The first thing we learn about Elijah was that he was not alone in the battle against an evil king and queen. He may have believed he was the only one to stand for God, but he soon learned of valuable allies.
Elijah found Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. This man was a loyal servant of the Lord and protected 100 prophets by hiding them in two caves.
Obadiah worked for Ahab, who commanded him to search for food and water for the king’s animals. Apparently, the king didn’t care for human life as much as his valuable horses and mules.
Elijah put Obadiah’s faith to the test, with this conversation.
As Obadiah was on the way, Elijah met him; Obadiah recognized him, fell on his face, and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” 8 He answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord that Elijah is here.”
And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would hand your servant over to Ahab to kill me?” (1 Kings 18:7-8).
Obadiah served both the Lord and the king. He knew the king was intent on killing Elijah and the prophet’s command was met with fear and anxiety.
Elijah assured him that he would meet Ahab in person.
Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today” (1 Kings 18:15).
Powerful individuals need courageous people to deliver news to them that they don’t want to hear. The human calamities that the world is experiencing today are the result of powerful men who seem to be unbridled in their lust for power.
If only these world leaders had servants like Obadiah and honest prophets like Elijah, the amount of human suffering would be lessened.
It is hard to imagine the amount of moral, spiritual, and economic rot that Ahab perpetrated on the people he was supposed to serve. What about the destruction by Ahab-like leaders of our era?
- How long will it take for Russia and Ukraine to be restored after nearly four years of war?
- How will the people of the Middle East recover their emotional and material lives following the most recent conflict?
- The civil war in Sudan is eclipsed by the above two wars, but that does not minimize the suffering these people are suffering.
- I know that immigration is a controversial subject in America and around the world. Take one segment of immigrants, children, and ask yourself is you would want one of your family members to be locked in a prison cell. Children don’t have a voice in where they live, but they suffer trauma that will possibly last a lifetime.
Let’s not fail to pray for leaders to have wise and godly counsel and then follow the guidance they are given.
The Trouble-Maker
Ahab believed that Elijah was the trouble-maker, because the prophet refused to agree with the king’s idolatry and lust for power. Elijah properly laid the trouble at the Ahab’s feet.
When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?”
He 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” (1 Kings 18:17-28).
Why is God so strongly opposed to idolatry. There are many reasons, but one reason is that humans become like the idols we serve.
What are the idols that are served in the world’s trouble spots?
- The idol that Putin serves is the notion that the boundaries of the former Soviet Republic should be rightfully returned to his country.
What is the cost of Putin’s idolatry? One and one-half million Russian soldiers have either been killed or severely wounded. Half as many Ukrainian soldiers have died as their Russian counterparts, but that is no consolation to a family member or friend of the deceased.
- What is the idol in the Middle East? I’m sure there are many, but the one that stands out to me is the god of hate.
In all the wars, hatred is a powerful motivating force. One of my spiritual heroes is Glenn Clark, who recognized during World War II that there was only one force more powerful than hate – love.
Jesus had this to say about love and enemies: “But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45).
One expression of love is prayer. We may not feel like loving an enemy, but we can recognize that Jesus died on the cross for them just as much as He died for us.
I have prayed like this for my enemies: “Lord, I don’t love them, but I know you do. Please love them through me.”
- Richard Foster highlights three modern-day idols in his book, Money, Sex, and Power. Money and power are identifiable idols in current conflicts.
Gold and power are two idols that warring parties are after in Sudan. Powerful nations are providing weapons in this civil war, seeking the gold that is mined in the country.
While warlords fight it out in Sudan, women, children, and the elderly suffer significant harm.
Why is God opposed to idol worship? We become like the idols we serve, and harms everyone who is impacted by our behavior.
Ahab and leaders who follow his example are the ones who trouble the people they are charged to serve.
What can we do? We can pray that they have wise and godly counselors. We also can pray for God to help them align their lives with His attitudes and actions.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 