The Prophets Of Baal

The Prophets of Baal

Q: How many prophets of Baal did Elijah challenge to a contest?

• a. 50
• b. 300
• c. 450

Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife, tried to have all the prophets of the Lord killed, but Obadiah, a follower of the Lord who worked in Ahab’s house, hid 100 prophets of God in caves to keep them safe from Jezebel.

Three years into the famine, Elijah returned to Ahab to challenge the 450 prophets of Baal to a contest. The prophets of Baal placed a bull on an altar and called on Baal to set fire to it, but there was no answer. They danced and called louder, but there was still no answer. They cut themselves with knives and there was still silence from Baal. The whole day passed with no fire to prove Baal’s power.

Then it was Elijah’s turn. He rebuilt the altar of the Lord using 12 stones to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. Elijah placed wood and a bull on the altar. Then he had 12 large jars of water poured over the sacrifice. After that was done, Elijah prayed, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O LORD, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.”

Immediately fire fell from heaven and burned up the bull, wood, stones, and even the water. God had proven himself the true God.

For You

God will help you accomplish what he wants you to accomplish. He may not flash fire from the sky as he did for Elijah, but he will give you what you need, whether it is strength, courage, faith, wisdom, or willpower. Ask God for his help with achieving the same faith Elijah displayed.

Answer: c

Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the LORD who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. . . . Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed.   1 Kings 18:22, 24

(The Whole Story: 1 Kings 18)