Elijah was defending the faith of the Israelites against the cult of Baal. He challenged the prophets of Baal to ask Baal to bring down the fire to consume the bull that had been prepared and placed on wood ready for a fire. The prophets cried to Baal all day but to no avail.

Elijah placed the other bull on an altar covered with water before calling upon the Lord. Fire came and consumed the burnt offering. The people recognised the Lord as God. What does it take for us to recognise God?

Jesus insisted that there was continuity between His teachings and the Law and the prophets. He encouraged the people to follow the Law carefully and with more intent than the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus' emphasis on the Law and the prophets reminds us of the Transfiguration experience where Jesus appeared with Moses and Elijah, who represented the Law and the prophets. The teachings of the Law and the prophets are still important today.