1 Kings 18:20-24 – Going all the way with the Lord

Challenged by Elijah, Ahab obliged. In his heart, he was hoping to be able to get rid of this meddlesome prophet, the troubler of Israel. He had underestimated the God of Elijah. Without hesitation, he sent a message to all the sons of Israel and summoned all the prophets to Mount Carmel.  For reformation to take place, the hearts of the people had to be challenged and prepared. So the first thing Elijah did was to call on them to stop vacillating. He called on them to make up their minds. If they were certain that Yahweh was the true God, then they should stop being indecisive. They should make up their minds and not hop between two opinions. They should serve only Yahweh. The people did not answer him. Elijah knew he couldn’t count on the people. Hence, he was bent on proving who was the true God, Yahweh or Baal.  

Though alone in this contest, Elijah was unfazed. Realizing that he was serving the true God, even being alone would make no difference. He was totally convicted and confident that Yahweh would be proven true. So fearlessly, in verses 23-24 he threw down the gauntlet. He gave the advantage to the prophets and priests of Baal. They could make the first move and choose between the two oxen. They could take one for themselves, cut it up, place it on the wood, but put no fire under it. He would take the other ox and do the same, only after they had taken their turn. Like them, he would also prepare it, lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Elijah would allow them to make the first move by calling on their god. When they had done calling on their god, then would he call on the name of Yahweh. The God who would answer by fire would be the true God.

What do we take away from this passage? Firstly, as believers, we must not straddle the fence. Instead we should be fully convicted that the God who calls us to Himself deserves our absolute allegiance. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “Without faith it is impossible to please God, he that comes to God must believe that He is true and able and will reward those who seek Him diligently.” Secondly, we must put our trust in God alone and not pivot to trust our circumstances. Like Elijah, we set our hearts to follow the Lord unyieldingly. And like Caleb, we follow Him doggedly. Like Paul, we press on toward the mark of our high calling in God. We set our hands on the plow and refuse to look back. Let’s persevere!