Who Do You Serve: God or Power? | 1 Kings 18:1-16 | Pastor Daniel Banna

We don't usually preach from the Old Testament on Sunday morning, but we do every Friday, and why we do that? Because we believe that both Old and New Testament are equally inspired by God and profitable for our teaching, for our reproof, for our correction, and training in righteousness. Today our message is from the Old Testament, so from first Kings chapter 18 beginning in verse one. After many days, the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year saying, go now show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth. Now for three and a half years, there was no rain over the land of Israel as a judgment of God upon an apostate king and apostate people.

So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. And Ahab, called Obadiah, who was over his household, now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly. And when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a 100 prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and filled them and fed them with bread and water. 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 a life and not lose some of the animals. So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself and Ubadiah went in another direction by himself. And as Ubadiah 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?

And he answered him, It is I. Go tell your Lord, behold, Elijah is here. And he said, How have I sinned that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab to kill me? 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.

And now you say, go tell your Lord, behold Elijah is here. And as soon as I have gone from you, the spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where. And so when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I, your servant, have feared the Lord from my youth. Has it not been told, my Lord, what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord? How I hid a 100 men of the Lord's prophets by fifties in a cave and feed them with bread and water?

And now you say, go tell your Lord, behold Elijah is here, and he will kill me. And Elijah said, as the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today. So Abadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. Lord, we come before you this afternoon to seek your face, to seek your guidance, Lord. We pray that you speak to your people today.

We trust that you will do that. In Jesus' name. Amen. At the end of his letter, James tell us he tells us these words about Elijah the prophet in James five seventeen and eighteen. He tells us Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and and for three years and six months, it did not rain on the earth.

Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. A man like nature like our nature. He prayed fervently. It was not just any prayer. No.

A fervent prayer. And God answered. Now the time of drought over Israel has come almost to an end. At Elijah's word, there was no rain over Israel for three and a half years, And at his rain, the rain will fall again. The judgment of drought and the blessing of rain will come at the word described as a man with a nature like ours.

King Ahab and his actions were so displeasing to God. What would God do right now? Would God let the drought continue until nothing is left in Israel? This what Israel deserves. This what many nations deserve.

But God in his great mercy and love for his people, is going to send rain again. You see, the prophet has delivered the message of judgment to Ahab before that, but now he must deliver a message of blessing. Quite interesting that during the darkest times, God raises the greatest prophets. Now what is the the the primary job of a prophet? It's not, by the way, as many think, to predict the futures.

It's not. A simple reading of God's word would bring us to different conclusion. Look, for example, at the prophet John the Baptist who is by Jesus' words, he is the great he's greater than a prophet. How many future predictions did he make? But this you know what he did?

He pointed the crowds to Jesus. Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. So this is the primary job of a prophet, to point the people toward Jesus, to call for repentance, to call for turning back to God. This was what was Elijah doing.

This is what every true prophet will be doing. Now God never leaves himself without a witness. Never. Even as I said during the darkest times, then God raises even the greatest prophets. Remember when we studied together here about the two witnesses that God raises during the great tribulations?

And so God continued to do that because of his love for people, because of his great love. So in the most evil of days, God raises the greatest prophet. Yet, the evil heart of man remains hardened and unresponsive to the grace of God. Now three years has passed. No rain and almost no pasture in Israel.

Now remember, there is no great rivers in Israel. Without rain, it's a matter of life and death. Yet Ahab does not heed the words of the prophet. Ahab does not repent. That even the king remains, even though he remains unrepentant, God is going to send rain.

But it must come only at Elijah's word. Why? That no one can make a mistake who is God and who is his prophet. Elijah is speaking for God. Now, Elijah must appear before the king and deliver to him this personal message, rain is coming.

It will not come any other way. It will not come through any other messenger. The prophet himself must stand before the wicked king and deliver this message. In verse three, we're introduced to a very interesting character. A man by the name of Obadiah.

Obadiah, a servant of God. Translation from the Hebrew. Now this is not the prophet, the prophet Obadiah. This is a servant of King Ahab. Now we will spend the rest of, of the afternoon or the rest of the message this afternoon speaking about this this man and see what we can learn from his life.

