August 10, 2026

59 minutes ago
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Elijah and the Prophets of Baal

1 Kings 17–18 are two very significant chapters in Scripture. They speak of spiritual alignment, the results of spiritual compromise, the path to covenant restoration, and important insights regarding prayer.

In these chapters, Israel was experiencing a severe drought due to breaking covenant with God and worshipping Baal. However, the drought was not only a judgment for breaking their covenant with Yahweh, but also intended to expose the false god of Baal.

Under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, Israel had abandoned God’s laws and established the national worship of this false god. Their betrayal of the Lord was extreme. God had explicitly warned them that if they turned to other gods, “The Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut up the heavens so that it will not rain” (Deuteronomy 11:16-17). They were now experiencing this reaping.

Baal was a Canaanite god worshipped as the god of storms, rain, fertility, and agriculture. By withholding rain - at the decree of Elijah - God was directly challenging Baal’s reality and power: “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (I Kings 17:1). The ensuing drought proved that Baal had no power over nature, as was claimed; Yahweh was the true and living God.

After three years and by the time the events of chapter 18 rolled around, Israel was nearing repentance. They had been clearly shown that the physical drought was a symptom of their spiritual drought. At this point, 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!’” (verse 21 NLT). The needed rain could not return until they repented, acknowledged God, and returned to Him. Yet these Israelites were still not totally convinced; the last part of verse 21 says, “But the people were completely silent.”

Why Mount Carmel

So Elijah staged his famous public showdown on Baal’s home turf, Mt Carmel: two altars, no fire, and prayer to each perceived deity. The god who answered by fire would be proven as the true and living God. Why this mountain? At the time, Mount Carmel was considered a sacred “high place” dedicated to Baal worship! By choosing Carmel, Elijah was giving the false prophets every advantage. If Baal could manifest power anywhere, surely it would be on “his own” holy mountain.

Also, the ridge of Mount Carmel stands roughly 1700 feet above sea level and looks directly over the vast Jezreel Valley, the homeland of Queen Jezebel! Talk about a word picture! The ridge formed a large natural amphitheater, providing maximum visibility for the large crowd of Israelites King Ahab had summoned. The entire crowd could see the altars clearly, leaving no room for trickery or excuses when the true God answered by fire.

And finally, on Mount Carmel was a second altar originally dedicated to Yahweh, which had been torn down and abandoned during Ahab’s and Jezebel’s reign. By choosing this site, Elijah intended to rebuild the broken altar of the Lord, using 12 stones to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. The symbolism and meanings are unmistakable.

Baal’s 450 prophets failed, of course, despite self-mutilation and hours of impassioned pleas and rituals.

It was Elijah’s turn. He first rebuilt the broken-down altar to the Lord (verse 31) - there’s a sermon! Then he prepared the sacrifice. But before praying, he decided to leave no doubt as to God’s power, and had individuals pour water on his offering - three times! (Verses 32-35)

Then he prayed:

“And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, ‘LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again,’” (1 Kings 18:36-37).

God answered by fire from heaven and consumed not only Elijah’s sacrifice, but the wood, stones, dust, and water! (Verse 38) The incredible miracle caused the crowd of Israelites to fall on their faces and declare, “The Lord, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39).

Well, I guess so!

Sending the Rain

And once the spiritual idolatry was confronted, repentance occurred, and the false prophets were removed, the barrier withholding rain was gone. However, even though God had promised Elijah, “I will send rain on the earth” (1 Kings 18:1), there was one significant act required from Elijah. He climbed to the very top of Mount Carmel, bowed to the earth, and prayed to the true and living God seven times, sending his servant out after each prayer to look toward the sea. Finally, a cloud appeared, and a deluge was released.

This part of the story has always amazed me. God’s promise was not a substitute for prayer; it was the foundation for it. Elijah agreed with and stood on God’s stated purpose, then birthed it through prayer. Could there be a greater picture of Yahweh’s plan of partnering with us? We birth on earth through prayer what He determines from heaven.

Elijah prayed seven times, demonstrating his persistent faith. In Biblical symbolism, the number 7 signifies completeness and covenant. His sevenfold prayer marks the complete end of the judgment period, and the full restoration of covenant and blessing.

And just to make sure we understand that it truly was Elijah’s prayers God used to bring rain, in the New Testament, James uses his prayers as an example of effectual prayer:

“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”(James 5:15-18)

James highlights Elijah’s humanness by using a word meaning he was “subject to the same feelings, weaknesses, and frailties” (James 5:17) as all of us (homoiopathes, in Greek).(1) Don’t deify Elijah; He was human like the rest of us. And the true and living God that used him can, and will, use us.

Pray with me:

Father, You did not give up on the human race after Adam’s fall. Nor did You give up on Israel when she rejected You and turned to false gods. You worked to bring them back into covenant with You, breaking off deception and restoring them. Thank You for Your mercy and kindness.

You are now doing the same for America and other nations. Your heart is to redeem, and we believe the greatest wave of redemptive power in history is about to flow throughout the earth. You have planned a great harvest in the Middle East, one that will bring millions into Your family. The powers of darkness there will not stop You.

We do not look toward this Friday night of prayer with pride and lightheartedness. We approach it in humility; and yet we also do so in confidence, believing in Your great mercy, love, power, and authority. The principalities and powers behind false gods are not a threat to You. You are answering our prayers for their overthrow, just as You did Elijah’s, and will continue to do so. We are expecting You to show Yourself strong around the world on that night. Break the back of evil forces blinding people to the truth of Jesus Christ and His redeeming work. Cause multitudes to see Your glory. Do so through miracles, dreams and visions, and the power of the gospel. And lead us as we prepare for this night.

And, of course, we pray for our government leaders. Please give them wisdom, accuracy, great discernment, and success. Lead them as they make decisions that shape the world.

All of this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.