Dec 01 2008
When Our Enemies Blame Us
Have you ever felt like you were up against a wall, blamed for something that wasn’t your fault? Many heroes of the Bible also felt that way at times. Remember the story of Elijah?
Wicked King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, who was even worse, hated God and were in the habit of killing the prophets of God. In I Kings 16:31-33 it says Ahab worshiped Baal, even building altars in his own home.
The prophet Elijah went to Ahab after hearing from the Lord and told him there would be no rain or dew for three years as judgment from God. Then the Lord told Elijah where to go to preserve his life because Ahab was searching for him to kill him.
In I Kings 18:11 it says three years later Elijah made arrangements to meet Ahab in person, because he had something to tell him. Ahab’s response when he saw Elijah was (v. 17): “Is this you, O troubler of Israel?”
And Elijah said, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and you have followed the Baals.” Then Elijah told Ahab to send 450 of Baal’s best prophets/magicians and 400 other prophets to meet him on Mt. Carmel, because it was time for a showdown.
Elijah must have harassed and unjustly accused when he was blamed for the troubling famine and droubt in Israel. Of course those who bear the brunt of that judgment often refuse to admit their culpability, blaming the one God has sent to confront their sin.
It’s really no different for those of us who live today. When we speak out against sin and preach that judgment is coming, those who refuse to hear will do whatever they can to silence us.
So what is a Christian to do? First of all, we must pray that God will let truth prevail, shattering lies and deception. Then, no matter what the cost, we must continue to preach the gospel message to those who are lost, telling the truth in love. If we who are commissioned to spread the gospel fail in our mission, their blood will be required at our hands.
In his case, Elijah went up against 950 prophets, right in front of the people of God, who were, by then, hardened against the Word of the Lord after years of Baal worship.
On the mountain Elijah told the evil prophets to build an altar and prepare an ox for sacrifice and he would do that same. Then they would both petition their gods and see which one showed Himself the most powerful. A contest to beat all contests. And (v. 21) Elijah said to the Children of Israel, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him, but if Baael, follow him.”
Then he proceeded to build his altar, cutting up the oxen, and putting wood under it. He then challenged them to call down their god to consume it. ”And the God who answers by fire, He is God.”
You know the rest of the story. The false prophets prayed to Baal, weeping, wailing, cutting themselves and doing everything they could think of to get their gods’ attention, but nothing happened. In fact, Elijah taunted them, asking if maybe their god was asleep.
Then Elijah erected twelve stones around the altar, one for each tribe of Israel, then dug a trench around the altar. Now remember, water was scarce at that time. So in an ironic twist, Elijah had his servants pour water until it filled the trench. Then he prayed a simple prayer of faith, and the fire of the Lord fell and consumed not only the ox, but the altar and the stones and the water and even the dirt underneath. Then the Lord opened the heavens and let it rain, proving to Israel that Jehovah was the one true God. And many turned their hearts to the Lord.
The point I’m trying to make here is this: No matter what happens, the truth is still the truth, and no matter how our enemies try to distort it, we must not be deterred. Rather we must pray in faith, giving God the opportunity to use us to prove He is still alive and active in the affairs of men. And some will come to the knowledge of Christ.
Our God has already given us the victory, so we dare not back down, no matter what…Praise His holy name!
Because of His great love,
Nancy
