A Hill on which to Stand

I Kings 18:20-21, 37-39, 19:1-3, 13-18

Intro: Anyone remember “Chariots of Fire”? The story of two athletes competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics. Eric Liddell of Scotland was one of the athletes, a devout Christian. Liddel was favored to win the 100 meters dash however he refused to compete when he discovered that the final competition would be run on a Sunday. He said he had to worship the Lord on that day, not run. This cost him the gold medal. Later he won the 400 meters race and returned to his homeland Scotland, an Olympic hero.

We are sometimes forced to choose, and it can be difficult. Today's lesson is about Elijah the prophet and a stand he had to take for the Lord in the face of terrible temptation and danger.

At this time King Ahab had taken Jezebel as wife, and she brought with her prophets of Baal. This caused trouble in Israel.

Choose your camp then trust God I Kings 18: 20-21, 37-39 "20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.   21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, how long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” “37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.   38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.   39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God."

1. This is a meeting between King Ahab, a wicked king even by the standards of that time, and Elijah one of the greatest prophets that ever lived.

2. Ahab was afraid of Elijah as he remembered King Jeraboam’s hand had withered when he extended it out against a prophet.

3. However, he was not afraid to insult and called Elijah a troubler of Israel. Elijah countered back the it was the king that was the troubler. NOTE: There had been a 3 ½ year drought in Israel. So, it is when we forsake God. Our lives become barren and unproductive.

4. V. 20 The king called for a meeting or showdown at a place that was probably used in earlier times as a place to worship God.

5. V. 21 Elijah reproves the people for not making a choice. You cannot mix God and the world.

6. V. 37 Elijah decides to put the matter to a trial. A trial of fire.

   1. The managers of Baal had the advantage. There were 450 of them plus 400 more as supporters.

   2. God’s man was but one, and he had been a poor exile at that.

   3. NOTE: Elijah had special commission from God to demonstrate this power else he would have been tempting God. But this case was extraordinary.

7. V. 38 Fire fell from heaven and consumed the altar as well as the stones it was made of.

8. Imagine the terror of Ahab and the people.

Watch for Slips I Kings 19:1-3a “1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.   2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.   3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba,…”

1. Instead of being honored because of this miracle and instead of the King accepting God, He incensed Jezebel against Elijah.  

   1. Ahab had enough Israelite left in him that he could not in good conscience go against Elijah

   2. V. 1He told Jezebel what Elijah had done. NOTE: HE told her what Elijah had done, not what God had done. This made it look like charms and magic. He wanted to aggravate Jezebel about her beliefs.

2. V. 2 Jezebel threatens Elijah

   1. She did move against him immediately because he was probably enjoying popularity with the people

   2. Her intent may never to have been to kill him but ot make him think she would. She had killed God’s prophets before.

3. V. 3 Elijah runs. His faith falters. Note: Because we win one spiritual victory does not mean we will always win others.

Climb back up I Kings 19: 13b-18 “…And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?   14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.   15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:   16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.   17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.   18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”

1. Elijah was hiding in a cave 

2. God wanted to know what he was doing there. This was not for God’s information, but to have Elijah question his own self as to why he ran

3. V.14 Elijahh implies that he has been taking up for the Lord, that God has not done a lot for Himself. NOTE: We tend to pity ourselves if no one else does. We forget we are responsible for many of our circumstances 

4. God not only sends Elijah on his way but has work for him to do.

   1. The people he would anoint per God’s instructions would bring terrible judgement to Israel

   2. God keeps sinners for their correct time of judgement

   3. God tells Elijah he has 7,000 left that have not bowed to Baal NOTE: God always has a remnant left. His people and His word cannot be erased.

Conclusion: Living for God sometimes requires boldness and courage. And if we slip, He always provides a way back for us to continue His work.