Carmel
95
The morning passes, noon comes, and yet there is no evidence that
Baal hears the cries of his deluded followers. There is no voice, no
reply to their frantic prayers. The sacrifice remains unconsumed.
As they continue their frenzied devotions, the crafty priests are
continually trying to devise some means by which they may kindle a
fire upon the altar and lead the people to believe that the fire has come
direct from Baal. But Elijah watches every movement; and the priests,
hoping against hope for some opportunity to deceive, continue to carry
on their senseless ceremonies.
“It came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry
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aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in
a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they
cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and
lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when
midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of
the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer,
nor any that regarded.”
Gladly would Satan have come to the help of those whom he had
deceived, and who were devoted to his service. Gladly would he have
sent the lightning to kindle their sacrifice. But Jehovah has set Satan’s
bounds, restrained his power, and not all the enemy’s devices can
convey one spark to Baal’s altar.
At last, their voices hoarse with shouting, their garments stained
with blood from self-inflicted wounds, the priests become desperate.
With unabated frenzy they now mingle with their pleading terrible
cursings of their sun-god, and Elijah continues to watch intently; for
he knows that if by any device the priests should succeed in kindling
their altar fire, he would instantly be torn in pieces.
Evening draws on. The prophets of Baal are weary, faint, confused.
One suggests one thing, and another something else, until finally they
cease their efforts. Their shrieks and curses no longer resound over
Carmel. In despair they retire from the contest.
All day long the people have witnessed the demonstrations of the
baffled priests. They have beheld their wild leaping round the altar, as
if they would grasp the burning rays of the sun to serve their purpose.
They have looked with horror on the frightful, self-inflicted mutilations
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of the priests, and have had opportunity to reflect on the follies of idol