Elijah and the Prophets of Baal

Episode: 213

Season: 2

Chris is hooked on becoming the most powerful “god” in the his online 3D game, “Battleverse of the Gods!" Suddenly, Superbook sends them to a time when Elijah battles the prophets of Baal. He shows the believers of Baal that there is only one true God. 1 Kings 18:21

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Lesson:

There is only one God and we should worship Him alone.

Extras

Character Profiles
- Jezebel
  
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  Jezebel
  
  Jezebel was a Phoenician princess, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre, which is ancient Phoenicia. Ahab and Jezebel worshiped the false gods Baal and Asherah, erecting shrines to them in Samaria. This was evil in the sight of the Lord.
  
  Bible References
  
  2 Kings 9:7
  1 Kings 16:33
  1 Kings 21:1
  2 Kings 9:1
  1 Kings 16:31
  2 Kings 9:37
- Ahab
  
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  Ahab
  
  Ahab, who ruled the northern kingdom from 874 to 853 BC, was considered the wickedest king of Israel. The Old Testament speaks of Ahab more than any other king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Four chapters are devoted to Ahab’s reign (1 Kings 18, 20–22).
  
  Bible References
  
  1 Kings 16:30
  1 Kings 18:1
  1 Kings 18:17
  1 Kings 18:20
- Elijah
  
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  Elijah
  
  Elijah stood up boldly for God in a time when idolatry had swept his land. After a three-year drought, Elijah went out to confront the king and his false prophets. Confident of the power of God, Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the false god Asherah to a showdown on Mount Carmel.
  
  Bible References
  
  Philippians 4:9
  1 Kings 18:1
  1 Kings 22:1
Adventure Guide
- Gizmo's Bible Adventures - Your New Journey with God
- Elijah and the Prophets of Baal - Family Discussion Guide
Videos
Elijah Prophesies No Rain
- Elijah Prophesies No Rain
- Elijah Challenges King Ahab
- Elijah Prays
- Elijah Lays Out His Challenge
- Elijah Taunts Prophets
- Elijah Rebuilds the Altar
- God Incinerates the Altar
- Israel Repents
- The Rain Returns
Q & A
- Does God stand alone?
  When God made a covenant with Israel on Mount Sinai, He declared that He was the one true God. He gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments, which begins with: “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but Me" (Ex. 20:2-3). King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel promoted the worship of false gods. In reality, there is only one God; every other god is a false God. Here is what the apostle Paul wrote on this subject in 1 Corinthians 8:4b-6: “Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords. But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for Him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.”
  
  Yes, every other so-called god is man-made. There is only one God Who created all that we see from nothing! He is the source of life and He gives us the very breath that we breathe! The apostle Paul in Acts 17: 23-25 was dealing with people who worshiped many other gods. One of their gods didn’t even have a name! Paul talked to them about the one true God, the creator of life. “For as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I'm telling you about. He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since He is Lord of heaven and earth, He doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can't serve His needs—for He has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need.” God does not want to share our worship with any false god! On Mount Carmel, the false prophets prayed to their idols which were silent. Their idols were not real and they could not receive or respond to the worship of the prophets. God immediately responded to Elijah’s prayer on Mount Carmel to prove that God was the one true God of Israel! He sent fire from heaven that burnt up the altar. The people were now convinced that God was the only God. (1 Kings 18:20-38). “And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—He is God! Yes, the Lord is God!” (1 Kings 18:39). Yes, there is only one God and only He is worthy of our worship and praise!
  
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  Exodus 2:3
- Is evil ever punished or is good rewarded by God?
  God sent a drought to Israel that lasted over three years. King Ahab refused to acknowledge that his sin had provoked the anger of God. Instead he blamed Elijah for the drought and all of the trouble that Israel experienced because of it. “When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?” I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead.” (1 Kings 18: 17-18). Sometime later, Jezebel had an innocent man named Naboth killed so Ahab could take ownership of his property. Though it seemed like Ahab and Jezebel had gotten away with many evil, wicked deeds, it was soon time to reap what they had sown. God sent Elijah to tell him that God was about to punish not only him, but his family too – including Jezebel!
  
