TEXT: I Kings 18:1-16

SUBJECT: Life of Elijah #4: Meeting Obadiah

We come this afternoon to the fourth sermon in our study of Elijah. It's not Elijah himself we are exploring, but what Christ was doing with him. The Old Testament--keep in mind--is as Christ-centered as the New Testament. I Kings no less than the Gospel of John. All Scriptures testify to the Lord Jesus.

The passage before us describes the prophet's meeting with Obadiah. It begins with the "Word of the LORD coming to Elijah". He has been on the lam for three and one-half years; first at the Brook Cherith where the ravens fed him, then in Zarephath, where he was cared for by the indigent widow. During these months no rain has fallen in Israel, nor has a drop of dew been felt. The result was catastrophic. The drought is so severe that even the king quits his throne to look for water. Fearing his livestock will soon die, Ahab divides them. He takes half in one direction, he sends the other half by a trusted servant, Obadiah.

As Obadiah is combing the land looking for water, he happens upon an old friend: Elijah. He prostrates himself before the man of God. The prophet speaks: "Go tell your master, `Elijah is here'". The word terrifies him. He's afraid the LORD will again hide the prophet, leaving him "holding the bag". If Elijah's not there, Obadiah will pay for it dearly. He tries to talk himself out of the jam; he reminds Elijah of his good deeds, of his courage in hiding 100 prophets from a blood-thirst queen. But the man of God is not easily swayed. Obadiah must run the fearful errand. "As the LORD of Hosts lives, before Whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today".

The message is delivered; the king returns with Obadiah; Elijah is waiting for them. From this point, the great duel is fought. That very day the LORD and Baal will face off in public to see "Who is God". This is the central event of the day. Yet more than half a chapter is spent on Obadiah--a man otherwise unknown. Why is that? Why are these extraneous events take place? Why are they given a permanent record in Holy Scripture? The answer is obvious: They are not extraneous. Christ was doing something with Obadiah; something important; something worth our meditation.

What was it? I have thought of four things. By personal reflection, you may come up with many more. But, for the moment, observe four things Christ was doing with Obadiah.

Jesus Christ was protecting His servant in an evil and dangerous environment. Obadiah was in charge of Ahab's house. He was, therefore, a member of the king's inner circle. Royal courts were a breeding ground for sin. Very few have survived them with their character intact. "Power tends to corrupt" wrote Lord Acton. Obadiah had it, but wasn't ruined by his power.

His temptations must have been great. He wasn't a member of just any royal staff, but Ahab's! About the latter it is written: "Now Ahab, the son of Omri, did evil in the sight of the LORD more than all who were before him". In another place, it is said he "Sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD". Being Ahab's servant wasn't easy for a man of integrity.

Especially now. Ahab and Jezebel were always wicked. But never had they been more enraged than now. Their gods had publicly failed them. The Baals had been invoked repeatedly for three years, but without success. This must have been embarrassing to a couple who prided themselves for their religion. Moreover, Jezebel had been on a rampage. In recent months, she had cut down the whole company of prophets but those Obadiah had secreted away.

How was Obadiah able to withstand the pressure? Let Christ answer: "My grace is sufficient for you". No other explanation is feasible; none other should be sought. Obadiah was a monument to our Lord's sufficient grace. By protecting him in Ahab's court, Christ was exalting His invincible grace.

"If God be for us,

Who can be against us?"

We ought to often reflect on the sufficiency of His grace. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it". The key word is "No". The Lord is able to protect His people in the most painful of circumstances. He doesn't promise to take us out of them, only to provide the ability to endure them as a tribute to His grace.

And so, the next time you feel ganged up on in school, at work, or elsewhere, remember Obadiah, keeping his integrity in the court of Ahab. And remember: Obadiah's Savior is your Savior. And He is "the same, yesterday, today, and forever".

In the second place, Jesus Christ was employing His servant in an evil and dangerous environment. Obadiah was more than a survivor; he was active in Ahab's court. Those dark years only enhanced his piety. "Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly" says v.3. But more than this, Obadiah rescued and maintained 100 prophets of God under Jezebel's deadly regime. How daring he was! He hid them in two caves and provided their daily needs. If caught, he would pay with his head. He was a model of discretion and courage. Under the heaviest pressure, he flourished in serving God and His people.

He was not alone. Joseph did the same in Egypt; Daniel in Babylon; Mordecai in Persia; Paul in sickness, poverty, and prison. How did they do it? Only by the grace of Christ which makes us "More than conquerors".

We must learn from Obadiah. Personal problems don't exempt us from the service of Christ and His people. They obligate us all the more; "His strength is made perfect in [our] weakness". If you're becoming absorbed by personal woes, it is time to do something about them. What? "Esteem others better than yourself". In this way, you pay tribute to the sacrificial love of Christ which enables you to surrender yourself for others.

Thirdly, Jesus Christ was blessing his servant with a word of encouragement. "Those who honor Me I will honor" is the promise of I Samuel 2:30. Obadiah had honored Christ as no other man in Israel. Now, he would be amply repaid for his services. The appearance of Elijah meant something good; it meant the drought was over. The LORD's chastening hand would soon be removed. The first man to hear this "good news" was none other than Obadiah. He wasn't quick to recognize the blessing; but blessed he was. "Show me a token for good" was the Psalmist's cry. How often Obadiah must have prayed over those words. Now, at last, the "token" was "shown". Elijah was back; with his return came the favor of God. A great blessing Obadiah received; an unmatched encouragement.

If we live as Obadiah did, we're sure to receive his encouragement. It may be long in coming, but how sweet it will be. How worth the wait. It is worth a wait a thousand times longer to hear His encouraging Word. It will come to all who wait for it. It came to Jonah in the belly of a fish; but it came. You may sink as low as he did--maybe lower--but it will come to you if you but wait for it in the faithful service of Jesus Christ.

Finally, Jesus Christ was vindicating His servant. How public Obadiah's faith was cannot be known for sue. We know this much, however: He didn't "bow the knee to Baal or kiss the obscene image". This must have made him an object of contempt and ridicule. But when the Baals miscarried and the Lord proved triumphant, Obadiah's faith was vindicated. It is not "vain to serve God".

Like Obadiah, we await our vindication. It will come. Some day that blaspheming neighbor of yours will admit your trust was not misplaced. On that day, it will be manifest to all that our "Labor was not in vain in the Lord".

And so, this is why more than half a chapter is spent on Obadiah: Because Christ was at work in him. Not doing anything spectacular, He was still doing something good. He was kindling in Obadiah "the two things needful"--the fear of God and the service of His people. May He do the same for us! Amen.