SS Lesson November 5th, 2006 1st Kings 18(20-24) (30-35)(38-39)
ELIJAH (e li’ jah) Personal name meaning, “my God is Yah.” The prophet from the ninth century B.C. from Tishbe of Gilead in the Northern Kingdom has been called the grandest and the most romantic character that Israel ever produced. See 1 Kings 17:1–2 Kings 2:18. He was a complex man of the desert who counseled kings. His life is best understood when considered from four historical perspectives which at times are interrelated: his miracles, his struggle against Baalism, his prophetic role, and his eschatological relationship to Messiah.
Miracles His first miracle was associated with his prophecy before King Ahab (1 Kings 17:1) in which he said there would be no rain or dew apart from his declaration. Immediately after the prophecy, he retreated to the brook Cherith where he was fed by ravens.
His next refuge was Zarephath where he performed the miracle of raising the widow’s dead son (1 Kings 17:17-24). Here he was first called “a man of God.”
On Mount Carmel his greatest public miracle involved his encounter with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah (1 Kings 18:19-40). The contest was to determine the true God. The false prophets called on their gods, and Elijah called on His God to see which would rain fire from heaven. After the false prophets failed to hear from their gods, Elijah wet the wood on his altar to the true God by pouring four jars of water over it three times. In response of Elijah’s prayer, Yahweh rained fire from heaven to consume the wet wood. As a result of their deception, Elijah ordered the false prophets killed.
Elijah next prophesied that the drought was soon to end (1 Kings 18:41) after three rainless years. From Carmel, Elijah prayed. He sent his servant seven times to see if rain was coming. The seventh time a cloud the size of a hand appeared on the horizon. Ahab was told to flee before the storm. Elijah outran his chariot and the storm to arrive at Jezreel.
Baalism Interwoven in the life of Elijah is his struggle with Baalism. Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidon and Tyre (1 Kings 16:31), was Ahab’s wife and Israel’s queen. She brought the worship of her god Baal into Ahab’s kingdom. Even “Ahab served Baal a little” (2 Kings 10:18). The contest on Carmel showed a contrast between the contesting deities. Yahweh’s power and Baal’s impotence was further revealed through the drought. A later involvement with Naboth showed the moral superiority of Elijah’s faith (2 Kings 9:25-37).
Jezebel planned revenge toward Elijah for ordering the false prophets slain, so Elijah retreated to Judah and finally Mount Horeb. There he observed the power of the wind, earthquake, and fire; but the Lord was not seen in these forces. In a small voice the Lord commanded him to go anoint Hazael king of Syria, Jehu king of Israel, and Elisha as his own successor (1 Kings 19:1-17).
Prophet His prophetic role constantly placed Elijah in opposition to the majority of the people of his nation. His prophetic confrontations involved King Ahab and later his son Ahaziah. Their toleration of polytheism was the ongoing reason for Elijah’s prophetic denunciations.
When Ahaziah fell and injured himself, he sent messengers to ask Baal-zebub (lord of flies) about his fate. Elijah intercepted them and sent word back to Ahaziah that he was soon to die (2 Kings 1). Ahaziah sent three different detachments of fifty soldiers each to arrest Elijah. The first two units were destroyed by fire from heaven. The captain of the third group pleaded for his life. He safely escorted Elijah to the king where he delivered the prophecy of his pending death personally.
Relationship to Messiah Elijah and Elisha were involved in the schools of the prophets when Elijah struck the waters of the Jordan and they parted to allow their crossing (2 Kings 2:1-12). There, immediately after conferring a double portion of his spirit on Elisha (2 Kings 2:9), the two were separated by a chariot and horses of fire which carried Elijah away in a whirlwind as Elisha watched shouting, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.” Malachi promised God would send Elijah the prophet before the coming “day of the Lord” (Mal. 4:5). John the Baptist was spoken of as the one who would go before Messiah “in the spirit and power” of Elijah (Luke 1:17). John personally denied that he was literally Elijah reincarnate (John 1:21,25). Some considered Jesus to be Elijah (Matt. 16:14; Mark 6:15).
