Eliyahu’s invitation to the people to approach is meant to facilitate the continuation of the paused dialogue that the prophet began when he approached them. Eliyahu wants mass participation and maximum transparency for his actions. By choosing to repair a destroyed altar of God, Eliyahu hints at the restoration of Divine service, to which this entire occasion is geared.

Courtesy of the Virtual Beit Midrash, Yeshivat Har Etzion