Topic: Elijah and King Ahab
No person in the Old Testament is more vividly portrayed, or has as much fascination than that of Elijah. The New Testament attests to his greatness and reveals what an impression he made upon the nation of Israel. All we know of him before his dramatic appearance can be summed up in the words: “Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead” (1 King 17:1).
Suddenly he burst onto the scene to rebuke the godless and to reawaken and restore the nation of which he is a part. This man with faith of iron is presented in many ways:
As a fearless reformer (1 Kings 18:17-46).
As a rebuker of kings (1 Kings 21:20; 2 Kings 1:16).
As a mighty man of prayer (1 Kings 17:20, 22; 18:36-38; James 5:17).
As a man prone to discouragement (1 Kings 19:4).
As a performer of miracles (1 Kings 19:8).
As a God-inspired prophet ready to obey and trust God (1 Kings 17:1; 21:9-24; 2 Kings 1:2-17).
As a saint who’s end was glorious (2 Kings 2:1).
Elijah is most noted for boldly confronting idol worship. God told Elijah to call Israel to decide between worshipping idols or God Himself. King Ahab accepted the challenge and summoned the people from all over Israel to meet him at Mount Carmel. King Ahab also brought 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah for a showdown. It was agreed that whoever answered with fire, the people of Israel would acknowledge as God and would serve. The false prophets never heard from their god. However, when Elijah stepped forward and prayed, the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil and also licked up the water in the trench. When the people saw God’s fire, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God'' (1 Kings 18:39). Elijah then instructed the people to seize and kill the prophets of Baal—which they did.
One lesson from Mt. Carmel: Life is full of choices. Elijah calls for a significant choice from the people of Israel and provides a very powerful incentive to make the right one. The people of Israel had readily embraced Baalism over the internal spiritual obedience to Yahweh which held the promise of both temporal and eternal blessing. Every time the people shifted their focus from the eternal God to some devil-designed power, they plunged into sensual and sexual addiction. Elijah called to eliminate the evil influence on the people of God.
It is interesting to see the prominence of mountain top experiences: Moses on Sinai, Elijah on Carmel, Jesus with Moses and Elijah on “Mount of Transfiguration,” and Mt. Zion where Jesus will return to rule the world (Revelation 14:1).
What is your mountain top experience?
What definitive choice is God calling for you to make in honor of Him?
See you Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem