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Book of 1 Kings - Chapter 18 - Verse 24

18:24
And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

Meaning

In this verse, Elijah challenges the people of Israel to a test of the power of their gods versus the power of the one true God, the Lord. By proposing to call upon their gods to bring fire upon a sacrifice, and he will call on the name of the Lord to do the same, Elijah sets up a dramatic demonstration of divine power. The people agree to this test, consenting to let the God who answers by fire be recognized as the true God. This challenge serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and belief in the face of doubt and uncertainty. It showcases Elijah's unwavering faith in the Lord and his confidence in the Lord's ability to demonstrate His power and authority. Ultimately, this verse highlights the theme of divine power and the importance of trusting in the Lord to reveal His sovereignty.

Theological Overview

In this verse from 1 Kings 18:24, Elijah challenges the people of Israel to call on their gods, while he will call on the name of the LORD, to see which God will answer by fire. This verse highlights the theme of the sovereignty and power of God. The people of Israel were divided in their worship, following both the LORD and other false gods. Elijah's challenge was a test to demonstrate the supremacy of the one true God, Yahweh. The use of fire as a sign of God's presence and power is significant, as fire is often associated with purification and divine judgment in the Bible. This challenge ultimately leads to a dramatic display of God's power when the LORD answers by sending fire to consume Elijah's sacrifice. The people's response, "It is well spoken," signifies their acknowledgement of the true God and His undeniable power. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of wholehearted devotion to the one true God, who alone has the power to answer by fire and prove His sovereignty over all.

American Standard Version

And call ye on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Jehovah; and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
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