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56
Royalty and Ruin
valley resounded with the drunken cries of a heathen priesthood who
sacrificed to the sun, moon, and stars.
The people were taught that these idol gods were deities, by
their mystic power ruling the elements of earth, fire, and water. The
running brooks, the streams of living water, the gentle dew, the
showers of rain which caused the fields to bring forth abundantly—
all were credited to the favor of Baal and Ashtoreth instead of to
the Giver of every good and perfect gift. The people forgot that
the living God controlled the sun, the clouds of heaven, and all the
powers of nature.
Through faithful messengers the Lord sent repeated warnings to
the apostate king and the people, but these words of reproof were in
vain. Captivated by the gorgeous display and the fascinating rites
of idol worship, the people gave themselves up to the intoxicat-
ing, degrading pleasures of sensual worship. The light God had so
graciously given them had become darkness.
Never before had the chosen people of God fallen so low in
apostasy. Of the “prophets of Baal” there were four hundred fifty,
besides four hundred “prophets of Asherah.”
1 Kings 18:19
. Nothing
short of the miracle-working power of God could preserve the nation
from complete destruction. Israel had voluntarily separated from
Jehovah, yet in His compassion the Lord still yearned after those
who had been led into sin, and He was about to send them one of
the mightiest of His prophets.
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