Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of I Kings Chapter 18
Metaphysically Interpreting I Kings 18:1-19
18:1And it came to pass after many days, that the word of Jehovah came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. 18:2And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. And the famine was sore in Samaria. 18:3And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared Jehovah greatly: 18:4for it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of Jehovah, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) 18:5And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go through the land, unto all the fountains of water, and unto all the brooks: peradventure we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts. 18:6So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
18:7And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Is it thou, my lord Elijah? 18:8And he answered him, It is I: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 18:9And he said, Wherein have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me? 18:10As Jehovah thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not here, he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. 18:11And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 18:12And it will come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of Jehovah will carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he will slay me: but I thy servant fear Jehovah from my youth. 18:13Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of Jehovah, how I hid a hundred men of Jehovah's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?18:14And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here; and he will slay me. 18:15And Elijah said, As Jehovah of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to-day. 18:16So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
18:17And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Is it thou, thou troubler of Israel? 18:18And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of Jehovah, and thou hast followed the Baalim.18:19Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel's table.
August 14, 1904: I Kings 18:1-16
It seems incredible that man should ever get into a state of mind where the mortal seeks to kill the spiritual. But that such is one of the manias of sense insanity is evidenced by everyday observation. That part of man's consciousness which relates him to the realm of forms is always more or less in opposition to the formless. It is necessary that man stand absolutely free before he can realize his liberty as the offspring of the Unlimited One. This standing-alone part of the education precedes wisdom, and man is subject to many foolish experiences while it is going on. When he gets too independent, the Lord dries up the waters of life, and the land is parched and feverish.
But the law of action and reaction is here as elsewhere. The separation between the within and the without continues three years, which is a symbol of the triune movement of all things. The Mind, its Idea and the Effect are outwardly manifest as going-forth, poise, return. Every thought passes through these three stages. This law of trinity in action is inherent. Mind says to its Idea (Elijah) “reveal thyself to Effect” But “the famine was sore in Samaria.” This means that there was great dearth of spiritual understanding in the outer realm of consciousness. It was so great that the spiritual I AM could not reach the consciousness of Ahab, and the word was given to a messenger, Obadiah.
Obadiah represents the fearful-religious side of the intellect, which hides the revelations of Truth (prophets), when the sense realms, Ahab and Jezabel, are rampant The hundred prophets that Obadiah hid in caves by fifties, are the subjective thoughts of Truth which are covered up by materiality in both its positive and negative aspects. Such a state of consciousness as Ahab's does not meditate or think about religious matters in any way. Its whole attention is centred upon the salvation of the physical, represented by the horses and mules. Separation prevails here in all that is done. Ahab goes one way by himself, and Obadiah another way by himself.
The spiritual I AM, Elijah, cannot reach the intellect, when it is in the adverse state represented by the wicked Ahab, except through a messenger, Obadiah. This messenger is a thought of religious fear: “I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth.” It is through this religious fear that the mind of the ignorant and wicked sensualist is reached. It is afraid of its wicked thought-master, Ahab, and also afraid that its perception of spiritual Truth will evade it. It is a cowardly spirit in man, and makes a religious slave. But certain phases of mind require the fear of the Law to be impressed upon them before they will observe it. This is not the experience of one who is obedient, and who loves to do the will of God as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
– UNITY magazine.
Metaphysically Interpreting I Kings 18:20-40
18:20So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.18:21And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two sides? if Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 18:22Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, am left a prophet of Jehovah; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 18:23Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under; and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under. 18:24And call ye on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Jehovah; and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
18:25And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under. 18:26And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped about the altar which was made. 18:27And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud; for he is a god: either he is musing, or he is gone aside, or he is on a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awaked. 18:28And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them. 18:29And it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening oblation; but there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
18:30And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me; and all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of Jehovah that was thrown down. 18:31And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of Jehovah came, saying, Israel shall be thy name. 18:32And with the stones he built an altar in the name of Jehovah; and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. 18:33And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it on the wood. And he said, Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt-offering, and on the wood. 18:34And he said, Do it the second time; and they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time; and they did it the third time. 18:35And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
18:36And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening oblation, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, O Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 18:37Hear me, O Jehovah, hear me, that this people may know that thou, Jehovah, art God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 18:38Then the fire of Jehovah fell, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.18:39And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, Jehovah, he is God; Jehovah, he is God. 18:40and Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
August 21, 1904: I Kings 13:30-46
Elijah on Mount Carmel represents the I Am in realization of its unfettered power. Carmel means “the garden of God;” another authority gives it as “harvest, full of ears of corn.” The idea is a place in consciousness where we realize the fullness of our possibilities under the Divine Law. Jesus called it “paradise.”
