EPIC: The Story of God
Friday, April 10
Test on Mount Carmel
1 Kings 18-19
Summary
While Elijah was away, King Ahab is looking for him and Queen Jezebel, a Baal worshiper, is killing off the prophets of God. Then after three years of drought, God commands Elijah to go back to King Ahab to tell him that he would send rain. Elijah presented himself to the Ahab and told the king that he had abandoned God’s commands and followed the Baals (false gods). He commanded the king to assemble the people of Israel and prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah. Elijah spoke before the assembly confronting the people about their wavering between serving the true God and Baal. To prove to the people of Israel who the true God is, Elijah challenged them to a contest. The 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah would call upon their gods to consume a sacrifice that they offered. Elijah would call upon his God to do the same. Elijah said that the God who answered is the true God which the people should follow. The 850 prophets call out all day while Elijah taunts them. They finally give up and Elijah raises the stakes by pouring water on the sacrifice and calls upon the LORD. God answers by burning the sacrifice, the water, and the stones the sacrifice lies on. Once the people see this they fall down and proclaim the LORD to be God and then they kill all the prophets. Elijah proclaims to King Ahab that rain will come and then flees for his life. He knows Jezebel will be really angry with him. At this time, God tells Elijah to anoint a prophet, Elisha.
Sample of today's reading:
I Kings 18:36-37 “At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: ’O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you are turning their hearts back again.’”
I Kings 18:36-37 “At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: ’O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you are turning their hearts back again.’”
To read today's full reading click here: 1 Kings 18-19
Question of the Day
How can you be like Elijah to your world today by showing them your God?
Prayer Focus
O LORD, Savior of the World, let it be known today that you are God of Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, and the world and that I am your servant. May these people know that you, O LORD, are God and turn their hearts to you.
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