Of all tests that could have been devised, none could be more decisive than that proposed. Omnipotence alone could so control the elements, as to send down fire at tlie reqviest of man. Satan indeed is called " the prince of the power of the air ; " and on some occasions he has agitated tlie elements in a
tremendous way. But his power is limited ; and he can exert it only when, and as far as, God sees fit to suffer him. Could he have produced the sign in favour of Baal, doubtless he would have been glad to do so : but God's own character was at stake ; and no such permission could be given him.]
2. The issue of the trial —
[The worshippers of Baal prepared their sacrifice, and continued from morning to mid-day imploring from Baal the proposed evidence of his divinity. No answer coming to them,
Elijah taunted them, and ridiculed their vain hopes
But they did not yet despair ; yea rather, they renewed their application to Baal with redoubled earnestness, leaping upon, or around, his altar, and cutting themselves with knives and lancets, to mix their own blood with that of their sacrifice. But all their efforts were in vain: no voice, no answer came; and Baal was proved an impotent and senseless idol.
At the time of the evening sacrifice, the very hour when the sacrifice was offered at Jerusalem, Elijah repaired an altar of the Lord, which had been broken down, and laid the bullock upon it in order, and, to shew that there was no collusion on his part, poured water in great abundance on the sacrifice, and on the wood, and filled with water also the trench that was round about the altar, and then made his supplication to his God, imploring from him the appointed sign, for the establishment of his own honour, and for the conversion of the people's souls. Instantly God answered in the appointed way; " a fire came down from heaven, and consumed not only the sacrifice and the wood, but the very stones of the altar ; and licked up the water that was in the trench."
No doubt now remained. The people in the first instance had approved the proposed method of determining the point ; and now " they fell upon their faces, and exclaimed. The Lord, He is the God ! the Lord, He is the God ! "
Thus we see the triumphant issue of the contest, and the indisputable right of Jehovah to the worship and service of the whole world.]
II. We now propose to give a similar challenge to all who worship the idols of their own hearts —
That all men are by natm^e idolaters is certain ; for they all without exception " worship and serve the creature more than the Creator \" The prophet speaks of men " setting up idols in their own hearts ;" and what those idols are, we are at no loss to
a Rom. i. 25.
346. J ELIJAH CHALLENGES BAAL's PROPHETS. 409
declare ; they are " the lust of the flesh, the lust of
the eye, and the pride of life"
Now we have before established the principle, that the right of any Being to our worship ought to be judged of by his power to benefit those who devote themselves to him. Even the worshippers of Baal acknowledged the equity of this saying in reference to it, " It is well spoken." Let us then examine the claims of the world, and of Jehovah, by this test. Which of them ever has " anszcered by fire," or ever imparted spiritual blessings to his worshippers ? Which can communicate the blessing
1. Of light?
[Behold the votaries of the world; What insight have they ever gained into any one spiritual truth ? What do even the most learned amongst them know^ of the evil of sin, the beauty of holiness, the glory of Christ, or of a thousand other subjects connected with the spiritual hfe ? Is it not found a truth, that " the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God ; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually dis- cerned^?"