“Trust and Obey”

I Kings 18:1-20

Chuck McIllheny and his wife Donna ministered in the San Francisco area for over thirty years.  He wrote a book called When the Wicked Seize the City.  The book details some of the great challenges and victories they’ve experienced as a biblical ministry in a land filled with homosexual sin.  

Before I met Chuck, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Here's a man who has been at the center of extreme spiritual warfare and groundbreaking lawsuits.  His church and home have been vandalized and firebombed.  And he’s stood through all of this.  I was expecting a total fire-breather.  But what I met was a man full of grace and truth.  He was so very easy to talk to.  He talked to us about ministry.  He encouraged us.  He told us about the things going on in his own heart and life.  He has been involved in heroic ministry on the one hand.  He is humble and gracious on the other. 

Something that struck my interest was a story he told us about meeting with Gavin Newsom, the mayor of San Francisco.  Here is an excerpt from New Horizons Magazine (Monthly Magazine of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church) telling about the encounter. 

“On April 14, Chuck and Donna, along with a group of ministers, met with Mayor Newsom and confronted him with biblical teaching on this issue. During the meeting, Chuck presented Mayor Newsom with a copy of the McIlhennys' book, When the Wicked Seize a City, and told him about the lawsuits, vandalism, firebombing, and attacks against their church and family. From Romans 13, Chuck told Mayor Newsom that as mayor of the city he functioned as a minister of God. He further told the mayor that he needed to repent, believe in Christ, and stop supporting same-sex marriages.”  AMEN!

There are times when God calls upon his people to step up and confront the sin of our society.  Maybe some of you will be given the occasion to speak to a high ranking government official.  There are some of you who have encountered college teacher who says things about Christians that are not true.  There are some of you who have confronted co-workers who behave in a very inappropriate way.  It could be a confrontation with a family member who stirs trouble for you as a follower of Christ. 

There are times in this life when we have to take a stand and encounter people that do wrong.  What do we do when those times come?  How do we act?  Will we be afraid? 

Well, as we continue this week in the story of Elijah, we will find some answers.  It’s been 3½ years since Elijah’s confrontation before Ahab.  Elijah told Ahab that there would be no rain because Ahab and Jezebel filled the land of Israel with the worship of false gods.  Now Elijah is called of the Lord to go and confront Ahab once again to tell Ahab that his sin caused the drought. 

Elijah has a confrontation with someone who is very powerful, very evil and very angry. 

We are going to notice a few things here.  I just want to give you a preview of the passage before us.  We will see:

I.                    The intensity behind the confrontation (18:1-15).  The text gives great emphasis to how fearful the situation was in Israel for worshippers of God. 

II.                 The simplicity of the confrontation (18:16-20).  What’s striking about the actual encounter is the ease with which Elijah confronts Ahab. 

III.               The key to composure (18:15).  We will learn from Elijah here how to handle an encounter the Lord may call us to be involved in. 

I.                   The intensity Behind the confrontion (18:1-14)

   ¹ After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go show yourself to Ahab and I will send rain upon the Earth” ² So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab.  Now the famine was severe in Samaria.

Notice verse 2.  It says that Elijah went to show himself to Ahab.  But, notice that it’s not until verse 17 that Elijah and Ahab come face to face.  The confrontation between these two adversaries is the central them of the whole passage.  All the material between verse 2 and verse 17 is meant to give us a picture of the intensity of this encounter. 

It’s been 3½ years since the first encounter with Ahab. Since then, the text has told us what has been going on in Elijah’s life.  We have followed Elijah through Cherith Ravine and through the refining fires of Zarephath.  But now we are going to find out how things have been going for Ahab and the nation of Israel.  All the material that we read in between verse 2 and 17 is put there so that we can have an understanding of the intensity and the danger and the fearful situation that Elijah is walking into! 

As we look into verses 3-16, there are two sections here.  The first shows how the prophets of the Lord have been treated since Elijah went into seclusion.  The second paragraph shows us how the godliest people of the region were shuddering with fear!   

      Now the famine was severe in Samaria.  ³ And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly, ⁴ and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water).

But what we notice here is that Jezebel is killing the prophets of the Lord.  She is a murderer!  She is driven by two things, I imagine.  One is her passion for Baal.  She grew up in the center of Baal worship.  Her father was a king and a priest in the Baal system according to Josephus.  She is driven by her personal passion.  I notice a trend in “religion” today.  Why is it that it’s the people with the false religions that are most passionate?  Why are Christians so passive?  We have the TRUTH!  Get out there and proclaim it!

