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Enjoy Life, Enjoy God


Dale Patterson

ELIJAH 1 VS. 450 BAAL PROPHETS 0

May 25, 2011

They were the people of God, yes; but the religious rage of the day was Baalism. For that and other reasons Elijah decided to teach the people of God that popularity did not mean truth.


Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."
                                                - 1 Kings 18:21 TNIV


Baal is the rage of the day. The king and queen are into Baal. The people are into Baal. The Lord just is not cool. Elijah gathers the ministers, the prophets of Baal; there are 450 of them, and only one for Yahweh, Elijah himself. In a great contest, Elijah challenges Baal and his prophets to a duel. He puts it on the line. "Which God can start a fire?" When the duel is over, Baal is nothing but a cold stone bull, and Yahweh scorches a pile of sodden wood. Elijah: 1; 450 Baal Prophets: 0. But with that Elijah demands, "No more having it both ways, either serve the Lord, or Baal."

What is the rage of our day? How might we be trying to have it both ways? There is but one God. Let us serve our God and God alone this day.

Joyfully,

Dale Patterson