ELIJAH – PART 4 KARMEL
1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.
One morning after breakfast,Elijah spoke to little Hajjir and his mother
“I just want to tell the two how much I have enjoyed your company. Last night the Lord told me it is time for me to come out hiding. He said I must go and tell Ahab that it going to rain again.”
How did the widow and little Hajjir react to these goodbye words. I think they cried.
“Elijah you were so good to us. The flour and the oil did not disappear. I remember when I died. It felt just as if I went to sleep. You held me tight and you prayed and I was resurrected.”
Tear run down their faces as they said goodbye to Elijah. And when he disappeared over the last hill, I loneliness crept into their hearts.
1 Kings 18:1 And it came to pass after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.”
While Elijah approached Samaria, Ahab and Obadiah were heading towards Sidon.
“Obadiah,” said the worried king Ahab, “We must make a plan. Most of our animals have died and many had to killed. Join me in search for new pastures.”
1 Kings 18:5 And Ahab had said to Obadiah, “Go into the land to all the springs of water and to all the brooks; perhaps we may find grass to keep the horses and mules alive, so that we will not have to kill any livestock.”
The Lord is so good to the moden Ahabs who married women out of the faith. These are men who allowed their wives to separate them from God.
If you are one of them, the Lord wants to tell you that He is eager to renew His friendship with you.
But there is also good news for one who are married theological with Jezebel. The Lord wants to reveal His truth for this time to such a one
Three men make walk over the scorged earth with their own thought:
One is Agab. The Holy Spirit pleads with: “Forsake your sins and return the God of your fathers. Your sins have caused all this misery.
The other one is Obadiah. He thinks about the 100 prophets of the Lord which he put in hiding in two caves when Jezebel wanted to kill them.
“Are they still safe” he wonders.
The third one is Elijah. He is excited because God is going to allow the rain to fall after three and a half years. But before that can happen, the king has to repent.
1 Kings 18:7,8 Now as Obadiah was on his way, suddenly Elijah met him; and he recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, “Is that you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your master, ‘Elijah is here.’ ”
Odajah got the fright of his life when he heard what Elijah wanted him to do.
What would happen if Elijah had to disappear again?
Verses 15,16 Then Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today.” 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
Ahab was frightened when Obadiah told him that Elijah wanted to see him. The previous meeting between the two Elijah prophecied about the drought. “Has the prophet more judgments to announce?”
Two people meet eye to eye. Altough Ahab was surrounded by his mighty soldiers, he stands in fear and trepidation before Elijah.
Listen to his pathetic attack on Elijah:
Verse 17 Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?”
Ahab is making a dangerous accusation. He blames the prophet for causing the drought.
May God help you and me never to blame His servants who reprimands us
for the consequences of our sins. They are not the troublers, we are
Proverbs 10:17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life,
But he who refuses correction goes astray.
Besides bringing hope, the Elijah message also reprimands.
Verse 18 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray.
THE ELIJAH MESSAGE
The endtime Elijahs also have the courage to tell the truth in a tactful yet loving manner.
When the church in Ahab’s time compromised with Baal worship, Elijah had the courage to address the church on this issue.
Eight centuaries later John the Baptist met up with the same spiritual situation and the same message was heard loud and clear.
He was the only prophet who had the courage to address Herod Antipas on his extra marital sins.
Mark 6:17,18 But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her.
Elijah message mesengers proclaimed truth withou fear.
Eliaboodskappers verkondig die waarheid sonder om vir die konsekwensies te vrees.
What about the end time Elijahs? Will they have he courage to warn the world of a dangerous deceptions of Jezebel?
Revelation 14:8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
The gospel melody of the first, second and third Elijahs is one and the same.
Al three refer to the Lam of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Al three warn the world against the wicked woman al thee are persecuted.
In love God sends these messages of warning so that people have the oportunity to repent and be saved.
Listen to Paul’s advice to Timothy concerning the manner in which he should proclaim the truth:
Timothy 4:1-3 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for 2 themselves teachers
CHALLENGED
We are challenged to witness of God’s saving power with more loving care in our hearts. People may be lost one day because we neglected to tell them what we know.
Begin with your loved ones, your children, your unconverted spous and pray for them without ceasing. We must sow the gospel seed and God will cause the germination of the seed.
Listen to Elijah’s message to Ahab:
1 Kings 18:18,19 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
Though Ahab is filled with passionate hatred, yet in the presence of Elijah he seems unmanned, powerless.
This is exactly how John the Baptist adressed king Herod Antipas.
Listen to Ahab’s reaction:
Verse 20 So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel.
MOUNT CARMEL
I had the privilege of visiting Carmel many times. The name means “Garden” or “Orchard”.
The vegetation is lush and when you view west you see the blue waters of the Mediterian See.
On the south lies the valley of Sharon for 80 kilometers
To the north lies the ancient ruins of the city of Megiddo and the Kishon River. Further north lies the valley of Esdralon, also called the valley of Megido.
While visiting the traditional grotto of Elijah I thougth of the many caves where skeletons of earlier civilisations were found.
The Egyptians called Carmel the holy Cape en the Cananites had an openair on it.
