prophets and kings-第25章
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Carmel overlooked a wide expanse of country； its heights were visible from many parts of the kingdom of Israel。 At the foot of the mount there were vantage points from which could be seen much of what took place above。 God had been signally dishonored by the idolatrous worship carried on under cover of its wooded slopes； and Elijah chose this elevation as the most conspicuous place for the display of God's power and for the vindication of the honor of His name。
Early on the morning of the day appointed； the hosts of apostate Israel； in eager expectancy； gather near the top of the mountain。 Jezebel's prophets march up in imposing array。 In regal pomp the king appears and takes his position at the head of the priests； and the idolaters shout his welcome。 But there is apprehension in the hearts of the priests as they remember that at the word of the prophet the land of Israel for three years and a half has been destitute of dew and rain。 Some fearful crisis is at hand； they feel sure。 The gods in whom they have trusted have been unable to prove Elijah a false prophet。 To their frantic cries； their
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prayers； their tears； their humiliation； their revolting ceremonies； their costly and ceaseless sacrifices； the objects of their worship have been strangely indifferent。
Facing King Ahab and the false prophets； and surrounded by the assembled hosts of Israel； Elijah stands； the only one who has appeared to vindicate the honor of Jehovah。 He whom the whole kingdom has charged with its weight of woe is now before them； apparently defenseless in the presence of the monarch of Israel； the prophets of Baal； the men of war； and the surrounding thousands。 But Elijah is not alone。 Above and around him are the protecting hosts of heaven； angels that excel in strength。
Unashamed； unterrified； the prophet stands before the multitude； fully aware of his commission to execute the divine command。 His countenance is lighted with an awful solemnity。 In anxious expectancy the people wait for him to speak。 Looking first upon the broken…down altar of Jehovah； and then upon the multitude； Elijah cries out in clear； trumpetlike tones； 〃How long halt ye between two opinions？ if the Lord be God； follow Him： but if Baal； then follow him。〃
The people answer him not a word。 Not one in that vast assembly dare reveal loyalty to Jehovah。 Like a dark cloud； deception and blindness had overspread Israel。 Not all at once had this fatal apostasy closed about them； but gradually； as from time to time they had failed to heed the words of warning and reproof that the Lord sent them。 Each departure from rightdoing； each refusal to repent； had deepened their guilt and driven them farther from Heaven。 And now； in this crisis； they persisted in refusing to take their stand for God。
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The Lord abhors indifference and disloyalty in a time of crisis in His work。 The whole universe is watching with inexpressible interest the closing scenes of the great controversy between good and evil。 The people of God are nearing the borders of the eternal world； what can be of more importance to them than that they be loyal to the God of heaven？ All through the ages； God has had moral heroes； and He has them nowthose who； like Joseph and Elijah and Daniel； are not ashamed to acknowledge themselves His peculiar people。 His special blessing accompanies the labors of men of action； men who will not be swerved from the straight line of duty； but who with divine energy will inquire； 〃Who is on the Lord's side？〃 （Exodus 32：26）； men who will not stop merely with the inquiry； but who will demand that those who choose to identify themselves with the people of God shall step forward and reveal unmistakably their allegiance to the King of kings and Lord of lords。 Such men make their wills and plans subordinate to the law of God。 For love of Him they count not their lives dear unto themselves。 Their work is to catch the light from the Word and let it shine forth to the world in clear； steady rays。 Fidelity to God is their motto。
While Israel on Carmel doubt and hesitate； the voice of Elijah again breaks the silence： 〃I； even I only； remain a prophet of the Lord； but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men。 Let them therefore give us two bullocks； and let them choose one bullock for themselves； and cut it in pieces； and lay it on wood； and put no fire under： and I will dress the other bullock； and lay it on wood； and put no fire under： and call ye on the name of your gods； and
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I will call on the name of the Lord： and the God that answereth by fire； let him be God。〃
The proposal of Elijah is so reasonable that the people cannot well evade it； so they find courage to answer； 〃It is well spoken。〃 The prophets of Baal dare not lift their voices in dissent； and； addressing them； Elijah directs； 〃Choose you one bullock for yourselves； and dress it first； for ye are many； and call on the name of your gods； but put no fire under。〃
Outwardly bold and defiant； but with terror in their guilty hearts； the false priests prepare their altar； laying on the wood and the victim； and then they begin their incantations。 Their shrill cries echo and re…echo through the forests and the surrounding heights； as they call on the name of their god； saying； 〃O Baal； hear us。〃 The priests gather about their altar； and with leaping and writhing and screaming； with tearing of hair and cutting of flesh； they beseech their god to help them。
The morning passes； noon comes； and yet there is no evidence that Baal hears the cries of his deluded followers。 There is no voice； no reply to their frantic prayers。 The sacrifice remains unconsumed。
As they continue their frenzied devotions； the crafty priests are continually trying to devise some means by which they may kindle a fire upon the altar and lead the people to believe that the fire has come direct from Baal。 But Elijah watches every movement； and the priests； hoping against hope for some opportunity to deceive； continue to carry on their senseless ceremonies。
〃It came to pass at noon； that Elijah mocked them； and
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said； Cry aloud： for he is a god； either he is talking； or he is pursuing； or he is in a journey； or peradventure he sleepeth； and must be awaked。 And they cried aloud； and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets； till the blood gushed out upon them。 And it came to pass； when midday was past； and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice； that there was neither voice； nor any to answer； nor any that regarded。〃
Gladly would Satan have come to the help of those whom he had deceived； and who were devoted to his service。 Gladly would he have sent the lightning to kindle their sacrifice。 But Jehovah has set Satan's bounds； restrained his power； and not all the enemy's devices can convey one spark to Baal's altar。
At last； their voices hoarse with shouting； their garments stained with blood from self…inflicted wounds； the priests become desperate。 With unabated frenzy they now mingle with their pleading terrible cursings of their sun…god； and Elijah continues to watch intently； for he knows that if by any device the priests should succeed in kindling their altar fire； he would instantly be torn in pieces。
Evening draws on。 The prophets of Baal are weary； faint； confused。 One suggests one thing； and another something else； until finally they cease their efforts。 Their shrieks and curses no longer resound over Carmel。 In despair they retire from the contest。
All day long the people have witnessed the demonstrations of the baffled priests。 They have beheld their wild leaping round the altar； as if they would grasp the burning rays of the sun to serve their purpose。 They have looked
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with horror on the frightful； self…inflicted mutilations of the priests； and have had opportunity to reflect on the follies of idol worship。 Many in the throng are weary of the exhibitions of demonism； and they now await with deepest interest the movements of Elija
