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Royalty and Ruin
us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in
pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will
prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under
it. Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the
name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.”
Elijah’s proposal was so reasonable that the people answered,
“It is well spoken.” The prophets of Baal dared not refuse. Elijah
directed them, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first,
for you are many.”
With terror in their guilty hearts, the false priests laid the wood
and the victim on their altar. Then they began their unholy rites.
Their shrill cries echoed through the forests and the surrounding
heights: “O Baal, hear us!” Leaping, writhing, and screaming, with
tearing of hair and cutting of flesh, the priests pleaded with their god
to help them. Morning passed, noon came, and yet there was no
reply to their frantic prayers. The sacrifice remained unconsumed.
As they continued their frenzied worship, the crafty priests con-
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tinually tried to find some way to kindle a fire on the altar. But Elijah
watched every movement; and the priests, hoping in vain for some
opportunity to deceive, continued their senseless ceremonies.
“And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, ‘Cry
aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he
is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.’
So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with
knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. ... But there
was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.”
Gladly would Satan have helped those who were devoted to his
service. Gladly would he have sent lightning to ignite their sacrifice.
But Jehovah had set Satan’s limits, and he could not carry one spark
to Baal’s altar.
At last, their voices hoarse with shouting, the priests became
desperate. With great frenzy they mixed terrible cursings of their
sun-god in with their pleading. Elijah continued to watch intently.
He knew that if by any means the priests succeeded in lighting their
altar fire, he would instantly be torn to pieces.