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


signifying that Jehovah was still the God
of the whole people. He wanted to turn
them to the God of their fathers. Then
he prepared a bullock and pacing IL upon
the altar. he had them to pour IL bar
rels of water over 1t so that there could
be no mistake, no possibility of doubt
as to the source from which the ire
came The water soaked the offering,
and filled deep trench which had been
made around it at Elijah's direction. Do
you think there was any other reason
why the water was used? There had
been three and half years OF famine,
because of three and half years OF
drouth. Water was the most precious ar
ticle that the people possessed at that
time because of it's rarity, and the diff
ficulty in securing it. l believe that
Elijah desired that there should be q
gift representing each of the tribes OF
that which was valued most, as an of
fering to Jehovah. Anything less than
our best is not to be given to God.
Then Elijah made prayer; it was very
BRIEF lasting only few seconds, as
against the six hours of the prophets of
Baal 1t was exceedingly simple. 1t
called upon the God OF their fathers. The
request was made for Gods glory, and
the request was specific. In answer to it,
the fire came down and consumed the
flesh, the stones, and the water. Elijah
had not only conquered Ahab, but he
had conquered the people as we'll. for
now they fell down on their faces cry
ing: Jehovah. He is God; Jehovah, He
is Cod
ELIJAH REMOVES THE CURSE
FROM REPENTANT ISRAEL.
The great wave of enthusiasm which
followed this Demonstration was utilized
by Elijah to completely wipe out the
leaders of idolatry In the kingdom so
far as the prophets were concerned. They
must have fled in their efforts to ss-
cape, for under the influence OF E1ijah's
leadership. there were slain in the val
ley below, everyone of them. Elijah
thus prepared the way for the great re-
vival of Israel, which unfortunately,
however, did not come to complete frui-
ton because of the active opposition of
Jezebel.
What became of Ahab during this
time is hard to imagine. He must have
stood by, thunderstruck and awed by
the power of this simple man who was
before him. He was, at least, convinced
that he was mistaken in thinking that
Elijah was he who had troubled Israel
during all these days of distress. Shortly
after this, Elijah came back to the top
of the mountain. and on his knees, with
his head bowed to the ground, prayed
to God, that now that the altar had
been repaired, and the people repentant,
the curse which had been brought upon
them might be removed. Seven times he
sent his servant to look toward the
sea, to the west, and seven times he
prayed, but finally small cloud ap-
peared which soon deepened into black
ness and thickness, and there was a
sound of abundance of rain, in answer
to his prayer
The plain of Edraelon Is very fiat, and
has a thick surface of alluvial soil A
heavy rain viii make 1t impossible in a
short time. Even now, after a rain,
mules will mire to their bodies, and to
drive a chariot across would be i'm
possible.
Realizing that the rain was rapidly
approaching, and girded with. superhu-
man strength, Elijah ran before Ahab
to hurry him on to Jezreel, lest he
should find it impossible to go across the
plain. Elijah had no i'll feelings toward
Ahab as a person. He longed to develop
faith in him which would make him
repent and turn to God. But he was I'M
relenting in his hatred of Ahab's sin.