O Lord answer me! (25th March 2012)

Scripture Reading: 1kings 18:30~41

30. Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins.

31. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel."

32. With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed.

33. He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood."

34. "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time.

35. The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

36. At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.

37. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

38. Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

39. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!"

40. Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.

41. And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain."

 

 

 

When I was climbed on Mount Carmel, it stroke to me about a story of "Elijah VS the prophets of Baal and Asherah". on Mount Carmel, there was strong winds. I could not stand there very difficult. Also I could see Jezreel pain which is called as a coastal pain of the Mediterranean Sea.

Seen as 17:1, we can see the scene that Elijah said to the King Ahab, ""As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."

There were a green and blue pains. How it could be happened? The many greens would be dried up at that time by words of God? I thought like this. What was the reason?

The King Ahab of North Israel was collapsed. He dominated the country which had fertile lands and people could bringing up a lot of livestock. But he received his wife, Queen Jezebel and then betrayed God as worship the other gods, Baal and Asherah. Worshipping Baal and Asherah was very natural at the period. They are gods for agriculture. In the pains, people, particularly farmers want to be good of their products. To them, worshipping Baal and Asherah is very obvious. However, the result is leaving from only God, Jehhovah who protected and loved the Israelites for settling down there. So, God, through Elijah, punished them as drought for three years. During the period, the King Ahab and Queen Jezebel persecuted the prophets of God. They really did not have any idea to repent their sins and return to God again. But people could know about repenting their sins and returning to God by the drought.

In this point, I could realize the truth; here are two kinds of people. In very good circumstances and conditions, if they suffered unknowable accidents, one like Ahab and Queen Jezebel commits evil deeds, on the other hand, the other like Obadiah and the people returns to God and keep their faith. Who can follow the good way for blessing? Certainly, the latter can do. If we can be the former, the result is the followings as today text.

Finally, Elijah met the King Ahab and the Isralites to suggest competition between the prophets of Baal and Asheral and himself. In front of them, Elijah clearly said "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." (vers.121).

So the flights was begun. it was very simple to fight. They got two bulls. They chose one for themselves, and cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. In the same way, Elijah prepared the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then they called on the name of their god, and Elijah called on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire--he was God. (vers. 22-23). The prophet of Baal and Asherah called their gods. They called it very hard and endless with all their hearts. But there was no sound and sign even though they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. (vers. 28)

Then the turn is to Elijah's. He repaired the altar of the LORD with the people of Israel together. With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he asked people to fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.

You know, at that time, it was drought. The fight was happened on the top of Mount Carmel. How can they get water for it? I was thinking and thinking! the answer was the only one. The waters came form people. In that period. people brought water in leather bags. There was lack of water. the water must be daily water or over one day water for them. However, they followed Elijah to give the waters. Elijah really needed the rare water to show the greatness of God in the Altar. I think it does not need it. Without any water, Elijah showed up the greatness of God to put into the fire for burning out bulls. By being alone, he even did very well. Nevertheless, Elijah asked their self-sacrifice and obedience for God. with them, he prayed like this, read together! vers. 36 ~37

 

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

 

What about the result? Yeah! it was absolute victory to Elijah! Finally, obedient people could see firstly, that the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench, and secondly that Elijah slaughted 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah, then thirdly it was raining.

Now, The World is fighting for getting 'fire'! There are so many people to possess fire of what? fire of greed, power, hatred and fire of dangerous sciences. From long time ago, people have considered fire as 'life' or 'power'. So whoever control and dominate this 'fire', he or she will be the most powerful.

While others of this world are searching for fire, we, Christians, really need to prepare for fire. This fire is against the fire of the world. The fire must be protected by burning all the good in this world. Therefore, faith life is that Christians who received Jesus Christ as their Lord make the fire of the altar burning without letting it die out.

Are you really to be satisfied in this living of the World? Keep the fire in you! The World is endlessly trying your fire. How can we keep it? In any moment, you feel unsatisfied, tired, dull and even sad, you can return to God, our Lord. Also believe in Jesus Christ' Cross, sacrifice and love, moreover, the power of Holy Spirit.

Now we need God for our surviving in this world and happiness for eternal lives. Where is our true call? Where is our good salvation? We already know what it is. I want to share the grace and power with you. we can pray like Elijah "Oh Lord, answer me" to only one true God. we also possess real fire from God. With obedience and self-sacrifice, we have to spend this Lent period. By this, also we can get victories against evil fire of this world.

Let's pray together!

Dear holy and powerful one, only God our Lord. we come to you and worship only you. Please make us obedient with all our hearts. Pouring your blessings on us, we can get energies and powers from you. So everywhere we go, everytime we do something, please be with us and rule over us. In Jesus name we pray Amen.