The Struggle Against Baalism

I KINGS 18:20, 21, 30-39

GOLDEN TEXT: “Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that his people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.”—I Kings 18:37

WHILE the then revolting tribes of Israel drifted ever further away from God, he continued to deal with them throughout the reigns of several of their kings, in the sense that he showed them every consideration possible, particularly by sending his prophets to warn them, and if possible to bring them back into harmony with his law. Notable among these efforts was the one made by the Prophet Elijah during the reign of King Ahab. Under Ahab, who had married the wicked heathen woman, Jezebel, Israel had departed completely from the worship of Jehovah, and was given over wholly to the worship of Baal.

The narrative of Elijah’s work of reformation in Israel is more than just a historical record from which we may draw helpful lessons, for it is referred to in the New Testament as a type of certain experiences through which the people of God in this age would pass in their efforts to carry out the divine will in their lives. “That woman Jezebel” is referred to in the Book of Revelation as a type of the harlot woman “Babylon,” the false church of the Gospel age. (Rev. 2:20; 17) Elijah’s flight from Jezebel and his isolation for the three and one-half years of famine in Israel, is alluded to, and the three and one-half year period shown to have symbolic significance, representing the twelve hundred and sixty symbolic days, or literal years, during which papal power reigned supreme throughout the nominal church world.—Rev. 11:2,3; 12:6,14; 13:5

It seems clear, then, that Elijah, in his attempt to reform Israel, is scripturally a type of the true church of this age, to whom the commission is given to “command all men every where to repent.” (Acts 17:30,31) This is in keeping with Jesus’ declaration that together with him his followers would be the “light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14) It is also in harmony with Paul’s statement that to us is given “the ministry of reconciliation.”—II Cor. 5:18

Through the Prophet Malachi the Lord declared that he would send Elijah the prophet before the coming of his great and terrible day, and that Elijah’s work would be to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers—in other words, a work of reformation and reconciliation. In the event that this effort would fail, the prophecy declares that God would smite the earth with a “curse.” The effort of the church, the antitypical Elijah, to reform the world has failed, and now the foretold curse is upon the nations, that great “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.”—Mal. 4:5,6; Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21,22

Turning from the typical features of Elijah’s experiences there are practical lessons to be learned from his faithfulness in upholding the true God before Israel, and his boldness in challenging the priests of Baal. The three and one-half years without rain had brought the Israelites to the point where they were willing to give some consideration to the prophet’s message, and this was particularly true of Ahab. Meanwhile, God’s miraculous care of Elijah had strengthened his faith to the point where he was fearless in bringing the issue as to hw was the true God out into the open so that all could see and be convinced for themselves.

Ahab, despite the influence of his wife, Jezebel, co-operated with Elijah to the extent of summoning the people to Mount Carmel. Gathered there, Elijah addressed the people, saying, “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” (I Kings 18:21) Silence was the reply of the people to this exhortation, for the account says that “the people answered him not a word.” There is little wonder that his should be the case. For years Israel had been under the ruler ship of kings who had little respect for the true God. If they ever knew, they had forgotten the miraculous ways in which Jehovah had cared for their nation in times past. Then, even as now, numbers were impressive, and here was a lone man standing out against hundreds of the priests of Baal, asking them to turn away from the crowd to serve his God. Little wonder they were silent.

But Elijah was not dismayed. He knew the power of his God, the living God. He proposed the test with which we are all so familiar. The priests of Baal were given the first opportunity to call upon their god to manifest his acceptance of the sacrifice offered to him by sending down fire from heaven to consume it. The test utterly failed. Elijah knew it would. He couldn’t refrain from a bit of sarcasm, telling them that perhaps Baal was sleeping, or had gone on a journey.

Then he prepared his sacrifice, having it soaked with water, and a trench surrounding the altar filled with water, to avoid all suspicion of trickery. Elijah’s faith was vindicated. Jehovah answered his petition, consuming the sacrifice with fire which even licked up the water in the trench. Then the people were convinced, and said, “The Lord, he is God.” So it will ultimately be throughout the whole earth. The true God will become known to all, and in their allegiance to him the people will be blessed.

QUESTIONS:

What are some of the New Testament references which indicate that Elijah’s experiences have a typical significance?

What is one reason that the “time of trouble” is now upon the world?

When will the true God be worshiped by all?

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