  They would all experience painful deaths. Elijah’s prophecy of God’s judgment came true. (1 Kings 21:17-22; 1 Kings 22:32-38; 2 Kings 9:30-37). Elijah was weary from doing good and constantly facing those who chose to do evil. At times, it may seem like we are the only ones serving God! This is how it seemed to Elijah who told God that he was the only prophet left! God told Elijah there were 7,000 others who served Him that had never bowed down to Baal. God knows all those who serve Him and are obedient to His Word. He also sees those who choose to do evil and rebel against Him. (1 Kings 19:10-18). Like Elijah, it is easy to become weary of doing good when we are surrounded by evil. God’s angels ministered to and strengthened Elijah.
  
  We also need to spend time in God’s presence to renew our strength. Galatians 6:7-9 says, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Everyone will reap what they have sown whether it is evil or good! This is not the time to give up; there is a harvest of blessing coming to those who sow righteousness!
  
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  Galatians 6:7
- How can we overcome human weakness?
  Elijah was a bold and powerful prophet of God, yet he still was human. Jezebel was furious that Elijah had killed her prophets, and she vowed to kill him. In fear, Elijah ran into the wilderness, sat under a tree, exhausted and depleted, he asked God to take his life. Instead, God sent an angel to feed and strengthen Elijah. He then traveled for 40 days and 40 nights to Mount Sinai by God’s strength. God spoke to him in different ways as Elijah stood in a cave. Then God sent Elijah to Damascus to anoint two kings. Elijah then was sent to train Elisha, and anointed him to succeed Elijah as a prophet. (1 Kings 19:1-21). Elijah had been ready to throw in the towel in his own strength and will. Instead, he was renewed and refreshed by spending time in God’s presence to continue to do God’s will. We are no different than Elijah. We have our ups and downs, our strong and weak times.
  
  Some days we feel like there is nothing we can't do; the next day we may feel like we can't do anything! The answer is to spend time in God’s presence; in praise and worship, reading His Word, praying, and simply waiting on Him. Isaiah 40:31 says: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Jesus demonstrated the need to be alone with God to renew His strength while He was a man on this earth. “But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of His power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear Him preach and to be healed of their diseases.
  
  But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” (Luke 5:15-16). Because Jesus experienced human weakness, He is able to help us when we are weak. Hebrews 4:15 says, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.” Isn't that amazing? What hope and encouragement that should give us! Jesus faced all of the same things we face and He was victorious every time. He was without sin! He felt every weakness we will ever experience. Now He is in heaven as our High Priest interceding for us and standing by to help us have the victory over any type of weakness. Whenever we feel weak and are ready to give up, remember this verse: “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” (Isaiah 40:29).
  
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  Isaiah 40:29
- How can I discern truth?
  The Israelites were deceived by King Ahab and Jezebel, along with her 850 false prophets of Baal and Asherah. When Elijah asked them to choose who they would follow, Baal or the one true God, they were silent. Did they really not know the truth? The Bible tells us that there are many false prophets in this world. 1 John 4:1-2 says: “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit.
  
  You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.” We are told to test every spirit. To do this we need the Holy Spirit to help us discern truth from falsehood. The good news is that the Holy Spirit lives inside every born again believer of Jesus. He can help us no matter where we are or what we are doing.
  
  Jesus sent Him to lead us into all truth! “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” (John 16:13). We also are to determine if words spoken or taught agree with God’s Word. If not, we must reject those words! The Bible says this about prophecies, “But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Thankfully, we have the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in us. We must allow the Spirit of truth to speak to us before we accept something as God’s truth.
  
  Discover God's love and plan for you
  
  John 16:13
- Do I need to decide who I will serve?
  Israel’s own king Ahab made a decision to bow down to Baal after he married the wicked woman named Jezebel. (1 Kings 16:29-33). His idolatry influenced the people of Israel. They also strayed from serving only God. Elijah boldly stood up and challenged the Israelites to make a decision to serve Baal or to serve God. “Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.” (1 Kings 18:21). It is hard to believe that the Israelites would not commit to following God; yet they did not respond! This is nothing new for God’s people. Years before when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Joshua issued a similar challenge to God’s people. “So fear the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15).
  
  Did you notice that Joshua had already made his decision? He did not wait to see who the majority chose to serve! He chose to serve God! This is important for us to understand. We must all make a choice. There is no middle ground. We cannot straddle the fence; one day serving God if it is convenient, and one day following the ways of the world. The leaders of God’s people time and time again called the people to renew their covenant, or promise, to God to serve and obey His commandments.
  
  When we choose God, each day we must dedicate ourselves to serving Him and obeying His Word. The apostle Paul wrote this to God’s people to challenge them to live for God and not for the world. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)
  
  Discover God's love and plan for you
  
  1 Kings 18:21