How Long Will You Hesitate Between Two Opinions?

by David Gibson

“Decision,” wrote Gordon Graham, “is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight; indecision is a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind it” [Bits & Pieces].

Israel could not seem to make up their minds whether they would serve the Lord or Baal.

The Conflict Then

King Ahab called Elijah “you troubler of Israel!” (I Kings 18:17 NASB). Several years before, Elijah had told Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word” (I Kings 17:1). After 3½ years without a drop (Luke 4:25; James 5:17), Ahab blamed Elijah for the increasingly desperate conditions. But Elijah countered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and you have followed the Baals” (I Kings 18:18).

Centuries before, God had warned Israel that one of the ways He would punish Israel’s rebellion was by withholding the rain (Deuteronomy 28:15, 23-24). Yet even with such severe measures, the repentance God desired did not always follow (Amos 4:7-8).

The Conflict Now

In our day, those who dare to stand for the right are often caricatured as bigoted, hypocritical, narrow-minded, ignorant, intolerant, judgmental, and hateful. Certainly, it is possible to stand for truth in an abrasive, self-righteous way, but even when we humbly speak God’s truth in love, we may experience negative reactions. If so, we’re in good company. Jesus was vilified as a glutton and drunkard, a sinner, demon-possessed, insane, a deceiver, one who led the people astray, and a blasphemer.

Time to Decide

Despite the 42-month drought, Israel persisted in idolatry. What else could God do to change their minds?

The Challenge

Elijah told Ahab, “Now then send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table” (I Kings 18:19 NASB). Elijah challenged them: “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.”

With this challenge, Elijah hoped to convict Israel of indecisiveness, to make them realize they must make a choice (Joshua 24:15), and to set the stage for the contest.

But Why Baal?

In view of all God had done for His people, why were they so attracted to Baal? Here are four possible factors:

Economic

According to J. B. Payne, “Israel at this time suffered under constant temptation to adopt the fertility rites of their Canaanitish neighbours, along with their confessedly superior agriculture. Many recognized that Yahweh had guided Israel in the wilderness, but Baal seemed better able to make the crops come out of the ground!” [The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Vol. 2, 833[.

Moral

J. G. Baldwin writes, “To worship [the Baals] demanded neither self-discipline nor high moral standards. Instead, orgiastic ritual at the shrines appealed to the sensual in human nature and militated against everything that the ancient covenant morality had stood for.” [The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Vol. 2, 663].

Social

Baal worship was the popular religion of North Israel, officially promoted by the queen herself. A. Rowland observes, “It would require courage under Jezebel’s rule to become worshippers of Jehovah.” [Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 5, 452].

It takes courage to stand up for the truth. Many today reject the concept of divinely revealed, authoritative, absolute truth. If we teach that Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6) and that He has built only one church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:14-16; 4:4), should it surprise us when opposition follows?

Spiritual

Another appeal of idolatry is having a god you can see. However, a god you can see cannot see you! (Psalms 115:5-8; Jeremiah 10:5).

Elijah proposed the terms of the contest: each side would prepare a sacrifice. “. . . you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, he is God” (I Kings 18:24). Fair enough!

Elijah allowed Baal’s priests to go first. “But there was no voice, and no one answered” (I Kings 18:26). This went on all morning. At noon, the priests of Baal worked themselves into a frenzy, even cutting themselves. “. . . but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.”
Then Elijah called the people to come near. He repaired the altar, dug a trench around it, arranged the wood, cut the ox in pieces, laid them on the wood, and had the altar drenched with water. Then he prayed.

Unlike the long and loud rantings of Baal’s priests, Elijah’s prayer was short, simple, and to the point:

• “. . . let it be known this day that you are God in Israel . . .”
• “. . . let it be known . . . that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.”
• ". . . that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”

Immediately, fire from heaven completely consumed the sacrifice/wood/stones/dust/even the water in the trench! “And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God.” (The unstated corollary is: “And Baal is not!”)

Again, Elijah prayed—this time for rain. The Lord responded with a downpour (James 5:16-18). “Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain?” (Jeremiah 14:22).

Conclusion

To divert devotion away from God, Satan offers us many alternatives: money, sinful pleasures, popularity at the cost of principle, work that takes precedence over God and His church, recreation that preempts spiritual things, and family as our priority. Satan doesn’t care what we make first in our lives—as long as it isn’t God!

Elijah’s challenge is as relevant today as ever: “If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.”

There is no question: He is God!

The only question is: Do we follow Him?