Definition: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 18:24 together. It’s a really important and dramatic passage in the Bible! Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Situation: God is angry because of a massive display of worship being done by the Israelites – they were worshipping idols instead of Him. They were building a huge altar to a god named Baal. What’s Happening: “And call ye on the name of your gods…” : God is directly telling the people to stop worshipping the false gods. He's saying, "Stop this! This isn't right!" "...and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God." : This is where it gets really powerful. God is specifically calling upon Him to act. He’s saying, “I will summon your God – the one who answers with fire – and let that god be real .” “And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.” : The people, overwhelmed by this direct command, replied, "Yes, you are right! That's what we should do." What does it mean? This verse speaks to a fundamental truth about God’s power. It means: God is in control: He has the ultimate authority and can intervene whenever things go wrong. His word is powerful: God’s words have a direct and undeniable impact – they can change everything. He will judge those who disrespect him: God isn't just interested in what we do, but about how we treat the one who created us. In short, it’s a warning to be careful with false gods and to always turn to God for guidance and strength. Think of it like this: Imagine someone telling you to stop doing something wrong. You might shrug and say "Okay," but if they actually do it, there's a very real chance they will react strongly against you. That’s the kind of power we’re talking about here! --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss its significance in the larger story of Israel’s history?