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dares not harm him. The king, so passionate, and so filled with hatred
against Elijah, seems to be powerless and unmanned in his presence.
As he meets the prophet he cannot refrain from speaking the language
of his heart: “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” Elijah, indignant, and
jealous for the honor and glory of God, answers the charge of Ahab
with boldness: “I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s
house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord.”
The prophet, as God’s messenger, had reproved the sins of the
people, denouncing upon them the judgments of God because of their
wickedness. And now, standing alone in conscious innocence, firm in
his integrity, surrounded by the train of armed men, Elijah shows no
timidity, neither does he show the least reverence to the king. The man
whom God has talked with, and who has a clear sense of how God
regards man in his sinful depravity, has no apology to make to Ahab
nor homage to give him. As God’s messenger, Elijah now commands
and Ahab at once obeys as though Elijah were monarch and he the
subject.
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The Sacrifice on Mount Carmel
Elijah demands a convocation at Carmel of all Israel and also of all
the prophets of Baal. The awful solemnity in the looks of the prophet
gives him the appearance of one standing in the presence of the Lord
God of Israel. The condition of Israel in their apostasy demands a firm
demeanor, stern speech, and commanding authority. God prepares the
message to fit the time and occasion. Sometimes He puts His Spirit
upon His messengers to sound an alarm day and night, as did His
messenger John: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” Then, again, men
of action are needed who will not be swerved from duty, but whose
energy will arouse and demand, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” let him
come over with us. God will have a fitting message to meet His people
in their varied conditions.
Swift messengers are sent throughout the kingdom with the mes-
sage from Elijah. Representatives are sent from cities, towns, villages,
and families. All seem in haste to answer the call, as though some
wonderful miracle is to be performed. According to Elijah’s command,
Ahab gathers the prophets of Baal at Carmel. The heart of Israel’s