The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1915-09-03

the righteous. Prov. 15.29 r. ".
Following the lesson of last week
We have (ch. 18:1-16) the interesting
account OF Ahab's search for Elijah
and of the prophets meeting with Oba-
diah. Verses 5 and 6 suggest the Sc
verify OF the drought in the land.
Ahab's accusation. art thou he that
troubleth Israeli" is replied to by Eli
jah's challenge regarding a contest be-
tween himself. the representative OF
Jehovah, and the kings prophets rep
resenting Baal. wv. 1925. In record
nee with the s~tipulations the prophets
of Baal accepted the challenge and
most m~iserably failed wv. 26-29). The
place OF this dramatic contest was Mt.
Carmel (see map) and the time prob
ably B. C. 906.
|. Elijah's Preparation w. 1895.
On CarmeIs crown now swarms a count
With one brave soul to stand for God
'Gainst millions In the wrong.
George l.. Taylor.
Elijah gave the $50 prophets OF Baal
and the 400 priests Of the groves ".
19) every advantage possible that he
might the more clearly unmask their
error and make more signal their de-
feat. Their frenzied cries and SELF.
injury continued fruitlessly until 500
p. m. Then Elijah announces the de-
tails which were to remove all possible
doubt as to whose champion he was or
who is to answer his petition. (a) He
calls the people together ". 30) draw
ing them nigh to God and challenging
their undivided attention after the con-
fusion produced by the priests and
their CONSERVATION over their defeat.
(b) He constructs the altar wv.
3O-31). Any. true and lasting reforme-
ton must begin at the affairs of God.
Restore one in the heart, the home
and church and there will return to
all unity and strength. Note Elijah's
fnsistence upon an undivided nation,
as suggested by the twelve stones"
While any lasting reformation must
begin in the individual heart, still il
1t is true and genuine it will work it.
self out in he nation. Israel shall be
thy name" The prince that prevails
with Cod" who had wrought for their
fathers, who answered Jacobs prayer,
Is now about to answer Elijah. This
altar was o constructed as q monu-
ment to departed one nor for the or
namentation of the house Of God. It
was in Gods first cathedral and for
his glory alone. On lis altar Elijah
placed his sacrifice.
Again Israel Is to prevail over it's
enemies. this time those within, not
those from without. (c) He covered
the altar wv. 1880 e. g.. poured wa
ter upon 1t to remove all possible ac-
~cusation of fraud or trickery. The
trench a great as would contain two
measures Of seed" ". 32) Is equivalent
to six gallons. Three times water was
taken from the spring, still flowing
at this place, and poured upon the
altar, twelve jars In all again symbol
izing the twelve tribes.
u. Elijah's Prayer, w, 36,37. The
great prophet even could only secure
through prayer his desired blessing
though Its purpose was that this peo-
pie may know that thou Lord art Cod
HIS prayer was: (a) Addressed to
God: (b) Grounded upon experience,
that OF Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
(c) It was for one purpose, the honor
OF that name: (d) It was to sanction
his act in calling forth the drought
upon Israel Is a punishment for the
sins of princes, priests and people;
(e) 1t was founded upon the word OF
Jehovah, to corroborate and to affirm
the works done "at thy word (f) II
was for the conversion of the people
that their hearts might be turned back
to Jehovah once more.
Elijah, h man of faith, staked his
all upon the Word of God. he gave
himself up wholly to the plans and
!, purposes Of God. and relied explicitly
upon the covenant-keeping God. Those
, who pray prevailing prayers must be
: familiar with the promises of Jehovah
and be taught by the Spirit Of God q
!. John 6:14. Is; Rom. 1926. 27; Eph
6:18).
Elijah's prayer vas offered before
an altar on which rested the shed
blood Of the evening sacrifice. We
must offer our petitions in the name O.
! and through the merits Of the blood
of him who gave up his life on Cal
! vary at this same hour. Matt. 27:45
!. 81; Heb. 1919.
Elijah's prayer was an earnest one
! but not q noisy one ". 26) for noise
is not alone an evidence of power mol
of earnestness. It was brief but per
sistent ". 49, and it was not discol
ored by any ttnge of doubt.
Ill. Gods Power, Wv. 39-4o. We arr
! confident Elijah had never seen fire
fall n that he must have realized
, the awful catastrophe involved il II
did not fall. Yet he f~earlessly makes
Z his plea and the fire fell. It was no,
: an accidental strok OF lightning. God
the creator, worked upon the laws d
nature, his servant, and wrought CON
fusion to his enemies.
The abundance Of proof was thai
. not only the offering, but the waite,
and the very stones Of the altar wers
consumed. Risking all, all is won.
What we need everywhere Is mer
who will follow in Elijah's steps II
order that the fire Of God may come
upon us. There remained no Longer
any doubt, God is God, Baal Is . sham
80 they fell on their faces." yet II