As we move forward in God's primary purpose in the expression of the gifts and abilities God's gives, we each face many smaller events in the circumstances of life. These mini-events are like threads woven into a tapestry that combine to create an elegant and beautiful picture. By themselves, they may not appear significant, but they are all vital to the overall plan of God. In this lesson we view more threads woven into the picture of the great confrontation that takes place on Mount Carmel. This is a confrontation designed to demonstrate the power of God, to reprove the people for their vacillation and idolatry, and to challenge them to choose for the Lord. Part of the picture is that of an evil king who had miserably failed to shepherd God's people. In this scene we get another glimpse into the character of this leader. It obviously stands as a warning for all who hold positions of leadership and influence, and yet there is a sense in which this applies to all of us because we each have some influence on others.
The great display of the power of God later in this chapter is set against the impotence of Baal. It is designed to teach the people and King Ahab that the three-and-a-half years of drought followed by the coming rain was the work of Yahweh, the only true God. The drought was discipline for disobedience to God's Word and the rain was the provision of His grace. In the unfolding of this drama, several scenes occur that are important because of the lessons we can by pointing out the contrasts between those who walk with God in faith, trusting Him rather than their own plans, and those who do not.
In addition, 1 Kings 18:16-24 presents us with confrontation and conflict. We simply do not like that. Our natural tendency is to avoid confrontation and conflict. It's so much easier to swim down stream or float with the tide than it is to confront issues, problems, or whatever may be causing conflict.
Confrontation is rarely painless, never easy, often rejected, and always risky. But in some conditions it is commanded by Scripture, illustrated in Scripture, and often essential to spiritual growth, godliness and biblical change. Of course, confrontation needs to be done according to biblical principles, in a biblical way, for biblical reasons, and out of right motives. We usually avoid it for selfish reasons--out of fear of the consequences to ourselves. Such a response is neither faith nor love. It is cowardice. It is pleasing ourselves rather than acting in faith and love. "Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy" (Pro. 27:5-6).
Scriptural Illustrations: (1) The prophets of old were often confrontational. They regularly faced people with their sins of independent living and called on them to face their need. (2) The Lord Jesus and his apostles did the same. Remember, it was Jesus who called the Pharisees "hypocrites" and "white washed mausoleums." He confronted the woman at the well with her adultery, Nicodemus with the emptiness of his religion, and Peter with his denials. (3) Paul braced Peter to his face for his religious duplicity mentioned in Galatians 2:11-14.
The Bible is not only confrontational but comforting. It not only confronts us with our self-centeredness, sin, rebellion, and independent ways, but it offers us grace, reconciliation, power, and many other blessings of the gospel given to bring forgiveness, designed to change us, and designed to lead us into God's blessing and protection. Nevertheless, because of the hardness of our hearts, because we love darkness rather than light and are so committed to living by our self-protective solutions, we are sometimes faced with the need of confrontation, resistance and conflict.
Still, confrontation that challenges our commitment, our sources of happiness, significance, and security is essential and basic to the nature of the Word of God and the condition of men and women. Certainly, confrontation can be sinful depending on the method, the manner, and the motivation. When confrontation is biblical, however, it is a great act of love that demonstrates obedience to God and faith in Him regardless of the consequences.
First Kings 18:16 is a verse of transition. In it we see: (1) Obadiah, having responded to the ministry and encouragement of Elijah, leaves to tell Ahab about Elijah who then goes to meet the prophet. (2) This verse also moves us from Elijah's ministry and method with Obadiah to his ministry and method with Ahab. (3) In one we have encouragement. In the other confrontation and conflict. (4) There is a difference of needs. Obadiah needed only to be focused and encouraged. Ahab, who was caught up in the idolatry of Baalism, needed to be confronted with his sin that he rationalized by blaming others.
Principle: Obviously we must deal with people differently and one of our tasks in ministering to others is to be discerning, to listen, and seek to understand the needs of the other person.
Ahab's reaction and accusation illustrate a fundamental truth: "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Pr. 23:7). Or as our Lord put it in Matthew, "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. "The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil" (Matt. 12:34-35).
A heart filled with resentment or any kind of "stinking thinking" is like a volcano ready to erupt. All it needs is the right situation--and bang! The mouth speaks out the corruption that has been smoldering and festering within. This picture of treasure used by the Lord in the Matthew passage suggests the following:
Ahab's heart was filled with evil treasure--with resentment, hatred, the desire for revenge, and with his solutions for dealing with Elijah. So, immediately, when he saw Elijah, his volcano of corruption erupted in accusations, name calling, maligning, criticism, and blame. We need to keep a close check on our hearts, our foc