Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-09-03
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 5
ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS OF
BAAL.

LESSON TEXT Kings 1S:so-39.
GOLDEN TEXT-Jehovah is far from
he wicked; but he heareth the prayer of
he righteous. Prov. 1929 r. ".
Following the lesson of last week
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.
Ahab's accusation, Art thou he that
troubleth Israel" is replied to by Eli.
iah's challenge regarding contest be
tween himself, the representative of
Jehovah, and the kings prophets rep
resenting Baal, (vv. 17-25). In accord
ance with the stipulations the prophets
of Baal accepted the challenge and
most miserably failed (vv. 26-29). The
place of this dramatic contest was Mt.
Carmel (see map) and the time prob
ably B. c.. 906.
l.. Elijah's, Preparation wv. 3o-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 (v.
i9) 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 800
.. m. Then Elijah announces the de-
.ails which We're to remove all possible
! doubt as to whose champion he was or
who is to answer his petition (a) He
calls the people together (v. 39) draw
| ing, them nigh to God and challenging
their undivided attention after the con-
fusion produced by the priests and
them CONSERVATION over their defeat.
| (b) He constructs the altar (VV.
| 30-3D. Amy true and lasting reforma-
tioE 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 the twelve stones. y
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 theil
! fathers, who answered Jacobs prayer
is now about to answer Elijah. This
altar was not constructed as monu
mani to dana rfad ono nor for tho or
namentation of the house of God.
was in Gods first cathedral and fo
his glory alone. On this altar Elijal
: placed his sacrifice.
Again Israel is to prevail over it
, enemies. this time those within, no
those from without. (c) He covere
the altar wv. 33,34) e. g., poured wa
: ter upon it to remove all possible az
: cusation of fraud OF trickery TIL
trench 'as great as would contain tw
measures of seed" (v. 32) is equivalen
: to six gallons. Three times water wa
taken from the spring, still fowin
at this place, and poured upon tn
altar, twelve jars in all rgain symbo
fzing the twelve tribes.
II. Eiiiah's Prayer, w, 36,s7. Th
great prophet even could only secuI
= through prayer his desired blessin
:. though its purpose was that this pc
:, pie may know that thou Lord art God
His prayer was: (a) Addressed
! God; (b) Grounded Egon experienc
| that of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob;
| (c) 1t was for one purpose, the hont
| of that name; Id 1t was to sanctie
| his act in calling forth the drougl
upon Israel as punishment fos tt
! sins of princes, priests and peopl
| (e) 1t was founded upon the word
| Jehovah, to corroborate and to afir
81 the works done 'at thy word;' Gl
II was for the conversion of the peopl
81 that their hearts might be turned .ba,
q to Jehovah once more.
q Elijah, the man of faith, staked b
s all upon the Word of God, he, ga
q himself up wholly to the plans al
& purposes of God. and relied explicit
& upon the eovenant-keeping God. Tho
Il who pray prevailing prayers must
81 familiar with the promises of; Jehov
81 and be taught by the Spirit, of God
N John 5:14. Is; Rom. S;26. 27; Ell
Il 6:18).
4 Elijahs., prayer was offered befc
an altar. on which rested the sh
# blood of the evening sacrifice.
81 must offer our petitions. in the name
M and through the merits Of the bio
of him who gave up his life on. c
&c vary at. this same hour. Matt. 27-:
81; Heb. 10:19).
1A Elijah's prayer was an earnest {
hs but not noisy one ". 26) for no
, is not alone an evidence of power
ue of, earnestness. 1t was brief bat I
sistent (v. 43) and it was not dis,
ored by any tinge of doubt.
7n' M. Gods Power, w. 3s-4o. We
confident Elijah had never seen
iuS fall and that he must have reali
al the awful catastrophe Involved if
7ie did not fall. Yet he fearlessly ma
aNA his plea and the fire fell. 1t was
e0N an accidental stroke of lightning. G
'' the creator, worked upon the laws
ha, nature, his servant, and wrought {
fusion to his enemies.
Re The abundance of proof was
ce! rot only the Offering but the We
and the very stones of the altar "
consumed. Risking all, all is won.
What we need everywhere is l
ol who will follow in Elijah's steps
sed order that the fire of God may c.
me upon us. There remained no lor
the any doubt, God is God, Baal is sh
h So they fell on their faces" ye
spite of the victories of God men
'ir,' day refuse to render unto him
use obedience and worship.
put Compare in this connection the
or's of Gods holy spirit which came L
1T a the apostles and believers at Pente
eak' and the resultant convicting pc
ye convincing the people of Jeruss
that the crucifed Christ was the
. of God.
Those men of Elijah's day and t
L. Tarusalem showed more wis