In the silence

Two portions of the Bible, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament, have a common thread.  They both speak of indecisiveness or inaction.  Through indecision or inaction evil runs rampant. 

In 1 Kings 18:21-22 Elijah tests the people with an either/or proposition.  Elijah’s test is one in logic.  The test requires an outcome of either follow God, or follow Baal.  God and Baal are incompatible – one is the antithesis of the other.  To that end, the test is one of polemic extremes – light or dark, hot or cold, heaven or hell:

“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.” But the people said nothing.”

The people could not choose.  They were indecisive and impassionate. Their spirituality suffered and society suffered because of pluralism. 


In Matthew 21:24-27 Jesus tests the Chief Priests and Elders with an either/or proposition. The test is one in logic.  The test requires one of two outcomes. Both outcomes are unattractive to the Chief Priests and Elders:

“Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me,  I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.  John's baptism - where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?"  They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say. 'From heaven', he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin' - we are afraid of these people, for they all hold that John was a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We don't know".

The answer: “We don’t know” is almost interchangeable with the silence that followed Elijah’s question.  Like the people of Elijah’s day the Chief Priests and Elders were indecisive and impassionate.  Jesus arguably would have perhaps preferred the wrong answer than a limp answer.  A wrong answer would at least identify that there was some passion whereas a limp answer functions as a protectionist maneuverer.  Indeed, Jesus would have perhaps preferred silence in that it would have bought mirth to him that Elijah’s question/and the people’s response was still pertinent to the very day.

The spirituality of the Chief Priests and Elders suffered and society suffered.  It was only by tearing down the temple and re-building it (John 2:19) that Jesus would set mankind straight.

Silence is often a poor response. It may be an indicator of sin of omission.  It does not allow all to be bought into the light (Ephesians 5:13).

Shalom,
Ozhamada