1 kings 18:33 - He put the wood in order, and cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, “Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood.”
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What does "1 kings 18:33" mean?
This verse describes a crucial part of the contest between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Let's break down what it means:
"He put the wood in order...": Elijah carefully arranged the wood on the altar he had rebuilt. This shows preparation and attention to detail. It highlights the seriousness of his task and the importance of presenting a proper offering.
"...and cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood.": The bull was the sacrificial animal. Cutting it into pieces was a standard practice for burnt offerings. This allowed the offering to burn more thoroughly.
"He said, 'Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood.'": This is the key element that makes the verse so dramatic. Drenching the offering and the wood with water seems counterintuitive. It would normally make it harder to start a fire. Elijah did this for several reasons:
To remove any doubt: By making it seemingly impossible to start a fire, Elijah eliminated any suspicion that the fire was caused by trickery or hidden flammables.
To demonstrate God's power: He was creating a situation where only a miraculous act of God could ignite the offering. He was showcasing God's ability to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.
To mock the prophets of Baal: Their god was supposed to be a god of fire and storms. By dousing the offering with water, Elijah was challenging Baal to prove his power.
In essence, this verse sets the stage for a dramatic demonstration of God's power. Elijah intentionally made it as difficult as possible to start a fire, ensuring that any fire that did ignite would be undeniable proof of God's intervention. This act of faith and defiance served to rebuke the idolatry of the people and demonstrate the true power of the God of Israel.
1 kings 18:33 - He put the wood in order, and cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, “Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood.”
What does "1 kings 18:33" mean?
This verse describes a crucial part of the contest between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Let's break down what it means:
"He put the wood in order...": Elijah carefully arranged the wood on the altar he had rebuilt. This shows preparation and attention to detail. It highlights the seriousness of his task and the importance of presenting a proper offering.
"...and cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood.": The bull was the sacrificial animal. Cutting it into pieces was a standard practice for burnt offerings. This allowed the offering to burn more thoroughly.
"He said, 'Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood.'": This is the key element that makes the verse so dramatic. Drenching the offering and the wood with water seems counterintuitive. It would normally make it harder to start a fire. Elijah did this for several reasons:
To remove any doubt: By making it seemingly impossible to start a fire, Elijah eliminated any suspicion that the fire was caused by trickery or hidden flammables.
To demonstrate God's power: He was creating a situation where only a miraculous act of God could ignite the offering. He was showcasing God's ability to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.
To mock the prophets of Baal: Their god was supposed to be a god of fire and storms. By dousing the offering with water, Elijah was challenging Baal to prove his power.
In essence, this verse sets the stage for a dramatic demonstration of God's power. Elijah intentionally made it as difficult as possible to start a fire, ensuring that any fire that did ignite would be undeniable proof of God's intervention. This act of faith and defiance served to rebuke the idolatry of the people and demonstrate the true power of the God of Israel.