Olney Hymns · Chapter
Elijah's Prayer explained
The poem reflects on Israel's apostasy and Elijah's bold prayer on Mount Carmel, where he calls on God to prove His sovereignty over Baal.
What happens
The poem reflects on Israel's apostasy and Elijah's bold prayer on Mount Carmel, where he calls on God to prove His sovereignty over Baal. It draws a parallel to the present day, urging believers to pray for a similar demonstration of God's power and for the Spirit's refining fire to consume sinful desires.
Themes in this chapter
Prayer and Dependence on God
Elijah's prayer is the central act, demonstrating reliance on God to prove His sovereignty and answer with fire.
Divine Providence and Guidance
God's response to Elijah's prayer shows His active involvement in history, confirming His identity and guiding His people.
Characters to notice
- Elijah
The central figure who stands in faith and prayer, appealing to God to glorify His name and show Israel who He is.
- God
The God of Israel who answers Elijah's prayer with fire from heaven, proving He is the Lord alone.
- Baal
The false god worshipped by Israel, contrasted with the true God in the contest on Mount Carmel.
- The Narrator
The speaker who mourns the modern apostasy and encourages believers to pray like Elijah.
Key passages
“Does it not grief and wonder move, To think of Israel’s shameful fall, Who needed miracles to prove Whether the Lord was God or Baal?”
It is both sad and astonishing that Israel had fallen so low that they required miracles to determine whether the Lord or Baal was the true God.
The narrator expresses dismay at Israel's spiritual decline and their need for miraculous signs.
“Methinks I see Elijah stand, His features glow with love and zeal. In faith and prayer he lifts his hand, And makes to Heaven his great appeal.”
I imagine Elijah standing with a face full of love and passion, raising his hand in faith and prayer, making a powerful plea to Heaven.
This depicts Elijah's bold and faithful posture as he prays.
“He spake, and lo a sudden flame Consumed the wood, the dust, the stone. The people struck, at once proclaim— “The Lord is God, the Lord alone.””
As soon as he spoke, a fire from heaven consumed the offering, the wood, and even the stones. The people were awestruck and immediately declared, 'The Lord is God, the Lord alone.'
The miraculous fire confirms God's power and leads to the people's confession.
“Like him we mourn an awful day, When more for Baal than God appear. Like him, believers, let us pray, And may the God of Israel hear.”
We too lament a terrible time when people seem to serve Baal more than God. Let us, like Elijah, pray that the God of Israel will hear us.
The narrator applies Elijah's example to the present, urging believers to pray for revival.
“Now may the Spirit’s holy fire Pierce every heart that hears thy word, Consume each hurtful vain desire, And make them know thou art the Lord!”
May the Holy Spirit's fire penetrate every heart that hears your word, burning away harmful and empty desires, so that they may know you are the Lord.
A prayer for the Spirit's convicting and purifying work in the listeners.