1 KINGS 18 (FROM CAC'S NOTES)
1 KINGS 18 (FROM CAC’S NOTES)
The private exercises of the faithful remnant in a time of great departure are recorded in 1 Kings 17; in this chapter we see God’s movements in public, having in view the recovery of His people to Himself and the judgment of what has ensnared them, so that rain may come upon the earth. Elijah is to show himself to Ahab so that the testimony is no longer hidden in obscurity but is made public.
Even in Ahab’s house there was one who greatly feared Jehovah and who was to some extent in line with the hidden character of the testimony. He had been favourable to Jehovah’s prophets during the time of Jezebel’s enmity against them. That was another means which Jehovah used to maintain His prophets, as He did with the ravens and the widow. It shows how diversified are the means God uses. He has His eye on all that is of Himself wherever it is.
Ahab has some concern for the preservation of life; he thinks of the horses and mules; that was so far good, and if there is any movement for good, God takes advantage of it in whomsoever it may be. The fact that Ahab had such a man as Obadiah near him was a means of God approaching him. There was a sympathetic element in Obadiah and God could approach Ahab better through him than without him. God values persons who are sympathetic even if they are in associations which are very unsuitable. The remnant in Thyatira illustrates this. It is good to remember that God has more prophets than we know of [p. 140] and He has His own way of maintaining them. Though they suffer from being where they are they are God’s prophets even if not bold in the testimony or quite clear of idolatrous associations.
Obadiah was afraid to announce that Elijah was there. He was not in the secret of Jehovah, showing that a faithful man in wrong associations does not discern divine movements. Jehovah was just about to turn the hearts of His people back again to Himself in a remarkable way and to send rain upon the earth; but Obadiah did not discern it. He was all wrong in his thoughts. Very often people think that divine movements of blessing are likely to harm them in some way. Those who walk in the truth may often be suspected of wishing to do harm.
God would use Ahab as the responsible head in such a movement as this. God has used emperors and church councils to bring about a public witness to the truth. This was so in the fourth century and at other times. I think we should see that in this chapter it is a question of public witness. Elijah knew exactly what had to be met; he seemed to know, therefore, how many prophets Baal and the Asherah had, and how many Jehovah had.
It seems to be Baal who is mainly in view. There may be different forms of evil around but there is generally some outstanding one. The outstanding matter now is a false church, the Babylon of the Revelation, having every feature that is contrary to that of the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
It is remarkable that the test is sacrifice. Elijah goes back to the beginning to Leviticus 9, the tabernacle, to David, 1 Chronicles 21, and to Solomon, 2 Chronicles 7. Things will be all brought to the test of what they are from the beginning. How did the service of God go on at the beginning? Did they all know the power of the Spirit of God? Now this is a public test (1 Corinthians 14).
It was a question here of an answer by fire: that is, it was [p. 141] an evidence that could not be imitated. The question is as at all times, Have we a real God or an imitation one? The simple truth is that God is with His faithful servants and knows how to give witness to Himself. The powerlessness of the servants of Baal is pitiable; it provoked the scorn of Elijah. God has borne witness to His own prophetic testimony; it has had credentials from heaven. Whatever has turned back the hearts of His people to Himself has been of this character.
The order of events is to be noted. The altar of Jehovah which had been broken down is now rebuilt with twelve stones. It is to show how things stand in relation to the worship of God. This is a burnt-offering for all Israel; and he does it according to the original order, the wood, the bullock cut in pieces and laid on the wood, and then something special, the four pitchers three times filled with water. That is something which indicates that what is of flesh and nature shall all be brought under death. When this order is observed I think we may count on God giving evidence that He is with us — Emmanuel — God with us; Spirit-wise now, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14. But, alas, we are more in 1 Kings 19 now!
Here, the prophets of Baal are taken. Then rain comes, but it comes through prayer.