August 20, 2025 • 32 mins
# 219 - Elijah: Clash of Gods - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, On Mount Carmel, Elijah confronts 450 prophets of Baal in a fiery showdown that leaves no room for doubt. In this dramatic story from 1 Kings 18, discover what happens when the silence of false gods meets the power of the Living God.
Episode 219 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.
Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up
For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/
Today's opening prayer is inspired by 1 Kings 22:23, Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.
Show Notes:
(01:04) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(01:53) Elijah: Clash of Gods
(30:36) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the Chosen People. Well, if it isn't the
profit of fire.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Here the judgment of Yahweh, there will be no de
no rain, not even a whisper of moisture upon this
land until I say otherwise.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Do you think I fear your God?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
You should careful Prophet Why Afrid, she will hear.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Queen Jezebel was not presence, but her presence permeated every room.
Everyone knew her power, how it coiled around Ahab's decisions
like a serpent.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
But you will learn when the rivers crack into dust,
when your fields shrivel and die, when the sky above
you is as unyielding as iron, you will know that
it is not bail.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
I'm on the rain.
Speaker 5 (01:06):
Shallow, my friends from here in the Holy Land of Israel.
I'm ya l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians
and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day
we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories
filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning
of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth
(01:28):
that we are all chosen for something great. So take
a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling
extra grateful for these stories. We would love it if
you left us a review. I read every single one
of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about
the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can
(01:49):
visit IFCJ dot Org. Let's begin.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Three years three years of sun the earth, three years
of cracked ground and dried up rivers, three years of
watching Israel wither like an untended vine. The land stank
of death, rotting cattle, scorched fields, and the sour stench
(02:18):
of desperation. The people were past praying, past hoping. Even
Baal's priests had stopped shouting to the heavens. Jezebel's altars
were stained with blood, but no God had answered. The
sky remained silent, empty dry. Obadiah, however, made the earth
(02:42):
beneath him damp with his sweat. He moved through the
ruined streets of Samaria, keeping to the alleys, a sack
of stolen food slung over his shoulder. His hands shook
as he clutched it tighter. Too many people were watching
these days. The prophets of Yahweh were still alive, hidden
(03:04):
in caves, surviving on whatever scraps they could smuggle, but
it was getting harder. The palace was restless. Jezebel's priests
were sniffing out traitors. It was only a matter of
time before some one talked. Obadiah turned down an empty road,
exhaling shakily, then stopped cold. A man stood ahead, half
(03:28):
hidden in the heat haze. His cloak was tattered and
his face was lined from sun and exile, but his
eyes were unmistakable eyes of fire and judgment. Elijah, is
it really you? What are you doing here?
Speaker 2 (03:47):
I mean? Ready to cause them trouble? H Now, Gordelia,
tell Ehab.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Are you insane? Obadiah darted a glance over him shoulder,
as if just speaking Elijah's name too loud would summon
Jezebel's assassins. Do you know what you've done?
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Aham's been hunting you for three years?
Speaker 4 (04:11):
He sent men to every kingdom.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Made them swear they haven't seen.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
You under oath. If I go to him and say
you're here and then you just vanish again, he'll kill me.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
I'm not going anywhere and then people see, Obadiah stared,
the sheer audacity of it. Three years gone and now
Elijah just stood there, like he hadn't single handedly shut
down the sky, like Ahab wouldn't gut him on sight,
like Jezebel didn't have a personal hit list with him
(04:45):
at the top of it. Obadiah opened his mouth, then stopped.
He knew that look Elijah wasn't joking. Obadiah exhaled, rubbing
a hand over his face.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
You're going to kill me, chill tell him.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Obadiah closed his eyes, muttering something under his breath, maybe
a curse, maybe a prayer, maybe both, then took off running.
The chariot stormed down the ruined road, dust billowing behind it.
Ahabs stood at the helm, eyes sunken, jaw clenched, hands
(05:26):
tight on the reins. Three years of drought had eaten
away at him, hollowed him out. His robes hung loose
on his frame. His power had not saved him from hunger.
His gold had not bought a single drop of rain.
His sacrifices had not moved the heavens. And now this
(05:48):
Elijah standing alone on the road, arms crossed waiting. The
verse was weird. As the chariot skidded to a stop.
For a long stretched moment, no one moved. Then Ahab laughed.
It was sharp, brittle, empty. I see you're still alive.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
I see you're no longer pat still stupid.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Though Ahab smirk died, his grip on the reins tightened,
fingers twitching toward his sword before he forced them.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Still three years, Elijah, three years, no rain, no crops,
no food. Do you have any idea what you've done?
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Why don't you tell me you've ruined Israel? I have
not ruined Israel. Ahb, you you abandoned Yahweh, you bowed
to bail, You led the people into this, and now
healthy the audacity to blame me.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
The men behind Ahab stirred. Ahab looked over his shoulder,
then turned back to Elijah. His breath was sharp.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Watch your tongue, profits or what you'll kill me?
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Have Jezebel's dogs string me up in the palace square?
Does little Ahab need mommy to do his dirty work?
