The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-09-04

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We have (ch. 1S:1-16) the interesting
account of Ahab's search for Elijah
and of the prophets meeting with Oba'
diah. Verses and suggest the Sc
verify of the drought in the land.
Ahabs accusation, Art thou he that
troubleth Israel" is replied to by Eli
jah's challenge regarding contest be-
tween himself, the representative OF
Jehovah, and the kings prophets rep
resenting Baal, wv. 1929. In accord
ance with the stipulations the prophets
of Baal accepted the challenge ana
most miserably failed wv. 26-29). Inc
place of this dramatic contest was MI,
Carmel (see map and the time prob
ably B. c. 600.
1. Eliiah's Preparation w. 3o-35.
On Carmel's crown now swarms a count |
With one brave soul to stand for God
George l.. Taylor.
Elijah gave the $50 prophets Of Baal
and the 400 priests of the groves ".
49, 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 ~ utlessly until 3:OO
D. 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 ". 800 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.
CD He constructs the altar wv.
3O-31). Any true and lasting reforma-
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 Elijahs
lnsistence upon an undivided nation,
as suggested by the twelve stones"
While any lasting reformation must
begin in the individual heart, still II
it is true and genuine it will work IT.
self out in the nation. Israel shall be
thy name" The prince that prevails
: with God" who had wrought for their
fathers, who answered Jacobs prayer,
! is now about to answer Elijah. This
= altar was not constructed as monu'
ment to departed one, nor for the or
namentation of the house of God. II
: was in Gods first cathedral and fol-
Q his glory alone. On this altar Elijah
; placed his sacrifice.
Again Israel is to prevail over Its
enemies, this time those within, not
those from without. (c) He covered
the altar wv. 33,3D e. g., poured wa
g ter upon it to remove all possible &C
cusation Of fraud or trickery. Tit
. trench las great as would contain TIVE
measures of seed" ". 32) is eQuivalen
to six gallons. Three times water wa
taken from the spring, still flowing
r. at this place, and poured upon tn
Il altar, twelve jars in all again symbol
T. izing the twelve tribes.
Q, u. Eiijah's Prayer, w, 1857. Tn
o. great prophet even could only secur
c. through prayer his desired blessin
rs though its purpose was that this pee
ir pie may know that thou Lord art God.
re His prayer was: (a) Addressed
a. God; OBJ Grounded upon experience
n that Of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob;
70 (c) 1t was for one purpose, the hone
OF of that name; (d) 1t was to sanctio
his act In calling forth the drougf
er upon Israel as punishment for tn
he sins of princes, priests and people
ce (e) 1t was founded upon the word I
ef Jehovah, to corroborate and to affir
at the works done at thy word;' (D
OF was for the conversion of the peopl
ng that their hearts might be turned bae
ID to Jehovah once more.
er. Elijah, the man of faith, staked
Ks all upon the Word of God, he ga
ne himself up wholly to the plans al
ne purposes of God, and relied explicit
ne upon the covenant-keeping God. Tho
'rs who pray prevailing prayers must
ur- familiar with the promises of Jehov'
and be taught by the Spirit Of God
John STA, 15; Rom. 1925. 81; Ell
6:18).
sre Elijah's prayer was offered befo
no an altar on which rested the sh
'eo blood of the evening sacrifice. Y
ese must offer our petitions in the name
OF and through the merits Of the bio
icn of him who gave up his life on
VI vary at this same hour. Matt. ~:
81; Heb. 10:19).
Elijah's prayer was an earnest
but not a noisy one ". 26) for no
IVY Is not alone an evidence of power I
of earnestness. It was brief but p
10 sistent ". 49, and it was not disc
ored by any tinge Of doubt.
~. Gods Power, w. $40. We
confident Elijah had never seen
ID fall and that he must have reali'
ow' the awful catastrophe involved II
the did not fall. Yet he fearlessly ma
Inc his plea and the fire fell. 1t was
n q an accidental stroke of lightning. G
>4o. the creator, worked upon the laws
ana nature, his servant, and wrought {
INC fusion to his enemies.
nus The abundance of proof was
Oh not only the offering, but the wa
'ise and the very stones Of the altar
consumed. Risking all, all Is won.
What we need everywhere is
who will follow in Elijah's steps
mos order that the fire of God may CT
upon us. There remained no lor
- any doubt, God is God, Baal Is a sh
az So they fell on their faces" ye
-s- spite of the victories Of God men