In the days of Elijah many in Israel were worshiping the false God Baal. It is evident from the content in the verse above that the people swayed in their commitment and service to God and often turned to Baal. Baalism would permit the worship of other gods, but the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob required total commitment. Elijah asked one of the greatest questions of the Bible, “How long halt ye between two opinions?”
     The days of Elijah are much like today. Many professing Christians serve God with one hand and the world with the other. Though Baal is no longer the object of worship, the principle is the same. There are many false gods today that have many Christians straddling the fence: there is the golf god, the football god, the motor cycle god, the lake god, the TV god, the work god, the money god, the hunting god, the fishing god, the car god, and the shopping god. Though these may not be a sin in themselves, they are if they take time and attention from God. How sad it is when we devote more time and spend more money for our hobbies than into the work and labor of the Gospel. “If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal then follow him.” Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other.” (Matthew 6:24). There is nothing wrong with enjoying the fruits of our labor, but worship the Provider, not the provisions.
     Out text is a gold mine of Biblical truth. Let us dig up one more nugget before we conclude. It is a sad response to Elijah’s question, “And the people answered him not a word.” They could not even answer Elijah’s question. As if keeping silent would exempt them from choosing a side, silence means no to God. What is your response, will you keep silent to God’s question. How long can you stand on a fence rail? “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8). The most miserable are the undecided.