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Ahab's grip on the reins tightened. The insult cut deeper
than Elijah could know. Except Elijah did know. The rumors
had spread like wildfire. Jezebel ruled Ahab obeyed, She treated
him like a child, scolded him in court and made
decisions in his place. His own men whispered it behind
(07:52):
his back, and now Elijah, standing alone in the dust,
said it to his face. He had old men for less,
but not Elijah. Not yet. They have wanted to savor that.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
Go ahead, Will that bring back the rain?
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Another sacrifice, another course for bail.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Is the blood of innocent children. Not enough, you think
another kill will make bail.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Listen, the wind kicked up, swirling dust between them. They
have had no answer, So Elijah gave him one.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
Gather the people, every tribe, every elder, every priest, meet.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Me on Mont Carmel.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Bring your your province of bail, all four hundred and
fifty of them. He'll settle this right here, right now.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Ah. Competition, m.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Sure, quality, competition, if you like, is not. But whatever
will get you to stand on that mountain. One altar
for bail, one altar for your way. One test, No
fire from our hands, no tricks. We call on our gods,
and the one who answers by fire, he is declared
(09:18):
the one true God, the Ylohim of all Y'lohim.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
You're series Are you a fray of you?
Speaker 6 (09:28):
No?
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Theyhab are you afraid of what will happen when yave
wanes and the wrath of your wife is kingdom?
Speaker 1 (09:37):
They have held his gaze. Then he exhaled, turned back
toward his chariot, and climbed up without another word.
Speaker 6 (09:47):
We meet on Mount Carmel one week.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
The whip cracked and the horses bolted forward. Elijah stood
still as the dust rose, as the chariot vanished towards Samaria.
The sun burned in the cloudless sky. The God of
Israel had thrown the gauntlet, and Ahab had picked it up.
The stage was set, The mountain was packed. Thousands had gathered,
(10:18):
pressing against the rocky slopes lining the ridges, standing shoulder
to shoulder. Their faces were gaunt with hunger and sharp
with suspicion. They had all heard the stories. Elijah had returned,
and now he was standing against four hundred and fifty
of Baal's prophets. Ahab lounged at the edge of the scene,
(10:43):
arms crossed, trying to appear unbothered. The priests of Baal
stood tall in their crimson robes, lifting their hands, already
murmuring their incantations. Elijah stepped forward.
Speaker 6 (10:57):
Israel, hear me, how long will you stumble like drunkards,
wavering between two bads, pretending you serve both, when your
horts belong to neither.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
How long will you hobble back and.
Speaker 6 (11:12):
Forth, drn between a god of silence and the god
of all creation? How long will you let a slot
of drunk and a witch queen make your decisions for you?
Speaker 2 (11:24):
If your way is God, follow him. If bail is God,
then bow to him fully.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
But enough of this, cowardly but.
Speaker 6 (11:34):
That it can't be. You cannot serve two masters.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
This is the moment, This is the dying shoes.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
The people shifted, murmuring. No one answered, of course not.
It was safer to remain neutral, to pretend they hadn't
noticed the famine, the silence of boo, the altars slick
with blood, but no fire. Elijah's mouth twisted.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Fine, cowards, we'll settle this now, a final test. Two bulls,
no fire. The god who answers by fire, he is God, agreed.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
Elijah gestured toward the two stone altars, one for yahue,
one for bal. The crowd murmured and nodded.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
It was fair, a public trial, bold of you, Elijah.
But what happens when nothing happens? When your yawey is
just as silent as.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
All A fair question, I have what he is?
Speaker 1 (12:48):
A betther one?
Speaker 2 (12:49):
H where's your queen?
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Ah?
Speaker 2 (12:55):
You talk of silence, hers is absolute.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Deathly ahab smirk faltered just for a second. His fingers
twitched against the chariot's edge.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Surely Jezebel would want to be here for this, to
defend her guards, to stand by your side. Oh wait,
she's not here, is she? Shouldn't Jezebel be here to
hold your hand? Or does she not trust you to
make the big boy decisions?
Speaker 4 (13:31):
Left you all alone to face the fire.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Eh? Maybe she doesn't think you're up to the task.
Maybe she already knows how the sins.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
The crowd murmured, shifting uneasily. The king had no answer.
Elijah didn't need one. The silence spoke for him. Meanwhile,
the priests of Baal were confident. They took their bull,
laid it on the altar, lifted their hands, and began
(14:01):
to chant rhythmic, loud, strong. Their voices carried over the mountain,
echoing down the valley. Time passed, the chanting grew faster,
more urgent. The priests swayed, arms raised hands, trembling, hours
rolled by nothing. Elijah leaned against a rock, watching her
(14:25):
smirk playing at his lips.
Speaker 7 (14:28):
Ha ha ha, shout loud. Now, maybe your god is a
deep and thought. Maybe he has to step away, how
to relieve himself? He certainly is full of dumb.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
A few in the crowd snorted, poorly hiding their laughter.
Ahab shot the mclare.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Maybe he's a nabbing You should wake him up.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
Wake might keep e What is shame that broke them?
