The Bible Courseනියැදිය

Elijah, King Ahab and the fire – it’s decision time

Reflect:

Are you a natural decision-maker or not? Where you choose to eat out or what film you watch is probably of little consequence, but when it comes to spiritual indecision in the Bible, the consequences are far greater.

What does God do about Israel’s indecision?

God formed and called Israel to live under his rule and reign. Kings governed Israel and were subject to God, too. Throughout the whole land, God’s word was meant to be the final authority. But King Ahab and many others had little regard for God and his word. Ahab's marriage to Jezebel saw the introduction of Baal worship in Israel. So God sent the prophet Elijah as his mouthpiece. Despite the risks, Elijah spoke words of warning, calling the people to make a choice.

‘How long will you waver between two opinions?’ (verse 21)

Imagine a bird walking along a branch that forks. The people of Israel were doing the spiritual splits – they’d got feet in both camps. So the prophet challenged them to make a decision. An altar was set up, and the prophets of Baal prayed, danced, and cut themselves. Nothing happened. Then, as Elijah prayed, the God of Israel sent fire from heaven that consumed the altar. On that decisive day, God showed who Israel should choose to follow.

What does this story mean for us today?

Perhaps you’ve also been wavering – doing the spiritual splits, scared to fully commit. It’s a painful way to live. With God, it’s all or nothing. We can’t have him and other gods too. But the best thing about going all in with the God of the Bible is that he won’t let you down. When the odds were stacked against Elijah, God caused fire to fall. He proved his trustworthiness to Israel then, and he will do the same for you today. If we go all in with him, we find he’s already all in with us. Just look to Jesus.

As Paul said in Romans 8: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?’(verses 31–32).

Respond

What choices do you need to make so that you’re living wholeheartedly for God?