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Prophets and Kings
The people of God are nearing the borders of the eternal world; what
can be of more importance to them than that they be loyal to the God
of heaven? All through the ages, God has had moral heroes, and He
has them now—those who, like Joseph and Elijah and Daniel, are not
ashamed to acknowledge themselves His peculiar people. His special
blessing accompanies the labors of men of action, men who will not
be swerved from the straight line of duty, but who with divine energy
will inquire, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” (
Exodus 32:26
), men who
will not stop merely with the inquiry, but who will demand that those
who choose to identify themselves with the people of God shall step
forward and reveal unmistakably their allegiance to the King of kings
and Lord of lords. Such men make their wills and plans subordinate to
the law of God. For love of Him they count not their lives dear unto
themselves. Their work is to catch the light from the Word and let it
shine forth to the world in clear, steady rays. Fidelity to God is their
motto.
While Israel on Carmel doubt and hesitate, the voice of Elijah
again breaks the silence: “I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord;
but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore
give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves,
and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I
will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
and call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of
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the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God.”
The proposal of Elijah is so reasonable that the people cannot
well evade it, so they find courage to answer, “It is well spoken.” The
prophets of Baal dare not lift their voices in dissent; and, addressing
them, Elijah directs, “Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and
dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but
put no fire under.”
Outwardly bold and defiant, but with terror in their guilty hearts,
the false priests prepare their altar, laying on the wood and the victim;
and then they begin their incantations. Their shrill cries echo and
re-echo through the forests and the surrounding heights, as they call
on the name of their god, saying, “O Baal, hear us.” The priests gather
about their altar, and with leaping and writhing and screaming, with
tearing of hair and cutting of flesh, they beseech their god to help them.