Their prayers turned frantic, voices ragged. They took knives from
their belts, Blades slashed across their arms, their chests, bloods
stilled into the altar. Still no fire. By late afternoon,
(15:19):
the priests were on their knees, gasping, shaking, drenched in
their own blood. Nothing, not a flicker, not a whisper
of smoke. It was time Elijah stepped forward. The people
turned to him. The priests were spent trembling. Ahab's smirk
(15:41):
was fading. The moment hung thick in the air.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
You have seen their prayers, you have heard their cries,
you have watched them blade and yet disguise silent, No boy,
no answer, no fire.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Why the people stayed quiet.
Speaker 6 (16:04):
Because Bail is nothing, because Bail is a lion, Because
Bill is a wooden idol, a creation of your own hands, No,
the creation of an evil spirit.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Steal.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
He's kitty glawing in the throne of the old.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Lighting Elijah slammed his staff into the ground.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
Yo, he's a lion.
Speaker 6 (16:30):
He is the God of gods, the king of kings,
the lord of all creation.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
The wind stirred, a ripple went through the crowd. Ahab
dabbed sweat from his forehead.
Speaker 8 (16:45):
Come here.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
The people pressed closer, whispering, watching as Elijah walk to
Yahwe's altar, or what was left of it, stones broken
and buried in dust, a forgotten ruin. Without a word,
he began rebuilding twelve stones, one for each tribe of Israel,
(17:07):
stacked with deliberate care. The murmurs grew, what is he
doing rebuilding Yahweh's Altar? A bit late through there, Elijah
dug a trench around it, then raised his hand. Water
servants with buckets appeared, pouring water over the bull, the wood,
(17:31):
and the stones. The gasps were instant, his wasting good
and throut more buckets. The trench overflowed the altar was drenched.
Ahab leaned forward dramatic profit.
Speaker 6 (17:50):
But when nothing happens, you're going to look quite foolish.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
For once Elijah ignored him, he closed his eyes, hands
raised east. All eyes were on Elijah. The silence stretched.
Elijah's hands tightened. What if nothing happens? What if Yaho
stays silent? A flash of fear, a moment of doubt.
(18:18):
But then memories flashed in Elijah's mind's eye. A stream
in the desert, water cool against cracked lips, the flutter
of wings, the sharp cry of ravens, food falling at
his feet. A widow's hands shaking as she scraped the
(18:38):
last of her flower, then gasping when she saw the
jar once again filled. A small boy, pale and lifeless,
his breath returning his first word. Elijah opened his eyes,
his heart settled.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
Yahweh always.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
His breath was slow, steady, but his heart pounded like
a war drum. The mountains stilled, the people watched their hunger,
deeper than drought, deeper than thirst. They had forgotten their God,
forgotten who had shaped them, called them, carried them. Not today.
(19:24):
Elijah lifted his hands, his face to the sky, YoY.
Speaker 6 (19:31):
God, Abraham, Isaac and Israel hear me. Now, let him
be no today, not tomorrow, not in any other generation,
not in wee. There is not in fire, in power,
in a way they cannot deny that You, Ah God.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
The wind died. The crowd pressed closer. The bloodied and
spent priests of Baal held their breath and looked towards
the sk guy. It was as if they too expected
something to happen. Elijah took a step closer to the altar,
his voice rising, a storm building in his chest.
Speaker 6 (20:12):
You the God that spoke light, madding avoid, the God
who shaved the man from the dust.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
And breathed life into his lungs.
Speaker 9 (20:20):
The God who watched as we turned away, The God
who drowned the world injustice, would spare it one family
and nursey. The God who split disease before our fathers,
who led him through the fire, who struck each of
scaw's row and brought the smell of spine. You let
(20:40):
us in the wilderness, You made water pour from a rock.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
You rushed now at least before us.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
And no, they have forgotten you.
Speaker 6 (20:51):
They ball mail, They cut themselves.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
For a new title.
Speaker 8 (20:57):
They have turned from me on me.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
With a gust of wind rushed through the crowd. The
sky remained clear. Elijah's voice shook the mountain and.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
The rump them to the lean.
Speaker 8 (21:19):
EYESO the sky walked open.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
The heavens roared. Fire erupted, crashing down blind and consume them.
In an instant, the flames consumed everything, the bull, the wood,
the very stones of the altar, the trench water that
had moments ago mocked the idea of fire, and then
(21:54):
kept going. The dirt beneath the altar became molten. The
heat struck of people like a physical blow. The entire
crowd beheld the truth. Bab was nothing, Bab was dust.
Bah was a name they had used to justify self
(22:14):
indulgence and disobedience. But the Lord was real, undeniable, uncontainable,
and all consuming fire. There was no room left for wavering,
no middle ground. You were either bowing before the One
True God or standing against him, and to stand against
(22:37):
him was to be consumed. The people collapsed. Ahab staggered back,
His face was pale, his mouth was open, but no
words came out, because what could he say? The king
who had let his wife turn Israel into a playground
for foreign gods who had filled the Yahwe's man with
(23:00):
shrines to nothingness. Had just seen with his own eyes
that he had been wrong, that all of Israel had
been wrong, That the Lord had never left, had never
been defeated, had never needed their loyalty to validate his existence.
