Pastor Rusty Milton
1 Kings 8:21-29 ESV

"The Favor of God"

We can't earn by effort what we already have by grace. 

In 1 Kings 18:21, Elijah challenged the people of God to choose between God and Baal--effectively, to "get off the fence" (vv.20-21). All throughout Ahab's reign, the leadership of Israel had waffled between worship of Baal and a half-hearted belief in God. The view of religion in their culture, in as much as our own, was simply a means to an end: manipulate the divine through outward worship and religious ceremony with little heed to the true state of our hearts. It was this idolatrous state that led to the 3 1/2 year long drought. Elijah then challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest: whichever deity responded with fire was the true God of Israel, and should garner the wholehearted praise and devotion of the nation. The prophets of Baal responded with religious fervor in order to win Baal's attention and response; Elijah relied on his relationship with God, and simply asked for his power to be displayed (vv. 26-29). Baal was powerless; God responded with an unmistakable display of power. From this we should remember that it is a relationship with God, through faith and grace, that puts us in a right relationship with God, not outward religious fervor. 

1 Kings 18:21-29

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. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” 26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.