1 Kings 18:7-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’” 9 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.”’

Obadiah feared the Lord. So much so that he had hidden a hundred prophets that Jezebel and Ahab had sworn to kill. Reading this chapter of 1st Kings we find that Obadiah is a trusted servant of Ahab. What changed that made Obadiah suddenly fear Ahab? I can think of many reasons why but I have settle upon one to speak about.

Obadiah announces in verse 9 that Elijah is now his master and calls himself Elijah’s servant. Considering Elijah is the one prophet wanted by Ahab above all the rest, Obadiah’s words show a change of heart. It is likely that Ahab would welcome Obadiah’s announcement of the presence of Elijah. Since Obadiah did not suffer at the hands of Ahab for the message, it is safe to assume so.

Obadiah feared because he changed allegiances in his heart. This is similar to our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. At our baptism we announce to Satan we no longer serve him. Satan is now our enemy and John 10:10 comes into play. Being human, we find fear in our change of allegiance.

1 Kings 19:4 English Standard Version (ESV) But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

Read 1 Kings 18 to understand all that Elijah had done in obedience to the Lord. It is that great demonstration of God revealing Himself to be the One True God. Here in this chapter Elijah has heard Jezebel’s threat to kill Elijah because he had killed all the prophets of Baal. Elijah has run away and hid himself. Now Elijah confesses to God that he is no better than those who came before him.

We all come to a point of seeing ourselves as human. As much as we might have heard and done to obey God, to glorify God, and try our hardest to be all that God has made us to become, we are still human. When our lives are threatened by circumstances beyond our control, whether it be by natural causes or manmade threats, we want to live.

If this great prophet Elijah felt like running away, why should I assume that I am any better? A man I am.

My God is wonderful beyond belief. His mercies are new every morning even if I do not remember. I am human. My God is my shield and protector even if I fear the moment. I am human. I am a changed man because of my God even if others do not see it. I am human.

All Israel saw God at Mount Carmel and that Elijah was His prophet. None of those men and women saw Elijah run and hide in fear. Perhaps they should have. All the fame and notoriety associated with being God’s prophet would have died. The glory would be to God. Elijah was human.

To God be the glory.