He had simply been waiting. Elijah turned eyes like flint,
(23:24):
searching the crowd, searching for the ones who had led
Israel into blindness. The priests of Bough pale, shaking, sweat
dripping down their painted faces, their robes still damped with
their own blood from the frenzy that had earned them nothing.
They knew in the way a man understands the ocean
(23:46):
is real the moment it swallows him whole. Elijah spoke
with a voice of iron, seize them.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
For too long they perverted our minds with witchcraft. No longer,
not one day.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
The crowd moved as one Boo's prophets tried to run.
They were tackled, dragged and beaten, screaming to the river
to judgment. One by one they fell. The water ran red.
(24:21):
The ground beneath Mount Carmel was still blackened from the fire.
The people had begun to scatter, murmuring among themselves, their
minds reeling from what they had seen. Ahab lingered by
his chariot, shaken but trying not to show it. The
sky was empty and silent. There were no clouds, no wind,
(24:45):
just heat, still and smothering. The drought was still gripping
the land. Elijah turned to Ahab, go eat lenk the rain.
Ahab blinked, his mouth parting slightly, like he wanted to
(25:05):
argue to scoff, to say something cutting, but he didn't.
He had seen too much today. Instead, he swallowed, gave
Elijah a final look, then climbed into his chariot and
rode off toward the palace. Elijah exhaled and turned toward
the edge of the mountain. He climbed higher above the wreckage,
(25:30):
above the watching eyes, until he found himself alone on
the peak. Then he dropped to his knees.
Speaker 4 (25:38):
Yo, you have answered by fire no, and so my mother.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
He lifted his head slightly, squinting toward the horizon. The
sky stretched bare and merciless in every direction. Elijah inhaled,
closing his eye again. He prayed, and again and again,
six times. Six long stretched silences, though his faith did
(26:11):
not waver. His body was exhausted. His breath was slow,
deep and controlled. The weight of waiting pressed on his chest.
He lowered himself further, his forehead nearly touching the dirt.
You are thief. Elijah looked up toward the horizon, clouds dark, churning, ready,
(26:39):
His lips curled into a grin. He pushed himself to
his feet and turned toward the valley below, where Ahab's
camp sat. The king likely sat drinking his wine. Thinking
this day was over, Elijah laughed under his breath. Shaking
his head. He turned to one of his young men
(27:00):
with a wry grin.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
Go tell Ahab hitch his chariot and ride fast. If
he waits, the rain will stop him.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
The servant took off running. Elijah turned back to the horizon,
watching the small cloud shifted, swirled, spread, then a wind,
a whisper at first, then a howl, then a roar.
The sky, which had been unyielding, suddenly ripped open, and.
Speaker 10 (27:32):
The first crop hid Elijah's scale, and another, then a thousand.
The heavens collapsed and water slammed against the earth, rolling
in sheets, hammering the blackened altar, washing away the blood
of the prophets, drenching the cracked ground that had not
tasted rain in years. Ahab's chariot wheels lurched through the mud,
(27:58):
the King of scrambling, whipping the horses, urging the broad
but the road was already.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
Turning into a flood. Elijah ran faster than the horses,
faster than the chariot, somehow supernaturally fast. His legs were
not his own. Ahab's face went white, like he had
just seen a ghost. There racing past him was Elijah,
(28:25):
sprinting past the chariot like Yahweh himself was carrying him
on eagle's wings. The King whipped his horses harder. Elijah
did not slow. Jezebel was waiting. Ahab's chariot tore through
(28:51):
the city gates, horses panting, who splashing through the fresh mud.
Servants scattered. Startled by the sudden return, Ahab leaped from
the chariot and stormed into the palace, through the darkened
halls and ascending up the watchtower. Jezebel stood by the window,
(29:14):
watching the storm from below. She did not turn when
the doors burst open. She did not flinch at the
sound of his soaked boots hitting the marble floor.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Elija has won.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Jezebel exhaled slowly. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes
narrowing against the storm outside. Did he Ahab's mouth went dry,
the prophet's ball, All of them dead. Jezebel closed her
eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she finally
(29:53):
turned to him, smiling, not wide, not forced, something cold,
control amused. She stepped forward. She reached out, fingers lightly,
brushing a hand soaked tunic. Her touch so gentle, it's
sent to chill up his spine.
Speaker 11 (30:15):
So the profit of fire of things, he can talk.
If you want a king, mark my words. Husband. By
this time tomorrow, Elijah will be dead.
Speaker 5 (30:38):
If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and
it has affected your life, we'd love it if you
left her review. We read them, and me personally, I
cherish them as you venture forth boldly and faithfully. I
leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six. I
hashem vischmerechra yeah heir hashempanave ilehave ye sa hashempanavelechra vich salon.
