Carmel
93
Early on the morning of the day appointed, the hosts of apostate Is-
rael, in eager expectancy, gather near the top of the mountain. Jezebel’s
prophets march up in imposing array. In regal pomp the king appears
and takes his position at the head of the priests, and the idolaters shout
his welcome. But there is apprehension in the hearts of the priests as
they remember that at the word of the prophet the land of Israel for
three years and a half has been destitute of dew and rain. Some fearful
crisis is at hand, they feel sure. The gods in whom they have trusted
have been unable to prove Elijah a false prophet. To their frantic cries,
their prayers, their tears, their humiliation, their revolting ceremonies,
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their costly and ceaseless sacrifices, the objects of their worship have
been strangely indifferent.
Facing King Ahab and the false prophets, and surrounded by the
assembled hosts of Israel, Elijah stands, the only one who has appeared
to vindicate the honor of Jehovah. He whom the whole kingdom
has charged with its weight of woe is now before them, apparently
defenseless in the presence of the monarch of Israel, the prophets of
Baal, the men of war, and the surrounding thousands. But Elijah is
not alone. Above and around him are the protecting hosts of heaven,
angels that excel in strength.
Unashamed, unterrified, the prophet stands before the multitude,
fully aware of his commission to execute the divine command. His
countenance is lighted with an awful solemnity. In anxious expectancy
the people wait for him to speak. Looking first upon the broken-down
altar of Jehovah, and then upon the multitude, Elijah cries out in clear,
trumpetlike tones, “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the
Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him.”
The people answer him not a word. Not one in that vast assembly
dare reveal loyalty to Jehovah. Like a dark cloud, deception and
blindness had overspread Israel. Not all at once had this fatal apostasy
closed about them, but gradually, as from time to time they had failed
to heed the words of warning and reproof that the Lord sent them.
Each departure from rightdoing, each refusal to repent, had deepened
their guilt and driven them farther from Heaven. And now, in this
crisis, they persisted in refusing to take their stand for God.
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The Lord abhors indifference and disloyalty in a time of crisis in
His work. The whole universe is watching with inexpressible interest
the closing scenes of the great controversy between good and evil.