Some films find their success in being exactly what the audience expect, whilst others intentionally play with their expectations. When films have a big unexpected twist at the end, rewatching them in light of the ending can lead to completely new understandings of what happens in earlier scenes. Well written films can be watched over and over again and still offer something new each time. I love reading the Bible because for me, this is exactly what it’s like.
I’ve read the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal countless times over the years. It’s a classic story of faith and of God coming through for the underdog against all the odds. In the story the people of Israel have turned to follow false Gods, namely Baal. To prove that God was the one true God (the clue is in the name) Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal. You build an altar to sacrifice to Baal and I will build an altar to sacrifice to God. Then each of us will pray to our Gods to light the fire on our altars, whoever’s God responds must truly be God.
The prophets of Baal go first. After hours of trying to no avail, Elijah takes the opportunity to make a few sarcastic comments and steps forward. Yet before praying to God, he orders that water is poured over the altar – making it even harder to light. He then prayers to God and the whole thing ignites! The people of Israel realise their mistake, turn back to God and everyone worships (well maybe not everyone).
It's an incredible story of Gods power and Elijah's faith and confidence in God. I have always assumed that pouring water over the altar was a touch of theatrical flair from Elijah, wanting to show just how powerful God was. But I recently realised what an odd thing to do it truly was. Not just that it seemed to be working against his objective, but that Israel at this time was in a period of severe drought. In fact, the this is the very thing that prompted this face off in the first place. The land desperately needed rain – and the people of Israel needed to turn to God to ask for it. Elijah knew the problem and was confident that God was the answer. Still, to use such a precious resource where it wasn’t needed seems more than wasteful.
But there is something incredibly powerful about this act. In many ways, this was Elijah’s offering. He gave to God some of the last of what they had yet needed the most, trusting that all that they had came from God anyway and that God was more than able to provide more. I wonder if when I am most in need, I am so able to trust God to provide that I can willingly give Him what little I have left. Actually, I’m not sure if I do wonder, I’m pretty sure I know the answer although it’s not what I’d like it to be. I guess then the real question is what can I do to grow my faith to the point where I can? And who knows how God might respond when I do!
Originally written for the October 2023 ABC Newsletter
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