Elijah and the Prophets of Baal

Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. He said to the people, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow Baal." The people said nothing.

Elijah said, "Let two bulls be chosen. Let the prophets of Baal choose one and cut it into pieces and put it on the wood, but not set fire to it. I will do the same with the other bull. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God."

The prophets of Baal called on their god from morning till noon, but there was no response. Elijah mocked them. They raved until the time for the evening sacrifice, but there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.

Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord. He placed the wood and the bull on it and had them pour water over it three times until the altar was soaked. Then he prayed, "Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant." Fire fell from heaven and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the water. When the people saw it, they fell prostrate and cried, "The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!"