Decision Day at Mt. Carmel: Part 2
I Kings 18: 20-40; 3 Kingdoms 18: 20-40
As we closed Part 1, the people of Israel were making their way to the crest of Mt. Carmel. They were about to witness a confrontation – both terrestrial and celestial – between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal. No doubt, tension filled the air, fed by a fusion of fear, guilt and wonderment.
However, this was not the only time in history that God’s people have been called to a special meeting on a mountain. Our readers will recall that heart-rending test of Abraham’s faith when God called him to offer his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice on Mt. Moriah (Genesis 22). And no one forgets God calling Moses for meetings on Mt. Sinai, giving the laws for living (Exodus 20ff). The prophet Isaiah beckoned his people in some very trying times, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord …. He will teach us His ways and we shall walk in His paths.” (Isaiah 2:3). Our Lord chose a mountain from which He delivered the “Sermon on the Mount” to His disciples and followers (Matthew 5:1ff). Although attended by a just few, the amazing Transfiguration of Jesus took place when He led them to Mt. Tabor and revealed His glory (Matthew 17) – we may note that Elijah was also present there. Then, the last earthly view of our Savior occurred on Mt. Olivet where He then ascended to His Father.
Perhaps there is something to be said here that, in special times of hearing from God, we – if not physically but certainly in our minds and hearts – reach to a higher plane. The Lord’s dealings with us should rise to a level above the normal, the everyday, the mundane experiences in our lives. St Paul seemed to advocate that when he wrote: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is ….. set your mind on things above and not on things on earth.” Colossians 3:1,2).
Elijah’s opening words to the people were brief and to the point: “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him” (vs. 21). The silence that followed clearly confirmed why they were there They were, indeed, infected by an affliction of double-mindedness. They just could (or would) not confess the God who had blessed and protected them for generations; neither the “gods” who had done nothing but tease their fantasies. So, “they did not answer”. St. James identifies such folk saying, He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways … let not that man think he will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:7,8).
Announcing once again that he stood alone and there were 450 prophets of Baal, Elijah proposed a simple test to prove the true god. “Let them give us two oxen. Them let them choose one bull for themselves, to be cut into pieces and laid on the wood; but they shall not light a fire under it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood; and I will not light a fire under it. Then you will call loudly on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord, my God. So it shall come to pass that the God who answers by fire, He is God.” “So, all the people answered and said, “the word you have spoken is good”” (vss.23,24).
All in all, the prophets of Baal called out, begged, jumped about and even mutilated themselves to draw a response from their gods – who were not there. Apparently, this lasted from morning until late evening. No, as Elijah mockingly pointed out, Baal was not meditating, nor busy, nor on a journey, nor sleeping ….. he just was not there! It was all a sham.
By the time Elijah called attention to his altar, one might suppose that the people would already be convinced. But he took no chances. I really wonder where all the water came from with which he directed to soak the altar (could it have been sea water from below?), but he wanted no grounds for suspicions of trickery.
Elijah’s prayer also was brief and direct (might well serve as a model for us): “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, answer me. O Lord answer me this day with fire and let this people know You are the God of Israel and I am Your servant; and for Your sake I do all these works. Hear me, O Lord, hear me with fire, and let this people know You are the Lord God, so as to turn the hearts of this people back to You.” (vss. 36,37).
What their memories of the past, or the preaching of Elijah, or the three-year drought had failed to do – God’s answer to Elijah’s prayer did! The fire of the Lord fell; the fire of the Lord made it clear; the fire of the Lord consumed the sacrifice, altar, wood, stones and water. It then reached into the hearts and souls of those dear people who had been deluded, defrauded and deceived by their rulers and the prophets of Baal.
As the smoke cleared, those words of Moses from so long ago might have encompassed that mountaintop: “Our God is a consuming fire” (Deuteronomy 4:24). And hopefully, there would be some among them who recalled their ancestors’ memories of Moses at Mt. Sinai (500 years before): “The Lord called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. The sight of the Lord’s glory was like a burning fire on the top of the mountain before the children of Israel.” (Exodus 24:17).
By whatever means the fiery response from God reached His people, it certainly found its mark. “So all the people fell on their faces and they said, “Truly, the Lord is God; He is God!”” (vs. 39).
Today, we are far removed, in time and space, from that memorable event on Mt. Carmel. However, there are still Ahabs and Jezebels in positions of power; there remain multitudes of prophets of Baal and, sadly, our world is teeming with souls, dear to God, who have been deluded, defrauded, and deceived by the empty promises and passing pleasures being offered by contemporary “prophets”.
Let us pray earnestly for a latter rain of fire to fall upon us –
- Making our ministers a flame of fire (Hebrews 1:7)
- Filling His servants with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)
- Purging our sins; purifying our hearts (Matthew 5:8)
- Manifesting His presence; bestowing His power
- Healing our nation (2Chronicles 7:14)
“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, the I will hear from heaven and will be merciful to their sins and heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14)
Fr. Andrew and Kh. Dannie
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