The “altar” represents a fixed, definite centre in consciousness. As a matter of mental discipline this may first be of material appearance: “twelve stones.” We develop character through mastering material environments, as a knife is sharpened against a stone. The result is the rounding out of the twelve fundamental faculties of the mind, represented by the twelve sons of Jacob, the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve foundation stones, etc. Israel means “one who prevails with God,” and the necessity of the divine character of our development is here emphasized. It is something more than mere intellectual development. Unless our character is founded in Divine Principle it will fall short. It must have the “Is-real” stamp all the way through.
But this doing all things in the name of the Lord does not free us from complying with the most minute details of environment. The altar is built up of stones, and they are used so long as needed. When all the faculties are fully rounded out, we are set free from material bondage. Here many may go upon Mount Carmel spiritually, and there see their divine possibilities, refuse to come down to the little duties of everyday life. They aspire to be mystics and adepts, and withdraw from the world. If they cannot go to a cave or convent, they get into the habit of evading the duties of the environment in which their lives are cast. Such are unstable, restless, ever seeking peace and never finding it. They will never be masterful, until they build the altar to the Lord out of the material conditions right at hand. Jacob said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.”
Here is sharply contrasted the worship of or giving power to materiality on the one hand, the prophets of Baal, and spirituality on the other, the Lord, the God of Abraham. Because the things of time and sense have a necessary part in our lives, it does not follow that we should acknowledge them as the source of our existence, and pour out to them our thought-substance, which is really the meaning of sacrifices offered on the altars of the Jews.
Baal worship was a form of nature worship. Earth, air, fire and water, in fact, nearly all departments of the external universe, had its deity to whom sacrifices were made. All people who study materiality, and seek to find in it the source of existence, are sacrificing to Baal. This is strictly intellectual. But there are those on the soul plane who think they are spiritual, because they feel the throb of nature and join in all her moods. They are closely allied to the Whirling Dervish, and dissipate their soul substance in the various forces of nature with which they are in love. Such must do away with this Baal worship, and call upon the life-fire of the Spirit to utterly consume every material phase of such sacrifice.
This realization that there is a Principle back of all manifest existence comes, when we call upon the name of the One God. God is not divided nor separated into many; his name is I Am. Man looks upon the world without, and through his thought-substance weaves a web of attachment to it. This is to be dissolved in the highest development. The wood, the bullock and the altar are the vegetable, the animal and the mineral kingdoms to which the thought has linked the soul. It is this attachment that makes us sensitive to cold and heat, storm and calm, dampness and electrical conditions. These must be denied away again and again. This denial is symbolized by the pouring of the barrels of water the first, second and third times. Then, when you have denied these elements any place in your consciousness, affirm the living fire of the Holy Spirit as the one and only source of your life, and a new consciousness will be yours.
The prophets of Baal are the many external impulses that sway the soul dominated by nature's elements. These are to be slain: “let not one of them escape.” Kishon means “hard,” “sore.” To cut off these emotions that have been counted so dear, and treasured in song and prose, is a hard, sore process to some people. After the soul has been cleansed of its material concepts of existence, a refreshing process sets in. It has been dry and parched in its search for the springs of life in nature forms. When these false sources are all put away, the I AM must go up into the blessed Mount of Divine Realization in Spirit and meditate upon it. At first there may be no response discernible. But persist. The seventh affirmation opens the windows of heaven, and there is “a great rain.”
– UNITY magazine.
June 13, 1915: I Kings 18:25-39
Who was Baal? A heathen god worshiped by the Canaanites.
What does the worship of Baal represent? The worship of materiality.
