Contradiction with James 1:6-7
James suggests that doubting in prayer results in receiving nothing from the Lord, whereas 1 Kings 18:24 depicts a public test where doubt and challenge result in God answering with fire.
James 1:6-7: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Contradiction with Matthew 6:6
Matthew advises to pray in private, yet in 1 Kings 18:24, the prayer is made publicly to demonstrate God's power.
Matthew 6:6: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 6:16
Deuteronomy warns against testing God, but in 1 Kings 18:24, Elijah sets up a test to prove God's existence and power.
Deuteronomy 6:16: Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted [him] in Massah.
Contradiction with Isaiah 65:24
Isaiah states that God will answer before calls are made, contradicting the prolonged, competitive spectacle of prayer in 1 Kings 18:24.
Isaiah 65:24: And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Contradiction with Matthew 4:7
Jesus rebukes the devil’s temptation by stating not to test the Lord, yet 1 Kings 18:24 involves a direct test of God's power.
Matthew 4:7: Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. [tempt: or, try, or, put to trial, or, proof]
Paradox #1
The potential contradiction in the verse could involve the idea of calling upon a deity to produce fire. Scientifically, fire requires a fuel source, oxygen, and an ignition point. Expecting fire to appear without these elements through prayer or divine intervention contradicts our understanding of natural fire creation.