1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,280 Speaker 1: Let us pray. And when all the people saw it, 2 00:00:04,720 --> 00:00:07,680 Speaker 1: they fell on their faces, and they said, the Lord, 3 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: he is the God, The Lord, he is the God. 4 00:00:13,240 --> 00:00:18,040 Speaker 1: First King's eighteen thirty nine. Lord, I want you to 5 00:00:18,079 --> 00:00:22,680 Speaker 1: know that you can trust me with challenging and difficult assignments. 6 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: When I am faced with having to stand strong in 7 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: my faith and to stand on the side of godliness, 8 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:32,639 Speaker 1: I will not waver to gain the acceptance of the masses, 9 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:38,200 Speaker 1: like the king and prophets in First Kings eighteen. Instead, 10 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: I will stand side by side with you, Lord, awaiting 11 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 1: your directions and guidance. I confess to day that I 12 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:48,800 Speaker 1: am not afraid to be the only one. I am 13 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:51,560 Speaker 1: not afraid to be the only one to operate with integrity. 14 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 1: I am not afraid to be the only one who 15 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: follows your word when others choose compromise. I am not 16 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 1: afraid to declare your mighty works in a world who 17 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 1: wants me to take credit for what I have. When 18 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:09,200 Speaker 1: there's doubt in the lives of your children, I will 19 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: rest in your power to speak boldly and to point 20 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:16,320 Speaker 1: them back to you so that they can flourish once again. 21 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:21,160 Speaker 1: I hear the sound of rain in the distance, and 22 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: I thank you in advance for refreshing the dry areas 23 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:34,040 Speaker 1: in my life. In Jesus name, Amen, thanks for making 24 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:37,360 Speaker 1: prayer or priority in your life to hear the Bible 25 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:40,200 Speaker 1: come to life. Stay tuned for the Bible in a 26 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:43,440 Speaker 1: Year brought to you by Bible in a Year dot 27 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 1: Com Elijah on Mount Carmel. In our last story, we 28 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:03,080 Speaker 1: learned about the faithful provision of God in Elijah's life. 29 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:07,320 Speaker 1: A great drought filled the land of Israel, yet God 30 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 1: continued to meet Elijah's needs. The drought was a symbol 31 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:15,640 Speaker 1: of Israel's spiritual state. They had strayed away from the 32 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:19,280 Speaker 1: Lord and worshiped to other gods. As a result, they 33 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 1: were destitute. In this story, Elijah showcases the mightiness of 34 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 1: God against the false gods of Israel. Elijah stands in 35 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:32,640 Speaker 1: direct opposition to the prophets of bail in a cosmic 36 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 1: battle of nature inspired by the Book of First Kings. Hello, 37 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible 38 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 1: in a Year podcast. In our previous time together, we 39 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 1: saw God provide miraculously for Elijah in the midst of 40 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 1: a drought that was devastating Israel. God's people were experiencing 41 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 1: the judgment of a righteous and holy God from whom 42 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 1: their hearts had turned as they worshiped Bail, the false 43 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:05,720 Speaker 1: gods of the Pagans. The Lord had used this period 44 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:09,440 Speaker 1: of need and provision in Elijah's life to strengthen and 45 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:12,920 Speaker 1: deepen his faith as he prepared for many battles ahead. 46 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 1: And to day we'll hear how the clash between God 47 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 1: and the prophets of Bail and Asherah leads to an 48 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:23,800 Speaker 1: amazing display of God's power at a place called Mount Carmel. 49 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 1: The country of Israel was scorched and forsaken. For three years, 50 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:34,240 Speaker 1: the soil received no reign, the land was parched, and 51 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:36,920 Speaker 1: the people of Israel were lost in a days of 52 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 1: thirst and misery. King Ahab was forced to govern Israel 53 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 1: in dire circumstances. Deep down, though he would not admit it, 54 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: he knew that it was the Lord who kept the 55 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 1: rain from falling. One morning, the Lord spoke to Eliza. 56 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: The Lord spoke as if giving a commission and a warning. 