The God-Contest At Carmel
1 KINGS 18:20-40
Elijah meets with Ahab: “Ahab went to meet Elijah” [18:16].
§ Obadiah was called upon to arrange the meeting: “Go, tell thy Lord, Elijah is here” [18:8].
This has brought about the confrontation for which the narrative has been preparing us. The issue is ‘who is God’.
§ Ahab blames Elijah for Israel’s problems: “Are you he that troubles Israel?” [18:17].
§ Elijah answers with condemnation: “I have not troubled Israel; but you, and your father’s house…” [18:18].
Elijah calls for the test to be carried out: “Send and gather to me all Israel…” [18:19].
- THE PEOPLE
1. The Place
The test was to take place: “gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel…” [18:19].
§ Mount Carmel was a ridge right next to the Mediterranean Sea, where the effects of the drought would be least apparent
§ In Egyptian records Mt Carmel is called ‘Holy Head’, suggesting that it was a sanctuary.
§ In the Annals of Assyrian King Shalmaneser III Mount Carmel appears as ‘the mountain of Baal of the promontory’ (headland).
§ Carmel may well have been ground sacred to Baal, and a sanctuary to the gods: “Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down” [18:30]. .
2. The Gathering
a. Ahab & His Tent
Ahab and his tent: “Ahab gathered together the prophets unto mount Carmel…” [18:20].
§ Ahab: “did evil in the sight of the Lord above all…” [16:30].
§ Ahab nationalised Baalism: “he reared up an altar for Baal…” [16:32-33].
i. Prophets
Ahab and the prophets: “Ahab…gathered all the prophets together…” [18:20].
§ The prophets of Baal: “four hundred and fifty…” [18:19].
§ The prophets of the Asherah: “four hundred who eat at Jezebel’s table” [18:19].
b. Israel
i. Yahweh
The people are here to be observers: “sent unto all the children of Israel…” [18:20]. The people knew in their consciences who they were:
§ Israel had the name of being the people of God: “I took thee…to be a ruler over my people Israel…” [2Sam.7:8].
§ Yahweh is their God: “as the Lord God of Israel lives…” [17:1].
ii. Baalism
Ahab had led the people into Baalism: “he reared up an altar for Baal…” [16:32-33].
§ The people lived apart from the word of God: “in his days did Hiel build Jericho…” [16:34].
§ The people were attached to Ahab and Jezebel: “you, and your father’s house in that you have forsaken the commandment…” [18:18].
§ They mixed living as the people of God and living in the service of the Baals.
c. Elijah
The small group of the faithful: “Elijah came unto all the people…”18:21].
§ Confident in his God: “as the Lord God of Israel lives before whom I stand…” [17:1].
§ He has been three years away from home being prepared for this moment: “in the third year…” [18:1]; he has been tested at: “Cherith…” [17:3]; “Zarephath…” [17:9].
§ Perhaps accompanied by other prophets such as Obadiah who “feared the Lord greatly…” [18:3].
Summary.
The great gathering at Mount Carmel and the ‘sanctuary of the gods’: Ahab and the 100’s; Israel in their 1000’s; Elijah on his own.
§ The altar of Yahweh in mount Carmel, fallen in disrepair, is symptomatic of the nation’s problem.
3. The Confrontation
a. The Accusation
Elijah’s speaks, drawing others into the battle: “how long halt ye between two opinions…” [18:21].
§ עַד־מָתַ֞י - “how long” [18:21],
§ פֹּסְחִים֮ - “halt” [18:21], qal participle, ‘to pass’; ‘to spring over’; ‘to hop or limp’; ‘move in a linear motion without stopping, implying lack of confrontation or engagement in an activity’;
§ הַסְּעִפִּים֒ - “opinions” [18:21], ‘a crutch’; ‘an opinion’;
b. The Dilemma
i. The Decision
The uncertainty is with regard to the current question: who is God?
§ Option one: “if the Lord be God…” [18:21].
§ Option two: “but if Baal…” [18:21].
ii. The Action
The action called for: “follow him…” [18:21].
§ לְכ֣וּ - “follow” [18:21], qal imperative, ‘to walk’; ‘to go’; ‘to make linear motion to another place’;
§ אַחֲרָ֔יו - “him” [18:21], literally ‘after him’; ‘behind him’.
§ Theology leads to discipleship.
iii. The Response
The people avoided the question: “the people answered him not a word” [18:21].