Elijah appeared along with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus to discuss His “departure.” Here Peter suggested that three tabernacles be built for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah (Matt. 17:4; Mark 9:5; Luke 9:33).
Paul used as an illustration of faithfulness the 7,000 faithful worshipers in the time of Elijah (Rom. 11:2-5).
The two witnesses referred to in Revelation 11:6 are not identified by name, but their capacity “to shut heaven, that it rain not” leads many to conclude they are Moses and Elijah.
Nelson Price
—Holman Bible Dictionary
AHAB (ay’ hab) Personal name meaning, “father’s brother.” 1. The seventh king of Israel’s Northern Kingdom, married a foreigner, Jezebel, and incited God’s anger more than any of Israel’s previous kings. Ahab, was the son and successor of Omri. His 22-year reign (874-853 B.C.), while enjoying some political and military success, was marred by spiritual compromise and failure (1 Kings 16:30). His wife, Jezebel, was the daughter of Ethbaal, priest-king of Tyre (1 Kings 16:31). She was a devotee to the Tyrian god Melqart and gave open endorsement to the worship of Baal in Israel by supporting 450 Baal prophets and 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah (1 Kings 18:19). Following Ahab’s death, she continued to be a significant force in Israel for ten years as queen mother. Ahab’s marriage to a Phoenician princess had both commercial and political benefits. Commercially, it brought desired goods to Samaria and opened the way for expanded sea trade. Politically, it removed any military threat from Phoenicia.
During Ahab’s days, Israel enjoyed peace with Judah, largely as a result of a marriage he arranged between princess Athaliah and Joram, the crown prince of Judah. The resulting alliance produced cooperative efforts in sea trade (1 Kings 22:48; 2 Chron. 20:35-37) and a joint military campaign to recapture Ramoth-gilead, which had fallen under Aramean control (1 Kings 22:2-40).
During his reign, effective control was maintained over Moab, producing revenue extracted by tribute, a tax the Moabite king paid to maintain his position (2 Kings 3:4). The oppression of Moab under Ahab and his father Omri finds expression in the famous Moabite Stone. In this inscription Mesha, king of Moab, observed that his land was under Israelite control for a period of 40 years. Mesha also claimed to have gained independence from Ahab’s Israel.
Ahab was successful in two major campaigns against the Syrian king, Ben-hadad, but was mortally wounded in the third. His participation in the great battle of Qarqar (853 B.C.), though not mentioned in the Bible, is recorded on an inscription of Shalmanezer III of Assyria. According to Shalmanezer, Ahab committed 2,000 chariots and 10,000 men to the battle.
The days of Ahab in Samaria were days of growing wealth and spiritual apostasy. According to 1 Kings 22:39, he built an “ivory house” for Jezebel, the remains of which were discovered in the Harvard excavations at the site. Rooms and furniture were decorated with ivory inlay which in many cases featured Egyptian deities. His surrender to the influences of idolatry is illustrated by the construction of a temple for Baal (1 Kings 16:32), the massacre of the Lord’s prophets (1 Kings 18:4,19), and seizure of an Israelite’s property (1 Kings 21).
Ahab appears to have been a worshiper of Yahweh, God of Israel, but probably along with other deities. He frequently consulted with Yahweh’s prophets (1 Kings 20:13-14,22,28; 22:8,16), used the divine name in naming his children (Ahaziah, Jehoram, and Athaliah) and did not interfere with the execution of the priests of Baal after the contest on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:40). The influence of Jezebel in his life, however, overshadowed any significant influence the prophets of the Lord had in his life. He became a prime example of evil (Mic. 6:16).
The death of Jezebel was surrounded with the arrogance that so characterized her life. She painted her eyes and adorned herself just for the occasion of issuing verbal taunts at Jehu from the palace window. She was pushed out of that window and died and, as prophesied (1 Kings 21:23), was eaten by dogs (2 Kings 9:30-37).