(31:08):
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord,
make his face shine upon you. May he be gracious
to you. Made the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
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Previously on the Chosen People. Well, if it isn't the
profit of fire.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Here the judgment of Yahweh, there will be no de
no rain, not even a whisper of moisture upon this
land until I say otherwise.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Do you think I fear your God?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
You should careful Prophet Why Afrid, she will hear.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Queen Jezebel was not presence, but her presence permeated every room.
Everyone knew her power, how it coiled around Ahab's decisions
like a serpent.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
But you will learn when the rivers crack into dust,
when your fields shrivel and die, when the sky above
you is as unyielding as iron, you will know that
it is not bail.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
I'm on the rain.
Speaker 5 (01:06):
Shallow, my friends from here in the Holy Land of Israel.
I'm ya l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians
and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day
we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories
filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning
of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth
(01:28):
that we are all chosen for something great. So take
a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling
extra grateful for these stories. We would love it if
you left us a review. I read every single one
of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about
the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can
(01:49):
visit IFCJ dot Org. Let's begin.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Three years three years of sun the earth, three years
of cracked ground and dried up rivers, three years of
watching Israel wither like an untended vine. The land stank
of death, rotting cattle, scorched fields, and the sour stench
(02:18):
of desperation. The people were past praying, past hoping. Even
Baal's priests had stopped shouting to the heavens. Jezebel's altars
were stained with blood, but no God had answered. The
sky remained silent, empty dry. Obadiah, however, made the earth
(02:42):
beneath him damp with his sweat. He moved through the
ruined streets of Samaria, keeping to the alleys, a sack
of stolen food slung over his shoulder. His hands shook
as he clutched it tighter. Too many people were watching
these days. The prophets of Yahweh were still alive, hidden
(03:04):
in caves, surviving on whatever scraps they could smuggle, but
it was getting harder. The palace was restless. Jezebel's priests
were sniffing out traitors. It was only a matter of
time before some one talked. Obadiah turned down an empty road,
exhaling shakily, then stopped cold. A man stood ahead, half
(03:28):
hidden in the heat haze. His cloak was tattered and
his face was lined from sun and exile, but his
eyes were unmistakable eyes of fire and judgment. Elijah, is
it really you? What are you doing here?
Speaker 2 (03:47):
I mean? Ready to cause them trouble? H Now, Gordelia,
tell Ehab.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Are you insane? Obadiah darted a glance over him shoulder,
as if just speaking Elijah's name too loud would summon
Jezebel's assassins. Do you know what you've done?
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Aham's been hunting you for three years?
Speaker 4 (04:11):
He sent men to every kingdom.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Made them swear they haven't seen.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
You under oath. If I go to him and say
you're here and then you just vanish again, he'll kill me.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
I'm not going anywhere and then people see, Obadiah stared,
the sheer audacity of it. Three years gone and now
Elijah just stood there, like he hadn't single handedly shut
down the sky, like Ahab wouldn't gut him on sight,
like Jezebel didn't have a personal hit list with him
(04:45):
at the top of it. Obadiah opened his mouth, then stopped.
He knew that look Elijah wasn't joking. Obadiah exhaled, rubbing
a hand over his face.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
You're going to kill me, chill tell him.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Obadiah closed his eyes, muttering something under his breath, maybe
a curse, maybe a prayer, maybe both, then took off running.
The chariot stormed down the ruined road, dust billowing behind it.
Ahabs stood at the helm, eyes sunken, jaw clenched, hands
(05:26):
tight on the reins. Three years of drought had eaten
away at him, hollowed him out. His robes hung loose
on his frame. His power had not saved him from hunger.
His gold had not bought a single drop of rain.
His sacrifices had not moved the heavens. And now this
(05:48):
Elijah standing alone on the road, arms crossed waiting. The
verse was weird. As the chariot skidded to a stop.
For a long stretched moment, no one moved. Then Ahab laughed.
It was sharp, brittle, empty. I see you're still alive.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
I see you're no longer pat still stupid.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Though Ahab smirk died, his grip on the reins tightened,
fingers twitching toward his sword before he forced them.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Still three years, Elijah, three years, no rain, no crops,
no food. Do you have any idea what you've done?
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Why don't you tell me you've ruined Israel? I have
not ruined Israel. Ahb, you you abandoned Yahweh, you bowed
to bail, You led the people into this, and now
healthy the audacity to blame me.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
The men behind Ahab stirred. Ahab looked over his shoulder,
then turned back to Elijah. His breath was sharp.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Watch your tongue, profits or what you'll kill me?
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Have Jezebel's dogs string me up in the palace square?
Does little Ahab need mommy to do his dirty work?
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Ahab's grip on the reins tightened. The insult cut deeper
than Elijah could know. Except Elijah did know. The rumors
had spread like wildfire. Jezebel ruled Ahab obeyed, She treated
him like a child, scolded him in court and made
decisions in his place. His own men whispered it behind
(07:52):
his back, and now Elijah, standing alone in the dust,
said it to his face. He had old men for less,
but not Elijah. Not yet. They have wanted to savor that.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
Go ahead, Will that bring back the rain?
