In I Kings, chapter 18, King Ahab, a worshiper of God had married a woman who worshiped in a fertility cult who sacrificed their babies to Baal. Elijah, a prophet in Israel, told king Ahab to gather the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah in order to have a “come to meeting” so to speak.

The Israelites, led by their king, worshiped Almighty God. But they also mixed in a little hanky-panky with the temple prostitutes of the king’s wife, Jezebel.

After all the Baal priests and the people of Israel were gathered, Elijah came before them and asked, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” In other words, he said they were limping along because they were trusting in something other than their Almighty God to deliver their needs like rain and fertility. God was not at all pleased that they were sacrificing His gift to them of their children to Baal.

Elijah proposed a test saying if Baal was god, let him light an ox the Baal priests laid on their altar. If Almighty God was God, let fire come and consume Elijah’s sacrifice on his altar.

Elijah let the Baal priests go first. They called on their god all day until time for the evening sacrifice. Nothing happened, even though they cut themselves and called out with loud voices.

Then it was Elijah’s turn. They laid an ox on Elijah’s altar. He had them pour twelve pitchers of water on it. When Elijah prayed a simple prayer the fire of the Lord fell, consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones of the altar, the dust, and the altar.

When the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.”

A few chapters later, we find out what happens to Jezebel. Dogs ate everything but her hands and feet. A sad end indeed.

What things are we trusting in today in addition to Almighty God for our needs? Have we thrown in a little Buddhism? A tad of new age thinking or just a dash of witchcraft like horoscopes, Tarot cards, or Ouija boards?