The Drought in Israel and Fire in God's Altar
For three years, no rain fell in Israel, and a severe drought spread across the land. During this time, many people followed Baal instead of worshiping the Lord. Elijah the prophet challenged the people to decide whom they would serve.
Elijah gathered the people of Israel and the 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. He proposed a test. Two altars would be prepared, each with a bull placed upon it. The prophets of Baal would pray to their god, and Elijah would pray to the Lord. The true God would answer by sending fire from heaven.
The prophets of Baal prayed, shouted, and danced around their altar all day long, but no fire came. Then Elijah rebuilt the Lords altar using twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. He placed wood and the sacrifice on the altar and poured water over everything until a trench around it overflowed.
Elijah prayed to God, and immediately fire came down from heaven. The fire burned the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and even the water in the trench. When the people saw this miracle, they recognized that the Lord was the true God. The prophets of Baal were removed, and soon afterward God sent rain, ending the long drought.
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BIble verse
NIV
"When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!" — 1 Kings 18:39 (NIV)
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Questions & Answers (QA)
1. How long did the drought last?
2. Where did Elijah gather the people?
3. How many prophets of Baal were there?
4. What challenge did Elijah propose?
5. Did Baal answer the prophets?
6. How many stones did Elijah use?
7. Why did Elijah pour water on the altar?
8. What happened when Elijah prayed?
9. What did the people declare?
10. What happened after the contest?
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