57 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 1: Go to King Ahab. He said, tell him that rain 58 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 1: is coming. So Elijah took off. Ahab had been seeking 59 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 1: out Elijah for quite some time, for he knew that 60 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:12,960 Speaker 1: Elijah was someone who could entreat of the Lord to 61 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:17,039 Speaker 1: send rain. Elijah knew he would not receive a warm 62 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:21,720 Speaker 1: welcome from the king. Meanwhile, back in Samaria, a deathly 63 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:25,839 Speaker 1: famine was spreading throughout the land. King Ahab sent his 64 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:30,559 Speaker 1: most faithful servant, Obadiah, to search for sources of water. 65 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 1: Obadiah was a faithful follower of the Lord and had 66 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:38,160 Speaker 1: a proven past of bravery in the midst of great distress. 67 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,800 Speaker 1: One time, when the wicked Jezebel tried to kill one 68 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 1: hundred of the Lord's prophets, Obadiah hid them safely in 69 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:49,240 Speaker 1: caves night and day. He tended to their needs and 70 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:53,680 Speaker 1: kept them safe. Obadiah was well known for his compassion 71 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 1: and bravery. Ahab commissioned Obadiah to find springs of water. 72 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:03,800 Speaker 1: Obadiah one way and Ahab went the other. As Obadiah 73 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:07,600 Speaker 1: was on his search, he saw Elijah walking towards the palace. 74 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:13,039 Speaker 1: Obadiah stopped dead in his tracks, quivering with excitement and fear. 75 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 1: He fell at Elijah's feet and said, is that really 76 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: you Elijah. Elijah smiled. He was happy to see a 77 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 1: friendly face. He helped Obadiah to his feet and said, yes, 78 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: my friend, I have come to see the king. Go 79 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:32,039 Speaker 1: and tell him I am here. Obadiah shook his head 80 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 1: and grabbed Elijah by the shoulders. No, he shouted, If 81 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 1: I go and tell Ahab you are here, he will 82 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 1: harm me for letting you get away. He has been 83 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:45,000 Speaker 1: searching for you for months. He blames you for the drought. 84 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:49,560 Speaker 1: Obadiah composed himself and forced a smile. If I go 85 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:51,560 Speaker 1: and tell the king you are here and you do 86 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:55,679 Speaker 1: not show up, he will surely kill me. Elijah tried 87 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:59,279 Speaker 1: to reassure Obadiah that all was well, but Obadiah shook 88 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 1: his head again and said, Ahab's wife, Jezebel, began an 89 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 1: inquisition of God's profits. I had to hide them in caves. 90 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 1: You are not safe here, Elijah. Elijah planted his feet 91 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:15,040 Speaker 1: firmly in the ground and took Obadiah's hand. He looked 92 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: him in the eye and said, I swear by the 93 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 1: Almighty I will be there shortly. Take courage. Obadiah clenched 94 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:26,360 Speaker 1: Elijah's hand and let out a sigh. A slight grin 95 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:29,359 Speaker 1: came upon his face, a grin that could only come 96 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:32,599 Speaker 1: from a man with true faith in God. He nodded 97 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:35,279 Speaker 1: his head and left to go tell King Ahab of 98 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 1: Elijah's return. Elijah did not get far before Ahab and 99 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:42,559 Speaker 1: his men came out to meet him. The king came 100 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 1: with a large crowd behind him. Rumors of Elijah being 101 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:50,040 Speaker 1: the cause of the drought had spread throughout Israel. Elijah 102 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 1: could feel their glares burning through his skin. Ahab sat 103 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:58,880 Speaker 1: upon his camel. He was a taller man, muscular and handsome, 104 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: yet three years of drought and conflict had aged him rapidly. 105 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 1: Weariness could be seen from under his eyes. Ahab glared 106 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:12,840 Speaker 1: down at Elijah. Ah it is the trouble maker Elijah, 107 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 1: Ahab said, with a slight slur. Ahab was unsteady and volatile. 108 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 1: He and his wife Jezebel already proved they were capable 109 00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 1: of intense violence. Yet something in Elijah gave him boldness 110 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 1: to speak truthfully. I have made no trouble, Elijah exclaimed. 