1 Kings 18:25

New Living Translation

Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “You go first, for there are many of you. Choose one of the bulls, and prepare it and call on the name of your god. But do not set fire to the wood.”

For Meditation

Four hundred prophets of Baal showed up on Mount Carmel to prove to Israel that Baal was god and worthy of their worship.

Alone stood the prophet of God, Elijah, confident in the God of Israel to show up and show Himself as the only God. Apart from Him, there is no other (Deuteronomy 4:35; Isaiah 45:5), and that He alone was worthy of the people’s worship and praise.

Israel’s idolatry had become despicable to the prophet Elijah and had become distressing. In the name of the Lord, he had decreed a drought that had ravaged the nation for three years. The famine that ensued had brought Israel down on her knees, and now Elijah wanted the people to make up their minds about whom to worship—Jehovah or Baal.

“How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” (1 Kings 18:21).

Elijah had thrown the challenge. Baal’s prophets must build an altar and sacrifice to him, calling on him to receive it. Elijah would also call on the name of the Lord. 

“The god who answers by fire—he is God.” (24 NIV).

Numbers do not matter to the Lord in such matters. He does not need multitudes to prove His power to anyone. He is the one and only true God. Period! There could be two million prophets to display the power of their gods. All the Lord needs is one soul that seeks after Him and has devoted themself to Him and His holiness.

In a natural contest, the result of the Mount Carmel contest would be obvious. Baal wins, hands down from the beginning. But not against Almighty God. No one prevails against Him—not by numbers or sheer power. For all power belongs to Him. In the end, the Lord won the contest on Carmel. Baal proved to be a dead god, incapable of responding to the cries of his prophets to send fire to consume their sacrifice to it.

Jesus is alive, my friend! Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise and fool you. He is Almighty God and responds to His dedicated servants who stand against the pervading idolatry and moral decadence of their time. If there was ever a need for such bold soldiers in the church, it is now. God seeks such men and women through whom He may display His Omnipotence to the world for their attention and salvation. Are you one of them?

Are you an Elijah?