1Ki 18:22 | KingComments | STEP | Then Elijah acts. He takes the initiative and explains ‘the rules of the game’ for the confrontation between God and Baal. The prophets of Baal may first choose from the two bulls and bring their sacrifice first. They also get the most time to call to their god. Elijah gives them every advantage. He can only do that because he trusts God completely. He does not know the outcome, yet still he does, because he knows God’s will. That brings him to the faith to give this testimony. Baal is the god of the weather and therefore also of the rain. He must be persuaded to give rain again. Fire from heaven on the sacrifice must make clear Who is God. Elijah knows the history of the fire on the sacrifice. He knows the history of Abraham where the fire comes from heaven ( ). He also knows of the fire on the altar and the fire in judgment on Nadab and Abihu ( ). He knows the fire of blessing when the fire strikes the innocent sacrifice and the people can go free. Elijah has let fire come from heaven on enemies ( ), but does not do that on the people. He loves the people. Therefore the fire does not come on the people, but strikes the sacrifice, as it turns out shortly.

‏ 1 Kings 18:22

Elijah Determines the Test

Then Elijah acts. He takes the initiative and explains ‘the rules of the game’ for the confrontation between God and Baal. The prophets of Baal may first choose from the two bulls and bring their sacrifice first. They also get the most time to call to their god. Elijah gives them every advantage. He can only do that because he trusts God completely. He does not know the outcome, yet still he does, because he knows God’s will. That brings him to the faith to give this testimony.

Baal is the god of the weather and therefore also of the rain. He must be persuaded to give rain again. Fire from heaven on the sacrifice must make clear Who is God. Elijah knows the history of the fire on the sacrifice. He knows the history of Abraham where the fire comes from heaven (Gen 19:24). He also knows of the fire on the altar and the fire in judgment on Nadab and Abihu (Lev 9:24 ; Lev 10:1-2). He knows the fire of blessing when the fire strikes the innocent sacrifice and the people can go free. Elijah has let fire come from heaven on enemies (2Kgs 1:10-14), but does not do that on the people. He loves the people. Therefore the fire does not come on the people, but strikes the sacrifice, as it turns out shortly.