111 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 1: He projected his voice so everyone present could hear. He 112 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 1: pointed to Ahab and said, you and your family have 113 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:42,640 Speaker 1: brought this on yourself. You worship the gods Bail and Asherah. 114 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 1: They have brought you only pain. Elijah held his arms 115 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 1: open wide, summon all of Israel to join me at 116 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:53,240 Speaker 1: Mount Carmel. Bring with you the four hundred fifty prophets 117 00:07:53,240 --> 00:07:56,400 Speaker 1: of Bail and the four hundred prophets of Asherah. We 118 00:07:56,480 --> 00:08:00,680 Speaker 1: shall see whose God is worthy to be praised. The 119 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 1: next morning, Ahab summoned thousands of people to watch Elijah 120 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 1: stand against the eight hundred fifty prophets of Bail and Asherah. 121 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 1: Elijah looked at the sea of people. He loathed that 122 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 1: there had to be a spectacle to show them the 123 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 1: error of their ways. Elijah found a large stone to 124 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 1: stand on so he could be seen by every man 125 00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:24,200 Speaker 1: and woman present. He raised his hand into the air 126 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 1: and shouted, you waver and harbor between two masters. First 127 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:32,560 Speaker 1: you serve God, and then you serve Bail and Ashirah 128 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:36,720 Speaker 1: no longer. If the Lord is worthy, follow him. However, 129 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:40,680 Speaker 1: if Bail shows himself to be God, then follow him. 130 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:44,920 Speaker 1: The people were silent at Elijah's words. They waited, They 131 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:50,360 Speaker 1: needed proof, they needed a show. It was truly ironic. 132 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:53,560 Speaker 1: Bail was supposed to be the god of fertility and whether, 133 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 1: yet the heavens closed and gave no rain. All the 134 00:08:57,040 --> 00:09:01,040 Speaker 1: people's prayers to bail were never Answeredlijah stood among the 135 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:05,239 Speaker 1: people and said, here Bell has four hundred fifty prophets. 136 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:10,200 Speaker 1: The Lord has only me bring two bulls forth. The 137 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,199 Speaker 1: people brought two bulls and killed them for a sacrifice. 138 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 1: Elijah continued saying, the prophets of Bell may choose whichever 139 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 1: bull they think is best. We will lay our bulls 140 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:24,480 Speaker 1: on the wood for sacrifice. Elijah lifted his staff in 141 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 1: the air and yelled, call upon the name of your God, 142 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 1: and I shall call on mine. Whoever answers with fire 143 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 1: upon the altar shall be the true God. Elijah's words 144 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 1: rolled like thunder. He stepped down, His eyes did not 145 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 1: leave the false prophets. His righteous anger burned deep. Elijah 146 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:49,199 Speaker 1: allowed the prophets of Bell to go first. They prayed 147 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:53,439 Speaker 1: from morning until noon. They shouted, sang, and danced around 148 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 1: the altar. Elijah watched them as they hobbled on one leg, 149 00:09:57,720 --> 00:10:02,439 Speaker 1: fell on their faces towards the ground, enchanted in ancient dialects. 150 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:08,520 Speaker 1: For hours, he suffered the incoherent babbles of these false prophets. Finally, 151 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 1: as the sun was at its highest in the sky, 152 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:15,840 Speaker 1: Elijah began to muck them. He yawned and folded his arms. 153 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 1: You may have to shout louder, Elijah scoffed. Perhaps he 154 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 1: is lost somewhere day dreaming, or perhaps he is relieving 155 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 1: himself out back. It could also be that he is 156 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:30,920 Speaker 1: away on a journey or asleep. Maybe if you shout louder, 157 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:34,680 Speaker 1: you could wake him up. The prophets continued their shouts, 158 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:37,720 Speaker 1: as was the custom. The prophets took out their blades 159 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 1: and swords and began to cut themselves on the altar. 