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From the time the Hebrews entered the promised land, they began to worship other gods. The most prominent idol that they worshiped was Baal. Baal worship spread rapidly when the king of Israel, Ahab, married Jezebel, the princess of Tyre (1 Kings 16:31-32).
The Spread of Baalism
Although they lived in Israel, Jezebel and her retainers were free to worship Baal. Ahab accommodated his wife’s idolatry to the point of building a temple specifically for Baal. The Old Testament (OT) law forbade Ahab’s marriage to Jezebel and the construction of temples for Baal, but the king didn’t let this get in his way. Jezebel didn’t just want the freedom to worship Baal in Israel, she wanted Baal to replace Yahweh (the LORD) in Israelite worship (1 Kings 18:1-15; 19:1-10). Due to her influence, the worship of Yahweh became unpopular during the time of the Prophet Elijah.
Baal’s Background
The worship of Baal had existed for several centuries among the Canaanites before the Hebrews arrived at the promised land. It was prominent in Canaan and Phoenicia, nations close to Israel that greatly influenced them.
By his followers, Baal was considered the storm god. It was thought that he caused the rain, which was vital for the ongoing existence of an agricultural community. Baal was also depicted as having lightning bolts in his hand and is described as being accompanied by fire. Not only could Baal cause rain, but he could bring fire from heaven, according to his followers.
The Defeat of Baal
The prophets Elijah and Elisha were raised up by God to show the error of Baal worship. Each of the miracles of these two prophets demonstrated that Yahweh was more powerful than Baal. Through God’s power, Elijah stopped the rain from falling in Israel for three years, revealing that Baal couldn’t even control the rain. At Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18), Baal was unable to deliver fire from heaven even though his priests cried out to him all day. Elijah and Elisha demonstrated that Baal was no god at all, but a sham ruler who doesn’t exist. The God of Israel, on the other hand, is master of all creation.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Why do you think God’s people fell prey to idol worship? How can we fall prey to idolatry today?
- Read 1 Kings 16:31-32. Why is it important that we date or marry people who will encourage us, rather than discourage us, from following God?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
