prophets and kings-第21章
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cked up the treasures of heaven； lost no time in conferring with the priests of Baal； who united with her in cursing the prophet and in defying the wrath of Jehovah。 But notwithstanding their desire to find him who had uttered the word of woe； they were destined to meet with disappointment。 Nor could they conceal from others a knowledge of the judgment pronounced in consequence of the prevailing apostasy。 Tidings of Elijah's denunciation of the sins of Israel； and of his prophecy of swift…coming punishment； quickly spread throughout the land。 The fears of some were aroused； but in general the heavenly message was received with scorn and ridicule。
The prophet's words went into immediate effect。 Those who were at first inclined to scoff at the thought of calamity； soon had occasion for serious reflection； for after a few months the earth； unrefreshed by dew or rain； became dry； and vegetation withered。 As time passed； streams that had never been known to fail began to decrease； and brooks began to dry up。 Yet the people were urged by their leaders to have confidence in the power of Baal and to set aside as idle words the prophecy of Elijah。 The priests still insisted that it was through the power of Baal that the showers of rain fell。 Fear not the God of Elijah； nor tremble at
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His word； they urged； it is Baal that brings forth the harvest in its season and provides for man and beast。
God's message to Ahab gave Jezebel and her priests and all the followers of Baal and Ashtoreth opportunity to test the power of their gods； and； if possible； to prove the word of Elijah false。 Against the assurances of hundreds of idolatrous priests； the prophecy of Elijah stood alone。 If； notwithstanding the prophet's declaration； Baal could still give dew and rain； causing the streams to continue to flow and vegetation to flourish； then let the king of Israel worship him and the people say that he is God。
Determined to keep the people in deception； the priests of Baal continue to offer sacrifices to their gods and to call upon them night and day to refresh the earth。 With costly offerings the priests attempt to appease the anger of their gods； with a zeal and a perseverance worthy of a better cause they linger round their pagan altars and pray earnestly for rain。 Night after night； throughout the doomed land； their cries and entreaties arise。 But no clouds appear in the heavens by day to hide the burning rays of the sun。 No dew or rain refreshes the thirsty earth。 The word of Jehovah stands unchanged by anything the priests of Baal can do。
A year passes； and yet there is no rain。 The earth is parched as if with fire。 The scorching heat of the sun destroys what little vegetation has survived。 Streams dry up； and lowing herds and bleating flocks wander hither and thither in distress。 Once…flourishing fields have become like burning desert sands； a desolate waste。 The groves dedicated to idol worship are leafless； the forest trees； gaunt skeletons
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of nature； afford no shade。 The air is dry and suffocating； dust storms blind the eyes and nearly stop the breath。 Once…prosperous cities and villages have become places of mourning。 Hunger and thirst are telling upon man and beast with fearful mortality。 Famine； with all its horror； comes closer and still closer。
Yet notwithstanding these evidences of God's power； Israel repented not； nor learned the lesson that God would have them learn。 They did not see that He who created nature controls her laws； and can make of them instruments of blessing or of destruction。 Proudhearted； enamored of
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their false worship； they were unwilling to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God； and they began to cast about for some other cause to which to attribute their sufferings。
Jezebel utterly refused to recognize the drought as a judgment from Jehovah。 Unyielding in her determination to defy the God of heaven； she； with nearly the whole of Israel； united in denouncing Elijah as the cause of all their misery。 Had he not borne testimony against their forms of worship？ If only he could be put out of the way； she argued； the anger of their gods would be appeased； and their troubles would end。
Urged on by the queen； Ahab instituted a most diligent search for the hiding place of the prophet。 To the surrounding nations； far and near； he sent messengers to seek for the man whom he hated； yet feared； and in his anxiety to make the search as thorough as possible； he required of these kingdoms and nations an oath that they knew nothing of the whereabouts of the prophet。 But the search was in vain。 The prophet was safe from the malice of the king whose sins had brought upon the land the denunciation of an offended God。
Failing in her efforts against Elijah； Jezebel determined to avenge herself by slaying all the prophets of Jehovah in Israel。 Not one should be left alive。 The infuriated woman carried out her purpose in the massacre of many of God's servants。 Not all； however； perished。 Obadiah； the governor of Ahab's house； yet faithful to God； 〃took an hundred prophets；〃 and at the risk of his own life； 〃hid them by fifty in a cave； and fed them with bread and water。〃 1 Kings 18：4。
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The second year of famine passed； and still the pitiless heavens gave no sign of rain。 Drought and famine continued their devastation throughout the kingdom。 Fathers and mothers； powerless to relieve the sufferings of their children； were forced to see them die。 Yet still apostate Israel refused to humble their hearts before God and continued to murmur against the man by whose word these terrible judgments had been brought upon them。 They seemed unable to discern in their suffering and distress a call to repentance； a divine interposition to save them from taking the fatal step beyond the boundary of Heaven's forgiveness。
The apostasy of Israel was an evil more dreadful than all the multiplied horrors of famine。 God was seeking to free the people from their delusion and lead them to understand their accountability to the One to whom they owed their life and all things。 He was trying to help them to recover their lost faith； and He must needs bring upon them great affliction。
〃Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die？ saith the Lord God： and not that he should return from his ways； and live？〃 〃Cast away from you all your transgressions； whereby ye have transgressed； and make you a new heart and a new spirit： for why will ye die； O house of Israel？ For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth； saith the Lord God： wherefore turn yourselves； and live ye。〃 〃Turn ye； turn ye from your evil ways； for why will ye die； O house of Israel？〃 Ezekiel 18：23； 31； 32； 33：11。
God had sent messengers to Israel； with appeals to return to their allegiance。 Had they heeded these appeals； had
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they turned from Baal to the living God； Elijah's message of judgment would never have been given。 But the warnings that might have been a savor of life unto life had proved to them a savor of death unto death。 Their pride had been wounded； their anger had been aroused against the messengers； and now they regarded with intense hatred the prophet Elijah。 If only he should fall into their hands； gladly they would deliver him to Jezebelas if by silencing his voice they could stay the fulfillment of his words！ In the face of calamity they continued to stand firm in their idolatry。 Thus they were adding to the guilt that had brought the judgments of Heaven upon the land。
For stricken Israel there was but one remedya turning away from the sins that had brought upon them the chastening hand of the Almighty； and a turning to the Lord with full purpose of heart。 To them had been given the assurance； 〃If I shut up heaven that there be no rain； or if I command the locusts to devour the land； or if I send pestilence among My people； if My people； which are called by My name； shall humble themselves； and pray； and seek My face； and turn from their wicked ways； then will I hear from heaven； and will forgive their sin； and will heal their land。〃 2 Chronicles 7
