Page 50 - Divinity_F5

Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

He also condemned the “idolatry” God to bring fire from heaven, as in
brought by Jezebel, the pagan wife of Figure 3.3, and consumed the sacrifice.
King Ahab, especially in the northern The action converted the people and let
kingdom of Israel. Instead of worshipping them return to God. Then Elijah seized
God, they worshipped Baal, a knowable the prophets of Baal and slaughtered
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
god they believed could guarantee their them all (1 Kings 18:20-45).
prosperity, in exchange for sacrifice.
Therefore, Elijah courageously
condemned their ambiguous behaviour
and demanded true worship of the Lord.
For this reason, Elijah sent Obadiah to
tell King Ahab that he was there, and he
could not vanish as Obadiah’s fear (1
Kings 18:7-16).

Contest between Elijah and the
prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1
Kings 18:18-40)
Elijah courageously went to face King
Ahab, who called him a disturber Figure 3.3: Prophet Elijah calling down fire
of Israelites, and Elijah called him a from heaven to consume the sacrifice on Mount
sinner. Elijah ordered the king to bring Carmel
the Israelites and the priests of Baal to
Mount Carmel to see a true God between Reasons for the contest between
Baal and Yahweh by offering sacrifice Elijah and the Baal prophets

to their gods. On Mount Carmel, the The contest between Elijah and the
priests of Baal offered sacrifice to their prophets of Baal was intended to
god, but he failed to answer them by challenge the prophets of Baal that Baal
was weak. Elijah wanted to prove to
bringing fire from heaven. On the other the Israelites that Yahweh was a more
hand, Elijah mocked them by calling powerful and reliable God than the gods
Baal loudly, saying maybe he was on a of Baal. He wanted to show that God
journey or daydreaming; however, he could answer people’s prayers: when he
never answered them. prayed to God, he responded by sending
divine fire, which consumed the sacrifice

When Elijah asked God, God answered as opposed to the gods of Baal.
to teach the people that Yahweh is the In addition, Elijah wanted to show that
only true God and not Baal. He called God is the source of all good things.

Form Five Student’s Book 41