Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-09-02
INTERNATIONAL. /
SUNDAYSC1OOL'
LESSON
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 5
ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS OF
BAAl-
(By D. E. SELLERS, Acting Director OF
the Sunday School Course OF the Moody
Bible Institute.J

FOLLOWING the lesson or last week
we have (ch. 1910 the interesting
account of Ahab's search for Elijah
and of the prophets meeting with Oba-
diah. Verses and suggest the ser
verify of the drought in the land.
Ahab's 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. 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.
!. EIijah's Preparation w. $685.
On CarmePs crown now swarms q 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 w.
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 800
p. N. 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 (vv.
30-31). 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 Elijah's
msistence upon an undivided nation,
as suggested by the twelve stones"
While any lasting reformation must
begin In the individual heart, still il
it is true and genuine 1t 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 a 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
those from without. (c) He covered
the altar wv. 33,34) e. e., poured wa
ter upon it to remove all possible ac-
cusation of fraud or trickery. The
trench "as 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.
II. EIiiah'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"
Co 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 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 dons "at thy word CT It
was for the conversion of the people,
that their hearts might be turned back
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 and
purposes of God. and relied explicitly
upon the covenant keeping God.
Ill. Gods Power, w. 38-40. We are
confident Elijah had never seen fire
fall and that he must have realized
the awful catastrophe involved IL it
did not fall. Yet he fearlessly makes
his plea and the fire fell. 1t was not
an accidental stroke of lightning. God,
the creator, worked upon the laws of
nature. his servant. and wrought con-
fusion to his enemies. 1t would be a
strange God and father who could not
use his own laws and creation to pro
duce moral effect.
The abundance Of proof was that
not only the offering. but the water
and the very stones of the altar were
consumed. Risking all, all is won.
What we need everywhere is men
who will follow In Eliiah's steps in
order that the fire Of God may come
upon US. There remained no longer
any doubt God is God, Baal is sham.
So they fell on their faces" yet in
spite of the victories of God men to.
day refuse to render unto him like
obedience and worship.
Compare in this connection the fire
of Gods holy spirit which came upon
the apostles and believers at Pentecost
and the resultant convjctin0 nn~a.