Welcome to week fourteen of Desiring the Kingdom and 1st Kings chapter 18. Here we find one of the most exciting and dramatic showdowns in the entire Bible. Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal to a contest, winner take Israel! Buckle up, because this week is WILD.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
Unlikely Placement
1 Kings 18:1-16
Elijah Confronts Ahab
18 After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, 4 and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) 5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.” 6 So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.
7 And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’” 9 And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10 As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. 11 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’ 12 And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where. And so, when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the Lord from my youth. 13 Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord, how I hid a hundred men of the Lord’s prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? 14 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here”’; and he will kill me.” 15 And Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
Jeremiah 29:4-7
4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Live as You Are Called
17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
Consider
The dialogue between Obadiah and Elijah reads almost like a modern day sitcom. (I might have even performed it as such for my wife.) Although the back-and-forth can be amusing, it’s also dead serious. Obadiah didn’t want Elijah to vanish again and leave him holding the bag. However, all it took was for Elijah to swear by the name of the Lord, and Obadiah was convinced. Like Joseph with Pharaoh, Daniel with Nebuchadnezzar, and Esther with Ahasuerus, Obadiah serving under Ahab is another example of God putting someone in an unlikely position of power or influence so they might serve his plan. Think about where God has put you. It doesn’t have to be a career, it could be personal relationships. And it doesn’t have to influence a nation, changing the circumstances for just one person is often miraculous enough.
Questions for Reflection
- If you struggle to see opportunities to serve God’s plan in the career or personal relationships you have, what is it that you struggle with? Seeing opportunities? Fearing repercussions? Not knowing how to engage with someone? Or is it something else?
Heavenly Father, I know your plan will be carried out and no one can stop it. I also know you have chosen to work through your people, even through me! I want to be your agent, Lord, where and with whom you have placed me. Give me the wisdom to see opportunity, the courage to take action, and the patience to accept whatever comes of it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 2
Troublemaker
1 Kings 18:17-19
17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
RELATED SCRIPTURES
Galatians 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
1 Peter 3:8-17
Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
Consider
The Hebrew word for troubler here is akar, a relatively rare word, used for someone who sets God against his people. In Joshua chapter 7, for example, Achan was said to bring trouble to God’s people (again, akar) and was stoned to death. King Ahab was guilty of many evil acts that stirred up trouble between God and Israel. The Lord wants us to be the exact opposite of an Ahab. We should attract people to God, not drive them away.
Questions for Reflection
- What sort of behavior drives people away from God?
- What sort of behavior attracts people to God?
Dear God, make me humble, because humility is the basis of all virtue. Let me be your hands and feet to a world that desperately needs you. Let me show the fruit of your Spirit within me and keep me from being the reason anyone would turn from you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 3
Silent Is The False God
1 Kings 18:20-29
The Prophets of Baal Defeated
20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” 26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
Romans 1:21-23
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Colossians 3:1-11
Put On the New Self
3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Questions for Reflection
- In these enlightened times (read that with a hint of sarcasm), people don’t fashion idols for false gods and limp around their altars (well, MOST people don’t, anyway). But our related passages from Romans and Colossians lay out other forms of idolatry. What are some examples of modern day idolatry? What false (and therefore silent) gods do people follow today?
- “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as your faith is sincere.” What’s wrong with that statement? Why has it become part of our pop culture lexicon?
Lord, when I think about idolatry, I still picture golden calves and ancient altars. But there is idolatry all around me and even within me. I’m guilty of worshiping the created things instead of the Creator. Even when I call the things good, family or friends or charity, anything that keeps me from doing what you’ve called me to do is an idol. And I am certainly not above pursuing temporary pleasures! Reveal the idols in my world, especially those in my heart, so I might destroy them. Do this we pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 4
Stacking the Deck
1 Kings 18:30-40
30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” 32 and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” 34 And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. 35 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.
36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” 40 And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
Jeremiah 32:17
17 ‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Genesis 18:9-15
9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
Luke 18:26-27
26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Job 42:1-2
Job’s Confession and Repentance
42 Then Job answered the Lord and said:
2
“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Mark 9:21-27
21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
Questions for Reflection
- Why can it be difficult to pray for things that are impossible (or at least extremely unlikely) to happen?
- Where does the faith to pray for such things come from?
Lord, if I’m honest, it’s fear that keeps me from praying big. I’m afraid of what it might mean if you don’t answer. Did I ask for the wrong thing? Is it your will that something else happen, perhaps even the exact opposite of what I’m praying for? When I’m so convinced I’m asking for the right thing, for something you want, I’m afraid to get it wrong. So I pray carefully and give every excuse in advance as to why it may not happen, or worse I just don’t ask at all. Help my unbelief, Lord! Give me faith to pray big! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 5
A Bit Less Dramatically, Rain Comes
1 Kings 18:41-46
The Lord Sends Rain
41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
Luke 18:1-8
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
Daniel 6:6-10
6 Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! 7 All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Matthew 7:7-11
Ask, and It Will Be Given
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Consider
We don’t know for certain whether Elijah bowed in prayer or simply collapsed in exhaustion, there are commentaries taking both positions. Whether he was praying or resting, he still had his servant look for signs of rain coming. Certainly some time did pass between each inspection, as telling him to look again mere moments after he’d just looked would be foolish. Elijah was patient and persevering as he waited for God to answer. When the sign showed up, it seemed small, but Elijah knew it would bring a great rain.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you have a hard time praying faithfully when it seems like God isn’t going to answer? What examples can you think of where God answered prayers that had been offered over a long period of time?
- Have you ever been discouraged when it seems as though God’s answer to prayer is too small? How can we keep that discouragement from happening?
Lord, if I’m honest, today’s prayer is a lot like yesterday’s. Perhaps it’s not a fear of asking for too much or asking for the wrong thing, no perhaps it’s just old fashioned laziness or forgetfulness, but I’m sure guilty of praying those drive-by prayers where I ask once and never ask again. That is simply NEVER how your Word tells me to pray! Oh Lord, forgive me for that. God, give me the wisdom to discipline myself to pray, without fear and without ceasing, until I see that cloud coming, no matter how small it is. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Watch for other Personal Worship pushes!
- Friday you’ll receive Worship Prep guidance and Sunday’s songs. Take time to learn those you don’t know so that you can join in worship in full voice!