160 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: Blood gushed from their arms and legs, spilling out onto 161 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 1: the floor. They writhed in pain, rolling around in their 162 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:52,040 Speaker 1: own gore. The sun was beginning to sit and Elijah 163 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:56,439 Speaker 1: could take no more of their nonsensical idol worshiping clouds 164 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 1: slowly crept into the sky, making their way over the 165 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:03,680 Speaker 1: people down below. Elijah drew people towards the altar. He 166 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:07,360 Speaker 1: set up twelve stones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel, 167 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:10,959 Speaker 1: and dug a large trench around the altar. The people 168 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:14,680 Speaker 1: filled the trench with three gallons of water. They poured 169 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:18,840 Speaker 1: more water over the wood. Again, Elijah said, so they 170 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:24,080 Speaker 1: drenched the wood again with water. Again, Elijah repeated so 171 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:27,000 Speaker 1: again they dumped more water over the wood and offering. 172 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 1: Elijah knelt before the sopping wet altar. The whole area 173 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 1: was silent, listening in on Elijah's prayers to God, Lord, 174 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:40,760 Speaker 1: God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, prove yourself to day, 175 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:45,960 Speaker 1: answer me and answer these people. Make them understand your deliverance. 176 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:50,319 Speaker 1: As Elijah was speaking, a great flash of lightning fell 177 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:54,680 Speaker 1: down from heaven. The altar erupted into flames, sending ash 178 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 1: and debris flying into the air. The offering, the wood, 179 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 1: and the stones were ground to a powder, and the 180 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 1: water evaporated into the intense heat of the flames. The 181 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:09,640 Speaker 1: might of God had descended upon the altar. The same 182 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:13,199 Speaker 1: God that sent fire spilling from heaven against the Egyptians 183 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:16,560 Speaker 1: had proved himself to be just as present as before. 184 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 1: The people of Israel fell onto their faces and began 185 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:24,560 Speaker 1: to repent before the Lord. The Lord. He is God, 186 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 1: The Lord is God, they shouted. Elijah looked at the 187 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:32,680 Speaker 1: bleeding and babbling prophets and pointed to them, take these 188 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:35,679 Speaker 1: prophets away. Do not let a single one of them escape. 189 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:39,200 Speaker 1: So the mob of people took them. The false prophets 190 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 1: were dragged into the Kishan valley and slaughtered for their wickedness. 191 00:12:43,559 --> 00:12:48,040 Speaker 1: Their blood painted the valley red. That day, Bell did 192 00:12:48,080 --> 00:12:52,520 Speaker 1: not answer them. Thunder began to roll in through the clouds. 193 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 1: Elijah looked up to Heaven and then looked down again 194 00:12:56,320 --> 00:13:00,480 Speaker 1: to King Ahab. Elijah smiled and said, you'd better go 195 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 1: home and eat. Seems to be a rain storm coming. 196 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:07,480 Speaker 1: So Ahab and the people of Israel retreated back into 197 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:10,720 Speaker 1: their homes, but Elijah climbed to the top of Mount 198 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:15,439 Speaker 1: carmel Ahab stayed awhile and watched as Elijah climbed there, 199 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:19,880 Speaker 1: high above the city. Elijah bowed among the clouds. Thunder 200 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:24,679 Speaker 1: surrounded him in every direction. Thick black clouds covered the skies. 201 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:28,319 Speaker 1: Elijah preyed on his knees to God, with his face 202 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 1: held high to Heaven. Elijah turned back to a servant 203 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:35,240 Speaker 1: and said, go and tell Ahab to retreat on his 204 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:39,440 Speaker 1: chariot before the rain catches him. The winds became violent, 205 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 1: and soon it was difficult to stand upright. Elijah tucked 206 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:46,240 Speaker 1: his cloak into his belt and began running. The Lord 207 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 1: gave him special strength to run faster than the rain, 208 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:54,199 Speaker 1: and Ahab's chariot behind him. The rain began to consume 209 00:13:54,360 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 1: the dry and thirsty valley. As we opened today's scripture, 210 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:06,560 Speaker 1: Israel is still plagued with drought. Rain had not fallen 211 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 1: for three years. King Ahab, a wicked king, ruled the 212 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:13,920 Speaker 1: land in this challenging time, and rather than turn to God, 213 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 1: Ahab continued in his wickedness, letting the worship of false 214 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:21,640 Speaker 1: gods destroy the land. The people had suffered greatly for 215 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 1: their unfaithfulness, just as God through Elijah told King Ahab 216 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 1: it would. But now it was time for the rains 217 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 1: to return. Now is a time for revival. So the 218 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 1: Lord spoke to Elijah