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Another sacrifice, another course for bail.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Is the blood of innocent children. Not enough, you think
another kill will make bail.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Listen, the wind kicked up, swirling dust between them. They
have had no answer, So Elijah gave him one.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
Gather the people, every tribe, every elder, every priest, meet.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Me on Mont Carmel.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Bring your your province of bail, all four hundred and
fifty of them. He'll settle this right here, right now.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Ah. Competition, m.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Sure, quality, competition, if you like, is not. But whatever
will get you to stand on that mountain. One altar
for bail, one altar for your way. One test, No
fire from our hands, no tricks. We call on our gods,
and the one who answers by fire, he is declared
(09:18):
the one true God, the Ylohim of all Y'lohim.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
You're series Are you a fray of you?
Speaker 6 (09:28):
No?
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Theyhab are you afraid of what will happen when yave
wanes and the wrath of your wife is kingdom?
Speaker 1 (09:37):
They have held his gaze. Then he exhaled, turned back
toward his chariot, and climbed up without another word.
Speaker 6 (09:47):
We meet on Mount Carmel one week.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
The whip cracked and the horses bolted forward. Elijah stood
still as the dust rose, as the chariot vanished towards Samaria.
The sun burned in the cloudless sky. The God of
Israel had thrown the gauntlet, and Ahab had picked it up.
The stage was set, The mountain was packed. Thousands had gathered,
(10:18):
pressing against the rocky slopes lining the ridges, standing shoulder
to shoulder. Their faces were gaunt with hunger and sharp
with suspicion. They had all heard the stories. Elijah had returned,
and now he was standing against four hundred and fifty
of Baal's prophets. Ahab lounged at the edge of the scene,
(10:43):
arms crossed, trying to appear unbothered. The priests of Baal
stood tall in their crimson robes, lifting their hands, already
murmuring their incantations. Elijah stepped forward.
Speaker 6 (10:57):
Israel, hear me, how long will you stumble like drunkards,
wavering between two bads, pretending you serve both, when your
horts belong to neither.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
How long will you hobble back and.
Speaker 6 (11:12):
Forth, drn between a god of silence and the god
of all creation? How long will you let a slot
of drunk and a witch queen make your decisions for you?
Speaker 2 (11:24):
If your way is God, follow him. If bail is God,
then bow to him fully.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
But enough of this, cowardly but.
Speaker 6 (11:34):
That it can't be. You cannot serve two masters.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
This is the moment, This is the dying shoes.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
The people shifted, murmuring. No one answered, of course not.
It was safer to remain neutral, to pretend they hadn't
noticed the famine, the silence of boo, the altars slick
with blood, but no fire. Elijah's mouth twisted.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Fine, cowards, we'll settle this now, a final test. Two bulls,
no fire. The god who answers by fire, he is God, agreed.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
Elijah gestured toward the two stone altars, one for yahue,
one for bal. The crowd murmured and nodded.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
It was fair, a public trial, bold of you, Elijah.
But what happens when nothing happens? When your yawey is
just as silent as.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
All A fair question, I have what he is?
Speaker 1 (12:48):
A betther one?
Speaker 2 (12:49):
H where's your queen?
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Ah?
Speaker 2 (12:55):
You talk of silence, hers is absolute.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Deathly ahab smirk faltered just for a second. His fingers
twitched against the chariot's edge.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Surely Jezebel would want to be here for this, to
defend her guards, to stand by your side. Oh wait,
she's not here, is she? Shouldn't Jezebel be here to
hold your hand? Or does she not trust you to
make the big boy decisions?
Speaker 4 (13:31):
Left you all alone to face the fire.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Eh? Maybe she doesn't think you're up to the task.
Maybe she already knows how the sins.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
The crowd murmured, shifting uneasily. The king had no answer.
Elijah didn't need one. The silence spoke for him. Meanwhile,
the priests of Baal were confident. They took their bull,
laid it on the altar, lifted their hands, and began
(14:01):
to chant rhythmic, loud, strong. Their voices carried over the mountain,
echoing down the valley. Time passed, the chanting grew faster,
more urgent. The priests swayed, arms raised hands, trembling, hours
rolled by nothing. Elijah leaned against a rock, watching her
(14:25):
smirk playing at his lips.
Speaker 7 (14:28):
Ha ha ha, shout loud. Now, maybe your god is a
deep and thought. Maybe he has to step away, how
to relieve himself? He certainly is full of dumb.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
A few in the crowd snorted, poorly hiding their laughter.
Ahab shot the mclare.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Maybe he's a nabbing You should wake him up.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
Wake might keep e What is shame that broke them?
Their prayers turned frantic, voices ragged. They took knives from
their belts, Blades slashed across their arms, their chests, bloods
stilled into the altar. Still no fire. By late afternoon,
(15:19):
the priests were on their knees, gasping, shaking, drenched in
their own blood. Nothing, not a flicker, not a whisper
of smoke. It was time Elijah stepped forward. The people
turned to him. The priests were spent trembling. Ahab's smirk
(15:41):
was fading. The moment hung thick in the air.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
You have seen their prayers, you have heard their cries,
you have watched them blade and yet disguise silent, No boy,
no answer, no fire.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Why the people stayed quiet.
