Stories from the Old Testament
Fire from Heaven
Elijah
Illustrations by Katy Dockrill
His Story
The Gathering
Elijah, a prophet of God, met with Ahab, king of Israel. Elijah invited all Israel and the 450 false prophets of Baal to Mount Carmel. Ellijah wanted to help the Israelites recognize and worship the true and living God.
The Competition
Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a competition. They would both prepare a sacrificial offering, but they would put no fire under it. Then they would pray to their God for fire to see who was the true God of Israel.
The False Offering
The prophets of Baal prayed to their god for fire from “morning until noon,” but there was “no voice, nor any that answered.” Elijah “mocked them,” saying that maybe Baal was asleep.
The True Offering
Elijah repaired the broken altar of the Lord and built a trench around it. He had the people pour four barrels of water on his offering—three times! He prayed to the true God, and fire came from heaven and burned the offering, the stones, and all the water in the trench.
Your Story
It can be easy to listen to the voices of the world and put other things, or “false gods,” before the true and living God. But as you make following Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ your priority, you will see miracles in your life, just like Elijah did. They won’t always be immediate (or fiery!), but miracles will come.