But this murderous heathen, I have to think, is also fueled by her hatred for Elijah.  Elijah stood before the king and told him that there would be no rain!  I have the sense that since she can’t get her hands on Elijah himself, she will take it out on all of his comrades.

Now it says that Jezebel is killing off the prophets.  But I wonder if Ahab will finally put his foot down.  I wonder if he will see what his wife is doing and say, “Enough!  You cannot do this!  If you want to bring Baal in, fine.  But you will not murder the men of the LORD!”  Will Ahab show a concern, if not even for the faith of the land, will he at least show a concern for the innocent upright men who are being slaughtered?  Well, let’s see. 

⁵ And Ahab said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals. ⁶ So they divided the land between them to pass through it.  Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.

And so you have Ahab.  He cares more about mules than men.  He is like so many people in our land who lift the banner for animal furs but casually slaughter unborn human beings.  The prophets of the Lord are being wiped out, and Ahab does not care. 

This is to show us that Elijah is walking into a furious situation.  Jezebel, the fiery pagan witch, is killing the prophets.  Ahab could not care less.  He is concerned about his horses.  This is an intense situation.  We see that prophets are being killed, now we see how this is sending shockwaves of fear through the community of worshippers. 

    ⁷ And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him.  And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord, Elijah?” ⁸ And he answered him, “It is I.  Go, tell your lord, ‘Elijah is here’.”

Elijah gives Obadiah a request.  “Go tell your master, Ahab, your boss, that I am here.”  Now remember, the text says that Obadiah is a faithful man who fears the Lord.  He is a brave man who is risking his neck to save the prophets.  The Holy Spirit expressly states that he is a godly man.  That’s what God wants us to know.  But watch how Obadiah just collapses in this passage!

    ⁹ And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? ¹⁰ As the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. ¹¹ (Obadiah had a direct view of Ahab’s fury as he searched for Elijah.  Imagine how frustrated Ahab must have been.)  And now you say, ‘Go tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’ ¹² And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the LORD will carry you I know not where. (Obadiah knew how quickly Elijah was able to get away.  He knew how hard they had searched!) And so, when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find you, he will kill me ¹³ Has it not been told my lord when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred men of the LORD’s prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? ¹⁴And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold Elijah is here”’; and he will kill me.

So now you have Obadiah just pleading with Elijah.  He does not even want to mention the name of Elijah around Ahab!

Notice the similarity between Obadiah’s response and the widow of Zarephath’s response?  People are very conscientious of their sin when difficult times are upon them.

Notice here three times Obadiah expresses fear for his life.  Verse 9, 12 and 14 all have the same concern.  He was concerned for his life.  I wonder if he had a view of Jezebel’s methods of torturing and killing the prophets of the Lord. This is a godly man quivering with fear!

All of this is to show us that Elijah is walking in to a terrifying situation from the human standpoint.  Ahab is frustrated to no end.  Jezebel is livid.  Prophets are being killed.  Men of faith were shuddering with fear.  And now, God says, “The time is right.  Go present yourself to Ahab.”   That’s like saying, “Hey!  You see that 18 wheeler that approach at 60 miles per hour.  Jump in front of it!”  Do you see the intensity behind the confrontation?  All these verses between verse 2 and verse 17 are to show us the intensity behind to encounter with Ahab. 

Likewise, friends, we will be called to have difficult encounters with difficult people.  There will be times when God calls you to stand face to face with people who do wrong.  Confrontation is from time to time a part of the Christian life.  But while the circumstances seem frightening, you know what?  We do not need to fear! 

We’ve seen the intensity behind the confrontation, but now, notice…

II.                The Simplicity of the Confrontation (19:15-20)

Obadiah has just shown his great fear.  How does Elijah handle it? 

    ¹⁵ And Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” ¹⁶ So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him.  And Ahab went to meet Elijah. ¹⁷ When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?”  ¹⁸ And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals. ¹⁹ Now therefore send and gather all of Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.   ²⁰So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel.

You notice here the simplicity of the confrontation.  It almost seems like a letdown.  I would have expected for this to be more like something you see on Jerry Springer, with Ahab launching himself at Elijah.  This was a huge encounter, but it went so easily.