Speaker 6 (16:04):
Because Bail is nothing, because Bail is a lion, Because
Bill is a wooden idol, a creation of your own hands, No,
the creation of an evil spirit.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Steal.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
He's kitty glawing in the throne of the old.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Lighting Elijah slammed his staff into the ground.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
Yo, he's a lion.
Speaker 6 (16:30):
He is the God of gods, the king of kings,
the lord of all creation.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
The wind stirred, a ripple went through the crowd. Ahab
dabbed sweat from his forehead.
Speaker 8 (16:45):
Come here.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
The people pressed closer, whispering, watching as Elijah walk to
Yahwe's altar, or what was left of it, stones broken
and buried in dust, a forgotten ruin. Without a word,
he began rebuilding twelve stones, one for each tribe of Israel,
(17:07):
stacked with deliberate care. The murmurs grew, what is he
doing rebuilding Yahweh's Altar? A bit late through there, Elijah
dug a trench around it, then raised his hand. Water
servants with buckets appeared, pouring water over the bull, the wood,
(17:31):
and the stones. The gasps were instant, his wasting good
and throut more buckets. The trench overflowed the altar was drenched.
Ahab leaned forward dramatic profit.
Speaker 6 (17:50):
But when nothing happens, you're going to look quite foolish.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
For once Elijah ignored him, he closed his eyes, hands
raised east. All eyes were on Elijah. The silence stretched.
Elijah's hands tightened. What if nothing happens? What if Yaho
stays silent? A flash of fear, a moment of doubt.
(18:18):
But then memories flashed in Elijah's mind's eye. A stream
in the desert, water cool against cracked lips, the flutter
of wings, the sharp cry of ravens, food falling at
his feet. A widow's hands shaking as she scraped the
(18:38):
last of her flower, then gasping when she saw the
jar once again filled. A small boy, pale and lifeless,
his breath returning his first word. Elijah opened his eyes,
his heart settled.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
Yahweh always.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
His breath was slow, steady, but his heart pounded like
a war drum. The mountains stilled, the people watched their hunger,
deeper than drought, deeper than thirst. They had forgotten their God,
forgotten who had shaped them, called them, carried them. Not today.
(19:24):
Elijah lifted his hands, his face to the sky, YoY.
Speaker 6 (19:31):
God, Abraham, Isaac and Israel hear me. Now, let him
be no today, not tomorrow, not in any other generation,
not in wee. There is not in fire, in power,
in a way they cannot deny that You, Ah God.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
The wind died. The crowd pressed closer. The bloodied and
spent priests of Baal held their breath and looked towards
the sk guy. It was as if they too expected
something to happen. Elijah took a step closer to the altar,
his voice rising, a storm building in his chest.
Speaker 6 (20:12):
You the God that spoke light, madding avoid, the God
who shaved the man from the dust.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
And breathed life into his lungs.
Speaker 9 (20:20):
The God who watched as we turned away, The God
who drowned the world injustice, would spare it one family
and nursey. The God who split disease before our fathers,
who led him through the fire, who struck each of
scaw's row and brought the smell of spine. You let
(20:40):
us in the wilderness, You made water pour from a rock.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
You rushed now at least before us.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
And no, they have forgotten you.
Speaker 6 (20:51):
They ball mail, They cut themselves.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
For a new title.
Speaker 8 (20:57):
They have turned from me on me.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
With a gust of wind rushed through the crowd. The
sky remained clear. Elijah's voice shook the mountain and.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
The rump them to the lean.
Speaker 8 (21:19):
EYESO the sky walked open.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
The heavens roared. Fire erupted, crashing down blind and consume them.
In an instant, the flames consumed everything, the bull, the wood,
the very stones of the altar, the trench water that
had moments ago mocked the idea of fire, and then
(21:54):
kept going. The dirt beneath the altar became molten. The
heat struck of people like a physical blow. The entire
crowd beheld the truth. Bab was nothing, Bab was dust.
Bah was a name they had used to justify self
(22:14):
indulgence and disobedience. But the Lord was real, undeniable, uncontainable,
and all consuming fire. There was no room left for wavering,
no middle ground. You were either bowing before the One
True God or standing against him, and to stand against
(22:37):
him was to be consumed. The people collapsed. Ahab staggered back,
His face was pale, his mouth was open, but no
words came out, because what could he say? The king
who had let his wife turn Israel into a playground
for foreign gods who had filled the Yahwe's man with
(23:00):
shrines to nothingness. Had just seen with his own eyes
that he had been wrong, that all of Israel had
been wrong, That the Lord had never left, had never
been defeated, had never needed their loyalty to validate his existence.
He had simply been waiting. Elijah turned eyes like flint,
(23:24):
searching the crowd, searching for the ones who had led
Israel into blindness. The priests of Bough pale, shaking, sweat
dripping down their painted faces, their robes still damped with
their own blood from the frenzy that had earned them nothing.
