Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: COUNT (01/27/22)
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TITLE: The Challenge | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marlene MCPherson
02/03/22 -
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“It is you and your family’s apostasy that have led the Israelites from following the true and living God”. said Elijah.
“Is that the reason for our meeting?” Asked the king as he walked.
“Wait, no, no O king”. Pleaded Elijah.
The King stood and eyed him.
“I want us to witness who is serving the true and living God. Gather on mount Carmel this Thursday at seven in the morning the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah.”
“A challenge, aaah you’re outnumbered already” said Ahab.
“Today, we’re gathered here to determine the true and living God who will respond to us when we call on his name”, said Elijah.
There was commotion among the listeners who were immaculately attired with a replica of Baal strategically placed on the compound and implements in hand. He raised his right hand,silence prevaded.
“Here are four the rules for this challenge:
1. Each contender/ group will be given a bull for the sacrifice
2. The bull should be cut into pieces and laid on the altar that
is made of wood
3. You are required to call on the name of your god to send
fire to consume the offering
4. The god who answers by sending fire will be declared
the true and living God”.
A pause.
“All in favor?’
"We agree.” They shouted.
“Since you are greater in number, go first,” said Elijah.
A bull was taken, prepared and placed on the altar of wood. They began by dancing around the altar then chanted:
“O Baal, you are our god so hear us. Accept our offering, show yourself to be powerful”
“Perhaps, he is sleeping, or relieving himself,” Elijah scoffed.
Immediately, the chief prophets leaped upon the altar while making some eerie sounds cut himself with his knife. Others joined appeased the gods with more blood which splattered from their arms and hands. Others knelt in front of the statue, rolled on the ground and shouted
“O Baal …”
“Cry out louder, he might be attending to other duties” Elijah provoked.
“O Baal, don’t forget us, we are your people, you are the god of rain,” They yelled.
“Do not be intimidated. I will be with you” One prophesied.
Elijah interjected. “He is addressing another group of worshippers”.
Lances, swords and knives made deep markings on their bodies to display their annoyance to Baal’s delay. Their white robes were now stained with blood and later were brown and black in color. Disappointments were written on every face.
Elijah beckoned to them “Come together. It is now evening”.
They encircled him. He gathered twelve stones.
“Each of these stones represents the twelve tribes of Israel”, he said looking at them.
He stopped speaking, placed the stones as the foundation for the altar. Then he repurposed the wood within. Then, he took a bull cut it in pieces and laid on the altar.
He proceeded to use a fork and dug a trench around the altar.
“That is strange” hush voices remarked.
This was echoed throughout the camp. The head prophet raised himself from the ground and used his index finger and pressed his closed lips looking on all. There was instant silence.
“Fill these four large jars with water” Elijah ordered his servants.
“Pour the water on the offering, do it a second time, and a third time”, he counted. The water cascaded into the trench and filled it.
He knelt on the ground held up his hands towards heaven and prayed aloud:
“Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, demonstrate to these people that you are the True and Living God and I am your servant. I have done these things at your word. You are the Lord God that reigns eternally.”
Crack, crack, hails of fire came down from heaven and the priests immediately hastened away from near the altar.
“ This is like vengeance”, one squealed.
But the fire only consumed the sacrifice, altar and the water. The prophets all fell to their knees and chanted:
“The Lord, is the True and Living God, the Lord he is the True and Living God”.
“You led Israel to sin. Servants get them to the Kishon Brook for the judging.” commanded Elijah.
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