What did Elijah request the prophets of Baal to do as a test of their god? He told them to choose a bullock and dress it ready for sacrifice, but not to put any fire under it. They were then to call upon their god to send down fire from heaven and consume the offering.
Was there an answer to their prayers? No.
What did Elijah do to show the people the power of the one true God? He took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, and with the stones he built an altar in the name of Jehovah. He made a trench about the altar. He then put the wood in order and laid the bullock on the wood. Then he poured water on the burnt offering and on the wood and filled the trench also with water. At the time of the evening of oblation he prayed and “the fire of Jehovah fell and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
What effect did this demonstration have upon the people? “When all the people saw it they fell on their faces: and they said, Jehovah, he is God; Jehovah, he is God.”
Where did this great test take place? On Mount Carmel.
What is represented by Elijah on Mount Carmel? Elijah on Mount Carmel represents the I Am in the realization of its unlimited power. Carmel is that place in the consciousness where we realize our spiritual power.
What is the meaning of the “altar”? “Altar” is the center in consciousness where man willingly sacrifices his selfishness.
What is the spiritual significance of this test of Baal and Jehovah? All people who live in the realm of materiality are sacrificing to Baal. Worshipers of Nature are also Baal's followers. By the power of thought man attaches himself to the world about him, and this attachment must be broken before he can come into spiritual dominion.
How is this separation from the world made? By denial.
In this lesson, what symbolizes denial? The pouring of the barrels of water upon the offering on the altar.
What follows the denial? Affirmations of Divine reality and realization of God's Presence.
What symbolizes the presence and power of Jehovah? The descent of the fire as an omnipotent cleansing energy.
June 13, 1915: I Kings 18:23-39
Elijah on Mount Carmel represents the I Am in realization of its unfettered power. Carmel means “the garden of God;” one authority gives it as “harvest, full of ears of corn.” The idea is a place in consciousness where we realize the fullness of our possibilities under the Divine Law. Jesus called it “paradise.”
The “altar” represents a fixed, definite center in consciousness. As a matter of mental discipline this may first be of material appearance: “twelve stones.” We develop character through mastering material environments, as a knife is sharpened against a stone. The result is the rounding out of the twelve fundamental faculties of the mind, represented by the twelve sons of Jacob, the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve foundation stones, etc. Israel means “one who prevails with God,” and the necessity of the divine character of our development is here emphasized. It is something more than mere intellectual development. Unless our character is founded in Divine Principle it will fall short. It must have the “Is-real” stamp all the way through.
But this doing all things in the name of the Lord does not free us from complying with the most minute details of environment. The altar is built up of stones, and they are used so long as needed. When all the faculties are fully rounded out, we are set free from material bondage. But many who go upon Mount Carmel spiritually, and there see their divine possibilities, refuse to come down to the little duties of everyday life. They aspire to be mystics and adepts, and withdraw from the world. If they cannot go to a cave or convent, they get into the habit of evading the duties of the environment in which their lives are cast. Such are unstable, restless, ever seeking peace and never finding it. They will never be masterful, until they build the altar to the Lord out of the material conditions right at hand. Jacob said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.”
Here is sharply contrasted the worship of or giving power to materiality on the one hand, the prophets of Baal, and spirituality on the other, the Lord, the God of Abraham. Because the things of time and sense have a necessary part in our lives, it does not follow that we should acknowledge them as the source of our existence, and pour out to them our thought-substance, which is really the meaning of sacrifices offered on the altars of the Jews.
Baal worship was a form of nature worship. Earth, air, fire and water, in fact, nearly all departments of the external universe, had their deities to whom sacrifices were made by the worshipers of Baal. All people who study materiality, and seek to find in it the source of existence, are sacrificing to Baal. This is strictly intellectual. But there are those on the soul plane who think they are spiritual, because they feel the throb of nature and join in all her moods. They are closely allied to the Whirling Dervish, and dissipate their soul substance in the various forces of nature with which they are in love. Such must do away with this Baal worship, and call upon the life-fire of the Spirit to utterly consume every material phase of such sacrifice.
