Today’s Devotion
Topic: A Passionate Prophet Vrs His Evil King (Part 10)
(Self Assessment 210)
Background: Last week we saw Elijah give the prophets of Baal the option of choosing first; among the bulls they provided for the sacrifice.
They were to prepare it and place it on an altar with wood and call upon their god to provide the fire. The god who answers by fire—He is God.”
The people thought it was a fair challenge but will the prophets of Baal receive it as fair too? Will they fully participate? If their god provides the fire, will they have the patience to give Elijah a chance to also call on his God? What if fire consumes both altars, whom will Israel serve then?
For answers to these and more, let us zoom straight into today’s Bible discussion.
Text: 1 Kings 18: 25- 29
25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it.
Then they called on the name of Baal from morning until noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.
27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom until their blood flowed.
29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. Amen
Questions:
1. In verse 26, we read that the prophets of Baal called him from morning till noon, but there was no response.
a. Where was Baal?
b. Did the diety Baal exist at all?
c. If so, why was there no response?
2. At noon Elijah began to taunt them to shout louder perhaps Baal was in deep thought, busy or even traveled:
a) Is it possible for a diety to be engaged in the activities listed above, so much so that his followers need to do more to catch his attention? Please explain your answer.
b. Elijah also suggested teasingly that Baal may be asleep and needed to be awakened. How do gods sleep and how can they be woken?
3. Kindly read verse 28 again. They shouted the louder and slashed themselves as was their custom until blood flowed. What kind of custom is that and what do you think was the purpose of it?
4. According to verse 29, midday passed, and the prophets of Baal continued their frantic prophesying until the time of the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. What’s happening right now with Baal and his prophets? What’s going on there?
5. What have you learnt from today’s discussion?
Kindly share your answers with us through this same social media platform (WhatsApp/Facebook). We also learn a lot from what you share.
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