The book of 1 Kings records the life and ministry of the prophet Elijah, who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel in 19th century BC. God had instructed Elijah to call God’s people to repent from worshipping the false god, Baal. King Ahab built a temple for Baal, and his wife Jezebel brought many priests and prophets of Baal and into the country. The King of Israel at that time was a wicked man named Ahab, who promoted Baal worship, some say at the behest of his wife, Jezebel. God equipped Elijah with miraculous abilities, including raising a widow’s son back to life after he had died. Yet perhaps the most astounding act of Elijah is recorded in 1 Kings chapter 18 when Elijah challenged Ahab’s pagan priests by building an altar to call upon the Lord to send fire from heaven as a sign of His mighty power. Ahab’s priests were told the same—to build their own altar to see which is the true God, Baal, or Yahweh.
After both sides had finished making their altars, including adding bulls for sacrificial offerings, the prophets of Baal cried out, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no response. Elijah mocked them, even suggesting that Baal must have gone to the bathroom. Next, in an astonishing display of God’s power, Elijah poured a so much water on his altar that water completely soaked the wood. It was now Elijah’s turn to call upon the one, true God, Yahweh, “Answer me, Lord, so the people will know that You are the only true God.” Immediately, God sent a fire from heaven that immediately dried up the wood, completely consuming the wood, even destroying the rocks encircling the altar. Then, Elijah and his fellow prophets seized the prophets of Baal—all 450 of them, took them to a river, and killed all of them. When Jezebel heard that news, she sent word to Elijah, telling him that by the next day, she would kill Elijah.
Yet after standing up to Ahab, and killing all those false prophets, Elijah was overcome with fear of Jezebel, he ran away, climbing a mountain, and hiding in a cave, terrified Then, we read that the Lord came to him, asking him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” God then told him to go to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, go make Hazael to be king over Syria. Misfortune awaited Ahab, who was killed in battle, and Jezabel fell from a balcony at the King’s palace, causing her death. Dogs were seen eating her body Recorded in Ephesians chapter 4, St. Paul’s reminded his fellow believers to no longer think and act like unbelievers, as Paul refers to them as “Gentiles.” Paul describes them as being darkened, stubborn in their lack of understanding, hard hearts, and in sinful rebellion. Yet in Psalm 34, David shares his joy in the gracious and merciful Lord, singing, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” He added, “I will bless the Lord at all times.” Always available to us, our Lord never abandons us to go to Him, confessing our sins, asking Him to restore the joy of our salvation. And He will. Until life everlasting. Gloria Deo—Glory to God