Sermon: “A Contest of Gods”, 1 Kings 17:1-16 (November 3, 2024)

This is a passage all about idolatry. It may not be obvious at first glance, but it’s true. The Ahab mentioned here was the 7th ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel (some 60-odd years after Solomon’s reign ended), and he’s widely considered to be one of – if not THE – worst king in Israel’s history. Scripture itself says that he “did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him.”

Not only did he hasten the moral decline of his kingdom, but through his infamous marriage to Jezebel, he became a Ba’al worshiper (Dun dun DUN!). Needless to say, this is an especially bad look for a monarch whose entire reign is predicated on his people’s worship of YHWH. For this reason, we see Elijah coming out of nowhere in his first-ever scriptural appearance to call out the king on his idolatry. The proclamation he makes in verse 1 is a direct challenge to Ba’al’s supposed authority – a false god can’t save you from drought, no matter how long and hard you pray.