1) this is quite the long narrative, so obviously we have decisions to make for it, whether we are usingit to teach, preach, or as a spiritual resource.
2) I think of Eugene Peterson on this passage, where he emphasizes Baalism as an emotional, consumer-oriented faith.
3) Baal was a god in the Canaanite pantheon. He was a youthful storm god. the name, in Hebrew cna mean lord, husband. Baal may have been connected ot fertility. He was also part of a death and rebirth account where his sister/consort saves him from the clutches of the underworld. Baal defeated Yam of the sea, so some of the chaos stories would touch on him.Some mutilation riutals may a have accompanied hte cult of Baal to re-enact the story of his preparation to face death. the story resembles the account of the season in the story of Persephone.
4) We are in the presence of the time honored template of one against many here, think Sgt. York, or extend it to the account of the movie 300 of the Spartans at Thermopylae, or the Westerns or medieval stories of duels..
5) Obviously, the god of Israel is powerful. How do we deal with the story when we seek but do not find the power of god?
6) One could work with Ahab here. i am mystified why the supporters of a union of church and state do not refer to this story of the dangers of a union of church and state.
7) When have you had a Mt. Carmel incident?What powers helped you through it?
8) At v. 27 Elijah moves toward sarcasm and taunt. We are loath to do that in our pluralistic age.should the lectionary reading stops where it does?
9) What do you think of the touch of making Elijah's sacrifice even harder to ignite?
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