Elijah Defeated Baal’s Prophets

Elijah

I had quite a challenge with prophets of the false god, Baal. Because King Ahab and the Israelites have been worshipping idols, God has brought on a long drought. Crops are drying out and cattle are dying.

Ahab

I’m looking for that revolutionary, Elijah. He challenges my kingly authority, and stirs my people up against me. When I find him, I’ll slay him. 

Elijah

Yes, King Ahab is looking for me, to kill me. Well, I’ve decided to trust God and go stand before wicked King Ahab.

Ahab

Elijah! Is that you? Of all people! You dare to come into my presence? You make trouble for all Israel!

Elijah

It is not I who troubles Israel, King Ahab. It is you. You forsake the Lord’s commands and worship Baal. I challenge you to a contest. Bring all Israel to Mount Carmel, and Baal’s prophets that eat at Queen Jezebel’s table. We’ll see who worships the true God.

Ahab

Oh, how fun! Ha! Very well! I will bring all Israel, and Baal’s prophets to Mt. Carmel.

Elijah

Now, the appointed day has come. I stand before a huge crowd. (Shout) People of Israel, how long will you hesitate between two options? If the Lord is God, follow Him, but if Baal, follow him. I alone among the prophet of the Lord am left alive, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.

Ahab

So what is this contest you have in mind, Elijah?

Elijah

Give us two oxen; let the prophets of Baal choose one ox, cut it up, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. I’ll prepare the other ox and lay it on the wood, and I will not put fire under it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The God who answers by fire, He is God.

Ahab

Oh, hear the mob clap! Okay, you priests of Baal and Asherah, let the contest begin!

Prompter & Companions

Let it begin! Let it begin!

Elijah

The priests of Baal are preparing their ox, calling on the name of Baal. Oh, look how they carry on! From morning until noon, leaping around their altar and screaming!

Prompter & Companions

(Jump, shouting) Oh Baal, hear us! Hear us!

Elijah

Call louder! Is Baal not a god? Maybe he’s busy, or is on a journey. Perhaps he’s gotten tired and is napping. Awaken him!

Prompter & Companions

Baal, answer! Answer!

Ahab

Oh, what frenzy! They’re cutting themselves with lances until blood runs! Leaping onto the altar and screaming!

Elijah

Their raving goes on until evening; but there’s no voice, no answer.

Ahab

Well, Elijah, you’ve remained calm enough. Now it’s your turn.

Elijah

All you people, come to me. Bring me twelve stones, one for each tribe of Israel, and I’ll repair the altar of the Lord. Look how those mad priests left it torn down.

Ahab

Elijah is arranging the wood again neatly, and is laying upon ithis ox that he cut up.

Elijah

Pour four pitchers of water on the offering and the wood. Good! Now do it again! Again! Now, O God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, let it be known that You are God in Israel. Answer, so this people may know You are God who turns their heart back again.

Ahab

Oh! What’s this? Fire is falling! It’sconsuming the offering, the wood, even the water! Hear, my people! Fall on your faces! The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God!

Prompter & Companions

The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!

Elijah

King Ahab, seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape. Take them down to the brook Kishon, and I will slay them there.

Prompter & Companions

Seize them! Seize them!

Elijah

Now, King Ahab, eat and drink. I hear the roar of heavy rain; it will end the drought.

Ahab

I doubt that, Elijah.

Elijah

Servant, go look toward the ocean to see if rain is coming.

Ahab

The servant goes and comes back six times to tell Elijah there’s not even a cloud. Ha! Oh! He’s come back a seventh time. He says there’s a cloud as tiny as a man’s hand coming from the sea.

Elijah

King Ahab, mount your chariot. Get down the mountain before rain washes away the road.

Ahab

I guess I had better believe you now, Elijah. Very well. Oh! The sky’s growing black with clouds and wind. Wow! Here it comes!

Prompter & Companions

It’s raining! It’s raining!