READ: 2 Chron. 6:12-14, 26-29, 36-7:5
Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God! – 1 Kin. 18:38,39
Immediately after Elijah finishes his prayer, fire from the Lord falls from heaven. Elijah’s fiery and earnest prayer has unleashed the energies from heaven. It was a brief but powerful prayer without manipulation. The Lord’s response is one of divine approval.
God desires to be prayed to. He wants to give us, His children, grace, gifts and His Spirit, but only through our prayer (HC LD 45 Q&A 116)!
God waits to give His answer until our reverent prayer has been uttered, in which we expect it from the Lord alone and ground our plea on His promises. Such a prayer is pleasing to the Lord, and He hears it.
There had been fire from heaven before. It occurred at the ordination of the first priests, Aaron and his sons (Lev. 9:24). That fire consumed the sin offering at the ordination. Thus, the people were strengthened and brought to worship (Lev. 9:24). The same thing happened when David, after his sin of the census, asked the Lord for reconciliation (1 Chron. 21:26), and at the dedication of the temple in King Solomon’s prayer (2 Chron. 7:1).
Elijah now prays again for confirmation of the words he spoke in His service (v.32,36). The fact that the offerings were consumed, despite the many waters poured over them, also signifies the reconciliation accepted by God.
This happens in a very impressive way, as not only the offerings but also the wood, the stones of the altar, and the ground around it were consumed! Only the people standing there are miraculously spared as a sign of God’s grace!
What does Christ’s sacrifice have to do with this fire?
Sing: Ps. 97:2,3