CENTRAL THOUGHT
Stop wavering between two opinions, take a stand for God.
HYMN: STAND UP, STAND UP, FOR JESUS
Introduction:
Elijah was the most famous and dramatic of Israel prophets. He was not a superhuman. In the book of James, we read: “Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are” (James 5:17). He was after all, a normal human being like the rest of us. He had emotion and problems and experienced the same ups and downs in his life that all of us face. However, he knew God intimately. That personal relationship with God was the bedrock of all the miracles God used him to perform. He derived his strength from his knowledge of God’s presence. He recognized that he was always in the presence of God (1 Kings 17:1). Such knowledge has a remarkable effect upon a person’s thinking, actions and character.
Elijah knew that even while he stood in the presence of King Ahab and all the false prophets, he was standing in the presence of God who was infinitely greater. He represented God in an encounter with the prophets of Baal and Asherah.
How he boldly challenged the prophets of Baal and called down fire from heaven to prove that the LORD GOD only is to be worshipped is the focus of this study.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- To examine Ahab’s resolve to search for Prophets Elijah.
- To appreciate the courage of Prophet Elijah before a
magnitude of Baal prophets. - To examine the battle line between a true worshipper of
God and idol worshippers.
Bible truth:
Q1. WHAT MADE AHAB DETERMINED TO KILL ELIJAH, CHANGE HIS ATTITUDE ON SEEING HIM?
1 Kings 17:1, 24, 18:1-2, 16-20
Elijah had prophesied that there would be no rain or dew until he prayed for it. This was a slap on the face of all worshippers of Baal, who had believed that their God is the one that gives rain and ensure bumper harvest. But we know that only God has power to withhold rain (Deut. 11:13-17) and none other has power to revoke it, (Jer. 14:22).
This resulted to a long and grievous famine in the land. A large number of Israelites had probably died of starvation. For want of rain, their fertile land was turned into barrenness, all because of the iniquity of the people led by king Ahab.
The country had seen three and a half years of famine; Ahab knew that his sin, that of his household and Israel’s apostasy had brought this drought upon his kingdom. But he still had no concern for his sin and no thought of repentance toward God. Relief from divine judgement was all he wanted. Just like Pharaoh, who when a plague struck called for Moses to pray to have the plague removed. Then once the judgement had been removed, Pharaoh returned to his former evil ways. To Ahab, Elijah was the cause of Israel’s problems. He therefore went all out to seek the life of Elijah. He sought for him thoroughly in his own country, as well as all the countries bordering Israel and had made those nations swear that Elijah was not among them. Thus, it was clear that Elijah was to face a vindictive man. God had commanded Elijah to go and meet Ahab. In obedience to God’s command, Elijah set out to meet Ahab who was out to arrest and kill him. But when a man’s way pleases the Lord, He makes even his enemy to be at peace with him. God stayed the hand of Ahab. God will guarantee our protection this drought upon his kingdom. But he still had no concern for his sin and no thought of repentance toward God. Relief from divine judgement was all he wanted. Just like Pharaoh, who when a plague struck called for Moses to pray to have the plague removed. Then once the judgement had been removed, Pharaoh returned to his former evil ways. To Ahab, Elijah was the cause of Israel’s problems. He therefore went all out to seek the life of Elijah. He sought for him thoroughly in his own country, as well as all the countries bordering Israel and had made those nations swear that Elijah was not among them. Thus, it was clear that Elijah was to face a vindictive man. God had commanded Elijah to go and meet Ahab. In obedience to God’s command, Elijah set out to meet Ahab who was out to arrest and kill him. But when a man’s way pleases the Lord, He makes even his enemy to be at peace with him. God stayed the hand of Ahab. God will guarantee our protection when we live in obedience to Him. It was God that made Ahab change his mind toward Elijah. Considering the zeal and zest that Ahab used in searching for Elijah, one would have thought that he will end Elijah’s life on sighting him. Rather what we saw was Elijah as the representative of God, issued orders to Ahab. The prophet commanded and the king complied; this was an unusual situation. The king had been raging throughout the country for years seeking Elijah’s life. Yet when Elijah stood before the king, he had the audacity to say to Ahab “send and gather to me all Israel unto Mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of groves four hundred which eat at Jezebels table (1 Kings 18:19). God was truly in control.
Q2. WHAT GAVE ELIJAH SUCH GREAT COURAGE TO BE THE ONLY MAN AGAINST SUCH A MULTITUDE AND HIGHLIGHT THE LESSON FROM THIS AS A CHRISTIAN IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE MOST PEOPLE ARE DOING THE WRONG THING?
