Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 1 Kings 18: 30-32, NIV
Gracious God, we are anxious to hear what You have to say to us today. Please speak to us, in Jesus’ name; Amen
Approximately three years had gone by since rain had fallen upon the land. The Lord speaks to Elijah, and sends him to confront Ahab. God is about to send rain. The famine has taken its toll upon the land. There are no pastures left for the cattle to graze in. On this particular day, king Ahab sent for Obadiah, a faithful follower of the Lord, who was in charge of his palace.
When Obadiah arrives, Ahab explains his plan: they are both to go in opposite directions and search for pastures; in an attempt to save the cattle. It is at this time that Elijah and Obadiah’s paths cross. Upon seeing the man of God, Obadiah pays him obeisance; wondering, if in fact, this is Elijah, whom Ahab has sought with such vengeance! Surely there is going to be a showdown when these two meet! All the people are summoned to meet on the top of Mount Carmel. The 450 prophets of Baal have also been summoned!
The day of the showdown has arrived. Baal’s prophets, like Goliath, climb up to Mount Carmel, with their spears and swords (28). They shout, and dance, and cut themselves, until the blood flows! Elijah, like David, goes with his “twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, ‘Your name shall be Israel‘ ” (31). You see my friends, Elijah is in tune with God! He knows that in the name of the LORD of hosts, he shall “overcome.” The prophets of Baal are ready for a show, but the servant of the LORD is waiting for God to show up and manifest His glory!
The results are astonishing! The prophets of Baal exhausted themselves with all of their antics. In their desperation their shouts grew louder, and louder. Elijah waited on them, “until the time for the evening sacrifice.” Calling the people to himself, “[w]ith the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord[.]” He laid the wood; and placed the bull that had been cut in pieces, upon it. Next he poured twelve full jars of water on top of, and around, the offering on the altar.
Now, in total faith, he calls upon the God of his forefathers, and His God: ” ‘O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that [Y]ou are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me O Lord… so these people will know that [Y]ou, O LORD are God…’ ”
The result? Fire came down from God and devoured everything! It “licked up the water,” consumed the wood, the sacrifice, and the stones. It even burned the dirt! God had accepted the complete offering! “When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The LORD-he is God …! Elijah’s desire to bring glory to God had been accomplished, when he repaired the altar of the Lord, with twelve stones!