C.H. Spurgeon – Words of Warning for Daily Living

By brucesbiblepage on August 24, 2024

On Halting Between Two Opinions
It was a day to be remembered when the multitudes of Israel were assembled at the
foot of Carmel, and when the solitary prophet of the Lord came forth to defy the four
hundred and fifty priests of the false god. We might look upon that scene with the eye
of historical curiosity, and we should find it rich with interest. Instead of so doing,
however, we shall look upon it with the eye of attentive consideration, and see
whether we cannot improve by its teachings. We have upon that hill of Carmel and
along the plain three kinds of persons. We have first the devoted servant of Jehovah,
a solitary prophet; we have, on the other hand, the decided servants of the evil one,
the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal; but the vast mass of that day belonged to
a third class — they were those who had not fully determined whether fully to worship
Jehovah, the God of their fathers, or Baal, the god of Jezebel. On the one hand, their
ancient traditions led them to fear Jehovah, and on the other hand, their interest at
court led them to bow before Baal. Many of them, therefore, were secret and halfhearted
followers of Jehovah, while they were the public worshippers of Baal. The
whole of them at this juncture were halting between two opinions. Elijah does not
address his sermon to the priests of Baal; he will have something to say to them byand-
by, he will preach them horrible sermons in deeds of blood. Nor has he aught to
say to those who are the thorough servants of Jehovah, for they are not there; but his
discourse is alone directed to those who are halting between two opinions.