585
T I I E
K I N G ’ S
B U S I N E S S
September 1924
The two kingdoms had existed about 70 years side by side, when Elijah suddenly appeared in the Northern Kingdom during the reign of Ahab.^-Peloubet. The name Elijah means “ Jehovah is my God.” . The prophet is suddenly introduced. No in- COMMENTS formation is given regarding his anees- FROM THE try. Authorities are not agreed^ as to COMMENTARIES why he is called the TishbiteS-Pract. V. V. Morgan Com. The Lord had a man in train ing under his own direction, for this important mission. The prophet appeared unheralded and abruptly began to deliver his messsage.-—Select. John the Baptist stood before- Herod. Paul , stood before Agrippa. John Knox stood before Bloody Mary. Luther stood before the Diet of Worms. Elijah stood before A h ab .A rn o ld . 18:1 “ The third year” is spoken of here, while James says (v. 17) “ three years and six months,” a discrepancy which may be explained by saying that the drought had been experienced six months (the time between the early and latter rains in March and October respectively) before Ahab realized the situation and became incensed against the prophet.—-Gray. '18:16; The* place, the purpose, and the actors in this scene make it among the grandest in history. A nation with its king has come together at the bidding of one man to settle no less a question than whom they shall worship. The people of Israel were to come to witness the test, for on their being convinced that Jehovah was the true God, and choosing him as their God, the very life of the nation depended. The 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the groves (the pillars which represented Jezebel’s god dess, Venus). All these would be clothed in their priestly “white robes and peaked turbans, and all the bravery of their sacrificial vestments.” ; Over against these stood (in the words of Geikie) “ the solitary prophet of Jehovah, his rough sheepskin mantle over hiS shoulders, his simple linen tunic held together by a strap of hide, and his long hair hanging down his back or blown by the mountain breeze. Peloubet. 18:20 The natural features of the mount exactly cor respond with the details of this narrative. The conspicuous summit, 1635 feet above the sea, on which the altars were placed, presents an esplanade spacious enough for the king and the priest of Baal to stand on the one side, and Elijah on the other. It is a rocky soil, on which there is abund ance of loose stones, to furnish the twelve stones of which the altar was built— a bed of thick earth, in which a trench could be dug; and yet the earth not so loose that the water poured into it would be absorbed; 250 feet beneath the altar plateau, there is a perennial fountain, which, being close to the altar of the Lord, might not have been accessible to the people, and whence, therefore, even in that season of severe drought Elijah could procure those copious supplies of water which he poured over the altar.— J. F. & B. 18:21 Men no longer make gods out of wood and stone, but construct them out of their own thoughts, and worship their own ideas. The world wishes to hear nothing of the God who is holy and ready to sanctify the sinful heart of man; who is just, and metes to each man the measure which he deserves; who does not suffer Himself to be scorned; of the rebukes and chastisements of such a God as He' has revealed Himself in His Word, the world makes nothing; and will only hear of a God who never rebukes or punishes, who is no avenging judge, who works no mir acles, can hear no prayers, Elijah, could he return to earth, would scorn such a divinity no less than he did the idol Baal.-SLange. 18:24 Fire was the element over which Baal was sup posed to preside.— Gray. 18:25 Elijah gave Baal’s prophets every advantage in priority of action. Error is best, unmasked by being allowed free opportunity to do its best; for the more favorable the circumstances of trial, the more signal the defeat. God’s servants must never be suspected of unfair tricks in their controversy with error.-—-Maclaren. 18:38 What is the miracle of that fire which devoured the burnt offering and compelled the whole people to cry out: “ The Lord He is God,” in comparison with the mir acle that God hath sent His Son into the world to kindle the greatest fire which has ever burnt in the world; com pared with the miracle that the Word has become flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory? In Beth lehem, and upon Golgotha, the glory of the Lord is infinitely higher in its manifestation than upon Carmel.— Lange.
ironically mocked them. This is unusual in Scripture, but his taunt carried a great message. They began early and continued all day, 850 voices in full chorus. They cried and cut themselves until the time of the evening sacrifice, but no answer came. This is true of all false worshippers. “There is but one God and the false gods must perish as did these false priests. (7) THE PROPHET CHALLENGES JEHOVAH, 18:30- 37, “Let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel,” v. 36.,-; , Elijah called the people near. He repaired the altar which was broken down. (The first step in recovering from backsliding is to erect the altar (Gen. 13:3, 4). He took the twelve stones for the twelve tribes (Gen. 32 :29 ). Although divided, God looks upon the twelve tribes as one, and they shall yet be united. (Ezek. 37:21, •22). Elijah was careful to avoid any suspicion of sleight of hand. The test was to be above suspicion, but it was to be spectacular and convincing. At the time of the evening offering (Ex. 29:39-41), the time when Christ died (Matt. 17:50) Elijah offered his prayer to Jehovah. He prayed to the “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” He honored Jehovah above all gods, confessed his faith in Him, acknowledged God’s Word, plead for the return of Israel and glorified in being a servant of the Lord. The altar itself was a confession of the sin of the people. (8) THE PROPHET’S PRAYER ANSWERED BY FIRE, 18:38-40. , “ Then the fire of the Lord fell” v. 38. The fire fell and all was consumed. Fire is a symbol of God’s presence. (Ex. 3 :2 ). At Mt. Sinai the Lord de scended upon it in fire (Ex. 19 :1 8 ). The Lord Jesus is to be revealed in a flame of fire (2 Thess. 1 :8 ). David built an altar on the threshing floor of Oman, and offered a burnt offering, and the Lord answered him from heaven by fire. God answered Solomon by fire (2 Chron. 7 :1 -3 ). How could Israel doubt? They fell on their faces and acknowledged Jehovah as the true and only God. What a rebuke to unbelief! What humiliation for Ahab! What retribution for the false prophets! (9) THE PROPHET’S PROMISE OF RAIN FULFILLED, vs. 41-46 “ There was a very great rain” v. 45. The rain came.. Showers of blessing to a perishing peo ple. Conditions had been fulfilled. Prayers availed. Jeho vah is recognized as the'covenant-keeping God. Ahab has the positive proof. The people have been compelled to recognize the presence and power of God. Topics for Study (1) Has a raven more sense than a rationalist? (2) Can a man live from hand to mouth if the hand is God’s? (3) Did Elijah learn some valuable lessons in solitude, and if so, what were they? (4) Was the meal in tlie barrel worth more than a barley loaf in the hand?..- (5) By what power was the boy resurrected? •(6) Are human destinies determined by decisions? Can you name some? (7) Do definite convictions determine courage and aid in all denial of compromise? (8) Has man the power to command fire to fall? (9) Does our attitude determine whether fire shall be a friend or foe? (10) Does true prayer prove the power and personality of God? ,
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