Day 166, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1 Kings 17–19
The True God and His Faithful Servants
There are many religions in our world today and many so-called “gods.” How can we tell who the true one is? In Israel’s history, a prominent god of her neighboring nations was Baal. Baal was the agricultural god of rain, fertility, and sexuality (Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, vol.1, Walter A. Elwell, editor, © 1988, p.239).
In today’s Bible reading, we may have noticed that the worship of Baal has a terrible influence on Israel. Time after time, the LORD sends prophets to try to stop Israel’s wicked behavior. But in stopping them, he first has to get their attention by taking severe actions. Has he had to do that with some of us? What can we do about it?
God Embarrasses Baal
Elijah’s first recorded mission is to announce to King Ahab that, because of his wickedness, God will not send rain to Israel for a few years (IKings18:1). Earlier, God said he would withhold rain from the land of Israel if they worshipped idols. Elijah tells King Ahab that the LORD will now keep that promise (Leviticus 26:18-20; Deuteronomy 11:16-17; 28:23-24).The message is unpopular, but the extended period of drought shows how weak their rain god is compared to the Almighty God of Israel.
Ahab’s wickedness affects all of Israel’s ten tribes. Does Ahab turn from his evil ways after experiencing God’s judgment? No! Even after three years of drought, King Ahab still blames Elijah. He sends word to everyone in the kingdom to search for Elijah so that he might kill him.
Miraculous Provisions
God tells Elijah to hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan River. There he has water to drink, and ravens bring him food.
When the brook dries up, God sends him to Sidon, north of Israel, to be fed by a poor starving widow from Zarephath. Miraculously, God provides food for her, her son, and Elijah during the drought.
Are any of us experiencing hardships? If we are like Ahab, we need to repent. That means we need to turn away from our sins to the LORD, confess our sins, and receive his forgiveness. Then we can call upon him for help. However, if we are serving the LORD like Elijah, we should not panic but rely on him to meet our needs. He can provide in ways that we cannot imagine.
When God finally sends Elijah back to King Ahab, the king is still stubborn.
When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?”“I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the LORD's commands and have followed the Baals” (1Kings 18:17-18, NIV).A Contest Shows Who is the True God
Elijah arranges a contest so that the people will see who is the true God. The place of the competition is Mt. Carmel, a sacred site for their god, Baal, and a decided advantage to his prophets (The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p. 526).The prophets of Baal and the prophet of God will each offer their sacrifices but not light fires to consume them. The god who answers by fire and consumes the sacrifice is The True God.
All day long, the prophets of Baal cry out to him to send lightning to burn up the sacrifice and dry wood on their altar. Nothing happens. In their zeal to be faithful to their religion, they even cut themselves. Still, nothing happens. Elijah mocks their efforts.
Finally, six hours later, at the time of the evening sacrifice, it is Elijah’s turn to call upon the one he worships. After rebuilding the broken altar with twelve fieldstones (symbolizing the tribes of Israel and Judah), Elijah orders a trench dug around it. He puts wood and a bull upon the altar of the LORD, and then soaks it with water so that it even fills the trench.
It will take a miracle to consume the sacrifice, but God gets glory doing the impossible. Elijah prays
Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!”
Afterward, Elijah ordered the prophets of Baal killed (1 Kings 18:38-40, NIV).
When the competition is over, Elijah prays to the LORD seven times to send rain, and he does! God then gives Elijah divine energy. He runs ahead of King Ahab and his chariot to Jezreel (about twenty-five miles) so that he can escape the driving rain.
God Cares for His Servants
When Elijah arrives, his strength is depleted, and he is discouraged and depressed. God’s prophet felt all alone in the battle, and now Jezebel threatens his life. She is infuriated that he embarrassed her and destroyed the prophets of Baal. It was the last straw for Elijah; he runs away. (1 Kings 19:1-18).
God sends an angel to feed Elijah and then twice lets him sleep. Afterward, he tells Elijah that he is not alone—God has 7,000 still faithful to him.
Sometimes, we also are depleted, discouraged, and depressed, and world events are distressing. We need to hear that we are not alone. Others are standing firm, speaking up for what is right, and depending on the LORD. Maybe we, like Elijah, just need time to rest to recharge our body and mind for upcoming battles.
A Change in Leadership
Seeing the task is too hard for Elijah, God chooses an attendant for him, someone who can share the burden of his ministry. That person is Elisha. He is committed, compassionate, energetic (1 Kings 19:19-21), and just the kind of man Elijah needs to mentor.
Are we extraordinarily overburdened and stressed? God sometimes brings individuals to share our burden when it is too much or when it is time to turn our ministry over to someone else. We should not refuse the help God sends us.
Discussion
How does God feel about false gods? How does he stop our reliance on them? If he has been severe with us, what can we do?
What are some instances in which we have seen the LORD supply in miraculous ways?
How does God care for His servants?
Focus Verse
1Kings 18:39b (NIV) “The LORD-- he is God! The LORD-- he is God!”
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Looking Ahead: God has established himself as the true God in Israel’s eyes. Now, he continues showing King Ahab that he is God by dealing with a bully. This same God can help us Deal with Bullies. Join us for our Next Lesson.
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