Mount Carmel is a wooded mountain range that is almost 13 miles long. The steeply rising crests jut up out of the Mediterranean Sea. Inbound air currents carrying moisture are forced to higher altitudes in this area, resulting in dew and rain on the vibrant landscape. Mount Carmel is lush with growth year round. It is rare for this area to experience catastrophic drought. Many ‘high places’ have been discovered in this area. These cultic centers were used from antiquity to worship pagan fertility gods. The best known was Baal.

During the Divided Kingdom period, Ahab ruled the northern kingdom of Israel with Jezebel his wife. As the daughter the king of Sidon, Jezebel brought her radical form of Baal worship to Ahab’s bed. Thus, Ahab was wicked, “more than all of the kings of Israel before him.” It was during this time that God called Elijah the Tishbite to be His voice, “as the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

Elijah was not a popular man at Ahab’s court. The Carmel range withered without the moisture that normally gave it life. Ahab employed 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah (Baal’s female counterpart). Their job was to reverse Elijah’s prophecy. Unsuccessful for 3 years, a confrontation was brewing. The sign of God’s power was just over the horizon.

The story of Elijah’s humiliation of the prophets of Baal is found in I Kings 18. Many of the people of Israel had abandoned God and followed Ahab and Jezebel into idolatry. Idolatry is defined as worshiping any physical thing as god. Idolatry is rampant in our world today. Healthy bank accounts, comfortable homes, secure jobs, loving families, and leisurely retirements can all be objects of idolatry. While there is nothing inherently wrong with any of these, when they become the primary focus of our energy it becomes increasingly difficult to hear God’s voice.

“The Lord, He is God. The Lord, He is God!” Lord, please send the rain.