1 Kings 18:20 to 18:39 The Lord alone is the one true living God, and we must never compromise by following worthless idols. Hear how Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. See how God answered Elijah's prayer with fire from heaven that consumed water, stones, and sacrifice. Proclaim with the people of Israel: "The Lord, he is God!" Wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel led northern Israel into worshipping Baal, the pagan god of storms. A severe three-year drought gripped the land. The Challenge on the Mountain The prophet [Elijah](/bible/explorer/person/elijah) stood before King Ahab and the gathered crowds on [Mount Carmel](/bible/explorer/place/mount-carmel). Elijah boldly challenged the people: "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him!" Elijah proposed a dramatic test: two bulls on two altars, but no fire set under either. "The God who answers by fire, he is God!" All the people shouted: "It is well spoken!" Hours of Shouting with No Answer The 450 prophets of Baal went first. From morning until noon, they danced around their altar, crying: "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no voice, no sound, and no answer. At noon, Elijah teased them: "Cry aloud, for he is a god! Either he is meditating, or he has wandered away, or he is fast asleep and must be awakened!" They cut themselves with swords and yelled until evening, but nothing happened. False idols are deaf, dumb, and lifeless. Fire Falls from Heaven Elijah repaired the broken altar of the Lord with twelve stones for the twelve tribes. He dug a deep trench, arranged the wood and the bull, and ordered four large jars of water poured over the sacrifice three times until water overflowed the trench! At evening, Elijah stepped forward and prayed a calm, simple prayer: "O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel!" Instantly, the fire of the Lord fell from heaven! It consumed the bull, the wood, the stones, the dust, and licked up all the water in the trench! The people fell on their faces and cried: "The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!" And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God. 1 Kings 18:39 What question did Elijah ask the people of Israel on Mount Carmel? How long will you go limping between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him Why are you wearing sandals? Can anyone find some bread? Where did Ahab buy his chariot? How long will you go limping between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him 1 Kings 18:21 records Elijah confronting their divided loyalty. What did Elijah pour over his altar three times before praying? Four large jars of water each time, completely soaking it Sweet olive oil Fine sand from the desert Spices and perfume Four large jars of water each time, completely soaking it 1 Kings 18:33 to 35 describes Elijah soaking the altar so no human trickery was possible. What happened when Elijah prayed to the God of Abraham? Fire fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, wood, stones, and water It started to snow on the mountain Ahab ran away on foot Nothing happened until morning Fire fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, wood, stones, and water 1 Kings 18:38 records the dramatic descent of divine fire. Identify anything in your life that distracts you from God (like video games or screens) and make sure God has first place in your daily schedule. Lord God of Elijah, you alone are the living God, sovereign over all creation. Thank you that you hear our prayers and display your mighty power. Deliver me from divided loyalties, and give me the boldness to declare before my friends that the Lord, he is God! In Jesus' name, Amen. Why did Elijah soak the sacrifice with water before praying? What does it mean to "limp between two opinions" today, and how can we follow God with our whole heart? Explorers witness God's mighty victory on Mount Carmel, learning that Yahweh alone is the living God who demands undivided loyalty. Show a cup of water and ask what happens when you pour water on a campfire (it goes out!). Then tell how God's fire burned right through water and stone! Why did the people worship Baal if he wasn't real? Baal was popular among surrounding nations who claimed he brought rain and crops. People often copy the culture around them instead of trusting God. 5 min Hook & Water Fire Demo, 12 min Narrative, 8 min Memory Verse Tiles, 5 min Quiz