1 Kings 18:22-24

The Test of Fire.

Elijah had appealed to the people on their inconsistency in hesitating between services so widely different and so utterly irreconcilable as those of Jehovah and Baal. He got no response. "The people answered him not a word." Then he proposed the test of fire to determine which was worthy. The conclusiveness of such an appeal could not be challenged; so the people with one voice answered, "It is well spoken."

L THE TEST WAS UNEXCEPTIONABLE .

1 . For Baal was the fire god .

2 . The controversy was whether Baal was independent of Jehovah .

(a) Recognition of His almighty providence and lordship over the material and moral universe.

(b) The engagement of all our powers in His worship and service.

II. SO WAS THE MANNER OF THE TEST .

1 . The prophets of Baal had precedence .

2 . The experiment was to be fair .

Let us bless God for our Christianity. It is pure light. Compared with it other systems are dark with ignorance, superstition, and error. It is supreme benevolence. Happy is its contrast to the characteristic cruelties of idolatry.—J.A.M.