Obadiah was a man who tried to serve two masters. One he served—Ahab—is described as doing more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him (1 Kings 16:3333And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. (1 Kings 16:33)). Yet, it is also said of Obadiah that he feared the Lord greatly. What a strange combination!
Regarding Ahab, Obadiah worked for an idolatrous, apostate master as steward of his house (1 Kings 18:33And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly: (1 Kings 18:3) JND). In that sad character of service, he bore primary responsibility for insuring the health and prosperity of the most wicked, godless king who ever reigned over the ten tribes of Israel!
At the same time he also served Jehovah—the One whom his master Ahab had disobeyed and dishonored—hiding from Jezebel, Ahab’s murderous wife, 100 prophets of the Lord. How very sad and how very difficult this path of duplicity was, seeking to serve two masters acceptably!
Service for God in Dark Times
Obadiah’s service was rendered, in part, during a terrible famine—a significant though not surprising fact. When a man turns his back in rebellion from God—especially after having received the blessing of divine light—a great spiritual famine is sure to result. And it is sure to have an adverse effect on the spiritual welfare of others also.
Ahab, no doubt keenly feeling the famine, yet refusing to acknowledge God’s hand in this severe trial, sends Obadiah to find food—not in order to preserve the lives of men, but rather to save the lives of animals! Ahab thought more of his horses (power) and mules (wealth) than of God’s beloved people over whom he ruled. He desired grass so that some of the beasts might be saved alive.
It is good for those who walk in the path of faith to realize that this world has no interest in the believer’s welfare. It is engaged in a continual, frantic search to find food which can provide the power, strength and riches needed to maintain itself in its rebellion and alienation from God.
Hindered Service
It was no mean service for Obadiah to hide the prophets of Jehovah by fifties in a cave. In doing so he placed himself in a position of extreme danger with Ahab. Further, he no doubt had to personally bear the expense of the bread and water they ate. But, we may say, in spite of these good things, his was still a hampered service for Jehovah—severely restricted by the fear of man, his other master.
When the Lord Jesus Christ walked on this earth—perfect Man and perfect Servant—His ministry was never thus hindered. He never acted out of the fear of man, but from perfect submission to the only One He served, His Father and God. His Father’s business, which He must be about, was not ever constrained by or compromised with the world either.
Thus when His disciples thought He should send away the weary, hungry multitude, our blessed Lord Jesus seated them by fifties—not in a cave but on the soft grass. And those He ministered to numbered far more than 100 prophets. Five thousand men, besides women and children, were fed to their full satisfaction that wonderful day. Surely this divine Steward does all things well.
Service With a Bad Conscience
Obadiah was quite aware that his service to Ahab was not pleasing to Jehovah. We are told in 1 Kings 18:77And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah? (1 Kings 18:7) that when Elijah met him in the way (Ahab’s way), he knew him and “fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?” Poor Obadiah! He knows Elijah when he meets him—why then the question? It was the response of a troubled conscience, for “a double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:88A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:8)). Obadiah could not say what the beloved Apostle Paul (who only served one Master) said: “Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:1616And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. (Acts 24:16)).
May we ever seek to be more like our precious Saviour, who, as perfect Man, alone could say, “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:2929And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29)).
Service Without Fellowship and With Fear
When he and Ahab went to search for food, they did not walk together in fellowship, for we read that “Obadiah went another way by himself” (1 Kings 18:66So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself. (1 Kings 18:6)). Even the discouraged Cleophas and his companion were able to commune and reason together (Luke 24:14-1514And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. (Luke 24:14‑15)). Obadiah’s duplicity provides a stark answer to the prophet’s question, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:33Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3)).
Service Without Confidence
Finally, in Obadiah’s vain effort to faithfully serve two masters, he judges the One (Jehovah) according to the cruelty of the other (Ahab). All that he can assume in his sad state is that, if he is obedient to Elijah, the Lord will trick him. His piteous plea to Elijah— “the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me” (1 Kings 18:1212And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth. (1 Kings 18:12))—reminds us of the unbelief of Joseph’s brethren (Gen. 50:1717So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. (Genesis 50:17)). But it ought to humble and remind us even more of our own treacherous, natural hearts, so willing to mistrust and deny the only One who has ever and always only done us good.
Hear how beautifully and confidently that perfect Man trusts God in His path of service. “Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight” (Luke 10:2121In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. (Luke 10:21)). “Not My will, but Thine, be done” (Luke 22:4242Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:42)).
Let us also hear the words of the Apostle Paul while following the example of his faith and confidence in the Lord, in whatever little service we are allowed to do for our precious Saviour.
Ed.