Now verse three tells us, and Ahab called Obadiah who was over his household. Now this position came came with authority. This position came with with with influence, with a great influence in the house of Ahab. And the question is how does Obadiah use his position in the house of Ahab? How does he use his influence in the house of Ahab?

Now my friend, I don't know where God has placed you. I don't know what authority you may have or what influence you may have at your place of work or the place God has placed you in. But whatever influence you may have, the question is the same, have you been using it for God's glory? Are you using it for the honor of Christ? Are you redeeming every opportunity you have in your current place to touch the life of others?

Is your Christian witness known where God has placed you at your work? Just to reflect on these thoughts. How am I doing in the place God has placed me? Now we are then given another description of this man, one given by the Holy Spirit himself. We are told that Obadiah feared the Lord greatly.

And this is remarkable testimony. He feared the Lord greatly. He did not just fear the Lord, but he feared him greatly. He was a true follower of Yehovah at a time when it seemed that no one in Israel worshiped the true God. Even, even Elijah himself in a moment of despair cried out to God following a chapter.

Not once but twice he said, for the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars and killed your prophets with a sword and I, even I alone, am left and they seek my life to take it away. I alone am left, Elijah says. And they seek my life to take it away. Who is seeking your life to take it away, Elijah? He says, not just the king, but the people of Israel.

And yet God corrects him in verse 18 of the following chapter. God tells him, yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel. All the knees that have not bowed down to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him. 7,000? Yes.

7,000. Unknown to Elijah, but known to God. But the question is, is it enough to be known to God and not to the people? Is enough to be like the 7,000? Have you thought about that?

Yes, we do admire the 7,000, but is it enough to be like the 7,000? Believers in secret, believers in hiding, and known only to God known. Now I will talk about this point a little further as we progress in our message. But you see, Obadiah is not merely someone who refused to bow the knee to Baal and kiss him. The text goes further.

It tells us that he feared the Lord greatly. And that fear of the Lord led him to action. It caused him to risk his life to save 100 prophets, hiding them and feeding them. Listen, fear of the Lord always leads to action, and greater fear leads to greater action for the Lord. Fear of the Lord always leads to action, and greater fear, I believe, leads to greater action for the Lord.

Ubadiah used his position to protect God's servant. He used his resources to support the work of God. He was an idol. No. And and this is the lesson for us this afternoon.

How am I using the resources God has entrusted to me? Just think of it. Think of it. How am I using the resources God has entrusted to me? Am I willing to risk my life for my brethren?

Am I cheerfully sharing in the needs of the family of God, in the needs of the church that Christ calls his bride? Think about your bride, that your loved ones, and hopefully you still love so much. God calls his church his bride. Do you share the needs of your bride? Are you sharing in the needs of the church Christ's bride, the resources God has given you?

And remember, when you do that to God's people, his church, you are doing it for Christ. And never forget, no act will be forgotten by God. He will reward those who are faithful. Now look with me at verse five and six. 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 the horses and mules a life and not lose some of the animals. So they divided the land between them to pass through. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself. Now ultimately, this is the king's decision. Obadiah is the king's servant, and he must obey.

We must agree with that. Now at first glance, everything seems reasonable. The king wants to find food for his animals. And yet notice this, the king seems to care more for his animals than for his starving people. He has no care for his people.

He has no care for the souls of men and women. He cares all about himself and his animals. And there is here a striking contrast. While Obadiah has been secretly carrying and feeding God's prophets, Ahab was concerned with preserving his own livestock. Publicly now, Obadiah must show the same care for the animals as his master.

Publicly now, Obadiah is searching for grass. Privately, he's protecting God's servants. He must publicly be a servant of the wicked king, aligning himself with him and promoting his agenda. He is in the king's court. He must obey the wicked king's orders.

Now you can look this at two different ways. On one hand, you may admire him. His faith is hidden, but perhaps it must remain hidden so that he can keep his position and and continue helping God's prophets, assuming, and his only assumption, that there's no other way to do that. But on the other hand, you may see him as a compromiser. A man afraid to make his faith public.

I mean, Jezebel was killing the prophets of God. Maybe he would be one of them. You might look at him as a man who loved his own position and influence more than full allegiance to God. Now since we don't know his motives, who will withhold judgment for now and look for more clues? Look at verse seven.

