Who did Elijah confront on Mount Carmel and who was Israel following?

On Mount Carmel, Elijah confronted all the prophets of Baal. Israel had been following them—the pagan gods and the prophets of Baal—even though they had the proof of the living God from their beginning and should have known better. This illustrates the human bent to worship a false god.

Les explains that idolatry and pagan worship have plagued the human race since at least the Tower of Babel, because human nature is innately drawn to worship a false god. Even Israel, who had the proof of the living God from their beginning and should have known better, followed after pagan gods. That was the controversy Elijah had on Mount Carmel with all the prophets of Baal, and Israel had been following them. This example comes from Jeremiah 44, beginning at verse 18.

What was the controversy Elijah had with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel?

The controversy on Mount Carmel was over Israel's idolatry: despite having proof of the living God, Israel followed pagan gods and Baal. Elijah confronted all the prophets of Baal there because Israel had been following them, and this epitomized the human bent toward false worship.