Definition: And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress [it] first; for ye [are] many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire [under].

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 18:25. It’s a really important passage about God’s judgment and a crucial moment in the story of Elijah. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is sending a powerful storm to test the faith of the people of Israel. He’s showing them that they are numerous and that they’re trying to worship false gods – things created by humans instead of God. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal…” - This tells us who is involved. Elijah was a prophet, someone who spoke for God. He was sending a message to the leaders of the people of Israel who were worshipping other gods (called "Baal"). “…Choose you one bullock for yourselves…” – Elijah is telling them to choose one specific animal – a bullock – and dress it. It’s a symbolic action, like choosing to worship God alone. “…and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire [under].” - This is the core of the message. They are trying to make their own gods powerful, but they need to stop doing that. “Call on the name of your gods…” – They're trying to worship those false gods. “…but put no fire [under].” - This is a very important instruction. They cannot make a fire (a visible sign of God’s power) under their false idols. It means they must remain silent and not display their worship in any way that would be recognized as a genuine act of worship. In short, the verse warns against idolatry – worshipping anything other than God. It's about recognizing that true faith comes from following God’s will, not from making false idols. Why is this important? This story is a fundamental part of the Old Testament and illustrates God’s unwavering judgment against those who reject him and their false gods. It emphasizes the importance of staying true to your beliefs and worshiping only God! --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from 1 Kings 18? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail?