National Standards II: The battle of reason

God focused this move against a cult of 450 prophets

The first standard brought about economic recession, but the second standard focused on a particular set of people. God raised a standard against a fraternity. It was evident that there was contention in Israel between this fraternity of Baal worshippers and Elijah about who the one and true God is, with Elijah famously saying,

“How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” 1 Kgs 18:21

The Israelites had forgotten the God of their ancestors and now served the underperforming Baal. I can imagine there would have been debates and talks about the credibility of Baal. Baal needed his reputation to be restored after failed attempts to restore rain, and thus when Elijah came up with this proposal of an open contest – a free and fair show of power via miraculous fire on a sacrifice, the Baal community jumped on it. This was Baal’s chance at redemption and even Jezebel could not stop this showpiece. This was their chance! For surely the god of Heavens will show up.

Crowds would have gathered, and all Israel was watching - someone had to fall, and winner takes all! We know how this tale ends (1 Kgs 18:16-40) – Baal's 450 prophets prayed the whole day, yet Baal was horribly silent. Elijah alone with a prayer lasting possibly less than 5 minutes had water-licking fire with even the prophets unanimously testifying - the God of Elijah as the victor. God was setting his standards in a country that had forgotten him.

Nevertheless, we need to ask, why did Elijah kill the prophets of Baal before giving Ahab the prophecy of rain?

Remember that God was raising a standard in a nation that had forsaken him. He had to build the faith of the people in Himself as the one and true God. First Baal could not reverse the prophesy of the shut-heavens and secondly, Baal and his prophets failed in a fair contest, the open contest further qualified the case that Baal was impotent compared to the God of Elijah. The CNN, BBC, Sky News, Al Jazeera of Israel would have captured this contest – and evidently reported that in this a fair challenge, Baal and his prophets failed.

So, to restore rain God had to eliminate the prophets of Baal so that the glory goes to Him 100% - no one was worthy, and no god will be qualified to claim His glory and thus the prophets had to go. Isaiah 42:8 tells us,

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“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols."

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When Ahab received the message and all of Israel would hear the prophecy of rain, everyone will remember the contest and the fact that the prophets of Baal were no more - implying that only the God of Elijah could bring this to pass. When the rain came as directed by Elijah, Baal had no more dignity, and his reputation was at an all-time low. Even Jezebel knew Baal's reputation was in tatters and was raging with retribution - desiring Elijah’s head on a platter. Checkmate!!!

God has dealt his second standard by making an open show of the prophets of Baal just like he did at the cross as stated in Colossians 2:15,

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

The prayer for this second standard is clear,

God make a public spectacle of any person(s) or movement that promotes corruption. Disarm, incapacitate and triumph over them by the power of the cross in Jesus' name.

Previously: Economic recession Next: Prophecies of restoration