What is the main message of 1 Kings 18?

1 Kings 18 shows that the Lord alone is God. Elijah’s confrontation on Mount Carmel calls God’s people to stop wavering, turn from idols, and worship Him alone.

Why did God send fire before rain?

The fire demonstrated God’s power and vindicated His name before sending rain as a sign of mercy. Judgment came first to call the people to repentance.

Who were the prophets of Baal?

The prophets of Baal were false prophets serving a Canaanite deity. In 1 Kings 18, they cried out for hours but received no answer because Baal was powerless.

What does 'How long will you limp between two opinions?' mean?

Elijah challenged the Israelites to choose between worshiping the Lord or Baal. It means you cannot serve two masters; faith demands full devotion to God.

How does Elijah’s prayer in 1 Kings 18 encourage us?

Elijah’s prayer was simple, reverent, and faith-filled. It encourages believers to pray with confidence in God’s power and according to His will.

Elijah on Mount Carmel: God Answers by Fire 1 Kings 18 August 13, 2025

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 2 min read

Reading the Bible Daily with Dave — 1 Kings 18: Elijah on Mount Carmel (August 13, 2025)

Show Summary

In 1 Kings 18, Elijah confronts Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. The contest is simple: the God who answers by fire—He is God. This episode calls us to stop wavering, reject idols, and return to wholehearted worship of the Lord.

Series: Reading the Bible Daily with Dave
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1–46 (ESV)

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Episode Notes

Outline

1–15: Elijah, Obadiah, and the summons to Ahab
16–24: The public challenge on Mount Carmel
25–29: Baal’s prophets cry out—no voice, no answer
30–39: Elijah rebuilds the altar; God answers by fire
40–46: Judgment on the prophets; rain returns by prayer

Key Themes

God Alone Is God: The Lord answers; idols are powerless.
True Worship Restored: The altar is rebuilt before the fire falls.
A Call to Decision: “How long will you limp between two opinions?” (v.21)
The Power of Prayer: Elijah prays simply and persistently.

Biblical Theology Connections

Exodus 20:3 — No other gods before the Lord.
Deuteronomy 13:1–5 — Purging false prophets.
James 5:17–18 — Elijah’s prayer and God’s rain.
Matthew 3:11 — Baptism “with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Romans 11:2–5 — The preserved remnant.

Christ-Centered Application

Elijah foreshadows Christ, who publicly confronted false worship and bore the judgment we deserve. The fire that should fall on sinners fell on Jesus at the cross, so all who repent and believe are forgiven and restored.

Takeaways for Daily Life

Private: Identify and repent of subtle idols.
Home: Teach undivided loyalty to the Lord.
Church: Restore Scripture-shaped worship.
Work: Make your allegiance to Christ clear.
Culture: Speak truth with courage and grace.

For Leaders, Teachers, and Counselors

Contrast spectacle with genuine, God-given power.
Use Elijah’s prayer as a model of reverent intercession.
Emphasize that repentance precedes renewal.

Questions for Further Study

Why did God send fire before sending rain?
Which modern idols most tempt our hearts today?
How can Christians call others from false worship with love and clarity?

Scripture Memory

1 Kings 18:21 — “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.”

Resources & Links

Dave Jenkins

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.