Elijah and the Prophets of Baal

This isn't the first story where a prophet of the Lord gathers a group of idolatrous Hebrews around an altar with an offer of forgiveness and restoration, but it might be the most dramatic version of the story.

Moses had long ago gathered a group of Hebrews, the taste of golden calf still bitter in their mouths, and had read the covenant to them and then shared a sacrifice with them. Elijah is surrounded by Baal worshipping Israelites when he rebuilds an altar on Mount Carmel. The mumbo-jumbo religion of the prophets of Baal as they call for fire from heaven is still buzzing in the background as the people lean in to hear the quiet prayer of Elijah.

Elijah prayed for one thing with three purposes.

He prayed that the fire would fall, so that:

1. The people would know that there was one God in Israel.
2. The people would know that Elijah was God's chosen prophet.
3. The people would know that God was a God who received repentant sinners.

He sent the fire.
Then he sent the rain.

But the story is worth hearing again.