This realization that there is a Principle back of all manifest existence comes, when we call upon the name of the One God. God is not divided nor separated into many; his name is I Am. Man looks upon the world without, and through his thought-substance weaves a web of attachment to it. This is to be dissolved in the highest development. The wood, the bullock and the altar are the vegetable, the animal and the mineral kingdoms to which the thought has linked the soul. It is this attachment that makes us sensitive to cold and heat, storm and calm, dampness and electrical conditions. These must be denied away again and again. This denial is symbolized by the pouring of the barrels of water the first, second and third times. Then, when you have denied these elements any place in your consciousness, affirm the living fire of the Holy Spirit as the one and only source of your life, and a new consciousness will be yours.
The prophets of Baal are the many external impulses that sway the soul dominated by nature's elements. These are to be slain: “let not one of them escape.” Kishon means “hard,” “sore.” To cut off these emotions that have been counted so dear, and treasured in song and prose, is a hard, sore process to some people. After the soul has been cleansed of its material concepts of existence, a refreshing process sets in. It has been dry and parched in its search for the springs of life in nature forms. When these false sources are all put away, the I AM must go up into the blessed Mount of Divine Realization in Spirit and meditate upon it. At first there may be no response discernible. But persist. The seventh affirmation opens the windows of heaven, and there is “a great rain.”
– UNITY magazine.
January 15, 1922: I Kings 18:19-24,30
What is the meaning of Elijah on Mount Carmel? The meaning of Elijah is “God is God;” the meaning of Mount Carmel is “the garden of God,” or “spiritual fruit.” Elijah on Mount Carmel, therefore, means the I AM established in the realization of unlimited spiritual power.
What does the “altar” represent? The “altar” represents a fixed, definite place in spiritual consciousness, before which all the powers worship.
What is Baal worship? Baal worship is a form of nature worship. It is the deification of earth, air, water, and fire, which is called pantheism. The outcome of such worship is a drought of spiritual life, and the transforming fire of Spirit is not fully expressed in soul and body, and famine follows.
What is represented by the bullocks sacrificed on the altar? The bullocks represent the animal forces in man which, in the regeneration, are transformed by the fire of Spirit, and become transcendent energies.
January 15, 1922: I Kings 18:36-39
Why do the prophets of Baal fail to bring down the transmuting fire? They fail because they do not have an adequate realization of I AM. Elijah succeeds because he affirms Jehovah as the one real God, the one God in Israel (the Real).
What is the meaning of the people's falling on their faces and proclaiming, “Jehovah, he is God; Jehovah, he is God”? When the central idea, Elijah, identifies itself with its principle and proclaims: “Hear me, O Jehovah, hear me, that this people may know that thou, Jehovah art God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again,” all the thoughts in the consciousness are quickened, and they feel that “Jehovah (I AM), he is God; Jehovah, he is God.”
January 15, 1922: I Kings 18:36-39
After the soul has been cleansed of its material concepts of existence, a refreshing process sets in. It has been dry and parched in its search for the springs of life in nature forms. When these false sources are all put away, the I AM must go up into the blessed Mount of Divine Realization in Spirit and meditate. At first there may be no response discernible. But persist. The seventh affirmation opens the windows of heaven, and there is “a great rain.”
– UNITY magazine.
May 20, 1923: I Kings 18:30-39
What does Elijah on Mount Carmel represent? Elijah means I AM in conjunction with the higher Self, Jehovah. “Carmel” means “the garden of God,” and represents the all-potential possibilities of Being, to which man gives character according to his thought.
What do the twelve stones and the altar erected by Elijah represent? The twelve stones represent the twelve most important nerve centers in the body, and the altar represents the solar plexus, or centralization of all the nervous energy in body consciousness.
Why does Elijah say that the twelve stones represent the twelve tribes of the sons of Jacob, and then declare: “Israel shall be thy name”? Elijah (I AM) must know that all material things represent spiritual realities; the I AM in this demonstration must understand and affirm the spiritual reality or Is-real of all seemingly material organs and functions.
Why does Elijah (I AM) build the altar in the name of Jehovah? Man, in his I AM or son of God consciousness, has power to give character to everything which his thought touches. He should affirm that the most high Jehovah is in everything, and that everything is in him. Paul said: “In him we live, and move, and have our being.”