Luther tells us, as and as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his faith and face and and said, is it you, my lord, Elijah? Now the prophet Elijah is led by the Lord to meet Obadiah. Now think of it. Two believers on two missions.

Two believers on two missions. One sent by God, Elijah. One sent by the wicked king, Obadiah. The one is on a mission to seek man and deliver a message from God. The other is on a mission to seek the welfare of Ahab and his animals.

Now, as soon as Obadiah meets Elijah, he recognizes him. Whether from previous encounter or simply by the way he look, we don't know. And immediately falls on his face before him asking if he is Elijah. He's Lord. Now, there is a clear indication here who is truly greater.

Right? The one who serves God or the one who is employed by the king? Now Ubudiah calls Elijah his lord and falls on his face before he recognizes. He's recognizing Elijah's superiority. He is God's man, and I must fall before him and call him my lord.

And in verse eight, Elijah, after confirming his identity, immediately corrects Obadiah. In effect, he says, you are calling me your lord. Now go and tell your true lord. Do you see that? Do you see that?

Go tell your lord, Ahab. Elijah is here waiting to meet him face to face. It is I. Go and tell your lord, behold Elijah is here. It is good that you call me lord, acknowledging my authority, but in practice I have never been your master.

You have never taken directions or orders from me. But there is a man you've been taking orders and directions from is the wicked king, King Ahab. And at that point, I would say it's not doesn't matter what you say. What matters is what you do. I remember the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew seven twenty one.

He says, not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my father who is in heaven. On that day, many on that day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your names and do many mighty works in your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. Now I'm not saying at all that Obadiah was an unbeliever.

Absolutely not. He was a believer who feared the Lord greatly. Yet there is a big difference between him and Elijah. There's much to to admire about about Obadiah, but there's much more to admire about Elijah. Now but when you look at the other side of Obadiah's life, you see a man who lived his faith in secret, largely unrecognizable as a follower of Yahweh in this world.

And that is clearly not our Christian calling. It is not. But we must not stop here. We must go further. Things become more clear.

Look at verse nine. And he said, how have I sinned that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab to kill me? See, Obadiah had no problems taking orders from king Ahab, but when Elijah asked him to do this one thing, he hesitates. Fear grips him. He serves Ahab and he knows too well that Ahab is a ruthless ruler who'd have no problem killing him if so desired.

He has seen Ahab's murderous acts. He has witnessed his wicked deeds yet he never could confront him. Elijah is is asking Obadiah to do he's not asking Obadiah to do the prophet's work. Elijah himself will deliver the message. Elijah has no fear of man.

He has no fear of the king. All Elijah is asking Obadiah to do is a very simple message to the king that Elijah is seeking to meet with him. That's all. Yet, gripped with fear at the mention of the word Elijah's name to Ahab, Obadiah looks for a way out. How have I sinned?

He views this task not as obedience to the word of the Lord, but as a punishment for sin. Can you see that? Now, then in verse 10, he says, as the lord your God lives, I would love to have heard him say, as the lord my God lives. But he says, as the lord your god lives. Wasn't he your god too and lord too?

He was. Now Elijah was known throughout Israel as god's man. Even the widow of Zarephath, if you remember the story, called him twice, the man of god. Elijah is identified by his relationship to god. Obadiah is identified by his relationship to the wicked king.

This is how he's known in Israel. If you ask who is Obadiah, everyone would tell you he is the servant of king Ahab. If you ask who is Elijah, Abraham would tell you he is the servant and the prophet of God. This is how they are identified. And if the holy spirit had not told us that Ubadiah feared God greatly, we might easily have assumed he was an unbeliever.

Verse 12. And as soon he continues to say, as soon as I have gone from you, the spirit of the law will carry you I know not where. And so when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I, your servant, have feared the lord from my youth. Several observations here. Obadiah knows that god works extraordinary miracles through Elijah.

And he is no ordinary man. In fact, he is no ordinary prophet. But also Obadiah lacks, from his words, he lacks trust in the word of the prophet. Elijah has said he is here to meet Ahab. Ahab, yet Obadiah hesitates.