1 Kings 18:1-2, 21-22, Exo. 23:2
Elijah was a man of great courage. He met this merciless and despotic Ahab with God- given courage and boldness. Even though Ahab’s bodyguards were with him and would have slain Elijah at the king’s command, the prophet minced no words. These soldiers held no terror for him. The language he used is seldom heard in our days to rebuke leaders of nations who are doing wrong. “I have not troubled Israel; but thou and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim” 1 Kings 18:18. The rebuke was sharp and clear. He sought no favor from the king. Elijah stood against Ahab and 450 prophets of Baal with God given courage. He had God on his side. For about three and a half years Elijah was hidden from the public. He would have learnt how to stand in the name of God before others, regardless of their number and who they might be. Any man who tarries in the presence of God will be filled with God’s life, His courage, His grace, His power and His strength. There is always the pressure to join the multitude but in the matter of faith, majority is not always right. The fact that majority are doing certain things does not make it right. What makes a practice right is if it is scriptural. Standing out when you are living or operating in an environment where most people are doing wrong may make you unpopular but stand your ground with courage. God demands that we should not join the multitude in doing wrong (Exodus 23:2).
Q3. COMPARE THE ACTIONS OF BAAL WORSHIPPERS WITH THAT OF ELIJAH THE MAN OF GOD?
1 Kings 18:25-29, 30-38
The battle line was drawn and the prophets of Baal were to act first. They got their sacrifice ready and started calling on Baal to answer by fire. You could imagine the shout of 450 men. They danced about the altar hoping to please their deity by their dance. Like madmen they cut themselves with knives and lancets (swords).
The prophets of Baal must have made a colorful picture as they approached in their priestly garments; putting on all the pomp they could to impress the people with their dignity and power. Ahab, the noblemen, the soldiers and the dignitaries in the kingdom gathered to watch the proceedings.
The prophets of Baal shouted on top of their voices to enable their deaf god hear. Yet, no answer. At noon Elijah mocked them by asking them to cry louder. This they foolishly obeyed and yet no answer.
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah took over. He repaired the altar as if to tell the people that he was not introducing a new religion but to revive the old faith and worship of their forefathers. He repaired the altar with twelve stones, according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel. He prepared the sacrifice and asked them to pour abundance of water upon the altar. He then prayed, humbly beseeching God to honor His name. His prayer was not long for he used no vain repetitions.
Elijah acted in faith when he prayed as he did. He had God’s word on which to base his prayer. He asked God to answer in such a way that the people would know He was God’s prophet, acting according to God’s word. God could not refuse such faith; so the fire fell.
The fire consumed the sacrifice and licked the water. This miracle was the evidence that Elijah was God’s prophet and that only the living Go of Israel is to be served and worshipped. Elijah had earlier addressed the people of Israel first, not the prophet of Baal: How long halt ye between two opinions (1 Kings 18:21). He demanded a definite decision on their part. If the Lord is God, then serve Him, but if Baal, then follow him. We are not to waver between two opinions but to take a definite stand for God.
Q4. WHAT DOES 1 KINGS 17:24 AND 18:39 TEACH US ABOUT TRUE WORSHIP, EFFECTUAL PRAYER AND THEIR IMPACT ON OTHER PEOPLE?
When the mistress of the house lost her son, she alleged that Elijah had come to slay her son, 1 Kings 17:17-18. The man of God was falsely accused. But Elijah in full display of the fruit of the Spirit answered her gently “And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him into a loft, where he abode and laid him upon his own bed” 1 Kings 17:19. As Elijah presented the dead child alive to the mother, the woman proclaimed. “Now by this I know, that thou art a man of God and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth” 1 Kings 17:24. Her faith was rekindled and commitment total.
Also, the people of Israel at Mount Carmel fell on their faces when the fire came down and said “The Lord, He is the God, the Lord, He is the God” 1 Kings 18:39. The great controversy in the hearts of the people as to who to serve had been resolved. Three and a half years of waiting for the drought to end was now over. The people had witnessed the graphic evidence of the power of God. They had no option than to bow before their God and creator.
Where true worship exists, and the power of God is demonstrated, the people will respond likewise except those with a reprobate mind.
Daily Living Application:
The God whom Elijah worshipped is our God. He has not changed. The God who stopped the rain from falling on Palestine for three- and one-half years is our God. The God who sent fire from heaven to consume Elijah’s offering on Mount Carmel is our God. He is the same God today as then; God’s glory was at stake and His honor had to be vindicated. Thus, Elijah fearless and faithfully defended the name of God. God is looking for a man who can stand boldly to challenge evil in our time. IF you make yourself available, He will equip you with His Spirit as He did for Elijah.
Memory verse:
Hebrews 12:29
“For our God is a consuming fire”.
Daily Devotional Guide:
Monday: God has the power over nature and creation.
Deut. 11:13-17, Jer. 14:22
Tuesday: The prophet obeys God’s leading/command.
1 Kings 18:17-19
Wednesday: The boldness of the Prophet before the King.
1 King 18:17-19
Thursday: Don’t waver between two opinions: stand for God.
1 Kings 18:21-22
Friday: Faith in action by the prophet.
1 Kings 18:30-38
Saturday: Effectual fervent prayer of the prophet.
1 Kings 18:41-45