In the fourth century BC the Greeks called Carmel the holy mountain of Zeus
MURAKA
Archaeologists have identified Muraka as the place where the great confrontation between Elija and the false prophets of Baal met.
While visiting here I visualise they great crowd that assembled here. When you look at them, you see sad and nervous faces.
Will more calamities struck them?
The people gather where stone pillar were erected for Baal.
BAAL
The Canaanites beieved that their Semitic god lived in holy trees, fountains and mountains.
He had to take care of the vegetation and the see that cattle and sheep increase.
But here at Carmel they see a different picture. For three and a half years the storm god and rain was absent.
The people are embarres where they meet among the Baal pillars where they prayed to Baal in vain.
DEATH AND RESURRECTION
The Baal worshippers believed that hy died during March/April. This was a time of weeping.
And then after a long dry summer when the summers rains begin to fall, they believed that Baal was resurrected anew.
This happened in November/December when they feested in honour of Baal.
The worshippers look at stone pillars. It is three year in a row that the god of thunder and rain disappointed them.
ASHERA
But this not the only heathen objects that was worshipped on Carmel. Amongste the Baal pillars the socalled holy poles were also erected in honour of the goddess Ashera.
She was the Phonecian female image of Baal. Previously the wooden poles of Ashera were surrounded by green shrubs and trees. At this time the scorched earth was mocking the lonely wooden poles.
GOD’S ALTAR
On the summit of one of the highest ridges, in sharp contrast with these was the broken-down altar of Jehovah.
Can see se Elijah? He stands at the altar where the lamb was slain for repented sinners.
He stands by the place where the beautiful message of redemption was proclaimed in images. A message of justification by faith
People are streaming to Carmel. Eventually there was no standing room where Elijah stands. At the foot of the mount there were vantage points from which could be seen much of what took place above.
Elijah chose this elevation as the most conspicuous place for the display of God’s power and for the vindication of the honor of His name.
ARRIVAL OF THE BAAL PRIESTS AND KING AHAB
It must have been a very impressive scene to have watched the 850 Baal and Ashera priests with their costly robes.
When Ahab makes his appearance with kingly pomp. He tales jis seat while the people applaud their hero next the priests.
Die platform on which the false and true religion will be staged, is ready.
The crowd watches the 850 impressive priests in their garbs full of heathen symbols.
The gods in whom they have trusted have been unable to prove Elijah a false prophet. To their frantic cries, their prayers,their tears, , their humiliation, their revolting ceremonies, their costly and ceaseless sacrifices, the objects of their worship have been strangely indifferent.
Up to this point in time their gods were powerless to produce rain.
The contras between Elijah in his simple attire stood in stark contrass with the dazzing display of the opposition.
Although Elijah stood alone he does not allow the mighty opposition to intimidate him
He whom the whole kingdom has charged with its weight of woe is now before them, apparently defenseless in the presence of the monarch of Israel, the prophets of Baal, the men of war, and the surrounding thousands.
But Elijah is not alone. Above and around him are the protecting hosts of heaven, angels that excel in strength.
Unashamed, unterrified, the prophet stands before the multitude, fully aware of his commission to execute the divine command.
His countenance is lighted with an awful solemnity. In anxious expectancy the people wait for him to speak.
End time Elijahs will also stand before intimidating crowds to testify of truth. How will we fare?
A realization of the solemnity of the Elijah message will inspire us in the proclamation thereof.
Elijah lifts his hands towards heaven. A deadly silence comes over the nervous crowd
1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word
It is as if they listen to the voice of God. The appeal grips their hearts.
The people answer him not a word. Not one in that vast assembly dare reveal loyalty to Jehovah. Like a dark cloud, deception and blindness had overspread Israel.
How does one explains such apathy? How does one explains the apathy of God’s people in these last days?
Every time they refused to do what is right and repent, they became weaker and drifted farther away from God
And now at this critical moment when Elijah appealed to them to follow God, they did not have the spiritual energy to accept the invitation.
If I do not make a daily commitment to follow God, I may not make it later.
The Lord abhors indifference and disloyalty in a time of crisis in His work. The whole universe is watching with inexpressible interest the closing scenes of the great controversy between good and evil. The people of God are nearing the borders of the eternal world; what can be of more importance to them than that they be loyal to the God of heaven?
His special blessing accompanies the labors of men of action, men who will not be swerved from the straight line of duty, but who with divine energy will inquire, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” (Exodus 32:26), men who will not stop merely with the inquiry, but who will demand that those who choose to identify themselves with the people of God shall step forward and reveal unmistakably their allegiance to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Such men make their wills and plans subordinate to the law of God. For love of Him they count not their lives dear unto themselves. Their work is to catch the light from the Word and let it shine forth to the world in clear, steady rays. Fidelity to God is their motto. {PK 148.1}
I am so glad that Elijah did not give up on that hesitant crowd. He appeal again and again and God worked in miracle.
INSPIRATION
Where did Elijah receive inspiration to proclaim his message fearlessly?
At the altar where the sacrifice vir the sins of the people were offered
If you need inspiration to proclaim the Elijah message, look at Calvary where the Lamb of God died for the sins of the world