Mt. Carmel is where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal. Elijah called for a meeting. In 1 Kings 18:19, Elijah tells Ahab, “Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” All the people gathered as the two opposing parties faced off. Verse 21 continues, “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.’” Eight hundred fifty pagan prophets against one lone figure astride Mt. Carmel. I remember the Three Dog Night song from 1968, “One is the Loneliest Number.” It’s incredibly difficult to stand alone against the tide of public opinion. In verse 18 of this chapter, Ahab greets Elijah by calling him “the one who is troubling all Israel.” According to Ahab, if Elijah had just joined the crowd worshipping Baal, everything would be just fine. But Elijah was a lone voice against the majority. In verse 20, we read, “Then Elijah said to the people, ‘I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.’ Elijah said to Ahab, ‘I am not the one who is troubling Israel—you are!’” I think it’s interesting that the same group, Three Dog Night, that sang “One is the Loneliest Number” also sang the song warning, “Eli’s Coming, you better watch out”
In America, the liberal church and press are always blaming the evangelical, conservative church for causing division in the church and in the country. But who is really causing the division? America was soundly founded upon the biblical principles of the Scripture and stood strong on those convictions. Who brought the strife? I have been ridiculed for leaving my former denomination, but I always argue, “No, they left me!” I know many others who face the same criticism. The Bible-believing Christian today stands alone in many ways against the tsunami of liberalism. Once strong churches have left the orthodox doctrines of the Christian faith and have gone the way of all flesh. But they blame those who wish to hold on to the integrity of the content of the Christian faith as being the rabble-rousers and trouble causers. But I must ask, “Who moved?”
Elijah faced a world in which the orthodox faith of his people was deteriorating into a plethora of ideas and personal opinions of its citizenry. In 1 Kings 18:21, we read, “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. But the people did not answer him a word.” Notice the last phrase: “The people did not answer him a word.” Elijah’s challenge stands the test of time! Yet, most of the world is still silent!