John J. Davis
—Holman Bible Dictionary
1st Kings 18:20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
Background
The background of our lesson concerns the Prophet Elijah and his struggle against the wicked King Ahab. Elijah, through prayer, caused it not to rain in the area for 3 ½ years. The land was dry and everything was dying. Sin has consequences and God will use those consequences to open the eyes of believers. I firmly believe God is allowing America to suffer right now because of some of her evil ways. If our nation would repent and turn from our wicked ways I believe God would open the windows of heaven and bless our land. I think he would cause our enemies to be a peace with us. I know he would save our lost people. To make a long story short, Elijah made King Ahab very angry and had been in hiding for fear of his life. After 3 ½ years Elijah now appeared and challenged the King to a show down. Elijah wants to prove who is God and who is only an idol. Ahab is an interesting person. He is not a complete idolater. He believes in Jehovah God, but he also has respect for heathen gods of the area. It seems that he was introduced to these phony religions by his wife Jezebel; the daughter of a foreign king who worshipped false gods. The marriage seems to be one of political and military advantage. Ahab is too cowardly to reign in his wife. She brought these idols with her into the kingdom of Israel. We can blame her and call her names all we want, but if Ahab had been the kind of husband he should’ve been; he could’ve stopped the problem. He was like a lot of men in America today; cowardly and compromising!
How long halt ye between two opinions
We must decide who we want to worship. Many want to live and worship ecumenically. That big word means they want to have respect and admiration for all religions. This sounds so nice and fuzzy, but it is false doctrine originating in the pits of hell. Jesus proclaimed that He was “the way, the truth, and the life.” He claims to be the only way for man to have a relationship with God. He is the saviour of the world. John 10 tells us that anyone who attempts to enter in by some other means is the same as a thief and a robber. I have always said that you don’t have to agree with me on every detail of Scripture. Some Scriptures can be interpreted differently by good, honest people and it should not cause us to break fellowship. That said, there is a point we cannot cross. Any preacher who denies the deity of Christ, the Virgin Birth, the death, burial, and Resurrection of Christ, His second coming to this earth, salvation by faith through grace, or any other essential doctrine is not your brother and is only trying to sew disharmony in the brotherhood. That person is your enemy. Their doctrine is satanic! We’ve got to decide! Who is your God? With whom do you want to trust your soul? You can’t have two or three saviors; it’s Jesus or someone who is not who he claims to be! You decide!
18:22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
Standing alone
I want to make three points about Elijah’s claim of standing alone for God.
- He wasn’t really alone. Consider the words of 1st Kings 19:18. “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” Sometimes we think it is us against the world, but God has other believers out there fighting the same battle you are.
- Where were they? The people of God were hid in a cave being fed by Obadiah. They were alive, but they weren’t making much of a difference. No wonder Elijah felt alone.
- It doesn’t matter where they are; this is Elijah’s fight. Sometimes we cry for help, but God wants us to carry on because it is us He has chosen for this job. Ever heard of the phrase “too many cooks ruin the stew.” It is sometimes true. Too many opinions and directives can keep any project from coming to fruition.
18:23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
18:24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
The challenge
Elijah wanted to make this a fair fight. They were invited to kill a bull and prepare it as a burnt sacrifice is prepared. Elijah would do the same. The God who answered by fire would be acknowledged as God. The typology of this is interesting. We are to prepare to offer sacrifices to God. It is our job to get our church and lives in order so that we can offer praise to Him. We can get everything set, but if there is any fire present; it must come from God. We can have the best business plan and most accomplished parishioners. We can plan everything down to the smallest detail. We can worry and fret over every detail, but any fire that comes into our midst must come from God. If we try to generate the fire it is “strange fire” and death will result from that kind of fire!
18:30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.
Is your altar broken down?
Have you ever wondered why Israel was being ruled by a wicked king? How about why they had not received any rain for 3 ½ years! Why had their animals and gardens died of thirst? Why were their bank accounts empty? The answer is here! The reason they were suffering is because they had allowed the altar to be broken down. I wonder how many people who call themselves Christians have allowed their altars to fall into disrepair? I’m not speaking literally now, but Spiritually. Every believer should have a place and time of prayer in their lives. When their prayer life is neglected they will wander away from the center of God’s will. When that happens, despair is not far behind. Let’s repair the altar and let’s repair our prayer life. God will hear and answer from heaven!
