1 Kings 18:17-18
When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, ‘Is it you, you troubler of Israel?’ 18He answered, ‘I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father’s house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals.’
“Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” Ahab has been looking for Elijah, and he’s not been happy that he hasn’t found him. These prophets of God often had messages that were not popular among the people in power. Remember John the Baptist? Arrested and eventually beheaded for speaking out against Herod being married to his brother’s wife.
Elijah is the one prophet of the Lord, and there are about 450 prophets of Baal; he challenges them to a duel. You cut up a bull and put it on fireless wood, and I’’ll do the same. We’ll see if your god lights your altar on fire or if mine lights mine on fire. In general I think it’s a bad idea to put God to the test like that, but it works for Elijah. Even after he has watered his wooden altar not once or twice, but three times, it still erupts into flames.
Is it you, you troubler of Israel? Call me what you will, Ahab, but I have not forsaken the Lord, and God has acted on my behalf.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
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