and told him to go to Ahab, 219 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 1: saying God would send rain. So Elijah went off to 220 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:46,160 Speaker 1: see the king. Meanwhile, Ahab was desperately looking for solutions 221 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:49,520 Speaker 1: to his big problem. He sent his servant Obadiah to 222 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 1: look for grass and water for the animals. The king 223 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 1: took a search party in one direction, and Obadiah went 224 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 1: the other way. Now, unlike the king, Obadiah feared God 225 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 1: and had protected God's prophets with Ahab's wife, Jezebel, a 226 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 1: very wicked woman, was hunting them down to kill them. 227 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:11,080 Speaker 1: When Obadiah encountered Elijah, he was thrilled to see him, 228 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:13,440 Speaker 1: but when Elijah told him to go tell the king 229 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 1: he was coming, Obadiah was terrified because Ahab was evil 230 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:21,440 Speaker 1: and violent, and if he returned without Elijah, he was 231 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:25,840 Speaker 1: sure to have his head. In other words, Obadiah compromised. 232 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 1: But Elijah reassured Obadiah that the Lord would protect him, 233 00:15:30,640 --> 00:15:33,360 Speaker 1: so he did finally go away to tell the king. 234 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 1: When Ahab and Elijah finally met up, rather than acknowledge 235 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 1: his fault in the drought, Ahab deflected the blame. He 236 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:46,920 Speaker 1: called Elijah a troublemaker. But Elijah told Ahab that he 237 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 1: was the troublemaker, that he had brought judgment upon Israel. 238 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 1: The worship of all the false gods would certainly bring 239 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 1: ruin upon God's people. Elijah told Ahab to summon the 240 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 1: four hundred and fifty prophets of Bail and four hundred 241 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:06,240 Speaker 1: prophets of Ashurah to Mount Carmel. It was time for 242 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:09,560 Speaker 1: a showdown. It would be a battle of the gods. 243 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:13,240 Speaker 1: Now I want you to picture this scene. Thousands of 244 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 1: people gathered on a mountain for a battle of belief, 245 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:19,080 Speaker 1: a battle of faith between eight hundred and fifty false 246 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 1: prophets against one lone man standing for God, the man Elijah. 247 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 1: Elijah was full of faith. He was confident. He knew 248 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:33,040 Speaker 1: God would come through just as he promised, and he 249 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 1: knew the people had a choice to make. So in 250 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: First King's eighteen twenty one, this is what Elijah says 251 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 1: to the people, how long will you go limping between 252 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:48,440 Speaker 1: two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him? 253 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,640 Speaker 1: But if bail, then follow him. And the people did 254 00:16:52,680 --> 00:16:58,200 Speaker 1: not answer him a word. In other words, they refused 255 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 1: to make a decision. He then had two bulls brought, 256 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:04,520 Speaker 1: one for God and one for the false idols. The 257 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 1: prophets of Bail could choose the bull they saw fit. 258 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:09,760 Speaker 1: Then each bull would be killed and laid on the 259 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:14,119 Speaker 1: wood and be sacrificed. The challenge was a simple one. 260 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:16,800 Speaker 1: Each party would call on their deity to bring fire 261 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:19,800 Speaker 1: upon the altar and consume the animal, and they would 262 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:23,000 Speaker 1: see which God answered, because the God who is God, 263 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:27,520 Speaker 1: would answer with fire. The prophets of Bail, of course, 264 00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:32,439 Speaker 1: failed because their God was a nonexistent god. He was 265 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:37,600 Speaker 1: indifferent because he did not exist. They began to cut 266 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:40,120 Speaker 1: themselves and bleed on the altar, and to cry out 267 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:43,159 Speaker 1: and to shout, but to no avail. The gods that 268 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 1: Israel had given their lives to, turning from the Lord 269 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:51,880 Speaker 1: to follow after these bails, were powerless and silent. Just 270 00:17:51,920 --> 00:17:55,400 Speaker 1: a word of application here. The false gods of our 271 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:58,480 Speaker 1: own age are powerless to meet the deepest needs of 272 00:17:58,520 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 1: the human hearts. Never give your energy, or your devotion, 