God Answers by Fire
In this story on Mount Carmel, Elijah decided to face off against the prophets of Baal. He challenged them to set up an altar with a sacrifice and call on their god, to send fire to consume their sacrifice. Elijah planned to do the same thing with his sacrifice, as he was confident that God would answer him. “So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made” (I Kings 18:26). These prophets did everything from cutting themselves, jumping on the altar and prophesying.
All day long they carried out their rituals, but Baal did not answer. Elijah set up his altar and drenched the sacrifice and everything around it with water. Elijah instructed the men to pour water over the sacrifice on three occasions. In the end, he called the people to gather together and then he prayed. “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench” (I Kings 18:38). The people fell on their faces and worshipped God. The prophets of Baal were captured and executed to put an end to Baal worship.
This was not the only time that Elijah called down fire from heaven. In 2 Kings 1, King Ahaziah fell and injured himself. He sent messengers to consult with Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron to ask if he would die. God sent Elijah to meet his messengers, to give them a word for the King. God’s question for the king was, ‘Is it because there is no God in Isreal that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub?’ God declared through Elijah that the king would die. The King perceived that the message came from Elijah and sent a company of fifty men to ask him to come down. Elijah called down fire to consume the first and second company of men.
Old Testament prophets build altars and offered sacrifices unto God. Whenever sacrifices were offered, God answered by fire and consumed the sacrifices. Elijah was familiar with this manifestation of God’s presence. Elijah also used this strategy in warfare, when the King tried to intimidate him with soldiers. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit sat upon the heads of the saints as flames or tongues of fire. Fire preserves, purifies and breaks yokes and bondages. We no longer offer animal sacrifices, but we offer our bodies unto God as a living sacrifice. We ask God to send the fire of his spirit to keep us ablaze. The fire in us burns brightly to shine a light in the dark world.
“A fire goes before Him, And burns up His enemies round about” (Psalms 97:3).
A.P.-Y.
Published by Anneta Pinto-Young
I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession.
Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm.
I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing.
I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.
View all posts by Anneta Pinto-Young
Published
July 2, 2022
