Today’s Devotion
Topic: A Passionate Prophet Vrs His Evil King (Part 12)
(Self Assessment 212)
Background: The prophets of Baal called on their god yet there was no fire.
When it got to Elijah’s turn, the prophet of God raised an altar of twelve stones and asked that water is poured over the offering and the firewood.
At his request, the process was repeated three more times. Now, what is the prophet of God trying to prove? Will fire indeed come from heaven and consume his sacrifice? Even if it would, can it consume a wet offering and an altar?
For answers to these and more, let us zoom straight into today’s Bible study.
Text: 1 Kings 18: 36- 39
36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the 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, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, 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!” Amen
Questions:
1. Kindly read verse 36 again. Why did Elijah mention the things below in his prayer and what do they mean:
a) “Let it be known today that you are God in Israel.”
b) “And that I am your servant”
c) “And have done all these things at your command.”
2. How does verse 37 summarise the entire purpose behind Elijah call for this ‘contest’ in the first place?
3. Please read verse 38 again. Did Jehovah indeed answer by fire? How does the verse go to prove that this particular fire that came to consume the sacrifice, was beyond any ordinary fire?
4. Kindly meditate on, and explain verse 39.
5. What have you learnt from today’s discussion?
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