The Abiding Gift of Prophecy

Apostasy of Ahab

His next step was but the natural, logical result of his apostasy—he built a temple in his capital for the heathen god, and “reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built.” This was followed by the appointment of priests to perform the services of the temple. He also appointed and maintained prophets of Baal in great numbers. AGP 91.2

All this was done by the king and queen to lead the nation of Israel away from the true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, to the worship of senseless idols of wood and stone. This was the first time in the long history of God’s people that rank heathenism was established in their midst by the authority of the government. AGP 91.3

Before Israel entered upon their inheritance, the Lord gave the command: “Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee. Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth.” Deuteronomy 16:21, 22. AGP 91.4

In the time of the judges, Joash, the father of Gideon, had erected an altar to Baal, and built a grove by it. When Gideon was called to deliver the nation of Israel from the bondage of the Midianites, he first obeyed the divine command to “throw down the altar of Baal” which his father had built, and to “cut down the grove” that was by it. Then he undertook the great task of delivering his people from the cruel servitude of the Midianites. (See Judges 6:25-32.) AGP 91.5

But Ahab and Jezebel had determined to establish the idolatry of the Zidonians as the religion of Israel by putting the sun-god Baal in the place of Jehovah, and they appeared to be accomplishing their wicked purpose. With the king and queen entirely committed to idolatry, with temples and altars on every AGP 91.6

hand dedicated to the worship of Baal, with priests and prophets by the hundred performing the services of the heathen ritual, the whole nation was being rapidly led into idolatry. AGP 92.1

This was a supreme crisis in the history of Israel. The change that was taking place was tragic. “All the bounties of heaven,—the running brooks, the streams of living waters, the gentle dew, the showers of rain which refreshed the earth and caused their fields to bring forth abundantly,—these they [the Baal worshipers] ascribed to the favor of their gods.”—Testimonies for the Church 3:263. AGP 92.2

This strange, corrupting, destroying movement carried on by Ahab and Jezebel was viewed with great alarm and distress by the loyal man of God, Elijah, who dwelt in the land of Gilead east of the Jordan. He was overwhelmed with anguish as he saw his people being led into idolatry. Elijah was a man of action. AGP 92.3