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fire； like brilliant flashes of lightning； descend from heaven upon the upreared altar； consuming the sacrifice； licking up the water in the trench； and consuming even the stones of the altar。 The brilliancy of the blaze illumines the mountain and dazzles the eyes of the multitude。 In the valleys below； where many are watching in anxious suspense the movements of those above； the descent of fire is clearly seen； and all are amazed at the sight。 It resembles the pillar of fire which at the Red Sea separated the children of Israel from the Egyptian host。
The people on the mount prostrate themselves in awe before the unseen God。 They dare not continue to look upon the Heaven…sent fire。 They fear that they themselves will be consumed； and； convicted of their duty to acknowledge the God of Elijah as the God of their fathers； to whom they owe allegiance； they cry out together as with one voice； 〃The Lord； He is the God； the Lord； He is the God。〃 With startling distinctness the cry resounds over the mountain and echoes in the plain below。 At last Israel is aroused； undeceived； penitent。 At last the people see how greatly they have dishonored God。 The character of Baal worship； in contrast with the reasonable service required by the true God； stands fully revealed。 The people recognize God's justice and mercy in withholding the dew and the rain until they have been brought to confess His name。 They are ready now to admit that the God of Elijah is above every idol。
The priests of Baal witness with consternation the wonderful revelation of Jehovah's power。 Yet even in their
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discomfiture and in the presence of divine glory； they refuse to repent of their evil…doing。 They would still remain the prophets of Baal。 Thus they showed themselves ripe for destruction。 That repentant Israel may be protected from the allurements of those who have taught them to worship Baal； Elijah is directed by the Lord to destroy these false teachers。 The anger of the people has already been aroused against the leaders in transgression； and when Elijah gives the command； 〃Take the prophets of Baal； let not one of them escape；〃 they are ready to obey。 They seize the priests； and take them to the brook Kishon； and there； before the close of the day that marked the beginning of decided reform； the ministers of Baal are slain。 Not one is permitted to live。
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Chapter 12
From Jezreel to Horeb
With the slaying of the prophets of Baal； the way was opened for carrying forward a mighty spiritual reformation among the ten tribes of the northern kingdom。 Elijah had set before the people their apostasy； he had called upon them to humble their hearts and turn to the Lord。 The judgments of Heaven had been executed； the people had confessed their sins； and had acknowledged the God of their fathers as the living God； and now the curse of Heaven was to be withdrawn； and the temporal blessings of life renewed。 The land was to be refreshed with rain。 〃Get thee up； eat and drink；〃 Elijah said to Ahab； 〃for there is a sound of abundance of rain。〃 Then the prophet went to the top of the mount to pray。
It was not because of any outward evidence that the showers were about to fall； that Elijah could so confidently bid Ahab prepare for rain。 The prophet saw no clouds in the heavens； he heard no thunder。 He simply spoke the
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word that the Spirit of the Lord had moved him to speak in response to his own strong faith。 Throughout the day he had unflinchingly performed the will of God and had revealed his implicit confidence in the prophecies of God's word； and now； having done all that was in his power to do； he knew that Heaven would freely bestow the blessings foretold。 The same God who had sent the drought had promised an abundance of rain as the reward of rightdoing； and now Elijah waited for the promised outpouring。 In an attitude of humility； 〃his face between his knees；〃 he interceded with God in behalf of penitent Israel。
Again and again Elijah sent his servant to a point overlooking the Mediterranean； to learn whether there were any visible token that God had heard his prayer。 Each time the servant returned with the word； 〃There is nothing。〃 The prophet did not become impatient or lose faith； but continued his earnest pleading。 Six times the servant returned with the word that there was no sign of rain in the brassy heavens。 Undaunted； Elijah sent him forth once more； and this time the servant returned with the word； 〃Behold； there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea like a man's hand。〃
This was enough。 Elijah did not wait for the heavens to gather blackness。 In that small cloud he beheld by faith an abundance of rain； and he acted in harmony with his faith； sending his servant quickly to Ahab with the message； 〃Prepare thy chariot； and get thee down； that the rain stop thee not。〃
It was because Elijah was a man of large faith that God could use him in this grave crisis in the history of Israel。
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As he prayed； his faith reached out and grasped the promises of Heaven； and he persevered in prayer until his petitions were answered。 He did not wait for the full evidence that God had heard him； but was willing to venture all on the slightest token of divine favor。 And yet what he was enabled to do under God； all may do in their sphere of activity in God's service； for of the prophet from the mountains of Gilead it is written： 〃Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are； and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain： and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months。〃 James 5：17。
Faith such as this is needed in the world todayfaith that will lay hold on the promises of God's word and refuse to let go until Heaven hears。 Faith such as this connects us closely with Heaven； and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness。 Through faith God's children have 〃subdued kingdoms； wrought righteousness； obtained promises； stopped the mouths of lions； quenched the violence of fire； escaped the edge of the sword； out of weakness were made strong； waxed valiant in fight； turned to flight the armies of the aliens。〃 Hebrews 11：33； 34。 And through faith we today are to reach the heights of God's purpose for us。 〃If thou canst believe； all things are possible to him that believeth。〃 Mark 9：23。
Faith is an essential element of prevailing prayer。 〃He that cometh to God must believe that He is； and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him。〃 〃If we ask anything according to His will； He heareth us： and if we know that He hear us； whatsoever we ask； we know
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that we have the petitions that we desired of Him。〃 Hebrews 11：6； 1 John 5：14； 15。 With the persevering faith of Jacob； with the unyielding persistence of Elijah； we may present our petitions to the Father； claiming all that He has promised。 The honor of His throne is staked for the fulfillment of His word。
The shades of night were gathe