to keep our horses and mules alive and not have to kill our animals. 6So each one chose a part of the country to search; Ahab went in one direction and Obadiah in another. Let the prophets of Baal choose one bull and kill it and cut it into pieces. III. (2.) V. The return of the mercy of rain, at the word of Elijah, 1 Kings 18:41-46. God immediately answered him by fire, 1 Kings 18:38; 1 Kings 18:38. I. Elijah sent Ahab to eat and drink, for joy that God had now accepted his works, and that rain was coming; see Ecclesiastes 9:7. Like madmen they cut themselves in pieces with knives and lancets (1 Kings 18:28; 1 Kings 18:28) for vexation that they were not answered, or in a sort of prophetic fury, hoping to obtain the favour of their god by offering to him their own blood, when they could not obtain it with the blood of their bullock. I. Elijah reproved the people for mixing the worship of God and the worship of Baal together. How did the spirit of God move upon the face of the waters in Genesis 1:2? Joseph and Daniel were preferred because there were none so fit as they for the places they were preferred to. Paul goes even further. Report. Now if, upon trial, it appears that Baal is that one infinite omnipotent Being, that one supreme Lord and all-sufficient benefactor, you ought to renounce Jehovah and cleave to Baal only: but, if Jehovah be that one God, Baal is a cheat, and you must have no more to do with him." I have followed the Lord since I was a boy. There he set himself, as it were, upon his watch-tower, like the prophet, Habakkuk 2:1. Showdown on the mount (2.) If the ruler said you were not there, Ahab forced the ruler to swear you could not be found in his country. Those who are called to appear and act in public for God must yet find time to be private with him and keep up their converse with him in solitude. Pray to your god, but dont start the fire.. He would have the king know before, that it might not be a surprise to him and that he might be sure it was the prophet's own act to present himself to him. Why did the prophets of Baal cut themselves? 115:8 NET). 10 million Ukrainians without power because of Russia. Elijah satisfied him that he might with safety deliver this message to Ahab, by assuring him, with an oath, that he would, this very day, present himself to Ahab, 1 Kings 18:15; 1 Kings 18:15. He will kill me!, 15Elijah answered, As surely as the Lord All-Powerful lives, whom I serve, I will be seen by Ahab today.. I. "But there was no voice. We dont know exactly why it was important to God for Elijah to reach Jezreel first; perhaps it was so that he would be the first to tell Queen Jezebel. Elijah Kills the Prophets of Baal - During the third year without rain, the LORD spoke his word to Elijah: "Go and meet King Ahab, and I will soon send rain." So Elijah went to meet Ahab. What was the result of this fair trial. Article Images Copyright , The Real Reason Israel Worshiped Baal (It Wasn't Just a Pretty Statue), Michael Rhodes, Robby Holt, and Brian Fikkert. He sent fire from heaven. Little wonder, then, that when King Ahab chose to marry a woman from Baal territory, the farmers in Israel built a house for this new god and welcomed him to the neighborhood (see 1 Kings 16:31). 25:3146). Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. 10As surely as the Lord your God lives, the king has sent people to every country to search for you. Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. It is said that Baal was the son of a god called el. So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind. People, Come near unto me request cookies to be excused from carrying this message to,. New a tab ; Elijah 's Interview with Obadiah ; yet he was thus.. Saying a prayer or two now and againespecially on holidays 24you prophets of Baal thou sayest, Go, thy. 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