By Elimu Assistant Team The Contest Between Prophet Elijah and the Prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19-40)
- Gathering of the People: A significant crowd gathered at Mount Carmel, which included 450 prophets of Baal. This assembly was crucial for the contest between Elijah and the prophets.
- Challenge to the People: Elijah confronted the people, questioning how long they would waver between serving the Lord and idol gods. He urged them to choose between God and Baal.
- Silence of the People: When Elijah posed this question, the people remained silent and did not respond, indicating their confusion and indecision.
- Preparation of the Sacrifice: Elijah instructed that two bulls be prepared for the contest. The prophets of Baal were allowed to choose one bull for themselves.
- No Fire: Elijah commanded that neither group should set fire to their sacrifice, which was essential for the challenge.
- Calling on Their God: The prophets of Baal were to call upon their god to ignite the sacrifice, demonstrating the power of their deity.
- Failed Invocation: The prophets of Baal sacrificed the bull and cried out to Baal throughout the day, but despite their fervent pleas, no fire came to consume the offering.
- Elijah’s Mockery: In response to their failure, Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal, suggesting that perhaps their god was deep in thought, busy, or even asleep.
- Repairing the Altar: After the prophets of Baal’s unsuccessful attempts, Elijah called the people to draw near to him. He then repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down.
- Construction of the Altar: Elijah took twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and built an altar. He dug a trench around it to contain the water he would use later.
- Prayer to God: Elijah prayed to the Lord, asking Him to reveal His power and turn the hearts of the people back to Him.
- Divine Fire: In response to Elijah’s prayer, the fire of the Lord fell from heaven, consuming the burnt sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and even the water in the trench.
- Destruction of the Prophets of Baal: Following this miraculous event, Elijah commanded the people to seize the prophets of Baal, and he executed them at the Kishon Valley.
