1 Kings 18:21

1 Kings 18:21. How long halt ye between two opinions? Hebrew, סעפים , segnipim, thoughts or considerations. Why do ye walk so lamely and unevenly, being so unsteady in your opinions and practices, as doubtful which to choose, Jehovah or Baal; sometimes serving one, and sometimes the other, and sometimes joining both together? Not only some Israelites worshipped God, and others Baal; but the same Israelites sometimes worshipped one, and sometimes the other. They worshipped God, perhaps, that they might please the prophets; and Baal to please Jezebel, and obtain favour at court. Now Elijah shows them the absurdity of this; he doth not insist on their relation to Jehovah, Is he not yours, and the God of your fathers; but Baal the god of the Zidonians, and will a nation change their God? Jeremiah 2:11. No; he waves the prescription, and enters upon the merits of the cause: there can be but one God, but one infinite, and but one supreme: there needs but one God, one omnipotent, one all-sufficient: what occasion of addition to that which is perfect? Now, if upon trial, it appear that Baal is that one, infinite, omnipotent being; that one supreme Lord, and all-sufficient Benefactor; you ought to renounce Jehovah, and cleave to Baal only: but if Jehovah be that one God, Baal is a cheat, and you must have no more to do with him. Apply this to the service of God, and the service of sin; the dominion of Christ, and the dominion of our lusts: these are the two thoughts or considerations, which it is dangerous halting between. Those do so that are unresolved under their convictions; unstable and unsteady in their purposes; promise fair, but do not perform; begin well, but do not hold on; that are inconsistent with themselves, indifferent and lukewarm in that which is good. Their heart is divided, (Hosea 10:2,) whereas God will have all or none. Now we are fairly put to our choice, whom we will serve, Joshua 24:15. If we can find one that has more right to us, or will be a better master to us than God, we may take him at our peril. God demands no more from us, than he can make out a title to. The people answered him not a word Being convinced of the reasonableness of his proposal. They could say nothing to justify themselves, and they would say nothing to condemn themselves; but, as persons confounded, were entirely silent.