273 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:06,719 Speaker 1: or your faith to what does not really exist. In 274 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:09,479 Speaker 1: the end, as is always the case, the false gods 275 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:14,920 Speaker 1: would never come through. And then it was Elijah's turn. 276 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,879 Speaker 1: A mere fire wouldn't do. The people needed a sign 277 00:18:18,920 --> 00:18:22,760 Speaker 1: that they could not reject or ignore, so he had 278 00:18:22,840 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 1: gallons of water dumped on the altar, drenching the bull 279 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:30,399 Speaker 1: and the wood. Why did you do this? I like 280 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:34,439 Speaker 1: what someone said. A god who cannot burn wet wood 281 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 1: is not a god at all. So the wood is wet. 282 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:44,080 Speaker 1: But Elijah prayed a prayer to remind everyone that God 283 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:48,480 Speaker 1: is God, the God of their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 284 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:51,320 Speaker 1: And when he called upon the Lord in prayer to 285 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:55,119 Speaker 1: show his power, a great explosion took place. A great 286 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 1: fire like a nuclear attack, fell from heaven and consumed 287 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:04,280 Speaker 1: everything east, wood, stone, and water. The people then fell 288 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 1: on their faces praising God. Elijah then had every last 289 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:11,840 Speaker 1: prophet of bail put to death. He knew that their 290 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:15,600 Speaker 1: evil deception could not remain in the land. The cancer 291 00:19:16,040 --> 00:19:20,120 Speaker 1: had to be cut out. Our passage closes with rain 292 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:23,960 Speaker 1: gathering in the skies. Elijah tells King Ahab to run 293 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:27,200 Speaker 1: back to Jezrael before the rain came, and Ahab takes 294 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:31,080 Speaker 1: his chariot and rode away. God then strengthened Elijah with 295 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:34,960 Speaker 1: supernatural strength, and he sped to outrun Ahab's chariot and 296 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:38,240 Speaker 1: arrive in Jezreel ahead of the king, ready to serve 297 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:41,280 Speaker 1: as God's counsel to a king who needed to turn 298 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:45,840 Speaker 1: the nation back to God. Would Ahab changed his ways 299 00:19:46,320 --> 00:19:49,560 Speaker 1: and what would happen to Elijah, who had killed Jezebel 300 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:54,359 Speaker 1: the Terrible Queen's prophets will find out in our next reading. 301 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 1: Dear Lord, we are reminded from this powerful story just 302 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:03,199 Speaker 1: how much we need revival in our world today. We 303 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 1: ask that you would send the fire to your people 304 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:08,480 Speaker 1: and your churches, the fire of your spirit, that it 305 00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:13,000 Speaker 1: would ignite us in true devotion to you. May we 306 00:20:13,040 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 1: tear down the false idols of this world, and may 307 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:20,720 Speaker 1: we worship you and You only with our whole hearts. Lord, 308 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:24,440 Speaker 1: help us not to limp between two opinions, believing one 309 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 1: thing one day and another thing the other. But may 310 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:30,800 Speaker 1: our strength and our convictions be strong as we walk 311 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:36,200 Speaker 1: with you in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you for listening 312 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 1: to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Jack Graham 313 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 1: from Dallas, Texas. Download the Prey dot com app and 314 00:20:42,840 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 1: make prayer and Bible study a priority in your life. 315 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:50,880 Speaker 1: If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you love, 316 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:53,880 Speaker 1: share it with a friend, pass it on because this 317 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:57,480 Speaker 1: podcast can make a huge difference in people's lives. I'm 318 00:20:57,520 --> 00:21:01,320 Speaker 1: hearing wonderful stories of the impact of God's Word as 319 00:21:01,359 --> 00:21:04,639 Speaker 1: a result of listening to Bible in a Year. And 320 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:09,080 Speaker 1: if you want more biblical resources resources from God's Word 321 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:11,480 Speaker 1: that will enable you and assist you in your walk 322 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:15,600 Speaker 1: with God, then be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. 323 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:25,399 Speaker 1: That's Jack Graham dot org. God bless you. This episode 324 00:21:25,440 --> 00:21:29,760 Speaker 1: is sponsored by Medicine, an innovative healthcare solution for Christians 325 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:32,520 Speaker 1: to save money without sacrificing quality.