18:31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
Foundation of the Word
Consider these words: Ephesians 2:19-22, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” In the above Scripture the Apostle Paul is advising the Ephesians to build their lives upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. The Apostles and Prophets were not the foundation, but the Word of God that was revealed by them is the foundation. No church can prosper without being built upon the foundation of the Word of God. It must begin with a trust that the Bible is true. If the Bible is error then our religion is vain. Fire will not fall on an altar which is not built upon the proper foundation. Elijah knew God had promised to bless Israel. He built this altar with 12 stones to remind them of the promises of God. The Bible does not tell us whether the prophets of Baal built upon a foundation or not; it doesn’t matter because their foundation is based upon bad information. Their trust was put in a powerless, false idol! Elijah was counting on the true and living God!
18:32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
The trench
The trench accomplished only one thing; it set apart the world from the prophet of God. Oh, how much power would be made available to the church today if it would only live a holy sanctified life! Listen to the wonderful promise of 2nd Corinthians 6:17, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” God desires for us to separate ourselves spiritually from the unbelieving world. we need to dedicate ourselves to God. The closer we get to Him and the farther we get from the world, the closer He will come to us!
18:33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 18:34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.18:35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
Why the water and what does it represent?
Some think the water was applied to take away any doubt from the onlookers as to this being a miracle from God. That may be true, but I feel this is something more significant. This whole thing signifies Christ. He is the sacrifice placed on the wood of the cross. He is also represented in the water. Listen closely here! Notice how the water was fetched; they took 4 barrels and went to the water source 3 times. It is said by Josephus and others that there was a deep well in that area to which they resorted for the water. Remember it had not rained for 3 ½ years. The rivers and ponds would’ve probably dried up. The Mediterranean Sea was too far away to be practical. I think this water came from a well. Also, why did they go 3 times? Surely someone could have procured 12 barrels so they might’ve only went for the water one time. They answer is the type picture God is drawing. The well is Jesus Christ. He is that well which never dries up no matter how dry it is all around Him. He is our source of water to which we can drink and never thirst again. Remember what He said to the woman of Samaria? John 4:14: “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Jesus is the well of water in which the water gives life everlasting. The 4 barrels fetched three times also relates to Jesus. The Book of Exodus teaches us the manner of the precious stones upon the breastplate of the High Priest. Consider this Scripture: “Exodus 39:10-14 “And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row. 39:11 And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. 39:12 And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. 39:13 And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were enclosed in ouches of gold in their enclosings. 39:14 And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.” It was this breastplate covered with precious stones which represent the 12 tribes of Israel which shows us that it is our High Priest, Jesus Christ, who must appear among us for the fire to fall. Without having our High Priest to offer the sacrifice for our sins, we would have no access to God. This breastplate covered the High Priest’s heart and it was from that precious heat which flowed both blood and water on Calvary’s cross. The blood was for our forgiveness of sin. The water was to give us life forever. I say Glory to God!
18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.18:39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
The fire falls
When the altar was repaired, the sacrifice offered, the trench of separation dug, the water of life from the heart of our High Priest applied; then the fire fell. God responded to demonstrate that He was God and He alone! I wondered for years why Satan never answered the prayers of the false prophets. It would’ve been an opportune time for him to confuse the people of God. Why didn’t he send a little flame to his ministers? You don’t have to believe what I’m saying here; it is not Scripture, but I was meditating on that question once and the Holy Spirit impressed me that God had quieted Satan. I’ve thought many times that God might’ve looked at Satan and said’ “Shhhh!” He’ll make him Shhh! in your life also. God limits what we must endure and He does things to cause us to believe. What a wonderful and powerful God we serve!
New Living Translation (to be used as a commentary only)
20 So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel.21 Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets.23 Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it.24 Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed.
30 Then Elijah called to the people, “Come over here!” They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down.31 He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, 32 and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the Lord. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold about three gallons. 33 He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood.”34 After they had done this, he said, “Do the same thing again!” And when they were finished, he said, “Now do it a third time!” So they did as he said,35 and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench.
38 Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench!39 And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!”
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