On Mount Carmel

The episode of the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel is one of the most prominent and dramatic events in his life as recorded in the First Book of Kings, chapter 18.

During the reign of King Ahab of Israel, who was married to Jezebel and had promoted the worship of Baal instead of the true God, the land was suffering from a severe drought. In this context, Elijah appeared before King Ahab and directly challenged him regarding Israel’s apostasy and the urgent need to return to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Elijah proposed a test to demonstrate who the true God was: to gather the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah on Mount Carmel, along with all the people of Israel. On Mount Carmel, Elijah addressed the people and said: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

The challenge was clear: the prophets of Baal were to prepare a sacrifice and place it upon the altar, but they were not to set fire to it. Then, they would call upon Baal, while Elijah would call upon the God of Israel. The God who answered with fire would be acknowledged as the true God.

The prophets of Baal began their invocation from morning until noon, dancing and crying out to Baal, but there was no response. Elijah mocked them, suggesting that perhaps Baal was busy, traveling, or sleeping. Then, in desperation, the prophets of Baal began to cut themselves in an attempt to provoke a response from their god, but still no fire came.

Then it was Elijah’s turn. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was in ruins, arranged the wood, and placed the sacrifice upon it. He then instructed the men to fill four jars with water and pour them over the sacrifice and the wood. After this, Elijah prayed to God: “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that You are God in Israel, and that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your command” (1 Kings 18:36).

Immediately after Elijah’s prayer, the fire of God fell from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and even the water in the trench around the altar. The miracle was so overwhelming that the people of Israel fell on their faces and exclaimed: “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39).

Elijah then ordered that the prophets of Baal be captured and taken to the Kishon Valley, where they were executed. After this victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah went up to the mountain, bowed down to the ground, and fervently prayed to God for rain to return to the dry land. God heard his prayer and sent a great rain upon the land.

This episode on Mount Carmel not only demonstrated God’s power and authority over false gods but also established Elijah as a courageous and powerful prophet in Israel’s history. His confrontation with the prophets of Baal not only restored the people’s faith in the true God but also served as a call to repentance and the restoration of true worship in Israel.

The episode of Elijah on Mount Carmel is fascinating from both a historical and a religious perspective. From a historical standpoint, the narrative provides a glimpse into the political and religious dynamics of ancient Israel, highlighting the struggle between the worship of the true God and the influence of pagan practices, represented here by the prophets of Baal and Asherah under Ahab’s reign.

From a religious perspective, this event stands as a central moment in the biblical narrative, serving as a miraculous demonstration of God’s power and His presence among His people. The confrontation on Mount Carmel not only confirmed divine authority over false deities but also reaffirmed the faith of the people in the God of Israel and their commitment to justice and truth.

Ultimately, the story of Mount Carmel is a powerful illustration of the importance of faith, trust in God, and the courageous confrontation of injustice and idolatry. As part of the religious tradition, this episode has inspired and taught enduring lessons about faithfulness to God and the necessity of living according to His commandments.