860BC-852BC – Elijah the prophet on Mount Carmel

The day God burnt Elijah the prophet’s sacrifice!

After Israel had gone more than three years without rain as a judgment for their idolatry, the prophet Elijah confronted the evil king Ahab and challenged him to a spiritual showdown.

An altar was built and Elijah told Ahab and the Baal prophets to summon Baal to set the offering on fire. Following a ‘no-show’ by Baal, Elijah prayed and a frightening fire broke out. Read the scripture below to find out who won the contest.

Elijah the prophet’s public ministry as a prophet spanned 8 years = 860BC-852BC.

Background Reading:

Elijah Rebukes Ahab – Elijah on Mount Carmel

18:1 Quite some time later—three years later!—this message from the LORD came to Elijah: “Go visit Ahab, and I’ll send some rain to the surface of the ground.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab, right when the famine in Samaria was most severe.

3 Ahab called for Obadiah, his household supervisor. This man, who feared the LORD very much, 4 had taken 100 prophets and had hidden them by fifties in a cave, providing them with food and water when Jezebel was trying to destroy the LORD’s prophets.

5 Ahab had instructed Obadiah, “Go throughout the land to all of the water springs and to all of the valleys. Maybe we’ll find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive. Also, maybe we won’t have to kill some of our cattle.” 6 So they divided the land between them so they could conduct their survey. Ahab went off by himself in one direction and Obadiah went off by himself in the other.

7 While Obadiah was on the road, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized him and bowed down with his face to the ground. “It’s you, isn’t it, my master Elijah?”

8 “I am,” he replied. “Go tell your master, ‘Look! Elijah!’”

9 But Obadiah replied, “What did I do wrong, that you would put me in a position where Ahab would execute me? 10 As surely as the LORD your God lives, there isn’t a nation or kingdom where my master hasn’t tried to find you. Whenever they would say ‘He isn’t here,’ he forced that kingdom or nation to swear that they hadn’t seen you. 11 But now you’re saying ‘Go tell your master, “Elijah is here!”’ 12 As soon as I’ve left you, the Spirit of the LORD will carry you off to I don’t know where! Then when I go tell Ahab and he can’t find you, he’ll kill me, even though I have been your servant and have feared the LORD since I was young! 13 Hasn’t anyone told you, my master, what I did when Jezebel was killing the LORD’s prophets? I hid 100 of the LORD’s prophets by fifties in a cave and provided food and water for them. 14 Now you’re saying, ‘Go tell your master, “Elijah’s here!”’ He’s sure to kill me!”

15 But Elijah promised him, “As the LORD of the Heavenly Armies lives, in whose presence I stand, I will appear to Ahab today.”

16 So Obadiah went out to meet Ahab and reported to him. Then Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab asked him, “Is it really you, you destroyer of Israel?”

18 But Elijah replied, “I’m no destroyer of Israel. But you and your ancestor’s household have been doing that, because you have abandoned the LORD’s commandments and have followed the Baals. 19 So go gather all of Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. Bring along 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah who are funded at Jezebel’s expense.”
1 Kings 18:1-19
Continued in 1 Kings 18:20-46

More Information:

Elijah the prophet – Summary of his life:
· Three times fed with Divine supplies:

o by ravens.

o by a widow.

o by an angel.

· A fearless reformer,

· Rebuked kings,

· Mighty in prayer,

· In one instance yielded to discouragement,

· Not infallible in Judgment,

· Divinely honoured.

Elijah the prophet – The miracles during his life:

· Drought 1Kings 17:1 and James 5:17,

· Meal and oil multiplied 1 Kings 17:14,

· Child restored to life 1 Kings 17:22,

· Sacrifice consumed by fire 1 Kings 18:38,

· Captains and men were slain by fire 2 Kings 1:10,

· Rain brought 1 Kings 18:41,

· Water of Jordan divided 2 Kings 2:8.


Other slides in this module: