The Story of Elias and the Prophets of Baal

3 Kings 18

Cast:Achab: the KingAbdias: the governor of Achab’s houseElias: a holy prophet of GodJezabel: Achab’s wifeProphets of Baal: “prophets” of the fake god BaalThe Israelites: people under Achab, who no longer know the true God

Note: Jezabel was the daughter of the King of Tyre, with which Israel had a treaty. When Achab married Jezabel, she brought one of her homeland’s customs with her to Israel – the worship of the god Baal.

Abdias came to his master, the King Achab.

“Yes?” Achab asked. “What is it?”

“Master,” said Abdias, most humbly. “The prophet Elias is waiting outside and wishes to

speak to you.”

So Achab went out to talk to Elias.

“What is it that you want?” Achab asked. “Are you the one who has been troubling Israel?”

- 3 Kings 18:16-17

Elias replied, “I have not troubling Israel. Rather, it is you, who have forgotten the commandments of the Lord, and have followed the

god Baal.”

- 3 Kings 18:18

Elias continued: “But let’s not argue about this. Send for the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, who dine at your wife Jezabel’s table, and tell them to come to

Mount Carmel.”

So Achab sent the message to all the people of Israel, and sent the four hundred

and fifty prophets to Mount Carmel.

- 3 Kings 18:19-20

Maybe a little more than a barbecue…

At Mount Carmel, Elias stood before the people and asked them, “Why do you act unconcerned and do nothing? You have to choose between the Lord

God and Baal.”

The Israelites said nothing, feeling uncomfortable.

So Elias spoke up again. “I am the only prophet left of the Lord, but there are four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. Give us two calves, and the prophets

of Baal will choose one, cut it into pieces, and lay it upon wood on an altar. But there must be no fire under the wood. Then I will prepare the other calf, and put no fire under it, either. Then the prophets of Baal will call upon their

god and I will call upon the Lord God. Whichever God answers, He will be God.”

The people agreed: “That is fair.”

- 3 Kings 18:21-25

The prophets of Baal chose a calf and prepared it. Then they began to call upon the name of Baal. They called from the morning until the afternoon: “O Baal, hear

us!” But nothing happened. At noon, Elias mocked the prophets of Baal: “Shout louder, for Baal is a god, and perhaps he is talking with someone, or he is an inn, or on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep, and needs to be awakened.” So the prophets of Baal shouted louder, and cut themselves with knives, until they were all

covered with blood.

- 3 Kings 18:26-28

When still nothing happened, Elias called the Israelites to him. He repaired the old altar of the Lord, and then poured seven buckets of water over the offering and

the altar, so that it would seem even more impossible to the Israelites for the fire to be lit.

Then Elias knelt down and prayed to God. Almost right after he finished praying, a fire came down from

Heaven and consumed the offering, and even licked upon the water left around the altar.

- 3 Kings 18:29-38

And then the people fell down on their faces, crying: “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!”

- 3 Kings 18:39

Elias told the Israelites to take the prophets of Baal, and kill them – their just punishment.

- 3 Kings 18:40

THE END

Information From:Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible, 3 Kings 18: http://drbo.org/Christ the King, Lord of History by Anne W. Carroll, pp. 35-37

Picture CreditsElias comes to see Achab: http://lnk.nu/google.ca/275nAchab worships Baal: http://lnk.nu/bibleencyclopedia.com/275o.htmInvitation comic: http://www.creationism.org/images/Cartoons/index.htmElias and his altar: http://www.eternityarts.com/gospel-chalk-art/chalk-art-books-dvds/chalk-art-dvds/The Contest: http://lnk.nu/google.ca/275rThe fire lights upon Elias’ altar: http://michael2011.blogspot.ca/2011/01/who-is-god-and-does-he-reveal-himself.htmlThe Israelites worship God: http://jdhparish.multiply.com/links/item/199/Jesus-Divine-Healer-Parishs-Photos-The-Mountain-of-Victory-Mt.-Carmel-FacebookThe prophets of Baal are killed: http://www.masterfile.com/stock-photography/image/860-03173794/Woodcut-Elias-kills-the-prophets-of-Baal-First-Book-of-Kings-18-40-Old-Testament-Catholic-Picture-BibleEnd picture: http://bibleencyclopedia.com/pictures/1_Kings_18_Elijah_and_prophets_of_Baal_on_Mount_Carmel.htm

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