§ לֹֽא־עָנ֥וּ - “answered not” [18:21], ‘to respond verbally’;
§ דָּבָֽר - “word” [18:21], ‘speech’; ‘communication’;
c. Idolatry
Man fallen into sin is an idolater: “changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image…” [Rom.1:23].
§ John Calvin: ‘the fallen human mind is a factory of idolatry’: fashion, pleasure, entertainment, self, money, hobby, job, etc.
Application.
Israel avoided the question: they did not defend; they did not condemn.
§ In the words of the Lord Jesus: “they were lukewarm…” [Rev.3].
§ They are not willing to part with the ‘worship of idols’.
§ Israel pines away in her sins, saying, ‘What is the point in seeking you?’: “Thus you speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?” [Exe.33:10].
- THE TEST
1. The Preparation
a. Sacrifice
The sacrifice: “let them therefore give us two bullocks…” [18:23].
§ The process: “cut it in pieces, lay it on wood…” [18:23].
§ The missing element: “put no fire under it…” [18:23].
2. The Test
a. The Focus
The focus of the test: “call you on the name of your gods…” [18:24].
§ קְרָאתֶ֞ם - “call” [18:24], qal perfect, ‘to summon’; ‘to call someone to come into one’s presence’;
b. The Nature
The nature of the test: “the God that answers by fire, let him be God” [18:24].
§ יַעֲנֶ֥ה - “answers” [18:24], qal imperfect, ‘to respond’; ‘to speak or act in return’;
§ בָאֵ֖שׁ - “fire” [18:24], ‘that which burns combustible material’; gives light, warmth, and used for cooking food.
c. The Fire
The “fire” is used symbolically in a variety of ways in the Word of God:
i. The Presence of God
Fire is used to represent the presence of God:
§ Abrahamic covenant: “behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces…” [Gen.15:17].
§ The call of Moses: “angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush…” [Exo.3:2].
§ At Mount Sinai: “sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount…” [Exo.24:17].
§ Present with Israel: “the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night…” [Exo.40:38].
§ Present at Pentecost: “there appeared unto them cloven tongues as of fire…” [Acts 2:3].
ii. The Judgement of God
Fire is used to represent the judgement of God:
§ Sodom: “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven…” [Gen.19:24].
§ Departing from Mount Sinai: “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp…” [Num.11:1].
§ End time judgement: “For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire…” [Isa.66:15]; “they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched…” [Isa.66:24].
iii. The Salvation of God
Fire was a sign that God accepted the priests, their sacrifices, and their service, and that Israel could have access to God through the priestly ministry:
§ Divine approval is seen when fire consumes the sacrifice but not the people: “And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces…” [Lev.9:24].
§ Divine disapproval is seen when the fire consumes the people who are offering sacrifice, for example, Nadab and Abihu: “And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD…” Lev.10:2]; and the people with Korah, Dathan and Abiram: “And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense…” [Num.16:35].
iv. Jesus at Calvary
The Son of God at Calvary: “I have a baptism to be baptised with…” [Luk.12:50].
§ The sacrifice consumed means that God’s wrath fell on his own Son and the sinner goes free.
§ The sacrifice is consumed by the wrath of God: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken…” [Mt.27:46].
Application.
- THE RESULT
1. Baal
a. The Prayer
The prophets: “called on the name of Baal from morning until evening…” [18:26].
§ וַיִּקְרְא֣וּ - “called” [18:26], qal imperfect, ‘to summon’; ‘to call someone to come into one’s presence’;
§ עֲנֵ֔נוּ - “hear” [18:26], qal imperative masculine singular, ‘to respond’; ‘to speak or act in return’;
b. No Answer
There is no access to God: “there was no voice, nor any that answered…” [18:26].
§ מֵהַבֹּ֨קֶר - “from morning” [18:26], ‘from daybreak’;
§ הַצָּהֳרַ֤יִם - “until noon” [18:26], ‘midday’; ‘time of day when sun is at its highest point’;
§ אֵ֥ין - “no” [18:26], ‘none’; ‘nothing’; ‘nought’;
c. The Ongoing Action(s)
The moved into a flurry of religious activity: “they leaped upon the altar…” [18:26].
§ וַֽיְפַסְּח֔וּ - “leaped” [18:26], piel imperfect, ‘to pass’; ‘to spring over’; in the piel ‘to leap about a worship artefact to invoke a god’s favour or answer’;
i. Elijah
Elijah mocked them: “Cry aloud: for he is a god…” [18:27].
§ Otherwise occupied: “either he is talking, or meditating…” [18:27].
