1 Kings 18:17-19 – Bold to the challenge

True to God and to his mission, Elijah boldly confronted Ahab. He did not flinch from his assignment. It was obvious that the wicked king did not have a good impression of the prophet. Hence, the first thing Ahab did when he saw Elijah was to label the prophet as the troubler of Israel. How ironical? People who are troublesome would often project their own image on others. This was obviously a typical example of that. Imagine Ahab the real troubler of Israel labeling Elijah with the title that he was more suitable to adopt. However, the prophet was not going to accept the wicked king’s assessment of him lying down. He shot back. He told Ahab that he himself was the true troubler of Israel. And what he said was not just a hollow accusation. He had the facts to back what he said.

So in 1 Kings  18:18, Elijah retorted saying, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of  the Lord and  you have followed the Baals.” Elijah was in fact saying to the king, “I did not bring about the drought.” He told Ahab that it was his father and family who had brought the calamity to Israel. It was they who had forsaken the commandments of God and pivoted to worship and serve everything representing Baal. Elijah boldly told Ahab that they had forced the hand of Yahweh, who was obliged to prove who truly had the power over nature. With that, Elijah then challenged Jezebel’s band of evil prophets serving Baal and Asherah to a contest. He wanted them to know who the true God was. The place set for the contest was Mount Carmel. What better place!   

Mount Carmel located at the shore of the Mediterranean Sea was a range of mountains. The Phoenicians reckoned it to be the sacred site of Baal. Having the contest on Mount Carmel was home ground to the prophets of Baal. Yet the fearless Elijah was not the least bit intimidated. He knew who was on his side. In life, it does not matter who is for us, but it matters a lot to have God with us. Elijah made one thing clear when God is on our side, we will always be the majority even if we must face a committee of a thousand. Hear what the last two stanzas of the hymn titled “Who is on the Lord’s side?” and be challenged. 

Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
But the King’s own army none can overthrow;
’Round His standard ranging, vict’ry is secure,
For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Chosen to be soldiers, in an alien land,
Chosen, called, and faithful, for our Captain’s band;
In the service royal, let us not grow cold,
Let us be right loyal, noble, true and bold.
Master, wilt Thou keep us, by Thy grace divine,
Always on the Lord’s side—Savior, always Thine!

Whether Ahab or us, sin is the real cause of man’s trouble. Sin not only blinds us, it also binds us. Trapped in sin, a person can be blind to the menace it can cause. May we come often to the Lord and pray like David, who said in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” Amen!