Decision Day at Mt. Carmel: Part 1
I Kings 18: 20-40; 3 Kingdoms 18: 20-40
From the time Elijah first appeared before King Ahab boldly proclaiming God’s judgment upon Israel, on through his experiences at Cherith and Zarephath, one is gripped with the sense that the great prophet was being prepared and led to some gigantic, decisive moment in Israel’s history. Indeed, that moment occurred at Mt. Carmel.
You will recall at the close of our last episode, that King Ahab charged Elijah saying, “Are you the one who is troubling Israel?” (18:17). Elijah immediately replied, “I have not troubled Israel, but rather you and the house of your father in that you forsook the Lord your God and followed after the Baals.” (vs.18).
It was time to settle the matter as to who or what was troubling Israel. The people were suffering – not only from the 3-year drought but also from the oppressive, self-serving and arrogant attitude of their rulers. Life in their country had changed drastically in the past few years. In some respects, it had seemed to happen slowly, escaping the awareness of the people. On the other hand, it now appeared as though they had been blinded to the sudden destruction of what they had always known and cherished.
Now, as they responded to the king’s summons to assemble at Mt. Carmel, they likely were asking themselves, “Why are we being called here? What is about to happen? What does all this mean?” Indeed, what could be so important as to necessitate a gathering of everyone in the nation, including the king and queen, the 450 prophets of Jezebel and the fugitive prophet himself? The air was surely filled with tension and even dread. Something very big was before them!
Pausing to reflect on the causes of the matter to be settled, I ask you to think with me along two lines. The first has to do with the nature of mankind and the second pertains to the specific situation in Israel at that time.
First, we all believe that man was created in the image of God. Not surprisingly then, history has shown that every human being has an “instinct for religion”. He longs for a god. If he does not have a god, he will make one; if he has a god, but is unsatisfied with that god, he will make another one or more to give him satisfaction. Sometimes, he may even borrow someone else’s god besides his own. This process takes place, in part, because a man’s god actually becomes a reflection of his own wants and needs. He wants provision, so he finds a god who can provide for him. He wants protection, so he finds a strong god who will protect him. He wants pleasure, so he finds a god who will thrill and entertain him. This further means that men may find it expedient to have a variety of gods in their lives.
Israel had one God, but throughout their history there had always been the allurement to go after other gods (remember the golden calf?). When their God was “too strict” or “too dull” or “too far away”, they tended to look at the gods of their neighbors for variety and satisfaction.
Secondly, when King Ahab brought Jezebel from Tyre (a culture with many gods – the Baals) to reign alongside him, it was a time of national rejoicing. A royal wedding, a new queen, a new day in the land! Clearly, one might think that Ahab would have expected his queen to adopt his religion and the traditions of his people. But that did not happen. Instead, along with her dowry, Jezebel brought her idols of Baal and hundreds of prophets who were ready to introduce a new religion – full of excitement, entertainment, variety and pleasure. These new gods were promising great things in every facet of life. Things were going to be wonderful. So, the people welcomed Baal as they had welcomed Jezebel. The idols of Baal were placed within the places of worship and in their homes.
Why not adopt Baal in addition to the Lord and have something for everyone? They did not have to give up God for all this. The Lord would still be their national God as He had always been. The new priests told them they could worship both gods. This would actually enrich their religion and make their nation stronger and more diverse. So, why not? God – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – had, indeed, been very good to them in the past, but this generation could look to an even brighter future of prosperity, excitement, pleasures and fulfillment. It would not be just the one God, but God and Baal.
The prophets of Baal, endorsed by Jezebel, began to teach the children and young adults the wonders of this new religion and its benefits for them. As the years passed, the people passively accepted, with little or no objection, the presence and influence of the other gods. Very minimal attention was being paid to the words and actions of their rulers. They seemed numbed to the totalitarian burdens being placed upon them in increasing measure. As long as the money and goods flowed freely from Tyre and surrounding countries, they seemed content. So, what if they were expected to throw a handful of incense before one of the many idols; it was just a small thing. God was still their number one god, but it was fine to have the others around.
Returning now to the movement of the masses up to Mt. Carmel, we must feel sad for them in that they really did not understand why all the fuss. Why there should be some confrontation or conflict between the prophets of Baal and the prophet Elijah. Couldn’t there just be some compromise and everyone be at peace? They would soon find out as they neared the summit.
In writing this portion of the story, I begin to wonder …. was the event at Mt. Carmel appointed just for that day? Or is Mt. Carmel also a gift of God to His people through the ages. As in other generations before us, our nation and our people are facing troubling times. The question remains: “Who is troubling the nation?”
The answer is not just who sits as ruler, nor who promotes a religion without a Lord, nor who erases the foundations of the past, nor who promises the good life for all – although all of these play a part. No, the real trouble comes whenever people, as His wondrously created beings, search for and accept those gods who are reflections of our personal wants and perceived needs.
Will the Lord God not then raise up other Elijahs and call us to a showdown on a mountain? I, for one, surely hope so. It may well be for the saving of our nation and for the souls of its people.
We now press on to Decision Day on Mt. Carmel.
“Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord … “ (Psalm 33:12)
Fr. Andrew and Kh. Dannie
Special Note:
As we read and rejoice in this wonderful passage of Elijah at Mt. Carmel, we are mindful of a very dear friend, Victor. He and his dear wife, Jane (Memory Eternal!), have been so gracious to us over the years and so dear to our hearts. Victor is originally from Nazareth. His father was a priest of the Orthodox Church on Mt. Carmel in the present city of Haifa.
O, the wonder of the body of Christ!
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