DAY 223- BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE LAND
Reading: 1 Kings 18:17-46
Have you ever experienced a major showdown between good and evil – a time of assault, perhaps, or of standing against corruption? If so, I bet you remember exactly where you were when it happened.
Today’s focus is on Mount Carmel, where a tremendous showdown took place. During the ministry of the prophet Elijah the true people of God numbered about 7000 (i.e. those whom God had reserved for Himself, who had not bowed the knee to Baal), though there would have been a much larger number of Israelites. They would have had the Torah as well as quite a few prophets who would have spoken the word of God to them to rule their lives.
Elijah had prophesied a drought because the nation of Israel had turned apostate and were worshipping the Baals (i.e. Baal and his wife Asherah). According to Deuteronomy 28, which we looked at a few days ago, covenant curses for rebelling against the LORD included turning the sky above bronze and the earth below to iron, that is, bone-hard, drought-stricken ground. The people had failed to repent and seek the LORD’s face, but rather followed Ahab and Jezebel into idolatry. King Ahab let his wife lead him into Baal worship and didn’t think to seek God, but rather sought to blame Elijah for the country’s woes calling him ‘the troubler of Israel’. Elijah had to intervene and confront Ahab and the 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah with only the LORD at his side in a magnificient showdown between the forces of good and evil. It is a classic story that ends with miraculous fire coming from Heaven that consumes Elijah’s sacrifice at the exact time of the evening sacrifice. This draws the people back to the Covenant and results in the death of 850 false prophets. It is interesting that Elijah’s name means ‘Jahweh is God’ and that is what the people were shouting at the end of the day (i.e. Elijah, Elijah).
The great showdown on Mt Carmel points forward to a final showdown between the forces of good and evil in the future, spoken of in Revelation.
Yes, all those movies, all those stories, that are based on the Good vs Evil theme, have their genesis in the real story of this Earth.
Prayer:
Dear Father, thank You that You raise up Elijah’s to make a stand for Your name. Strengthen us to be like Elijah, willing to make a stand for You today. Amen
FOR THE FAMILY
Explain this study briefly in an age-appropriate then let kids enjoy this Superbook rendition of Elijah’s..