1 Kings 18:1-46
Q.1. What kind of man was Obadiah? Why was he afraid to tell Ahab he had found Elijah? – (1 Kgs.18:1-16)
After three and a half years of drought, God told Elijah – Go show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth (1 Kgs.18:1 c.f. Jms.5:17). Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace, – feared the Lord greatly (1 Kgs.18:3). This was proved –when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them in fifties in a cave and provided them with bread and water (1 Kgs.18:4). When Elijah asked Obadiah to tell Ahab that he was coming to meet the king, Obadiah was reluctant, fearing that the prophet might again vanish into thin air, and that Ahab then would have him killed (1 Kgs.18:12). However, Elijah promised – As the Lord of hosts lives before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today (1 Kgs.18:15 c.f. 1 Kgs.17:1).
Q.2. How did the contest proposed by Elijah prove the impotency of the false prophets? – (1 Kgs.18:17-29)
Ahab described Elijah as ‘the troubler of Israel’ (1 Kgs.18:17). Elijah corrected Ahab – I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and you have followed the Baals (1 Kgs.18:18). He requested Ahab to gather together all Israel, along with the phoney prophets – four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table (1 Kgs.18:19). He then asked the people – How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” (1 Kgs.18:21). He challenged the false prophets to prove the power of their gods, by bringing a sacrifice saturated by water – Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, He is God. And all the people said, ‘That is a good idea’ (1 Kgs.18:24). In spite of calling on their gods from sun-up to sun-down, and even cutting their bodies … with Elijah mocking their efforts – there was no response from Baal (1 Kgs.18:25-29).
Q.3. What message did the repairing of the altar, the time of sacrifice, and prayer of Elijah give to the people? How did the people respond? – (1 Kgs.18:30-39)
What Elijah did was full of meaning. He repaired the altar of the Lord and took twelve stones, according to the twelve tribes of Israel – to whom the word of the Lord had come saying, ‘Israel shall be your name’ (1 Kgs.18:30-31). He waited, then proceeded – at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice (1 Kgs.18:36). He then prayed a strong and rational prayer – O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done these things at Your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again (1 Kgs.18:36-37). God answered with fire from Heaven, which consumed Elijah’s offering (1 Kgs.18:38). The people fell on their faces and cried – 39 … ‘The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God’ (1 Kgs.18:39).
Q.4. What was the aftermath of the contest between God and evil? How does this story reflect on the nature of God? – (1 Kgs.18:40-46)
Israel had been led astray by Jezebel’s opposition against God. However, now her gods had been vanquished. Elijah ordered – 40 … ‘Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape.’ So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slew them there (1 Kgs.18:40). In faith, Elijah told Ahab to prepare for heavy rain (1 Kgs.18:41-42). He then prayed earnestly with his face to the ground. He sent his servant to look toward the sea for the storm. He saw nothing, although he was sent many times (1 Kgs.18:42-43). The seventh time, Elijah’s servant reported – Behold a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming out of the sea (1 Kgs.18:44). Elijah then sent his servant to warn Ahab, who fled by chariot to Jezreel. However, Elijah outran the horses and arrived in Jezreel first, because – The hand of the Lord was on Elijah (1 Kgs.18:46).