Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1922-01-12
LESSON FOR JANUARY 15'
ELIJAH'S CHALLENGE OF eAAL
WORSHIP.

that OVercOmetn INC WoIio, S'S
faith.-I John ga.
REFERENCE MATERlAL~Josh. "a
I-28; Eph. 6:l0-9.
PRIMARY TcPIC-God Answers Eli
jah's prayer.
JUNIOR ToPIC-one Man Against Four
Hundred and Fifty.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Jehovahs Vici ogio2S Champion.
YOUNG PEOILE ND -,DULT TOPIC
Modern Evils; How to Fight Them.
|. Elijah Meets Ahab (vv. 17-l9).
At the Lords command, Elijah
shows himself to Ahab. When EiiJan
was last seen by Ahab, he announced
that rain would only be given by MS
word 17:D. In connection with the
Prophets appearing before the King
rain was promised.
1. Ahab's question-"Art thou ne
7 that troubleth IsraelT ". ~. Ahab's
aim was to intimldate Elijah-to awe
him into submission. The devil goes
about like. roaring lion, seeking
whom he may devour Il Pet. 5:s).
2. Elijah's answer ". 1S). He de-
MED the charge and boldly declared
that the calamity which had befallen
the nation was caused by the idolatry.
| of Ahab and lis family. Many are
the calamities which befall men and
nations because they have forsaken
Gods commands and are worshiping
other gods.
II. EIiiah's Challenge wv. 1924.
l. The people assembled (vv. ID,
2O). The king convened the people at
the urgent request Of Elijah. 1t ID
strange that he should do this at
Elijah's command. Evidently Gods
hand overruled. =
Q. Elijah's ringing call to decision
wv. '21-24). a. The question ASKED
Who is your God, Baal or the Lord!
". 2D. Many Of the people had not
wholly forsnken God. They attempted
to worship both God and Baal. Many
today are halriEg between two opin-
ions; they are halting between SELF
and God-sin and holiness-mammon
and God. But the question must be
settled sooner or later. In fact, the
decision Is being made every day. (2)
The silence Of the people ". 2l)'
This may have been because OF fear,
of the king or ignorance, for many
were Of the opinion ttat to be re-
ligious was the only thing necessary,
irrespective Of the being worshiped.
(3) The method Of decision wv. 22-24).
Two sacrifices were to be provided,
one to be offered to Baa), the other to
| God. The god who answered by fire
was to be the God. Tie people con-
sented that this was sair test. Ac-
cepted sacrifice is the grand and su-
preme test by which God Is calling
upon men everywhere ia make the de-
cision between Christ and, heathen
gods (Rom. :25).
~. The Test Applied wv. 25-39).
/. The offering by tie prophets OF
Raal wv. 25-29). Elijah gave fair
test, even placed the advantage on
the other side. He gave the prophets
Of Baal the first opportunity to prove
to the people as to whether Baal was
a real god. To deal unfairly in any
test betrays weakness in the party
and the positions taken. Elijah taunt.
ed them, and they more earnestly
cried to Baal, but no answer came.
2. The offering by Elijah wv, 3O-39).
Q) The people invited near ". 3O).
His object was for them to see the
entire proceedings in order to fully
grasp the genuineness Of the test. (2)
The altar repaired wv. 30-32). Be-
fore there can be the power Of God
manifested, the altar must be repaired.
Elijah took twelve stones represent
ing the united nation. God Is one,
and His people is one (3) The offer
Ing on the altar (vv 33-35). After the
bullock was in place, he had four bar
rels Of water three times emptied
upon the sacrifices and the wood so as
10 fill the trench about the altar. So
sure was Elijah that Gods power was
sufficient. that he heaped difficulty
upon difficulty. (4) Elijah's prayer
(vv. $500. (a) 1t was based upon
covenants (v. aG). The foundation upon
which all real prayer rests is covenant
relationship. (b) It's object was
Gods exaltation (v. 36). Elijah was
Jealous for Gods glory-his supreme
desire was to honor and magnify the
Lord. The only thing that he asked
for himself was to be known as Gods
servant. (c) 1t was for the salvation
of the people ". 3D. His heart
yearned after Israel. He vas most
desirous that they should come to
know God. (5) The result wv. 3S,
39). (a) The fire Of the Lord fell and
consumed not only the sacrifice, but
the wood, stones and dust, even lick
ing up the water in the trench. (b)
The people fell on their faces and con-
fessed that the Lord was the God.
w. The Execution Of eaaPs
Prophets ". 40).
The reason for this drastic action
was that Israel's government was a
theocracy-God was their King. ldola-
try was treason against the King.
These false prophets were traitors to
God and therefore should die.
v. Gods Prophets INDICATED wv.
41-46).
The proof that Elijah was Gods
prophet was incomplete till rain came.
Israel under his ministry had now
turned back to God, and God made
known to them His gracionsness.