1Kings.18.25 - Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "You go first, for there are many of you. Choose one of the bulls and prepare it and call on the name of your god. But do not set fire to the wood."
1Kgs.18.26 - So they prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. Then they called on the name of Baal all morning, shouting, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no reply of any kind. Then they danced wildly around the altar they had made.
1Kgs.18.27 - About noontime Elijah began mocking them. "You'll have to shout louder," he scoffed, "for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or he is relieving himself. Or maybe he is away on a trip, or he is asleep and needs to be wakened!"
1Kgs.18.28 - So they shouted louder, and following their normal custom, they cut themselves with knives and swords until the blood gushed out.
1Kgs.18.29 - They raved all afternoon until the time of the evening sacrifice, but still there was no reply, no voice, no answer. They really believed in their god Imagine them increasing tempo and cutting themselves
They actually believe that he exists as thought by them. What a big falling hand
Slavery or bondage of satan. Imagine having to serve a god that tells you to inflict pain on yourself just to get his attention. There are many interesting things from the actions of the prophet of Baal.
1. The prophet of Baal knew their god
To them, their god was the best, he could answer their prayers and petitions. They didn't even see what Elijah asked then to do as a big deal based on the previous things that they've seen their god do in their midst.
2 The prophets of Baal Trusted and Believed in their god
It's sounds silly but it's the truth, the kind of faith this prophets had ehhh, I tell you if believers have half of this kind of faith Wahala for the devil. It's not mustard seed kinda of faith if you know what I mean.....
The believed 100 percent that Baal was going to answer.... I want us to know they didn't see any option B, backup plan or whatsoever...
3 The prophet of Baal had a Custom
We see them cutting themselves according to their custom. What's the custom of a believer today, *a lifestyle of prayers and daily studying of the word of God*
Don't just see custom, they knew a principle that if they applied their prayers will be answered. Yes the principle was flawed I know, no you and me Shey we even know and understand basic principles of the scriptures like this ehh
4 The prophet of Baal didn't let their situation mock them
Instead of feeling defeated, They called on their god the more
As believers when life throws challenges at us, When it makes it seems everything is going left left, remember, They drew near to Baal.
Same should be expected of us.... No matter the situation, get More closer to him(God).... This is very important. Let it not be that it's not time you stop praying and studying; You stop fellowshipping
I need you to understand that at this point.....
It was so obvious that Baal was not going to answer them But this attitude of them, We need it as believers.
Finally;
5. They followed Baal till the END, they followed him until they died.. They knew what was astake, even after the fire fell, they didn't deannounce Baal.
Are we willing to follow this Jesus till the end like this. Many of us don't know the Jesus we are serving.... We are not sure of our Conviction at all.
They did not say, Okay let's follow your God Elijah....
They were faithful till the end. I hope I been able to tell you in one way or the other.. That your understanding of Jesus is very important. How far are you willing to go..?
Hold on to your God. At least we have seen from this story that serving the devil is stressful, plus going to hell again. It's not worth it.