The Obadiahs of the World

Obadiah in 1 Kings 18 is a curious figure. He's not to be confused with the prophet who wrote the book, Obadiah. This one is very different. At one moment he's at the side of Ahab carrying out his instructions and doing his bidding. On the other hand, he's secretly hiding the prophets of Yahweh and feeding them. At times he shows great boldness and other times he seems jumpy and skittish.

When Elijah is sent back by the Lord to confront Ahab, Obadiah is searching for green grass to save the horses of Israel at Ahab's behest. Elijah sees him and tells him to inform Ahab he's returned.

This is Obadiah's response:
1 Kings 18:9–12 (ESV) And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10 As the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. 11 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.” ’ 12 And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the LORD will carry you I know not where. And so, when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the LORD from my youth.

Obadiah is both scared for his life and also confident in the power of the Lord. He believes Ahab will kill him for reporting that Elijah is returned while believing the Spirit will carry Elijah off to some unknown place. 

Yet we need Obadiah's in the work of the Lord. Men who do not get the front page of the news but who silently albeit somewhat fearfully carry out their duties in the Lord's service while hiding in plain sight of the Lord's enemies.

Obadiah pleads to remain in the shadows:

1 Kings 18:13–14 (ESV) Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred men of the LORD’s prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? 14 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here” ’; and he will kill me.”

Obadiah had a lot to lose at this moment. Verse 3 of the chapter states he was over the household of Ahab and Jezebel. Here's what we may miss if we brush by his story too quickly only to focus on the well-known Elijah and the coming showdown on Mount Carmel. Obadiah is a lot like many Christians in today post-Christian west. No, they aren't brazenly proclaiming the Word of the Lord and challenging the political powers that be. No, they aren't making public stands which cost them jobs and positions. No, they aren't forsaking all they have for the cause of the Lord. They are playing it somewhat safely, helping in secret ways and yet holding important positions in the world. 

And guess what! They matter too! Without Obadiahs in the world, there would be more death than necessary. Without Obadiahs in the world, Elijahs wouldn't have an audience. We need Obadiahs, with all their skittish qualities and subtle service to the Lord. In fact, it will be another couple of "Obadiah-like" Jews who will be instrumental in saving lives and rebuilding the city of Jerusalem after the exile. We know them as Esther and Nehemiah. Both of them held prominent positions and were not preachers. Both of them (in different ways) had their calling find them, not the other way around. And like Obadiah and the Christians in secular jobs in our world today, they matter to the mission. Without them, the world would be much worse. 

Now I get to be an Elijah. I preach for a living and I don't mind offending people with the Truth of God's Word if that's what it takes. But I'm thankful for the Obadiahs... those silent saints in the secular world who are doing their job and working near important pagans while also quietly doing what they can to support the mission of Jesus. We are a team. We must work together. The Lord has them where He wants them and me where He wants me. Let's do this!