Theme: WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE?
Text: “Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table. So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.” – 1 Kings 18:19, 20.
Comment: Before God would have mercy on the people so that rain would fall again, the cause of the problem must be dealt with. Elijah began the process by urging Ahab to convene an assembly of the prophets of Baal, (who were being maintained from his kitchen), and representatives of the children of Israel, to meet him at Mount Carmel. The king consented and did so. “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” (1 Kings 18:21) Apparently, the people had been indulging in mixed worship; they combined the service of God as they received from the fathers with the worship of Baal, because of the dread of Jezebel. Of course, the issue of which God people should worship cannot be decided by the King, the priests, Judges or the people as most of them had fallen into idolatry. Only God Almighty could settle the matter by making His decision known, “…and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken”. (1 Kings 18:24) People of God should pray hard not to be lured into satanic practices. – Deuteronomy 18:10-13.