1. Introduction
Elijah’s dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel serves as a defining moment of prophetic challenge against idolatry.

2. Historical and Biblical Context
Elijah challenged Israel’s apostasy under Ahab and Jezebel, confronting 450 prophets of Baal in a public contest to demonstrate Yahweh’s power (1 Kings 18:16–40).

3. The Confrontation
The contest involved invoking fire from heaven on sacrificial offerings, with Elijah’s God responding miraculously, exposing the impotence of Baal’s prophets.

4. Theological Implications

• Monotheistic Assertion: The event reasserted Yahweh’s exclusive sovereignty.
• Prophetic Authority: Elijah’s role as God’s spokesman empowered him to publicly rebuke falsehood.
• Call to Repentance: The outcome called Israel back to covenant faithfulness.

5. Scholarly Commentary
Adele Berlin (2014) describes this as a pivotal theological drama reinforcing Israel’s covenant identity.

6. Conclusion
Elijah’s confrontation with Baal’s prophets epitomises the prophetic mission to challenge idolatry and restore true worship.

References
1 Kings 18:16–40
Berlin, A. (2014). The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion. Oxford University Press.