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Lessons from the life of Elijah the Prophet — the obedience of faith.
Excerpt- The Governor of Ahab's House
"And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house" (1 Kings 18:3).
Here we are introduced to a very different kind of servant of God, unlike Elijah who had a positive testimony. Obadiah was one who feared the Lord greatly, typical of the seven thousand who would not bow to the image of Baal (1 Kings 19:18). This is negative testimony, and characteristic of the greater mass of believers today.
Nowhere do we find Obadiah spoken of as a man of God. Only one who manifests the character of God could be so spoken of. Obadiah's name means "serving Jehovah". This he did, though in an imperfect manner. It is most touching how far-reaching grace is. The least thought, the cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, a crust of bread-all are noticed by our God, because the heart is in it. How often the flesh trembles while the heart grieves. It could be that down through the years Obadiah shed many tears. Hear God's estimate of this servant.
"(Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water)" (1 Kings 18:3,4).
Compromise
The Spirit of Christ would enable us to see good in our brethren and encourage any little effort for Christ. Poor, failing creatures we are; yet we belong to Christ. What He gets from the most devoted of His people could not be very much, but He values those who think upon His Name in the dark days (Mal. 3:16). Surely there was no power for testimony with Obadiah in the position of compromise that he took, a strange position for a child of God. How hard a path it was with little comfort, because "the fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe" (Prow. 29:25).
Obadiah did risk his life for the testimony of God, but little else has been recorded that was favorable to his account. We do notice that underneath, Obadiah manifested a warm heart filled with divine love. If only he had the courage of Elijah, he could have filled a place as a shepherd among God's faltering people.
In comparing Elijah with Obadiah, surely Elijah would stand out in relief as a man of God. Years of training at Cherith and separation from the evil of the day among God's people contributed to the stalwart character of Elijah. He speaks with poise, power, and fearlessness. This shows the importance of passing through the school of God in fitting one for service. Obadiah had not come this far. The easy life of the king's court could hardly yield what Cherith yielded. The fear of the idolatrous king was a great hindrance to Obadiah. His desire to please the king led this dear man into many fleshly pursuits.
"And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts" (1 Kings 18:5).
This word offers much to ponder in this day, surrounded by a "Babylon" of religious confusion. I refer to the general condition of those who profess to be God's people. It is well enough to have an ideal as Elijah before us, but, actually, what is our case? Are we more like Obadiah-or Elijah? Are we characterized by virtues of Elijah, or do we have the weaknesses of Obadiah, loving Christ and His people within but little or no testimony without?
"All fountains of water, peradventure" (1 Kings 18:5).
Are these the expressions of the man of faith? In the background and training of these two men we see a reason for the lack of power with Obadiah. We never read of his praying. Many times Elijah is said to be praying fervently, intelligently, and in keeping with the situation at hand.
Obadiah had no definite source of refreshment on which he could rely, but he resorted to all fountains of water, and all brooks, at the command of Ahab. Many of the dear people of God are carelessly seeking their spiritual help from similar sources.