They knew in the way a man understands the ocean
(23:46):
is real the moment it swallows him whole. Elijah spoke
with a voice of iron, seize them.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
For too long they perverted our minds with witchcraft. No longer,
not one day.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
The crowd moved as one Boo's prophets tried to run.
They were tackled, dragged and beaten, screaming to the river
to judgment. One by one they fell. The water ran red.
(24:21):
The ground beneath Mount Carmel was still blackened from the fire.
The people had begun to scatter, murmuring among themselves, their
minds reeling from what they had seen. Ahab lingered by
his chariot, shaken but trying not to show it. The
sky was empty and silent. There were no clouds, no wind,
(24:45):
just heat, still and smothering. The drought was still gripping
the land. Elijah turned to Ahab, go eat lenk the rain.
Ahab blinked, his mouth parting slightly, like he wanted to
(25:05):
argue to scoff, to say something cutting, but he didn't.
He had seen too much today. Instead, he swallowed, gave
Elijah a final look, then climbed into his chariot and
rode off toward the palace. Elijah exhaled and turned toward
the edge of the mountain. He climbed higher above the wreckage,
(25:30):
above the watching eyes, until he found himself alone on
the peak. Then he dropped to his knees.
Speaker 4 (25:38):
Yo, you have answered by fire no, and so my mother.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
He lifted his head slightly, squinting toward the horizon. The
sky stretched bare and merciless in every direction. Elijah inhaled,
closing his eye again. He prayed, and again and again,
six times. Six long stretched silences, though his faith did
(26:11):
not waver. His body was exhausted. His breath was slow,
deep and controlled. The weight of waiting pressed on his chest.
He lowered himself further, his forehead nearly touching the dirt.
You are thief. Elijah looked up toward the horizon, clouds dark, churning, ready,
(26:39):
His lips curled into a grin. He pushed himself to
his feet and turned toward the valley below, where Ahab's
camp sat. The king likely sat drinking his wine. Thinking
this day was over, Elijah laughed under his breath. Shaking
his head. He turned to one of his young men
(27:00):
with a wry grin.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
Go tell Ahab hitch his chariot and ride fast. If
he waits, the rain will stop him.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
The servant took off running. Elijah turned back to the horizon,
watching the small cloud shifted, swirled, spread, then a wind,
a whisper at first, then a howl, then a roar.
The sky, which had been unyielding, suddenly ripped open, and.
Speaker 10 (27:32):
The first crop hid Elijah's scale, and another, then a thousand.
The heavens collapsed and water slammed against the earth, rolling
in sheets, hammering the blackened altar, washing away the blood
of the prophets, drenching the cracked ground that had not
tasted rain in years. Ahab's chariot wheels lurched through the mud,
(27:58):
the King of scrambling, whipping the horses, urging the broad
but the road was already.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
Turning into a flood. Elijah ran faster than the horses,
faster than the chariot, somehow supernaturally fast. His legs were
not his own. Ahab's face went white, like he had
just seen a ghost. There racing past him was Elijah,
(28:25):
sprinting past the chariot like Yahweh himself was carrying him
on eagle's wings. The King whipped his horses harder. Elijah
did not slow. Jezebel was waiting. Ahab's chariot tore through
(28:51):
the city gates, horses panting, who splashing through the fresh mud.
Servants scattered. Startled by the sudden return, Ahab leaped from
the chariot and stormed into the palace, through the darkened
halls and ascending up the watchtower. Jezebel stood by the window,
(29:14):
watching the storm from below. She did not turn when
the doors burst open. She did not flinch at the
sound of his soaked boots hitting the marble floor.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Elija has won.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Jezebel exhaled slowly. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes
narrowing against the storm outside. Did he Ahab's mouth went dry,
the prophet's ball, All of them dead. Jezebel closed her
eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she finally
(29:53):
turned to him, smiling, not wide, not forced, something cold,
control amused. She stepped forward. She reached out, fingers lightly,
brushing a hand soaked tunic. Her touch so gentle, it's
sent to chill up his spine.
Speaker 11 (30:15):
So the profit of fire of things, he can talk.
If you want a king, mark my words. Husband. By
this time tomorrow, Elijah will be dead.
Speaker 5 (30:38):
If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and
it has affected your life, we'd love it if you
left her review. We read them, and me personally, I
cherish them as you venture forth boldly and faithfully. I
leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six. I
hashem vischmerechra yeah heir hashempanave ilehave ye sa hashempanavelechra vich salon.
(31:08):
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord,
make his face shine upon you. May he be gracious
to you. Made the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Amen. You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle
Eckstein ad free by downloading and subscribing to the Prey
dot Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only
made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina,
Max Bard, Zach Shellabaga and Ben Gammon are the executive
(31:41):
producers of the Chosen People with Yiele Exstein, edited by
Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltefianu. Characters are voiced by
Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky,
(32:01):
and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music
by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, Bree Rosalie
and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin,
kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, Rabbi Edward Abramson and the team
at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear
(32:23):
more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot Com app,
available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
If you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, please
rate and leave a review.
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