When the bullock was laid upon the altar, [the] jars of water were poured upon it three times in succession. What does this act represent? The bullock represents the animal life of the organism; the wood represents the corporeal substance. Pouring the water upon these represents the denial of the sense appearance, in order that the real spiritual character may be uncovered.
What does the burnt offering represent? In the regeneration, all the animal forces and their manifestations on the natural plane must be transmuted by fire into spiritual consciousness. This is the inner meaning of all the ceremonial offerings of the children of Israel.
What is the fire of Jehovah which consumed the burnt offerings? The fire of Jehovah is the consciousness of pure spiritual life. This fire recalled the Holy Spirit in other parts of the Bible. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire, and lit upon those who were praying in the upper room.
What is the meaning of the final affirmation in this lesson: “Jehovah, he is God; Jehovah, he is God”? This final affirmation raises the whole consciousness (all the people) to the Jehovah, or I AM of Being, and soul and body are permanently lifted up and established in the “kingdom of the heavens.”
April 13, 1924: I Kings 18:20-24
What does Elijah on Mount Carmel represent? The Hebrew meaning of Elijah is “God is God,” or “I AM that I AM.” Carmel means “fruitful,” “the garden of God;” therefore Carmel symbolizes the universal substance. It is also symbolized in the Scripture as “the garden of Eden” and “paradise.” In Hindu metaphysics it is called “Akasa.” When the I AM makes spiritual union with the universal substance, it is on Mount Carmel.
As recorded in today's lesson, in what state of unfoldment were the children of Israel? The children of Israel had fallen under the influence of Baalism; they had divided their allegiance between material and psychic forces and the true spiritual principles.
How did Elijah call attention to their vacillating state of mind and bring them to decide to give their loyalty either to Jehovah or to Baal? “Elijah came near unto all the people, and said: How long go ye limping between the two sides? if Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”
The people and their prophets, four hundred and fifty of them, were a formidable power opposed to Elijah and his championship of Jehovah; yet he had the courage to stand for his principles. How did he win the people over? Elijah, the I AM, knew the truth, that Spirit is the one and only reality, and that when its power is brought into action it will prove its supremacy over all lesser things.
What do the bullocks, the altar, and the wood represent? The bullocks represent the animal kingdom, the altar represents the mineral kingdom, and the wood represents the vegetable kingdom to which the thoughts (Israel) have become attached.
How is this attachment dissolved? This attachment is dissolved first through repeated denials represented by the outpouring again and again of the water, as set forth in subsequent verses of this chapter; then by affirming the living fire of the Holy Spirit life.
April 13, 1924: I Kings 18:36-39
What is the result of these two mental activities? “Then the fire of Jehovah fell, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
Does this mean that material things are consumed? Transmutation or acceleration of energy is a fundamental law in regeneration. First we deal with the thought forces. These act upon the more refined material elements, and in due season even matter is transformed.
How do Christian metaphysicians escape the discords which result from a divided mind? We shall be saved from all discord, inharmony, sin, sickness, and even death, when we are loyal to the indwelling Spirit. We must quit pouring out our thought substance upon the things of time and sense by believing in them as the source of our existence. Such thoughts are sacrificing to Baal. When we give continuous thought to God, when we pray without ceasing, we build up spirituality in our consciousness and are restored to health, happiness, and the favor of the divine law.
October 2, 1927: I Kings 18:30-39
What does Elijah on Mount Carmel represent? The Hebrew meaning of the name Elijah is “God is God,” or “I AM that I AM.” Carmel means “fruitful,” “the garden of God;” therefore Carmel symbolizes universal substance, which is also symbolized in the Scriptures as “the garden of Eden” and “paradise.” In Hindu metaphysics it is called “Akasa.” When the I AM makes spiritual union with universal substance it is on Mount Carmel.
What does the altar represent? The altar represents a fixed, definite place in spiritual consciousness, before which all the powers worship.
What is the meaning of, “And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob ... And with the stones he built an altar in the name of Jehovah”? The stones represent the twelve foundation principles involved in man's being. These twelve foundation principles also are symbolized in the life of Jesus by the twelve disciples. In Unity literature they are called the twelve powers of man.
