This important lesson is illustrated in 1 Kings 18. The prophet Elijah was in conflict with King Ahab. The conflict had led Elijah to proclaim a drought in the land which lasted for several years. “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1). This was in response to Ahab’s sin.
During the drought (just before Elijah’s prayer brought it to an end, and before Ahab knew it was about to end), the Lord told Elijah to go and present himself to Ahab.
First, Elijah met an ally named Obadiah. Obadiah was actually a servant of King Ahab. But, we are told that Obadiah “feared the Lord greatly” (18:3). At Ahab’s command, he was out looking for grass and any little bit of water to save the livestock who were in danger of dying from the drought. Apparently the two men knew one another, as Obadiah recognized the prophet when they met. Elijah told Obadiah to tell the king that Elijah was there.
This was personally dangerous to Obadiah. Such a message could lead to Obadiah’s death. If Elijah did not show, Obadiah was afraid that Ahab might kill him in anger for a false report. However, Elijah promised that he would appear before the king, so Obadiah willingly went and told Ahab.
Other lessons can be learned about all of this, and about Elijah VS Ahab, but it is important to note a few things about Elijah and Obadiah’s conversation.
First, though Obadiah was a servant of the king, and in the household of that evil man, he himself was unsullied by the evil. He feared God, and had actually chosen to be faithful to Him even when it put his own life in danger. He hid 150 prophets of Jehovah in a cave when the king’s wife Jezebel was on the warpath against them. He fed them with bread and water, and protected them. No doubt he would himself had suffered death if his choosing God before the queen had been fully revealed.
Second, Elijah was faithful in his promise. He knew it put Obadiah at risk to announce his presence, and so made sure that Obadiah was considered faithful in his reporting of the prophet to the king.
Third, though Obadiah was an important servant of the king, in his righteousness he supported Elijah and what was right rather than compromising or supporting evil.
It takes all kinds of men in the kingdom of God. Some may have more authority, may be more influential, may be more obvious serving in the defense of God and the truth (Elijah). But all of us need to be putting the Lord first, refusing to compromise, upholding the hands of those who God uses in the conflict with evil (Obadiah). Be faithful to God first, whoever you are!
