Scriptures: 1 Kings 17:1, 18:1, 20-45 & Deuteronomy 11:16-17
Song of Praise: Doxology
Devotion:
During the time of our scripture readings, the area of Palestine was split into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah. Though both had their fair share of ungodly Kings
The ten northern tribes which made up the Kingdom of Israel, had claim to the worst.
The Bible literally calls King Ahab the worst king. Ahab not only tolerated idol worship, but additionally, he built a temple to the false god, Baal.
You may be familiar with the name Jezebel, a woman in the Bible who led people into idolatry. Well, it might come as no surprise that Jezebel was King Ahab's wife. The worst power couple in the history of Israel.
Because they encouraged false worship in the land, God, through His prophet, Elijah, pronounced a drought which brought a severe famine. Every Israelite should have known what this meant. Drought and famine are curses brought about for breaking covenant with God and serving false gods. (see also Deut 28:23) A drought in the Land should have been no surprise. If you worship God, you are refreshed, if you worship idols made of metal, rock, and wood, you're going to be scorched.
"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;"
Acts 3:19
Frustrated by the idolatry, Elijah sets up a challenge. The prophets of Baal vs. the Prophet of God.
Certain of God's ability, Elijah even stacks the deck against himself.
He did everything to sabotage himself, demonstrating God's sovereign rule over His creation.
The prophet's goal was to call down fire from the sky and burn up the sacrifice placed upon the altar.
Against all odds, the Lord meets with Elijah at a prepared table (the altar). The Lord accepts Elijah's sacrifice. He sends forth fire, and Elijah is empowered to slay the prophets of Baal.
The enemy, King Ahab, is terrified of Elijah and begins to flee, running for his life.
Rain clouds swell, and the blood of the prophets grows cold upon the ground.
King Ahab knows the jig is up. The story is an incredible picture of what our sin and idolatry bring. Praise be to God that He doesn't leave us in famine.
Like Elijah, God prepares a table on which a sacrifice, His only begotten Son, has been made.
The fire sent from heaven, which consumed Elijah's sacrifice, should point us to the promised Holy Spirit, which also descended like fire upon the church.
We are brought out of famine and into times of refreshing. As we feast together in fellowship with God and one another, because the famine is over, our enemies Satan, sin and death are now on the run!
Yes, blood must still flow across the altar of sacrifice; not blood from false prophets, but blood from Jesus' own side.
His blood is accepted as the forever sacrifice.
King Ahab was an abomination, bringing Israel only famine and discipline.
Now, King Jesus reigns forever, bringing us cleansing rain, a harvest of bounty, joy and refreshment.
Table talk Questions:
What brought the drought and famine to the land of Israel?
How does the Prophet Elijah point us to Jesus?
How is Jesus better than Ahab?
Benediction:
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Meal: NYC Crock-Pot Heros, Cottage Fries, Hoagie Roll, & Scotty's Butterscotch Bars
Recipes:
NYC Crock-Pot Heros
Prep and Cook Time: 6-8 hours
Serves:6-8
2 pounds good grade Hamburger
½ finely Chopped Onion
1 cup Italian Bread Crumbs
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
6-8 Hoagie/Sub Rolls
1 Egg
½ cup Parmesan Cheese
2 Tablespoons Milk
1 teaspoon Pepper
½ teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1 jar Marinara Sauce
Sliced Provolone Cheese
Instructions:
In a large bowl, add hamburger, onion, egg, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, milk, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
Mix ingredients together.
Shape the meat mixture into 1 1/2 inch meatballs.
Place in crockpot with jar of marinara sauce on medium heat for 6-8 hours or until fully cooked.
On a sliced hoagie/sub roll, add meatballs and marinara sauce and provolone cheese.
Serve warm
Cottage Fries
Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6-8
½ cup Butter
1 ½ Garlic Powder
½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
2 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoon Black Pepper
4 Potatoes, peeled and sliced into thin circles.
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400 F
In a bowl, gently melt the butter in the microwave in 30 second increments.
Stir in garlic, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
Place the potatoes in a large bowl and pour the butter mixture on top.
Use your hands to toss them making sure each slice gets coated fully.
Turn out the bowl onto a large sheet pan and arrange the slices in a single layer.
Bake 25-30 minutes, taking the slices out and flipping them halfway through.
Test the slices for doneness with a fork or knife, the center should be smooth and the outside dry.
Scotty's Butterscotch Bars
Prep and Cook Time: 45 minutes
Yields: 12
1 package Butterscotch chips
½ cup Butter
2 cups Graham Cracker crumbs
1 cup Pecans, chopped
1 package Cream Cheese, softened
1 ¾ cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 Egg
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 F
Grease a 9x13 baking pan
Add butterscotch chips and butter to a medium saucepan over medium low heat.
Melt.
Stir in graham cracker crumbs and pecans.
Press ½ of mixture into prepared baking pan.
Beat cream cheese until fluffy.
Beat in sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and egg.
Pour over crumbs.
Top with remaining crumbs.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Cool to room temperature then chill in the refrigerator before serving.