He Stood Up for Pure Worship/Elijah - "Limping"-How?

 The heights of Mount Carmel commanded a sweeping view-from the torrent valley Kishon below to the Great Sea (Mediterranean Sea) nearby and to the mountains of Lebanon on the far northern horizon.  But as the sun rose on this climatic day, the vista was grim.  A deathly pall hung over the once fertile land that Jehovah had given to the children of Abraham.  It was now a land baked hard by the merciless sun, ruined by the folly of God's own people! As those people thronged, Elijah approached them and spoke: "How long will  you be limping upon two different opinions?  If Jehovah is the true God, go following him; but if Baal is, go following him." - 1 KINGA 18:21.

What did Elijah mean by the expression "limping upon two different opinions"? Well, those people did not realize that they had to choose between the worship of  Jehovah and the worship of Baal.  They thought they could have it both ways-that they could appease  Baal with their revolting rituals and still ask favors of Jehovah God.  Perhaps they reasoned that Baal would bless their crops and herds, while "Jehovah of armies" would protect them in battle.  (1 Samuel 17:45) They had forgotten a basic truth-one that still eludes many today.  Jehovah does not share his worship with anyone. He demands and is worthy of exclusive devotion.  Any worship of him that is mixed with some other form of worship is unacceptable to him, even offensive! - Read EXODUS 20:5.

So those Israelites were "limping" along like a man trying to follow two paths at once. Many people today make a similar mistake, allowing other "Baal" to creep into their life and push aside the worship of God. Heeding Elijah's clarion call to stop limping can help us to reexamine our own priorities and worship.

Next time: He Stood Up for Pure Worship/Elijah - A Climatic Test

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