1 Kings 18:24-39
Then you 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." Then all the people said, "What you say is good." Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire." So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.
"Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel." With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood." "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time. The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "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, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD – he is God! The LORD – he is God!"
What do you think of this story?
Read chapter 19 to get the rest of the story.
Monday, October 20, 2008
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18 comments:
My first thought is its really dramatic. Them with their dancing and blood letting and Elijah having them pour water on everything three times. And also the complete burning of even the stones.
It also went through my mind that they didn't try any trickery or magic. They were honest about it all and they believed when it was all over.
Annette
The faithfulness of God seems like a most appropriate topic for our current time. The financial and political climate make a lot of people feel “down,” including me. I guess it’s because the things you hope would go up are down, and the presidential campaigns have gone down to a new depth of meanness and negativity. I’ll be glad when the election is over and “normal” life returns (that’s a myth we like to believe, isn’t it?).
Thanks, Annette, for your good observation. We are called to believe and to know God faithfulness, even, and especially, during the down times.
Elijah is interesting and not unlike us. He experiences a mountain top experience and then finds himself in the depths of depression.
Throughout it all God is faithful.
Last week I went to Lipscomb for their inaugural Conference on Preaching. It was really good. Gary went as well, along with several of my friends from Abilene and people from my past. I am leading a post-conference cohort. We are going to preach a series of lessons that are rooted in the Exodus story, beginning in January. I am looking forward to the collaboration with a diverse group of good thinkers.
While at Lipscomb I was able to see Luke a couple of times. I skipped out of one of the conference meals to take Luke out to eat. I love that boy so much and miss him terribly. He is doing well at Lipscomb; seems to be thriving. This makes me very happy.
The bad part about being in Nashville last week was that I missed a visit by Lester and Maddie. They came home Thursday night and were here all day Friday. I miss them terribly as well. I have hardly seen them since they got married. Lester is extremely busy with football and his studies, and Maddie is working very hard at nursing duties with IU Med Center.
Lester has a little ceremony coming up; I think it's called a "White Coat Ceremony," where he officially gets his pharmacy lab coat. It's symbolic of his entry into dedicated pharmacy study. Kedra and I get to watch this in a couple of weeks. I am really looking forward to it.
We had a really nice LIFE Group meeting last night. Originally Matt S. approached me about coming to a cookout at the Park with his group. I offered to host it at our house, which seemed a little easier. He agreed.
We had 23 folks gather for food, fun, and fellowship. It was very pleasant. There was lots of laughter. How could there not be with Todd and Charlie together?
I had a weird experience last night. Yesterday in the paper I saw the obituary for a young man. It really bothered me because I thought the man was one of our food pantry folks. [I am still not sure.] If it was/is him, then he was one with whom I have had some meaningful contact and some conversations about God.
The paper said that there was only visitation Sunday from 5-8 p.m., and that there would be no funeral; just cremation.
This death announcement really bothered me; I guess because I really felt compassion for this guy when I talked to him. I decided to go the funeral home last night after everyone left.
Here's the weird part. I don't know if it's the guy I thought I knew or think I know. He looked different, but I had not seen him for a while. Death changes appearances, etc.
It was a little awkward at the funeral home. I spoke to his mother. I confessed that I was not sure about his identity.
So now I am not sure what to think. It's a strange feeling. Oh well...
I had someone challenge me yesterday after our worship. The concern was me missing the opportunity to "offer the invitation." She was/is deeply bothered by this.
There are some who feel very strongly about this - the fact that we don't offer "the invitation" in the traditional way on a regular basis.
What do you think?
OK, that's enough from me for now.
It reminds me of times God may test us when we stray from Him. We don't have Elijah to bring us back to reality and belief but we have fellow Christians and His Word to draw us back to where we belong. We have His Spirit within us too which speaks to us in various ways when we are paying attention. Funny how we humans tend to need high drama to get our attention. Like children who need a louder or different tone of voice or noise to get their attention we constantly have to be reined back in. The Lord knew this and instructed us to gather together to worship and learn. May He bless all of you this week. Sherron
Good comments, Sherron. Thanks.
I think weekly Sunday worship is vital to maintaining a good relationship with God.
Yesterday in my Sunday school class we discussed the role of Christians in relationship to government. We looked at Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2.
We had a pretty good discussion about the presidential race and the candidates. I think we are going to continue that discussion this coming Sunday. There is a lot of interest. You are welcome to join us.
How do you decide who to vote for?
OK, listen all ye people! I have a little secret to share.
Click HERE to find out my possible plans.
When Elijah became a true servant of God, He was able to do mighty works of God to exalt the name of The Lord God Almighty.
When we become the true servant of God, we will also stand mighty and strong to exalt the name of of the one true Lord and Father.
No matter what is going on around us, politically, or financially, if we stand strong in faith, ready to serve, abounding in the grace of God, The Lord will be magnified in us. Look up, your redemtion draweth nigh. Hallelujah
Thanks Danny for your good, encouraging words.
What's interesting about Elijah is how he goes from this mountain top experience to, seemingly, the depths of depression; see chapter 19. God takes care of him then and there too.
I am reading an interesting book called Acedia & Me - A Marriage, Monks, and A Writer's Life. Acedia is ancient word that is somewhat related to depression. I'll try letting you know more about the book later.
What do you think of this?
Atheist Bus Campaign Gets off to a Flying Start
The UK Guardian reports that initial fundraising for an atheist advertising campaign on the buses of London raised nearly nine times the amount needed in less than 24 hours. The bendy buses will display posters saying "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life" on 30 buses for four weeks. Prominent atheist and biologist Richard Dawkins will donate another £5,500 to the £47,900 already raised. According to the AP, British Churches have actually encouraged the campaign, with the Methodist church thanking Dawkins for "continued interest" in God and encouraging people to think about the issue. A spokesman for the Church of England said it supports the promotion of any religious position through appropriate channels. A spokesman added: "Christian belief is not about worrying or not enjoying life. Quite the opposite: our faith liberates us to put this life into a proper perspective
I heard the World Series started. I am amazed at my apathy. I used to live for baseball; now I yawn at the thought. What's wrong with me?
Last night in class I said that I have never been as "low" as Elijah - so low to ask God to take my life. I did say, however, that I have often wished on a very long training run or in a marathon that a vehicle would hit me and take me out of my misery. Why do people look at me strangely and laugh?
My Elijah sermon is coming along and coming together. I like it when that happens.
Tonight is Ben's last football game of the season. I've enjoyed junior high football much more than the junior tackle league, which is for pre-junior high kids. Ben's done pretty well. He had his best game on Monday against Oolitic. He had a few solo tackles and an interception. On the offensive side he plays tight, but since we never throw the ball, he doesn't get a whole lot of action. He blocks a lot.
Rebecca's volleyball season is over. I was hoping she would dress for the sectional but she didn't. She is going to travel with the team. I hope Mitchell can win the tournament. They have a good shot. I really enjoy volleyball.
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