God’s Answer to Apostasy

Hi Sisters,

I recently read the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel. This is a story that never ceases to gain my attention. Every time I read it, I feel awe and amazement at God’s power. At the same time, I feel despair as I read what happens next to Elijah. To top it off, I feel ready to continue the work of the Kingdom as I see God’s answer to Elijah’s despair. Here’s the story:

The Kingdom of Israel became divided under Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. After the split, the Northern Kingdom is referenced as Israel, and the Southern Kingdom is referenced as Judah. Apostasy was immediate in the Northern Kingdom after the split. New “gods” were created and worshiped. Other “gods” from surrounding nations were also adopted. It was a buffet of gods. Furthermore, the practices of the nations were adopted, the very practices Yahweh was trying to destroy. His people were meant to display His character to the nations and be His kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:4-6).

In I Kings 16, we are introduced to Ahab, a king of Israel. The Bible tells us that Ahab “did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him.” In addition, he married a woman named Jezebel who only increased evil in the land. She promoted Baal and Asherah worship and commanded the prophets of the Lord, Yahweh, to be killed (see I Kings 17:4, 13). Her influence was ferocious, but not in a good way.

Yet God does not leave His people without excuse. He raises up Elijah and uses him to communicate God’s discipline: drought. However, the drought does little to change the nation or Ahab from their apostasy. This brings us to the show down on Mt. Carmel.

Elijah requests 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to meet with him on Mt. Carmel for a test. The people of Israel are there to watch the spectacle. Elijah opens with this proclamation to the people, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. . . the God who answers by fire, he is God” (18:21, 24).

The prophets of Baal prepare a sacrifice, a bull, and call out to Baal to bring fire down on the sacrifice. They do this for hours, but of course, no fire comes. Then Elijah prepares a sacrifice, a bull, and calls out to the Lord, Yahweh. Then the fire of the Lord comes down and consumes the sacrifice and everything around it, even the water! I mean, FIRE literally came down at the call of Elijah to demonstrate that the Lord, Yahweh, is God!

Immediately, the people proclaim the Lord is God too (for the moment). The prophets of Baal are destroyed. Rain comes to the land. It seems a mighty transformation is about to take place.

But transformation never comes. Ahab tells Jezebel what happened and she commands a hit on Elijah’s life. He goes into the wilderness and asks God to take his life. That’s as despaired as someone can get.

Elijah has seen God’s display of mighty acts and powerful wonders in front of the people. Surely this would turn their hearts back to God? So when it doesn’t and he’s on the run, he can’t bear it any longer.

In the wilderness, God asks the same question twice and Elijah gives the same answer.

“What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” (19:9b-10 & 13b-14)

So what’s God’s response to Elijah’s assessment of Israel’s apostasy and his despair?

“Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. . . I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (19:16,18)

Response: Raise-up a prophet to take your place. Oh, and by the way, there are others out there who are still faithful to Me. You’re not alone, you just have to find them.

If I was Elijah, I’d be thinking, “What’s me helping this one guy Elisha going to do?” But Elijah doesn’t question God. He does exactly as God says.

The result? Elisha is trained and becomes a mighty prophet. Under Elisha, the school of prophets flourishes. And it’s the prophets who continue to salt the nation, no matter what level of apostasy the nation gets into. In fact, they are steadfast and “salty” even in exile. They remind the people why they are in exile and how to get “home,” how to renew their covenant vows to the LORD their God.

James writes that the prophets are our example of remaining steadfast and patient in suffering while speaking God’s words (James 5:10). As ambassadors (II Cor. 5:20), we too are entrusted to speak God’s words. And Jesus has given us the same commission God told Elijah: Go and make disciples. There are women out there who need trained; so therefore, I send you (John 17; Matthew 28:19-20).

So, are you burdened by the apostasy of your country? City? Etc? Overwhelmed to do “all the things.”? What if we followed God’s answer to apostasy, what if we followed our Rabbi? What if we started with one woman?

May God encourage our hearts to be invested in the steady and intentional work of raising up future generations of women who will train others also! Let this capture our vision for God’s plan to healing apostasy!