Ahab- Elijah-Ran Faster Than a Chariot

By Mary Vee
I Kings 18,19

From Elijah's Journal

At last. So many people from Israel had been tricked into believing and worshiping Baal. The  worse offenders had to be the prophets of Baal. How dare they trick the people, convincing them with their lies and tales about a god with no power, a god who did not exist.

The only justice was their death. I ordered the people to capture the prophets of Baal. "Don't let anyone get away!" After the magnificent show of God's power, the Israelites were more than happy to comply. They tied all 400 prophets and forced them to walk to the Kishon Valley. There all those tale tellers were killed. 

I walked to king Ahab, the one who honored the prophets of Baal's lies. "Go, eat and drink for there is the sound of a heavy rain."

He didn't say a word or mock me. Not this time. He too saw the power of God come down with fire and burn the sacrifice and all the water and stones. Instead, he went and ate as I told him.

I climbed to the top of Carmel, and bent down to the ground. I pressed my head against my knees and said to my servant, "Go and look toward the sea."

His footsteps faded as he walked to the edge. He shouted back to me, "There is nothing there."

I asked him to look again. And again he said he saw nothing in the sky.

I kept asking, seven times in all, until my servant's report changed. The last time he said, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea."

"Go tell Ahab to hitch his chariot and hurry away before the rain stops him."

While my servant was on the errand, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, and a heavy rain roared toward us.

I felt a sudden burst of energy in my legs and knew I needed to hurry. I tucked my coat into my belt and ran down the path. I didn't think about my steps and how fast my legs moved until I found myself catching up to Ahab's chariot and passing him. I ran through the city gates of Jezreel ahead of Ahab.

Let me catch my breath. I tell you what happen next time.

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photo courtesy of christiansourceimage.com

1.  What happened to the prophets of Baal?
2.  What did Elijah tell Ahab would happen?
3.  Where did Elijah go?
4.  At that place he told his servant to ____________
5.  How many times did he tell his servant to do the same thing?
6.  What amazing thing did Elijah do?
7. What powerful even happened so fast and powerful that Ahab had to hurry for shelter?

Ahab-Elijah Mocks the Prophets of Baal

By Mary Vee
I Kings 18

From Elijah's Journals

The challenge began.

The people leaned forward and watched the prophets and me. The prophets of Baal would attempt to prove Baal was God. When they finished, I would have my chance to prove the Lord is God.

The prophets of Baal prepared the bull they had chosen and set the meat on the altar without using any fire. They cried out to the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" 

I thought they looked silly crying out to something that did't exist, but, hey, it was what they wanted to do. After noon passed, the prophets looked a bit worried. They danced around the altar crying louder. Their throats became dry and scratchy, yet they continued to shout.

I couldn't help myself. I had to say something. I cupped my hands around my mouth and said, "Shout louder! Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or on a trip. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened."

I chuckled softly to myself as the prophets of Baal shouted louder. They became desperate enough to cut themselves to get Baal's attention. Their blood flowed down their arms. The afternoon passed and the prophets continued calling on Baal. The sun moved to the evening sky and still they cried out.

Baal had not responded.

No one answered the prophets of Baal.

No one paid attention to all their dancing, shouting, and pleas.

It was time for them to rest.

I raised my hands and said to all the people, "Come here to me." The crowds turned and faced me. Before their eyes the broken altar of God, which had been destroyed by Baal worshipers, was repaired by the workers. 

I took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob and built an altar. Next, I dug a trench around it large enough to hold plenty of water. Then I arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces of meat and laid it on the wood. I stepped back and said, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood."

The workers did as I asked. "Do it again," I said. The workers shrugged and followed my instructions. People in the crowd nudged each other and smiled. The water filled most of the trench and soaked the wood and meat.  "Do it a third time," I ordered the workers. They gladly did it the third time and snickered.

The water ran down around the altar. Every part of the altar, including the wood and trench dripped and overflowed with water.

The usual appointed time for evening sacrifice came. I stepped forward for all to hear. "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, so these people will know that you, O Lord are God, and that you are turning their hearts back to you again.

As I spoke the last word of my prayer, fire fell from heaven and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

The people gasped and fell to the ground crying "The Lord--he is God! The Lord--he is God!"

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photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. What did the prophets try to prove?

2. What all did they do to prove they were right?

3. What did Elijah do to show the people nothing could stop God?

4. What happened to the Elijah's sacrifice?

5. What did the people do when they saw what God did?

Ahab- The Proof is in the Fire

By Mary Vee
I Kings 18

From Elijah's Journals

I sent Obadiah with a message to king Ahab to meet me. Obadiah was afraid to repeat my words to the king, thinking Ahab would kill him. I reassured him of his safety and sent him on his way.

It wasn't too long before Ahab and his guards came over the hill. He saw me from a distance and called out, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?"

It wasn't the best greeting I've had. "I have not made trouble for Israel," I replied. "But you and your father's family have. You've abandoned the Lord's commands to worship the Baals."

He smirked at me. 

The Lord commanded me to show proof of His almighty power. Despite all the bad we do, God constantly chooses to show His love to us in whatever way best communicates the message. Ahab didn't deserve the proof I was about to offer. Still, I had to follow God's commands.

"Ahab, summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. Bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table."

Ahab folded his arms and squinted. "I am intrigued with what you are about to do. Remember, Elijah, I have you surrounded, so no tricks."

I didn't bother to answer him. He ordered his soldiers to send my message throughout Israel. When they left, I walked to Mount Carmel and waited for the people to arrive. The prophets, too, were assembled. 

I stood on a high platform and raised my hands to gain the attention of all who came. They silenced and looked at me with curiosity. "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." 

The people stood still, not saying a word.

How disappointing. After all God had done for them, given to them,and the protection he provided daily. I sighed. "I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. I propose a challenge. Get two bulls for us. Let the prophets of Baal chose one for themselves. The prophets are to cut the meat into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 

"I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood, but not set fire to it. Then you prophets of Baal, call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire--he is God."

The people looked at each other and nodded. "This is a good idea. Go ahead."

Come back next time to see what happens to the sacrifices.

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photo courtesy of christianimagesources.com

1.  Who was afraid to speak to the king?
2.  Ahab called Elijah a _____________
3.  Elijah wanted to prove what to the people and to Ahab? __________
4.  Who all did Elijah invited to Mt. Carmel?
5.  What challenge did Elijah offer?
6.  Did the people agree that this was a good idea?