Indeed, it would be an opinion to think that Baal could have provided any salvation for them at all. Now, our goal is to make a comparison of what was taking place with Israel on mount Carmel and what many are doing today in the name of religion.
Not all religion is good. The worship of Baal was a religion, but not the right religion. One can be religious, but religiously wrong and lost. Saul of Tarsus was an extremely religious man, and sincerely religious Acts , but until he obeyed the gospel of Christ in Damascus, he was a lost man Acts Just doing things in the name of the Lord, does not equate being a saved person.
Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? God has always required a real commitment. He has never accepted half-hearted, nor partial service.
A decision has to be made to commit, one way or the other. The options that the people had on mount Carmel were the same we have today. If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. If you know the story, you know that Elijah declares that the god who answers by fire and burns up the sacrifice, He is the true God. The prophets of Baal go first, praying for Baal to answer, dancing around the altar, shouting, and eventually cutting themselves, hoping their blood will cause Baal to respond.
No answer. He drenches the wood with water, just to make it harder to catch fire. You might think that Elijah would be on a spiritual high, confident to confront anything the Lord would have for him, right?
Not quite the spiritual warrior we might have thought, right? But Elijah is not ultimately the hero of this story, though he certainly is a man of God. The Lord comes and ministers to Elijah, encouraging him, and giving him strength for the journey.
God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found. Job ,5 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth…. Context Crossref Comm Hebrew. Verse Click for Chapter. But if Baal is God, then follow him! But if Baal is God, follow him. King James Bible And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions?
But if Baal, follow him. If Yahweh is God, follow Him. American Standard Version And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two sides? Brenton Septuagint Translation And Eliu drew near to them all: and Eliu said to them, How long wilt ye halt on both feet?
And the people answered not a word. Contemporary English Version Elijah stood in front of them and said, "How much longer will you try to have things both ways?
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