YHWH is God

"And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. (1 Kings 18:39)"

Having seen the manifestation of the one true God, by the prophet Elijah, in a dramatic turn of events, above and beyond all reason and worthless human effort, the people were suddenly struck with the reality of YHWH. Their idols, the works of their own hands, having failed them, were proved useless and powerless beyond measure. All hope is Baal was in vain. Their faith in Baal was devastated.

Then YHWH showed Himself to them. In an act of uncontestable sovereignty and power He poured out His fire from heaven and consumed all the sacrifice on the altar. This was unrivaled, unequaled, totally sovereign power. The water-soaked altar made no difference. YHWH had proved Himself, again to His stubborn and contrary people who needed constant reminders. The God of their Fathers, who had to deal with their problematic ancestors and their constant regression, out of His great love for His people, revealed  a small portion of His awesomeness and might to His people. Why should He? For His name’s sake, for His glory, and because of His unreasonably immense love for His people. He had to stoop down, and show a little of His power, enough to instill into His people the reverence and fear for Him.

What could they do? YHWH was supreme, sovereign, and all mighty. With a start, they realized what they had done. They had turned to false gods and worthless idols. With a start, they had a revelation of YHWH. In a moment, YHWH’s reality slapped them in the face. What could they do but cry out, “YHWH, he is God; YHWH he is God!”

It was for most part of their lives that they had called Baal “lord” and “god”, but today they knew WHO was God, and God alone, YHWH. They knew how to call on Him, to acknowledge Him and to declare Him, YHWH, as THE GOD.