Notice a few pointers here for confrontation.  What makes for a simple encounter with someone you have to confront?  How are we to handle ourselves so it goes as smooth as possible?  There are a few practical pointers here that we should learn from Elijah. 

Don’t be deterred by insults or false accusations.  The first thing that Ahab does is throw some verbal abuse at Elijah.  “You troubler of Israel”.  But it bounces right off of Elijah.  This man of God will not get involved with exchange of insults.   And it really sets the tone of the encounter.  Don’t get involved in an exchange of insults. 

Be straightforward and direct with the truth.  Notice that Elijah is characterized by a calm, level-headed seriousness.  He simply tells Ahab the truth, “This has come upon Israel because of your sin.”  Straightforward.  Calm.  Truthful.  Direct. 

Have a plan for resolution.  Notice that Elijah did not go to Ahab unprepared.  These two have a strong difference.  Elijah believes in God.  Ahab believes in the power of Baal.  So Elijah comes with a plan to settle the matter—the Carmel Contest.  He knows exactly what to do to get their issues straitened out.  Think through resolution. 

If you ever find yourself in a conflict, here is how to make it simple.  Don’t be deterred by insults.  Let them bounce off of you.  Be straight-forward and direct with the truth.  Have a plan for resolution. 

We’ve noticed the intensity of the situation.  We’ve notice the simplicity of the confrontation.  The final question that I want to answer is, “How?”  How was Elijah so at ease and so confident when so much was at stake?  

III.             The Key to Composure in Confrontation (18:15).

Look back at verse 15.      ¹⁵ Elijah said, "As the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today." The bottom line here is that Elijah is unflinching in the face of fear!  How?

1)      Be focused of the power of God.  

“The Lord Almighty lives.”  If God is for, who can be against us!  It’s interesting.  This statement sounds very similar to what Elijah said when he first confronted Ahab at the very beginning.  Look back at 17:1.  There he says, “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, whom I serve.”  Here he says “As the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve.”  That’s a little different isn’t it! 

Elijah has learned a thing or two.  He has been fed by ravens.  He has seen the biscuits flow.  He has seen a dead child raised to life.  He is focused on the power of God.  And Elijah has no fear of Ahab whatsoever.  We must be focused on the power of God.

2)      Be assured of the presence of God.

“Before whom I stand”.  ‘amad.   Primarily means to stand before something.  The Hebrews stood before the Lord to serve him.  But that primary point here is that he is standing in the presence of God. 

Throughout this entire story there is an unseen presence under girding and upholding Elijah.  God is above you, below you, at both sides of you and within you all at the same time in some inexplicable way. Elijah was consciously fortified by this truth as he stood before Ahab. He knew he was not alone.

3)      Be certain of the leading of God. 

Go into a confrontation only if it is something that is driven by the Word of God.  Notice the connection between verse 1 and 15.  There is a clear correspondence there.  Do not confront a person without clear, accurate biblical support of your approach.  Don’t manipulate a passage to fit your position.  Let the word of God guide and prompt all encounters of this source. 

CONCLUSION:

Do you have a person or a situation that you need to confront today?  Do not put it off until tomorrow!  You are no different than Elijah.  If God is calling you to confront a situation do so with the confidence and calmness that Elijah did. 

ALTERNATIVE OPENING:

We’ve been studying the life of Elijah the prophet.  You’ll remember from several weeks ago, Elijah appears in the pages of scripture with the sudden force of a hammer blow.  Evil King Ahab and Queen Jezebel have introduced the worship of the false god Baal into the Holy Land.  King Ahab is a mean old doggie.  Queen Jezebel is a mean old female doggie!  And Elijah stirred their anger when he confronted their sin. 

Elijah went before them and told them that there would be no rain in the land until he said so.  He did it to challenge their worship of Baal who was supposed to be the god fertility and rain.  And when he did, they should have repented.  Instead, they persisted in their sin.  When Elijah left to be molded by God at Kerith Ravine and the widow’s home in Zarephath, Ahab and Jezebel were left to manage the nation through the drought.  And they became angrier and more agitated.  Their blood was boiling and they took it out on the prophets of God.  And we can just imagine that they were filled with fury for Elijah.

Pastor Lance Skifter

www.faithchristiansv.org