Part 16) Obadiah and Ahab

1 Kings 18:1-19

In this passage we learn about Obadiah. Obadiah is a man who lives up to his name, for his name means servant of the Lord and indeed he did serve the Lord. At the end of v.3 we see that Obadiah feared the Lord greatly and we learn from v.12 that he has done so from his youth. In an area plagued with apostacy to see someone who still stands strong for God almighty is reassuring and also makes us think of Proverbs 22:6, “train up a child In the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” The reason that Obadiah had a fear of the Lord and the faith to help the people of God was because this was a faith that he was raised in.

In v.3 we see that Ahab had made him the head of the household. It is kind of a strange thing that someone as evil as Ahab would have someone as good as Obadiah over his house, and that after Ahab’s wife had killed all the prophets of Yahweh, Ahab decides to put a follower of Yahweh over his household. This is just like Joseph being over the house of Potiphar, then the prison, then all of Egypt. How king Nebuchadnezzar places Daniel and his friends in positions of authority. Even Caesar had believers in his household (Phil 4:22). It goes to show that God desires us to live with integrity no matter who we might be serving. It is the same truth that Paul expressed in Colossians 3:23; “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” In all things we do we must try to bring glory to God even if the people we are serving don’t follow Him.

Obadiah reveals to Elijah in v.10 that Ahab searched for him, not just in Israel, but in the surrounding kingdoms. Not to end the life of Elijah but to reverse the curse. Ahab likened Elijah to a witch, one who brings a curse and can remove the curse. Ahab still hadn’t come to understand that it was Yahweh that brought the curse and it was Yahweh that could remove it. Rather than putting so much effort into finding Elijah, Ahab should have put effort into seeking Yahweh God almighty. The only one with the power to stop or bring the rains. The one who was demonstrating that He is the only one worthy of praise. The one who was angry about Israel following Idols.

The writer seems to draw a sharp contrast between Ahab and Obadiah. When Jezebel began killing the prophets of God Obadiah demonstrated his fear and admonition of God by taking and hiding 100 of them. In the time of a drought it couldn’t have been a cheap endeavour to get food and water to 100 people in hiding. Long before Jesus came, Obadiah was demonstrating the fear of God expressed in Matthew 10:28. Ahab is the polar opposite. While Obadiah is concerned about others, mainly the prophets and their well being Ahab is concerned about losing his livestock. In v.5 rather than being concerned about finding springs and trying to harvest food to help the people, Ahab is concerned to “not lose some of the animals.”

Another contrast is when both men met Elijah. In v.7 we see Obadiah fall on his face and asking “is it you my lord Elijah?” He is recognizing Elijah as a man of God, giving him honor as one who proclaims the words of God. On the flip side, Ahab to shows disdain when he see’s Elijah. After the hardships that Israel had been going through he probably hated Elijah…but after seeing God work through him also feared Elijah just as Herod feared John the Baptist (Mark 6:20). His greeting is filled with accusation, as the “troubler of Israel.” There are many times that those who are seeking righteous actions are referred to as troublers. There are many times that you can tell the heart of a person by the way that they respond to a person of God. In Acts 7:51-52 Stephen points out how those with hard hearts, the forefathers of the people of Israel; kill all of those who proclaim the message of God.

Was Obadiah promised power, wealth or even safety for taking care of the prophets?

No in fact it probably cost allot to get them food and water.

Does it matter if our employer is a believer or a non-believer? What should our conduct be in either circumstance?

It doesn’t matter, we should always have conduct that is honoring to Christ. It matters only if they ask us to do something that breaks the commands of God.

Ahab put a lot of effort into finding Elijah, what could have happened if he would have put as much effort into seeking God?

If Ahab would have sought God, the drought may have ended sooner than expected.

When we fall on hard times, do we track down what we believe brought us trouble or do we seek God first?

I hope that I seek God first even though I know that’s not always the case.

Elijah tells Obadiah to inform Ahab that he is back, what is Obadiah’s reaction to this request?

He is afraid that Elijah won’t be there and that he will reap the consequences.

Even though Obadiah is nervous about doing what is required of him, does he do it?

Yes, he still follows through.

Do your fears keep you from doing what you should

I try not to let them, but sometimes

What is Ahab’s motivation behind saving his livestock?

He is trying to save his wealth

What is Obadiah's motivation in saving the prophets?

He cares about lives, especially those who speak for God

In times of hardship do we act like Ahab or Obadiah?

I try to have the integrity of Obadiah