June 17 – Reading 168

June 17 – Reading 168

by Chris Rainey | June 17

“SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?”
(1 Kings 18:1-20:43)

And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly…) – 1 Kings 18:3

One of the more challenging decisions in life is to determine whether to stay in a difficult situation or not. Do you stay in a bad workplace environment and work to change it, or do you find another job? Do you leave a bad marriage or continue on and work to improve it? Do you end relationships with toxic people or stay and hope for change? There is no one-size fits all approach and God can redeem decisions either way. In today’s reading, God-fearing Obadiah chose to work in the administration of the wicked King Ahab and his wife Jezebel as their household steward in what must have been a hostile workplace environment. But it is here we learn that he was an important liaison between the king and the prophet Elijah.

After telling King Ahab in chapter 17 that “there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word,” Elijah seems to have disappeared, become a fugitive from Ahab and successfully avoided his wrath for nearly three years in what seems to have been an international manhunt while the drought persisted. We know this because of Obadiah, who continued to work for Ahab in an environment that was hostile to his faith. Yet his position also allowed him other opportunities to serve the Lord, namely the preservation of a hundred prophets after Jezebel called for their execution. And now Elijah has surfaced again before Obadiah and asked him to let King Ahab know he “is here” (18:8) because Elijah has a message he wants Obadiah to give the king. Obadiah objects, figuring Elijah will vanish again and leave Obadiah to pay the king’s wrath with his own life. Despite his reluctance, Obadiah decides to trust Elijah, and Elijah meets Ahab as promised. This leads to the Confrontation at Carmel.

While Elijah is more prominent because of his role as a prophet, his miracles, and his victorious confrontation with Ahab and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, there needed to be an Obadiah, working behind the scenes in the wicked king’s household and secretly taking care of God’s prophets, for the plan to unfold. Sometimes it’s good to have friends in high places!

Application:
Elijah had a well-known, public prophetic ministry in Israel while Obadiah had a ministry serving in Ahab’s administration and supporting the prophets of God. Both kinds of ministries are necessary to advance God’s work in the world. 

Reflection:
Think about some of the various contexts where ministry occurs: home, local church, schools, media, arts and entertainment, law enforcement, military, fitness, business, and government. Where have you found unexpected opportunities in your life?

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for diverse life landscapes offering unexpected service opportunities. We lift up our homes, churches, schools, media, arts, law enforcement, military, fitness, business, and government. Open our eyes to uniquely serve in these spheres. Help us recognize and seize unexpected opportunities to bring Your light and love. Grant wisdom and courage to step into these moments, trusting You equip us. May our lives witness Your grace in every context. Amen.