Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-02-10

Ahabs hatred of Elijah was greater
than We can we'll imagine. Although
ne was within 100 miles or Samaria all
the time, GOD had so successfully hid
den him that the most diligent search
on Ahab's part had failed to ind him
Ahab attributed to Elijah all the dis
tress which he and his people were
suffering, and his object in trying 10
find him was to punish him therefor.
He searched every kingdom and nation
in his knowledge and falling TO rnd
Elijah, he required the rulers to give a
pledge that he was not in their midst.
He did not suspect for a moment that
he was at the brook, or in the widows
house; these were the most unlikely
places imaginable at such time. FL
nally, God directed Elijah to present
himself to Ahab; and in trustful obedi-
ence he did so. IL required courage
to do this. Unless God had commanded
it 1t would have been utterly foolish
in Elijah to take such a step; but since
God had commanded, it would have been
foolish not to have taken 1t.
ELIJAH CoNQUERs AHAB AND
BAAL.
Having sent message TO Ahap
through Obadiah, Elijah met Ahab the
VI
the valley of Jezreel. 1 can almost hear
the snarl with which Ahab addressed
Elijah as he said something like this:
$50 I have got you at last, you VINO
have been the cause of all Of this trou-
BILE in Israel" imagine that he
clenched his fists, and ground his teeth
as he said 1t. The proud king probably
thought that the homely prophet would
fall at his feet, pleading for pardon;
but he has mistaken his man. Raising
himself erect, the prophet replied: Il
am not the one who is troubling Israel,
but thou art, in that thou hast forsaken
God, and followed the Baalim." Ahab
was conquered that moment; he had no
reply to make. he made none. He was
brought to submission by the manifest
presence of God in the life of Elijah.
His proud spirit could not stand before
the spirit of God who spoke through this
man.
Elijah then proposed a contest, which
would demonstrate to the people who
was really the God of nature. He knew
that they worshiped the Baalim. because
they were supposed to be the gods OF
fertility, every eng was made as favor
able as possible to Baal, for, being the
sun god, If he could do anything, he
could send fire from heaven. Elijah
allowed Asa prophets of Baal to choose
the bullocks, and then take their choice
of these. Furthermore, he gave them
the first chance
IN the presence of all the people and
the king. on the summit of Carmel, the
prophets of Baal prayed to Baal to send
down fire to consume the offering. This
continued from about o'clock in the
morning until noon, and then, with re-
newed energy, after Elijah Knocked them,
they kept 1T up until nearly o'clock
in the afternoon. / don't know anything
more pathetic in the Bible than the pray
err of these prophets: "Oh, Baal, hear
us; oh, Baal, hear us"
About noon Elijah suggested that the
gods might be deep in thought, or off
hunting, or possibly asleep. His object,
of course, was to show the people the
foolishness of hearing this or any an
swer. The prophets of Baal continued TO
pray to him, decorating themselves with
knives in their vain efforts to make them
selves heard; until finally, after six
hours, they gave up in despair.
Then Elijah commanded the people to
take y stones and repair the altar of
Jehovah which was broken down. thus