One Out Of 951

Ahab and Elijah had some interesting conversations in the 18th chapter of 1 Kings.  One I like is where Elijah tells (not asks, but tells) Ahab to gather the prophets of Baal (450) and the prophets of the groves (400).  There’s a little tidbit of information I had overlooked in verse 19, “which eat at Jezebel's table.”

Ahab is feeding all of these priests!

Obadiah, the governor of Ahab’s house, took care of a hundred of God’s prophets, hiding them in caves and feeding them on bread and water.  I doubt Jezebel’s prophets ate in a similar manner.

For three years there had been a drought.  No rain fell, a prophecy from God through Elijah. Ahab and Obadiah went in search of any source of water. Obadiah, unfortunately for him he thought, found Elijah instead. When Elijah told him to go to Ahab and say he’d found Elijah, Obadiah thought he knew what was in store:

And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me. (1 Kings 18:14 KJV)

Obadiah knew what happened to people who brought bad news to powerful people.  Hasn’t changed much, has it?  When Ahab and Elijah met, it was obvious their perception of the situation differed:

And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. (1 Kings 18:17-18 KJV)

Ahab put the blame on Elijah – who set the record straight. Ahab had forsaken God.

Things haven’t changed – people in power often react badly to bad news; people carrying bad news dislike telling it to powerful people; people become defensive when blame is attached. Same today as it was just before Elijah and Ahab gathered the nation and the Baal/grove prophets together.  Without going into the sacrifice details (they are in the chapter – read it there), another item hasn’t changed.

Everyone makes the choice Elijah gave to the nation:

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21 KJV)

One prophet, out of nine hundred and fifty-one, was given the message from God for Ahab, the nation and the prophets.  It’s the same choice we have before each of us yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Once we make that choice, our paths are determined, until we’re tempted to rethink.

Israel chose God, forgot God, was punished, returned. Time and again. Today many look upon the history as myth, not a lesson. Ancient history subject to change as new truths are discovered, not an absolute truth. Many more look upon it as mankind’s interaction with the Creator.  So do I.