18 "I have not made trouble forIsrael," Elijah replied. "But you and your father‘s familyhave. You have abandoned the LORD‘s commands andhave followed the Baals.
- P100
19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meetme on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred andfifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets ofAsherah, who eat at Jezebel‘s table." 20 So Ahab sentword throughout all Israel and assembled the prophetson Mount Carmel. - P100
26 So they took the bull given them and preparedit. Then they called on the name of Baal from morningtill noon. "Baal, answer us" they shouted. But there wasno response; no one answered. And they danced aroundthe altar they had made. - P101
27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shoutlouder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deepin thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleepingand must be awakened." 28 So they shouted louder andslashed themselves with swords and spears, as was theircustom, until their blood flowed.
29 Midday passed, and they continued their franticprophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice.
But there was no response, no one answered, no onepaid attention. - P101
In response to Elijah‘s challenge, the prophets of Baal prepare their altarand sacrifice. But the god they trust for rain, fertility, and provision doesnot answer. "Maybe he is asleep," Elijah mockingly suggests. - P102
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