May 28th | 1 Kings 18
The Meaning of the Miracle
In 1 Kings 18, we have one of the greatest miracles in Scripture. It could be a scene from a movie where a single prophet, Elijah, faces off with an army of false prophets on Mount Carmel. Much has been written about the miracle itself, where Elijah makes the false prophets and their fake gods look ridiculous. However, we must ask, why did this miracle happen? What was the intention and purpose? Often, we can read the Bible and be astounded by the miracles it recounts, but why does God perform miracles, reveal Himself to people, and act in mighty ways? God acts and moves to bring His people back into relationship with Himself! He desires for His people to see Him as their God and to love and serve Him to find their ultimate fulfillment.
1 Kings 18:21,
“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, 'How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.”
The prophets of Baal had corrupted God’s people, and to put it in today’s vernacular,
“They were straddling the fence.”
They wanted to worship YHWH and Baal. They wanted it both ways. The purpose of the mountaintop showdown was to awaken Israel to their spiritual drift and bring them back to worship of the Almighty God.
The people of Israel didn’t answer Elijah. They knew what the right thing to do was, but they didn’t want to commit to it yet. How often are we in the same boat? We know the Scriptures and have a sense of God’s plan and purpose, yet we continually keep on our path. Subtly straddling the fence, thinking that God won’t notice. But Elijah’s words still scream the same message to us today: “If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal
(or idols in our own lives today), then follow him.”
The people were silent. They needed more than Elijah’s words to break them out of their idol worship. This is the reason God provided the miracle. After the Lord brought down fire from heaven, what was the response of the people?
1 Kings 18:39,
“And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, 'The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”
They turned back to the Lord and worshipped Him alone! Sometimes we need a miracle to help wake us up from the slumber of our sin. Today, you might be looking for a miracle. However, a miracle has taken place that is greater than the Mount Carmel showdown. The greatest miracle God has ever displayed has already happened. God sent His son to die for you and me. He was buried in a tomb for three days, and He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death forever.
Jesus came to perform that miracle to bring you out of your sin and into fullness of life. Would you gaze upon that miracle and wake up from your slumber? Would you see Christ as worthy to be followed more than the idols in your own life? Choose Christ today and experience the miracle of new life and a right relationship with God.
