Elijah Reflections, Part II

In chapter 18 we come to one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible.  Elijah is “at the top of his game.”  He is confrontational, unafraid, bold, and triumphant.  Out in a field he meets face to face with Ahab, who calls him the “troubler of Israel.”  Elijah commands him to arrange a challenge between Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who Jezebel keeps up with government money.

Note here about “troubler of Israel.”  Ahab’s accusation is really funny, as is Elijah’s response. Are you a “troubler of America?”  a “troubler of your work place?”  Should you be?  If being a troubler of anything comes down to taking a moral stand that everyone knows they should but is uncomfortable with, then it’s a good thing.  If it’s drawing attention to yourself, it’s not.     You won’t get more friends by taking a stand.  You might lose them.  But we all have to at one point in our lives, and it always incurs a risk.  I think it’s something that makes us human, to be able to be a troubler when necessary.

The challenge Elijah makes is not just random.  It’s designed to mock Baal and his consort Asherah all the way.  First, Baal was portrayed as riding a bull, and that is what is sacrificed.  Baal was the god of fertility and storms, portrayed as holding lightning, or fire from heaven, which is what the prophets are trying to get from Baal to consume the sacrifice.  (Similar to Moses and ten plagues; each was designed to thwart an Egyptian god.)  There is a drought, which Baal should have prevented, and Elijah “wastes” precious water, knowing the drought will soon be over, by pouring water three times over his sacrifice.  The prophets mutilate themselves, which they commonly did in their worship. Elijah mocks (18:27) Baal along the lines of the mythology, because Baal was believed to go on journeys to far countries, have sex, sleep, etc.  In fact, some translations have Elijah saying, “Is Baal in the toilet?” 

Elijah may come off in this story as wildly intolerant.  We Americans aren’t supposed to make fun of other people’s religious beliefs, and we shouldn't.  Let’s remember the level of persecution that the godly Jews were experiencing under Jezebel and Ahab—he’s only giving them back what’s been given.

Elijah’s words to the Israelites are significant:  “How long (18:21) will you falter, or hesitate, between two opinions.  If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.”  In other words, you can’t have it both ways.  I think this is his message for us today.

You know the rest of the story.  Nothing works for the Baal worshipers, then Elijah takes over, drenches the sacrifice with water just to emphasize the miraculous that is going to take place, prays (18:36-37) for the people to understand who God is and how much He loves them and wants their allegiance and worship, and lightning comes from heaven to consume the sacrifice.  The people turn into a mob or a congregation, depending on your viewpoint.  They are humbled by the miracle and turn on the Baal prophets and kill them all at Elijah’s command.  Again, not a very tolerant ending.  And the war is not over.