41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “GO, eat and drink (Celebrate), FOR THERE IS THE SOUND OF A HEAVY RAIN.” 1 Kings 18
As we said yesterday, God initiated the confrontation with the prophets of Baal and Asherah or to put it another way, Almighty God picked a fight with those demon gods!
56
A destroyer will come against Babylon;
her warriors will be captured,
and their bows will be broken.
FOR THE LORD IS A GOD OF RETRIBUTION;
HE WILL REPAY IN FULL. Jeremiah 51
16
On that day
they will say to Jerusalem,
“DO NOT FEAR, ZION;
DO NOT LET YOUR HNDS HANG LIMP.
17
THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU,
THE MIGHTY WARRIOR WHO SAVES.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3
God is a Mighty Warrior who pays back/retribution the enemies of His people in full. He is Mighty to save, Hallelujah and Rejoices over His people.
Elijah (one single prophet of God), whose name means, ‘My God is Yahweh’, stepped out of seclusion and issued a public challenge before all Israel;
19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” 1 Kings 18
The Bible lists the full numbers of the false prophets and the source of their support, Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab. The supporters of the false gods had infiltrated to the highest level in the land, just like this present day.
The false prophets were powerless in the coming battle, their god didn’t turn up and the God of Israel showed up in great power.
36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “LORD, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND ISRAEL, let it be known TODAY that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, AND THAT YOU ARE TURNING THEIR HEARTS BACK AGAIN.” 1 Kings 18
God is turning people’s hearts back to Him in these days, in the midst of a power encounter with the forces of evil.
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”
The Fire of God fell and the sacrifice was completely burned up, nothing was left of it.
40 Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. DON’T LET ANYONE GET AWAY!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.
Nor were any of the prophets of the false gods left, they were all killed at once. What the enemy had sought to do to all the prophets of God was now fulfilled on their own followers, full retribution in a single day. God moved with power and finality against those who opposed Him and the people saw it.
May God bless and keep you today.