1991 Q 1.
a) What circumstances led to the contest between Prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel.

The Contest Between Prophet Elijah and the Prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel

The contest between Prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel was a pivotal event in the history of Israel. Several circumstances led to this significant showdown:

• Ahab’s Marriage to Jezebel: King Ahab married Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, who brought with her the worship of Baal and Asherah, leading the Israelites astray from their worship of Yahweh.
• Unfaithfulness of the Israelites: The Israelites had strayed from the covenant established with God, embracing other gods and abandoning their commitment to Yahweh.
• Worship of Idols: Idol worship became rampant, with Baal being favored over Yahweh, leading to a decline in the worship of the true God.
• Syncretism Development: The blending of worship practices between Yahweh and Baal led to a confused religious landscape where true devotion was compromised.
• Persecution of Yahweh’s Prophets: Jezebel actively persecuted the prophets of Yahweh, seeking to eliminate them and silence their voices in favor of Baal worship.
• Call to Repentance: The contest served as a critical moment for the Israelites to repent and return to the true worship of Yahweh, showcasing the need for fidelity to the covenant.
• Proving Yahweh as the True God: The contest was designed to demonstrate that Yahweh is the one true God, capable of answering by fire, unlike the false gods of Baal.

b) What did the Israelites learn from the nature of God from the Mount Carmel contest?

Lessons Learned by the Israelites from the Mount Carmel Contest

The Israelites learned profound truths about the nature of God through the contest at Mount Carmel:

• God is Alive: Unlike the lifeless idols, Yahweh is a living God who responds to His people.
• A True God: The contest affirmed that Yahweh is the only true God, distinct from the false gods worshipped by the Israelites.
• He is Powerful: Yahweh demonstrated His unmatched power by consuming the sacrifice with fire from heaven.
• Punishes Evil Doers: The contest highlighted God’s justice in punishing those who defy Him and lead others astray.
• God is Holy: His holiness demands reverence and fidelity from His followers, emphasizing the need for purity in worship.
• Faithful to the Covenant: Yahweh’s actions reaffirmed His faithfulness to the covenant made with His people, despite their unfaithfulness.
• Keeps Promises: The contest showcased God’s reliability in fulfilling His promises to the Israelites.
• Forgives: It also illustrated God’s readiness to forgive those who turn back to Him in repentance.
• Master of Creation: Finally, the contest revealed that Yahweh is the sovereign creator of all, with authority over the natural world.

1993 Q 1a
Outline the circumstances which led to the spread of idolatry in Israel.

The Spread of Idolatry in Israel

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