Lesson 5 – God Gives another Chance to Repent
Read 1 Kings 18:20-40 https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1KI.18.ESV
1 Kings 18:37 – Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.

Ahab did as Elijah requested and called all the people of Israel, including all the idols’ prophets, to Mt. Carmel. Elijah challenged the people to decide: if the Lord is the true God, then follow Him; if Baal is god, follow him. No one said a word.

Elijah challenged the people and the prophets of Baal to see whose God was real and able to answer prayer. The one who could call down fire to burn their sacrifice would be acknowledged as the true God.

The prophets of Baal started, and walked around the altar and prayed all morning long, with not a whisper of a breeze in answer. By noon, Elijah taunted them that perhaps their god was asleep and they needed to call louder. The prophets did, but nothing happened.

Elijah finally called a halt at about five in the evening. He called the people to come closer, and then repaired the altar Queen Jezebel had destroyed. He put twelve stones on it to represent the twelve tribes of Israel, to honor God. Then he dug a wide ditch around the altar, laid firewood on top, and put the pieces of the bull on the wood. Elijah told the people to pour twelve large buckets full of water on the altar; even the ditch was filled with water.

Then Elijah prayed “O God, reveal Yourself right now as the God of Israel, and let these people know I am Your servant and obeying You. Answer me, O Lord, and reveal Yourself as the one true God, giving these people another chance to repent.”


Immediately the fire of God fell and burned up everything on the altar, even the stones and water in the ditch! All the people fell to the ground in amazement, saying they knew God was the only true God. But they did not turn away from their idols at all; they continued to serve them even though the priests were killed by Elijah that day.

Just telling God we know He is God is not enough. He wants us to turn to Him and trust Him, believe Him with all our hearts.

*What has God shown you to be an idol in your own life, something you have trusted in more than Him? How did you destroy this idol from your life?