The contest on Mount Carmel was organized to prove the power of God. Elijah was challenging the prophets of Baal to a contest to determine who the true God was. The prophets of Baal had been unsuccessful in calling upon their deity to consume their sacrifice, and Elijah called upon the Lord God of Israel to do the same. The Lord answered with fire from heaven, consuming Elijah's sacrifice and proving that He alone is the true God.