stories from the old testament that build faith & devotion

Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Indecision 1 Kings 18 Historically, God’s people always fail when

they are “indecisive” God expects total commitment

Josh 24:14-15 Jas 1:5-8 Rev 3:15-16 It does no good to “wet one’s finger to check

the wind” before deciding how to act

Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Indecision 1 Kings 18 This story is one of the Bible’s more

awesome displays of God’s power Israel “hesitated between 2 opinions” v. 21 God sent a mighty prophet to move them out

of their double-mindedness, and to convince them Baal was no match for mighty Jehovah


A Story Of Indecision 1 Kings 18 Before The Contest On Mt. Carmel

Elijah prophesied there would be no rain “…except by my word” 17:1

God had already declared this to be so re: idols Lev 26:14, 19 Deut 11:16-17

Israel was “very guilty” of this 16:29-33



Elijah prayed for such hardship on Israel… …to get their attention so they would repent …so they would know that God had meant

what He said It did not rain for 3½ years Jas 5:17



God instructs Elijah to meet Ahab…“I will send rain upon the earth” v. 1 God’s decision to send rain was not due to

Israel’s repentance…she hadn’t It had to be His omniscience for what was

about to take place on Mt. Carmel



Ahab & Obadiah (servant) were out trying to find water & green pasture land vv. 5-6

Obadiah “feared the Lord” vv. 3b-4 He had previously hidden 100 prophets of

the Lord from Jezebel’s wrath



Elijah meets Obadiah…tells him to inform Ahab that he wants to see him v. 8

Obadiah objects…he fears if Ahab comes and the Spirit of the Lord has taken Elijah away, the king would kill him vv. 9-14



Elijah reassures Obadiah v. 15 Upon seeing the prophet, Ahab says “Is that

you, O troubler of Israel?” v. 17 Elijah replies, “I have not troubled Israel…

you have by following Baal” v. 18



A Sad Reality – Often, when some bring error in among the

Lord’s people, they usually accuse those who defend the truth as “trouble-makers”(the instrument, institutionalism)



A Sad Reality – If a preacher feels the need to preach on a

“controversial topic” (M/D/R), sometimes brethren caution against it, claiming “You’ll only stir up trouble!”



A Sad Reality – The trouble does not come from those who

stand up in defense of God and His word The trouble comes from those who

introduce unauthorized practices/teaching



Elijah proposed a meeting v. 19 Bring all your prophets (850) to Mt. Carmel

Initially, Elijah does not address Ahab nor all his false prophets

His first words were to THE PEOPLE v. 21a



Elijah’s words to the people v. 21a “How long will you hesitate (waffle)

between two opinions?” “Make up your minds between God & Baal”

Josh 24:14-15 Rev 3:15-16



Elijah’s words to the people v. 21a Israel’s real problem a lack of total and

complete commitment to God God has always demanded this type of loyalty

from His people Deut 6:5 Mt 22:37-38 Anything else is failure Rev 3:15-16



The people’s failure to answer the prophet proves their lack of commitment v. 21b

Elijah’s “proposal”…a contest to win back the hearts of the people vv. 22-24 He would battle Baal’s prophets “alone”



Elijah’s “proposal”…a contest to win back the hearts of the people vv. 22-24 Each side would prepare a burnt offering

except for the fire…call on their god Whoever answered would be “God”



Baal’s prophets agreed v. 24 No doubt…they liked these “conditions” Baal was the god of storms, lightning (fire)

and fertility Surely he would win the contest


A Story Of Indecision 1 Kings 18 The Contest On Mt. Carmel

Elijah let Baal’s prophets go first vv. 25-29 They began calling on Baal in the morning They “leaped around the altar” Baal was silent At noon, Elijah mocked them cp. Prov 26:5


stories from the old testament that build faith & devotion

Documents

carmela sad reality

gods people

wordthe trouble

defense of god

gods decision

troublemakersthe instrument

obadiah objectshe fears

carmelahab obadiah servant