At this time in what state of unfoldment were the children of Israel? The children of Israel had fallen under the influence of Baalism; they had divided their allegiance between material and psychic forces and the true spiritual principles.
What do the bullocks and the wood represent? The bullocks represent the animal kingdom, and the wood represents the vegetable kingdom to which the thoughts (Israel) have become attached.
How is this attachment dissolved? This attachment is dissolved first through repeated denials represented by the outpouring again and again of the water, as set forth in subsequent verses of this chapter, then by affirming the living fire of the Holy Spirit life.
What is the result of these two mental activities? “The fire of Jehovah fell, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
Does this mean that material things are consumed? Transmutation or acceleration of energy is a fundamental law of regeneration. First we deal with the thought forces. These act upon the more refined material elements, and in due season even matter is transformed.
What is the meaning of the people's falling on their faces and proclaiming, “Jehovah, he is God; Jehovah, he is God”? When the central idea, Elijah, identifies itself with its principle and proclaims: “Hear me, O Jehovah, hear me, that this people may know that thou, Jehovah, art God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again,” all the thoughts in the consciousness are quickened, and they feel that Jehovah (I AM), “he is God; Jehovah, he is God.”
August 6, 1939: I Kings 18:30-39
What do the twelve stones of the altar represent? They represent the twelve fundamental faculties of man transmuted from sense to spiritual consciousness. “The sons of Jacob ... Israel shall be thy name.”
Considered metaphysically, what are the twelve jars of water poured on the burnt offering? Water represents “negativeness.” The twelve jars of water are the negation of every fundamental faculty. Whatever neutralizes and overcomes complete negation thereby proves its divine origin.
What is strong enough to overcome complete negation? The fire of Spirit or divine energy. It “licked up the water that was in the trench”; that is, replaced the negation with the positive or affirmative state of Spirit.
Did Elijah's prayer call for a specific answer? The prayer did not, but Elijah’s proposal to the people to make the test specified trial by fire, and his preparation implied that nothing less than fire would answer.
What purpose is clearly evident in Elijah’s undertaking? Elijah sought to turn the people from the worship of Baal (the personal idea of God) to the true worship of Jehovah God (God as Spirit).
Was his purpose realized? Yes, the people (thoughts) were reconverted by the sight of the fire (Spirit) and the smoking sacrifice (purification). “Jehovah, he is God; Jehovah, he is God.”
May 11, 1947: I Kings 18:30-39
Is unquestioning faith more useful than the so-called open mind in deciding what to accept and what to reject? Unquestioning faith is most useful, provided it is faith in the highest idea of God that the mind can conceive.
Is it fair to a child or ethically sound to leave him unenlightened on the subject of God until such time as he can decide for himself what he will choose to believe? It is not. Faith is a normal faculty in the child, and if it is not to become atrophied early in life, it must have normal development. Faith develops before judgment, will, or understanding, and its development should not be neglected. To neglect it at the time when it springs most spontaneously into activity is to give the child a stunted, one-sided development and starve his spiritual nature, by which he makes contact with God.
How do we accomplish that on which our heart is set? Through faith that we can achieve it. Faith includes acting as well as believing in accordance with our desire.
What does Baal represent? Materiality. Baal’s worshipers are the materialists.
How can a person turn his thoughts permanently from sense consciousness to the things of Spirit? By letting the I AM in realization of its unfettered power (Elijah) take dominion and control.
How is unfettered power realized? By thinking and acting constantly in conformity with the higher law of obedience. The repairing of the altar of Jehovah by Elijah after it had been thrown down represents this kind of activity.
What was Elijah s sacrifice? A test of reality. Whether the vital energy of life, the divine fire, resides in matter or in Spirit is a question that each person must settle before he can acknowledge God in all things.
To what does spiritual power respond? To faith. Doubt fails to call forth any response in the spiritual realm.
Metaphysically Interpreting I Kings 18:41-46
18:41And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain. 18:42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. 18:43And he said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 18:44And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a cloud out of the sea, as small as a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Make ready thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. 18:45And it came to pass in a little while, that the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel: 18:46and the hand of Jehovah was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 02-08-2014
