Mexico Missouri message., 1915-09-02

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 G suggest the Sc
verify Of the drought in the land.
Ahab's accusation, art thou he that
troubleth Israel" is replied to by Eli.
jahs challenge regarding contest be-
tween himself, the representative Of
Jehovah, and the kings prophets rep
resenting Baal, wv. 1920. In accord
ance with the stipulations the prophets
of Baal accepted the challenge and
most miserably failed wv. 1920. The
place of this dramatic contest was Mt.
Carmel (see map and the time prob
ably B. c. 906.
!. Elijah's Preparation w. So-35.
On Carmel's 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 fTenzied cries and self
injury continued fruitlessly until 800
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 ". 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.
OBJ He constructs the altar (vv.
30-3D. 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 Elijah's
insistence upon an undivided nation,
as suggested by tho twelve stones"
While any lasting reformation must
begin in the individual heart, still If
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. 1t
was in Gods first cathedral and for
his glory alone. On this altar Elijah
! placed his sacrifice.
Again Israel is to prevail over its
enemies, this time those within, not
fhncn fro Nit (nl
the altar wv. $3.50 e. g., poured wa
ter upon it to remove all possible ac-
cusatlon Of fraud or trickery. The
! trench las 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 God"
His prayer was: (a) Addressed to
God; (b) Grounded upon experience,
(c) 1t was for one purpose, the honor
of that name; (d) 1t was to sanction
his act in calling forth the drought
upon Israel as 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;' 81 II
was for the conversion of the people
that their hearts might be turned bach
to Jehovah once more.
Elijah, the man of faith, staked his
all upon the Word of God, he gave
himself up wholly to the plans ant
purposes Of God, and relied explicitly
upon the mountaineering God.
~. Code Power, w. 1910. We arr
confident Elijah had never seen fir'
fall and that he must have realized
the awful catastrophe involved If 4
did not fall Yet he fearlessly makes
his plea and the fire fell. 1t was no
an accidental stroke of lightning. God
the creator, worked upon the laws o
nature, his servant, and wrought con
fusion to his enemies. II would be |
nSA 0hbS OOa ah0 A1IhOA WIZ NSoAN ~
use his own laws and creation to Pre-
duce moral effect.
The abundance of proof was tina
not only the offering. but the waite
3 and the very stones of the altar wer
t consumed. Risking all, all is wen.
; What we Aeed everywhere is me-
3 who win follow in Eliiah's steps 4
!, order that the fire Of God may com
{ upon US. There remained no longe
8 any doubt, God is God, Baal is a shan
So they fell on their faces" yet 1
s spite of the victories of God men t
d day refuse to render unto him lik
I obedience and worship.
}, Compare in this connection the Dir
:. Of Gods holy spirit which came upo
the apostles and believers at Pentecoi
and the resultant convicting powe
convincing the people Of Jerusalei
that the crucifed Christ was the SO
b. AZ God