Who is God?

Good morning brothers and sisters,
Today’s reading starts the most direct confrontation between the worshipers of Baal and the worshipers of the Lord in Israel Elijah goes to King Ahab and proposes basically a religious duel. While he certainly has strong words for Ahab for leading Israel astray, he also challenges the people, since they have not kept faith with God either.

Elijah puts the question clearly: “How long will you go limping along with two different opinions?” For each of us there can be only one God; only one power that holds first place, first loyalty in our lives. There can be many different things that are important; but only one can be our Lord, otherwise we will limp along ineffectively. May God keep us on the right path this week.
God bless,
Sam

1 Kings 18:17-24
17When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18He answered, “I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father’s house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 19Now therefore have all Israel assemble for me at Mount Carmel, with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” 20So Ahab sent to all the Israelites, and assembled the prophets at Mount Carmel.

21Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people did not answer him a word. 22Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets number four hundred fifty. 23Let two bulls be given to us; let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it; I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. 24Then you call on the name of your god and I will call on the name of the Lord; the god who answers by fire is indeed God.” All the people answered, “Well spoken!”