Chapter Ten - Elijah Stood Up for Pure Worship

 

The Answer 

Jehovah is the true God!  Jehovah is the true God! they cried out, all of them.  (1 Kings 18:39)  At last they saw the truth. However,they had not yet shown any faith. Frankly, to admit that Jehovah is the true God after seeing fire fall from heaven in response to a prayer is not an impressive demonstration of faith.  So Elijah asked more of them.  He aske them to do what they should have done years earlier-obey the Law of  Jehovah.  God's Law said that false prophets and idolaters should be put to death.  (Deuteronomy 23:5-9)  These  Baal priests  were committed enemies of  Jehovah God, and they deliberately worked against his purposes.  Did they deserve mercy? Well, what mercy was ever granted to those innocent children who burned alive as sacrifices to Baal?   (Read Proverbs 21:13; Jeremiah 19:5)  Those men were well beyond the reach of mercy!   So Elijah ordered that they be executed, and executed they were. - 1 KINGS 18:40.

Modern-day critics may decry the conclusion to this test on Mount Carmel.  Some people may worry lest religous zealouts use it to justify violent acts of religious intolerance. And sadly, there are many violent religious fanatics today.  However, Elihah was no fanatic. He was acting on Jehovah's behalf  in just execution.  Furthermore, genuine Christians know that they cannnot follow Elijah's course in taking a sword to the wicked.  Rather, they follow the standard for all disciples of Jesus as found in Christ''s words to Peter: "Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword." - (Matthew 26:52)  Jehovah will use his Son to carry out divine justice in the future. 

The responsibility of a true Christian is to lead a life of faith. (Johm 3:16)  One way to do so is to imitate faithful men  like Elijah.  He worshipped Jehovah exclusively and urged others to do the same.  He boldly exposed as fraudulent a religion that Satan used to lure people awah from Jehovah. And he trusted Jehovah to settle matters instead of relying on his own abilities and will.  Elijah stood up for pure worship.  May all of us imitate his faith!

Next time: Chapter Ten - Elijah Stood Up for Pure Worship - How Long Was the Drought In Elijah's Day?

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