Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1922-01-12
/. Elijah Meets Ahss wv. 17-193.

| !. EIJdn MSctS A!A1 wv ll-1ot
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 (17:D. In connection with the
Prophets appearing before the king,
rain was promised.
1. Ahab's question-"Art thou he
that troubleth Israeli" ". 10. Ahab's
aim was to intimidate Elijah-to awe
him into submission.
q Elijah's answer ". 49,. 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.
II. Efijah's Challenge (vv. 1924.
/. The people assembled wv. 10,
| 20). The king convened the people at
the urgent request of Elijah.
2. Elijah's ringing call to decision
wv. 212D. ~ 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 BGal Many
today are hating between two opin-
ions; they are hating between self
and God-sin and hoIiness-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 ". 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 wv. 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-
scented that this was fair test.
Ill. The Test Applied wv. $500.
/. The offering by the prophets of
Baal (vy. $500. 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. Elijah tainted them, and
they more earnestly cried to Baal,
but no answer came.
2. The offering by Elijah wv. 30-39).
(D 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 ivy. 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. 33-35). After the
| bullock was In place, he had four bar
rels of water three times emptied
to ill the trench about the altar. SO
sure was Elijah that Gods power was
sufficient, that he heaped difficulty
upon difficulty. t4) Elijah's prayer
/ (vv $500. (a) It was based upon
covenants ". 36) 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
4 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
4 of tile people ". 81. His heart
yearned after Israel. He was most
DESTROYS that they should come to
know God. co. The result wv. SO,
4 800. GAY 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.
Nv. The Execution of BaaPs
I Prophets ". 400.
The reason for this drastic action
was that Israel's government was
| 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.