Elijah 199
the erection of the altar, the digging of the trench, and what- ever else was necessary, — Elijah commanded the sun to stand still. " For Joshua," he said, " thou didst stand still that Israel might conquer his enemies ; now stand thou still, neither for my sake, nor for the sake of Israel, but that the Name of God may be exalted." And the sun obeyed his words."
Toward evening Elijah summoned his disciple Elisha, and bade him pour water over his hands. A miracle happened. Water flowed out from Elijah's fingers until the whole trench was filled.18 Then the prophet prayed to God to let fire descend, but in such wise that the people would know it to be a wonder from heaven, and not think it a magician's trick.19 He spoke : " Lord of the world, Thou wilt send me as a messenger ' at the end of time,' but if my words do not meet with fulfilment now, the Jews cannot be expected to believe me in the latter days." " His pleading was heard on high, and fire fell from heaven upon the altar, a fire that not only consumed what it touched, but also licked up the water.21 Nor was that all; his prayer for rain was also granted. Scarcely had these words dropped from his lips, " Though we have no other merits, yet remember the sign of the covenant which the Israelites bear upon their bodies," when the rain fell to earth."
In spite of all these miracles, the people persisted in their idolatrous ways and thoughts. Even the seven thousand who had not bowed down unto Baal were unworthy sons of Israel, for they paid homage to the golden calves of Jeroboam.23
The misdeeds of the people had swelled to such number
