CRS • SHS 1Term 2WAEC / WASSCE SyllabusVIP Lesson
Religious Reformers: Elijah & King Josiah
Elijah's contest against the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, the discovery of the Book of the Law under King Josiah, and religious renewal in Judah.
Share Lesson with Students:
Real-World Context & Relevance in Ghana
Ghanaian religious leaders call for modern moral and ethical reforms against societal vices, drawing lessons from King Josiah's reforms.
Key Syllabus Learning Objectives
- 1Examine the theological significance of Elijah's showdown on Mount Carmel
- 2Analyze the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the Book of the Law under King Josiah
- 3Evaluate King Josiah's nationwide campaign to cleanse idolatry and restore covenant fidelity
1
Comprehensive Syllabus Study Notes
• Prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18):
- Historical Setting: King Ahab and his Phoenician wife Jezebel institutionalized Baal worship in Israel, murdering God's prophets.
- The Contest: Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Baal's prophets slash themselves and shout from morning till evening, but no fire answers.
- Elijah repairs the altar of Yahweh with 12 stones, drenches the sacrifice with water, and prays: God consumes the sacrifice with divine fire. People cry: "The Lord, He is God!"
• King Josiah's Religious Reforms (2 Kings 22–23):
- In the 18th year of his reign, High Priest Hilkiah discovers the Book of the Law (Deuteronomy) during Temple repairs.
- Josiah weeps and tears his clothes upon hearing God's righteous judgment; consults Prophetess Huldah.
- Purged Jerusalem and Judah of idolatrous shrines, expelled temple prostitutes, desecrated Topheth (child sacrifice site), and reinstated the national Passover celebration.
- Prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18):
- Historical Setting: King Ahab and his Phoenician wife Jezebel institutionalized Baal worship in Israel, murdering God's prophets.
- The Contest: Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Baal's prophets slash themselves and shout from morning till evening, but no fire answers.
- Elijah repairs the altar of Yahweh with 12 stones, drenches the sacrifice with water, and prays: God consumes the sacrifice with divine fire. People cry: "The Lord, He is God!"
- King Josiah's Religious Reforms (2 Kings 22–23):
- In the 18th year of his reign, High Priest Hilkiah discovers the Book of the Law (Deuteronomy) during Temple repairs.
- Josiah weeps and tears his clothes upon hearing God's righteous judgment; consults Prophetess Huldah.
- Purged Jerusalem and Judah of idolatrous shrines, expelled temple prostitutes, desecrated Topheth (child sacrifice site), and reinstated the national Passover celebration.
Practical Example:
Ghanaian religious leaders call for modern moral and ethical reforms against societal vices, drawing lessons from King Josiah's reforms.
Core Takeaway:
Remember: Elijah repaired the ruined altar with TWELVE stones, representing the unified twelve tribes of Israel.
WAEC / WASSCE Examiner Tips
- Remember: Elijah repaired the ruined altar with TWELVE stones, representing the unified twelve tribes of Israel.
Common Candidate Pitfalls & Errors to Avoid
- Making Elijah the prophet who anointed Jehu personally rather than the man who commissioned Elisha to it
- Confusing the prophets of Baal with the prophets of the grove and losing the two companies at Carmel
- Attributing the finding of the book of the law to Hezekiah instead of to Josiah
- Calling the fire on Carmel a destruction of the people when it consumed the sacrifice, the stones and the water
- Reporting that Josiah died in battle at Megiddo fighting against Egypt rather than as a king who kept the passover
- Saying that Jezebel was the king of the northern kingdom, confusing her office and her sex in the narrative
Topic Mastery Checklist
- Examine the theological significance of Elijah's showdown on Mount Carmel
- Analyze the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the Book of the Law under King Josiah
- Evaluate King Josiah's nationwide campaign to cleanse idolatry and restore covenant fidelity
Test Your Knowledge
Ready for the Topic Quiz?
3 WAEC-standard multiple choice questions with instant explanations.
Student Study Notes & Discussion
Share what you understood, ask questions, or drop helpful revision tips on Religious Reformers: Elijah & King Josiah.
0 Notes
Loading community notes...