§ Resting: “peradventure he sleeps…” [18:27].
ii. The Prophets of Baal > Sincerity
The sincerity of the prophets: “cried aloud…” [18:28].
§ A heart-rending prayer: “they cried aloud…” [18:28].
§ A sincere prayer: “they cut themselves…” [18:28].
Conclusion: “there was neither voice…” [18:29].
§ The evidence of the non-existence of Baal: “nor any that regarded” [18:29].
Application
The vain attempts to get any satisfaction from our ‘gods’.
§ The hopelessness of crying to any other god; they were sincere but sincerely wrong.
§ We may not be a ‘prophet of Baal’ but sometimes we may ‘think like them’ and ‘act like them’.
2. Elijah’s Preparations
a. The Altar
Elijah focuses the people on Yahweh: “he repaired the altar of the Lord…” [18:30].
§ וַיְרַפֵּ֛א - “repaired” [18:30], piel imperfect, ‘to heal’; ‘to cause or promote restoration’;
§ הֶהָרֽוּס - “broken down” [18:30], qal passive participle, ‘to destroy’; ‘to be in ruins’;
i. Rebuilding
The nation was represented: “Elijah took twelve stones…” [12:31].
§ The whole nation: “according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob” [18:31].
§ God’s people: “unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be your name” [18:31].
b. The Scene
The altar: “with the stones he built and altar…” [18:32].
i. Water
Elijah wants to ensure that there is no doubt about the result: “he made a trench about the altar…” [18:32].
§ Depth: “as would contain two measures of seed” [18:32].
§ סָאתַ֣יִם – “measures” [18:32], ‘a measure of flour or grain probably one third of an ephah’, ‘equal to between seven to twelve litres.
§ כַדִּים - “barrels” [18:33], ‘an earthen container’;
§ Command repeated three times: “fill four barrels with water, and pour it…” [18:33].
§ Result: “water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also…” [18:35].
Application.
3. The Result
a. The Prayer
Elijah prayed: “Elijah came near, and said, Lord…” [18:36].
§ God’s covenant: “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel…” [18:36].
§ God’s honour and vindication: “Let it be known that thou art God in Israel…” [18:36].
§ יִוָּדַ֗ע - “know” [18:36], niphal imperfect, ‘to have intimate personal knowledge of’: “Adam knew his wife…” [Gen.4:1].
i. The Truth
There are four things the people need to know.
§ First, who God is: “that thou art God in Israel” [18:36], and “that thou art the Lord God” [18:37].
§ Secondly, who Elijah is: “that I am your servant…” [18:37].
§ Thirdly, that Elijah has spoken according to the word of God: “that I have done all these things at Thy word” [18:36].
§ Fourthly, the grace of God: “that thou hast turned their heart back again” [18:37].
Application.
Elijah’s prayer: no ‘dancing around the altar’; no ‘outward actions and expressions’
§ He prayed: “Hear me, O Lord, hear me…” [18:37].
4. The Answer
Suddenly, heaven breaks open: “the fire of the Lord fell…” [18:38].
§ וַתִּפֹּ֣ל - “fell” [18:38], qal imperfect, ‘to drop’; ‘to come from a higher position to a lower’;
§ וַתֹּ֤אכַל - “consumed” [18:38], ‘to eat or consume food’;
§ לִחֵֽכָה - “licked up” [18:38], piel perfect, ‘consumption by surrounding with the tongue and drawing into the mouth’;
a. Symbolic
The scene: there is no “sacrifice, wood, stone, dust, or water” [18:38] left to be seen.
§ Only Elijah remains: “And Elijah said…” [18:40].
§ God’s grace: God causes the sacrifice to perish in the place of Elijah and Israel
b. The Response
The people are thrown down in wonder: “they fell on their faces…” [18:39].
§ The confession of conviction: “The Lord, he is the God…” [18:39].
c. The Exclusion
The command that followed: “take the prophets of Baal…” [18:40].
§ God’s word: “thou shalt utterly smite the inhabitants of that city…” [Deu.13:15-16].
§ Nothing shall be left: “there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to your hand…” [Deu.13:17].
Application.
The confession in the light of what God has done:
§ At Mount Carmel the sacrifice was destroyed and Elijah and the people were spared.
§ At Calvary the sacrifice suffered the “fire” of God’s wrath so that we might be spared.
§ Rebuke: “how long…” [18:21]; “the Lord, he is the God…” [18:39.
§ There is no other way to handle our false gods: “you cannot serve God and mammon…” [Mat.6:24].