“Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, ‘Is
that you, O troubler of Israel?’”
Not only had Ahab persecuted and killed many of the
followers of Jehovah, but Ahab had also diligently, though unsuccessfully,
searched the country for Elijah for the last three years. What a surprise for Ahab when Elijah presents
himself. Upon meeting Elijah, Ahab’s
response is the opposite of Obadiah’s response.
Obadiah feared God and showed respect for God’s prophet. Ahab, likely Israel’s most wicked king,
blamed Elijah for Israel’s troubles. “One
may guess how people stand affected to God by observing how they stand affected
to his people and ministers.” (Matthew Henry)
“But it is interesting how that somehow we want to live our
own lives, we want to ignore God, we don't want any part of God in our lives
until calamity comes. And then somehow we want to blame God for the calamity.
Why would God do this to me? As though God actually owed me something when I've
been totally ignoring Him.” (Chuck Smith)
When you are in service to God and speaking the truth, do
not be alarmed at the harsh response you may receive from those who are not reconciled
to God. They may have never even met
you, yet they know you trust God (what a testimony!) Because of their enmity with God, they will
resent you in some way, and likely take out their frustration on you. Even Christ and His apostles were
misrepresented, “but when they did not
find them (Paul and Silas), they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers
of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come
here too.’” (Acts 17:5)
Understanding the origin of their rude comments should
inspire you to pray for them to be reconciled to God. God is our absolute authority and He tells us
how He will deal with such enemies, “Woe
to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
(Jeremiah 5:20) Pray fervently and
earnestly for them to see the holiness of Jesus, their need for a Savior, and
the wonderful gift of mercy. Only then
will they say “How sweet are Your words
to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103)
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