Key Lesson: God desires to show Himself strong!

The Reason for the Contest

Backsliding: The people had turned their hearts away from Jehovah and were worshipping Baal. They could not see Jehovah, but they could see Baal. Jehovah required that they live pure and righteous lives. Baal worship included impurity as part of the worship. It was difficult to live Jehovah’s way, but easy to live the way of Baal. Baal is a picture of the world.

Today, many professing Christians drift away from the Lord for similar reasons. Following the world is much more appealing to the flesh. It is easier. The crowds of the world float with ease downstream, while in comparison few are living for God paddling upstream with difficulty. (Luke 9:23) “And he [Jesus] said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Matthew 7:13-14) “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Revival: Elijah’s contest was to identify the true God. Whichever God showed himself to be the true God by burning the sacrifice, the people should follow Him (v.21).

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