Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1922-01-12
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Si1rnldoySclool q
v Lesson V
By REV. p. b. F1ILWATER, D. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of ChicagoD
Copyright, 1922, Western Newspaper Union.
LESSON FOR JANUARY IS .
ELIJAH'S CHALLENGE OF BAAL
WORSHIP.
LESSON TEXT Kings 1S:1-46.

LESSON TEXT Kings 1S:1-46.
GOLDEN TEXT-This is the victory
that overcometh the world, even our
faith.-I John 5:4.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Josh. "a:
14-2S; Eph. $1,000.
PRIMARY TOPIC-God Answers Eli
jah's prayer.
JUNIOR TOPIC-One Man Against Four
Hundred and Fifty.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Jehovah's Victorious Champion.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Modern Evils; How to Fight Them.
|. Elijah Meets Ahab wv. 17-19).
At the Lords command, Elijah
shows himself to Ahab. When Elijah
was last seen by Ahab, he announced
that rain would only be given by his
word Q7:D. In connection with the
Prophets appearing before the king,
rain was promised.
l. Ahab's question-"Art thou he
that troubleth Israeli" (v. 10. Ahab's
aim was to intimidate Elijah-to awe
him into submission. The devil goes
about like a 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 his family. Many are
the calamities which befalI men and
nations because they have forsaken
Gods commands and are worshiping
other gods.
IL. EIijah's Challenge wv. 1920.
1. The people assembled wv. 10,
2O). The king convened the people at
the urgent request Of Elijah. 1t is
strange that he should do this at
Elijah's command. Evidently Gods
hand overruled.
2. Elijah's ringing call to decision
wv. 21-2D. (1) The question asked
Who is your God, Baal or the Lord?
w. 21). Many of the people had not
wholly forsaken God. They attempted
to worship both God and Baal. Many
today are halting 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. II fact, the
decision is being made every day. (2)
The silence of the people ". 2D.
This may have been because of fear
of the king or ignorance, for many
were of the opinion that to be re-
ligious was the only thing necessary,
irrespective of the being wOrshiped.
(3) The method of decision (vv. 22-24).
Two sacrifices were to be provided,
one to be offered to Baal, the other to
God. The god who answered by fire
was to be the God, The people con-
sented that this was a fair test. Ac-
cepted sacrifice is the grand and su-
preme test by which God is calling
upon men everywhere to make the de-
cision between Christ and heather
gods (ROm. 4 :25).
Ill. The Test Applied (vv. $500.
1. The offering by the prophets of
Baal wv. 25-29). Elijah gave a 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.
3 The offering by Elijah wv. 30-39).
O) The people invited near ". 30).
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 wv. $3.50. After the
! bullock was in place, he had four bar
| rels of water three times emptied
upon the sacrifices and the wood so as
| to fill the trench about the altar. SO
sure was Elijah that Gods power was
| sufficient, that he heaped difficulty
upon difficulty. az Elijah's prayer
| wv. 3673O. (a) 1t was based upon
covenants ". 36). The foundation upon
which all real prayer rests is covenant
relationship. (b) Its object was
Gods exaltation ". 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 ". 80. His heart
yearned after Israel. He was most
desirous that they should come to
know God, % The result (vv. 80,
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 ard con-
fessed that the Lord was the God.
~. The Execution of BaaPs
Prophets (v. 40).
The reason for this drastic action
was that Israel's government was a
theocracy-God was their King. Idola-
try was treason against the King.
These false prophets were traitors to
God and therefore should die.
V. Gods Prophets INDICATED (vv.
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 graciousness.