God always wins
I love the Indiana Jones movies. I even like the fourth one that a lot of people hate. I can't help it. I love rooting for the whip carrying archaeologist who always seems to fight on the right side of a conflict.
Indiana Jones always seems to be outnumbered. Whether it's fighting Nazis or Russians or whoever those people are in the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones is usually one man against an entire army of villains. It's fun cinema to watch. The best part is Indiana Jones always wins.
When I study the story of Elijah and the Prophets of Baal (it just sounds like an Indiana Jones movie) in 1 Kings 18, I see a lot of similarities to the fictitious fedora wearing hero. Elijah took on an entire armada of Baal prophets (450), a huge group of Asherah prophets (400) and the King of Israel. By my count, that's 851 people who stood opposed to Elijah.
Just like Indiana Jones, Elijah was on the ride side of the conflict. You see, Israel had fallen into idol worship. Led by their king, Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, Israel had adopted the worship practices of Baal and Asherah. These included immoral sexual practices (like shrine prostitutes) as part of the worship of these fertility gods. When the king and his wife are openly practicing them, it makes it easier for the common people to join in.
Needless to say, God was not pleased. We read in Exodus that God is a jealous God. He doesn't want us to worship anyone or anything other than him. In response to this evil king and the idolatry of the nation, God caused a severe drought to hit Israel. Elijah proclaimed God's message and for three and a half years, it did not rain.
It all comes to a head at Mount Carmel and this duel between Elijah and the Prophets of Baal. Elijah lays out a challenge. Whichever god ignites the offering, he is the true god. All the people agree and we have ourselves a showdown.
By the way, God never loses a showdown. This was no exception. After much dancing and shouting and cutting and even some taunting by Elijah (see just like Indiana Jones), the Baal worshipers see nothing happen. The meat still remains on the altar.
Elijah takes a different approach. After dousing the altar with 12 barrels full of water, he prays. Instantly fire consumes the altar, the offering and even evaporates the water. God wins the showdown. The prophets are then killed and God brings much needed rain to the region.
It would make a pretty good Hollywood movie. Here's the thing: it really happened.
Elijah was foolish enough to take on an entire religion and the king of his nation. Why? Because he knew God was real and would prove himself.
God proves himself everyday in miracles big and small. I would not be where I am if God had not had direct impact on my life. I don't need proof of God. I am living proof of his existence.
Know that God is real and he is alive. He doesn't take kindly to idolatry, and he never, NEVER loses a showdown. Be foolish for him. Stand up to false religion and ideas and even leaders if necessary. God doesn't lose.
Indiana Jones always seems to be outnumbered. Whether it's fighting Nazis or Russians or whoever those people are in the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones is usually one man against an entire army of villains. It's fun cinema to watch. The best part is Indiana Jones always wins.
When I study the story of Elijah and the Prophets of Baal (it just sounds like an Indiana Jones movie) in 1 Kings 18, I see a lot of similarities to the fictitious fedora wearing hero. Elijah took on an entire armada of Baal prophets (450), a huge group of Asherah prophets (400) and the King of Israel. By my count, that's 851 people who stood opposed to Elijah.
Just like Indiana Jones, Elijah was on the ride side of the conflict. You see, Israel had fallen into idol worship. Led by their king, Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, Israel had adopted the worship practices of Baal and Asherah. These included immoral sexual practices (like shrine prostitutes) as part of the worship of these fertility gods. When the king and his wife are openly practicing them, it makes it easier for the common people to join in.
Needless to say, God was not pleased. We read in Exodus that God is a jealous God. He doesn't want us to worship anyone or anything other than him. In response to this evil king and the idolatry of the nation, God caused a severe drought to hit Israel. Elijah proclaimed God's message and for three and a half years, it did not rain.
It all comes to a head at Mount Carmel and this duel between Elijah and the Prophets of Baal. Elijah lays out a challenge. Whichever god ignites the offering, he is the true god. All the people agree and we have ourselves a showdown.
By the way, God never loses a showdown. This was no exception. After much dancing and shouting and cutting and even some taunting by Elijah (see just like Indiana Jones), the Baal worshipers see nothing happen. The meat still remains on the altar.
Elijah takes a different approach. After dousing the altar with 12 barrels full of water, he prays. Instantly fire consumes the altar, the offering and even evaporates the water. God wins the showdown. The prophets are then killed and God brings much needed rain to the region.
It would make a pretty good Hollywood movie. Here's the thing: it really happened.
Elijah was foolish enough to take on an entire religion and the king of his nation. Why? Because he knew God was real and would prove himself.
God proves himself everyday in miracles big and small. I would not be where I am if God had not had direct impact on my life. I don't need proof of God. I am living proof of his existence.
Know that God is real and he is alive. He doesn't take kindly to idolatry, and he never, NEVER loses a showdown. Be foolish for him. Stand up to false religion and ideas and even leaders if necessary. God doesn't lose.
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