Obadiah concludes that the spirit of the Lord will carry Elijah away to protect him from Ahab, but he will not do the same for himself. He has no trust that the Lord will protect him from the hands of Ahab. And finally, Obadiah emphasizes that he has feared the Lord from his youth. So so what we are to make out of this? Now, yes, the Holy Spirit tells us that that Ubaidiah feared the lord greatly, but he also feared the king greatly.

He was gripped. He was paralyzed by fear. Now by his association with Ahab, he compromised. By his association with the king, he lost his testimony as a servant of the Lord. By his association with the king, he did less for God than he would have if he were not.

It's easy to think that opportunities to save God's prophets only come if I hold that great position at the king's court. Oh, how small our vision of god and his power can be. God does not need me in high position. He does not need you in high position to accomplish his plan. Yet, he might place you in one, but it's by no necessity.

Wherever God has placed you, there you remain and there you work to accomplish God's plan. Elijah had no political status. None at all, yet he stood before kings. The God who hid David from his enemies could have hidden the 100 prophets. The God who fed Elijah with ravens could have preserved the prophets the same way.

Now, Obadiah brings now his his past work in verse 13. Has it been not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the lord? How I hid 100 men men of the lost prophets, 50 in a cave, and and fed them with bread and water. In effect, he's saying, Elijah, I want you to know what I did. I risked my life for the prophets.

It's what I did. Haven't you heard that? He's attempting to justify his present resistance by appealing to his past faithfulness. But the question remains the same. Where is your courage now?

Where is your faithfulness now? Where is your testimony now? Can one great act, a noble as it may be, justify a compromised witness today? Now in verse 14, Obadiah reads himself again. He is terrified by this simple assignment.

And now you say, go tell your Lord, behold Elijah is here and he will kill me. Where is your trust in God? Now this is the prophet of God speaking to you. It is the word of God through the prophet to you, Ubadiah. You see, the one who lives a compromised life knows better than to expect God's protection.

And Obadiah understands this too well. He knows God ways, yet he chooses here another path. Then Elijah responds, as the lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today. To calm his fear and put him at ease, Elijah must swear that he will meet with the king. He's not bluffing.

He's not bluffing. He says, I have no fear of standing before the king. And do you know why? Do you know why? Because I have been standing before God.

As the Lord of hosts lives before whom I stand. The one who stands before the almighty has no fear standing before any human ruler. This was Martin Luther's secret when he stood against Rome, that he stood before God first. Standing before God enabled him to do what he did just as has enabled many others. Some lost their lives, yes.

Others, God spared. In verse 16, we see Obadiah goes to meet Ahab and tell him and Ahab went to meet Elijah. No questions asked. Ahab Ahab does not ask Obadiah anything at all. All of Obadiah's fears were ultimately manufactured by his own mind and his own imagination.

Do you know many of your fears are manufactured? You think maybe too much. You trust in God too little. Often our fears are manufactured by our mind, our imaginations. Stop thinking too much and start trusting in God more.

What was manufactured? Now, though he feared the Lord, but he did not stand before him continually as Elijah did. He was consumed in carrying out the work and duties of his earthly master. So the question is, do you aspire to be Ubaidiah, or Elijah? Do I aspire to be Obadiah or Elijah?

Elijah, a man with no earthly means, yet he confront kings and kingdoms. Obadiah with a great worldly influence, yet paralyzed by fear. Elijah's words and deeds are recorded for us in the new testament as an example, as a lasting testimony. And Obadiah's will raise his testimony. So let us live not as Obadiahs but as Elijahs, as though the ones who stand before God.

And if you stand before God, you can stand before any human ruler without any fear. Let's pray. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your word. We thank that you always speak to us through your sacred word, whether it is old testament or new testament. We thank you for these two men for the for the lessons you have taught us, Lord.

Yes, to fear God greatly, but let that fear of God dispel any fear of men. Help us, Lord God, be men and women of courage As we proclaim your truth, at the same time, God help us to be men and women of humility and meekness. Lord, protect us from any pride and arrogance. Oh, help the word of God, Lord, be be spoken by us with all humility that it may touch others. And we pray that in these days, in these dark days, you would raise more and more people to stand always before you that they may able to stand before this world and this culture.

In Jesus' name. Amen.