1 Kings: Walk Before Me FaithfullySample

The challenge to Baal from the Lord now reaches a climax. The drought commanded by God’s word has continued into its third year. King Ahab and the loyal prophet Obadiah search separately for grass for food, an indication that the famine is dire. Queen Jezebel has been killing off Yahweh’s prophets and Elijah is the king’s most wanted man. The irony is that Elijah has been in Jezebel’s home territory all this time. It is as if we are to laugh at the folly of Ahab’s futile search! God’s protection is greater. 

Yet God now instructs Elijah to ‘present himself to Ahab’ (v. 2). Encountering Obadiah, Elijah tells him to inform Ahab. But Obadiah is anxious that Elijah will disappear again, making Obadiah look silly. Obadiah clearly fears for his own life. Elijah swears he will appear before Ahab, so Obadiah goes to the king, who then comes to Elijah (v. 16). 

Ahab calls Elijah the ‘troubler of Israel’ (v. 17). Yet who is the real troubler? The reason there has been no rain, and thus drought and famine, is not due to Elijah or Yahweh but because of the sins of Ahab and his father, Omri. The accusation is clear and brief: ‘You have abandoned the Lord’s command and have followed the Baals’ (v. 18). Indeed, the connection between sin, drought and famine is made in Deuteronomy 28:22–23, for example. But clearly the king is ignorant of God’s word. 

We don’t always make the connection between morality and natural provision, because we too often think naturalistically and leave God out of the equation. Climate change issues, at least, are helping humanity take note of the consequences of our actions with direct regard to the environment. Nevertheless, the growing desire in the West to be ‘in nature’, speak of ‘mother nature’ and to think that nature is divine is far from this biblical picture of God’s sovereignty over nature. We often forget, too, that the whole universe is reconciled to God through Jesus’ death and that creation is crying out with eager longing for his return.

Reflection

In many places and countries, Christians are accused of being troublemakers. Who are the real troublers of your country? How can you see God at work in such places?