The story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal is one of the most dramatic moments in the Old Testament.
It takes place during a time when the people of Israel had turned away from God, following King Ahab and his wife Jezebel into the worship of Baal. Elijah, a prophet of the Lord, stepped forward to challenge this false worship and call the nation back to the true God.
The Bible records that Elijah told King Ahab to gather all Israel at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal. Elijah confronted the people directly, saying, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21, NIV). The people remained silent, unsure of what to believe.
Elijah then proposed a test to reveal who the true God was. He told the prophets of Baal to prepare a bull for sacrifice and place it on the altar without setting fire to it. Elijah would do the same. Then each side would call upon their deity, and “the god who answers by fire—he is God” (1 Kings 18:24, NIV). The people agreed.
The prophets of Baal prepared their sacrifice and called on Baal “from morning till noon” (1 Kings 18:26, NIV). They shouted, danced, and even slashed themselves as was their custom, but “there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention” (1 Kings 18:29, NIV). Elijah mocked them, saying, “Shout louder! … Maybe he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened” (1 Kings 18:27, NIV).
When it was Elijah’s turn, he repaired the Lord’s altar, arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces, and then did something unexpected: he soaked the entire altar with water three times until “the water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench” (1 Kings 18:35, NIV). This made it clear that no trickery could be involved.
Elijah prayed, “Let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant” (1 Kings 18:36, NIV). Immediately, “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” (1 Kings 18:38, NIV). The people fell to the ground and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” (1 Kings 18:39, NIV).
Elijah then commanded the people to seize the prophets of Baal, and they were executed at the Kishon Valley. After this event, Elijah prayed for rain, and God ended the long drought that had plagued the land.
This story stands as a powerful reminder of God’s authority and the importance of choosing whom we will serve. It shows courage, faith, and the unmistakable power of God in answering those who call upon Him.