How does Obadiah's action in 1 Kings 18:13 demonstrate courage and faithfulness? Setting the Scene 1 Kings 18 finds Israel in a three-year drought brought on by Ahab’s idolatry. Elijah has just reappeared, but before he meets Ahab, he encounters Obadiah, the palace administrator “who feared the LORD greatly” (1 Kings 18:3). Obadiah’s Risky Rescue “Was it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred of the LORD’s prophets, fifty men to a cave, and provided them with food and water.” (1 Kings 18:13) Marks of Courage • Defying a murderous regime – Jezebel’s massacre was state-sponsored terror. Sheltering even one prophet carried a death sentence; hiding one hundred was open defiance. • Serving where danger was greatest – As palace administrator, Obadiah worked under Ahab’s nose. He chose proximity to power over personal safety so he could act when needed. • Risking position, possessions, and life – Losing royal favor meant more than unemployment; it meant execution (cf. 1 Kings 18:4). Obadiah accepted that risk. • Sustained bravery, not a momentary impulse – Providing “food and water” required ongoing logistics through the length of the purge. Courage persisted day after day. Proof of Faithfulness • Reverence for God above man – “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Obadiah’s allegiance lay with the LORD, not with the throne he served. • Stewardship of resources – He leveraged his position to funnel supplies to the hidden prophets, embodying Luke 16:10: “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much.” • Care for God’s servants – By protecting the prophets, he preserved the voice of truth in Israel, fulfilling Proverbs 27:10: “Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend.” • Consistency under pressure – Faithfulness is measured over time. Obadiah’s secret support endured through the drought and Jezebel’s rage, mirroring Galatians 6:9: “Let us not grow weary in doing good.” Lessons for Today • Courage often looks like quiet, behind-the-scenes obedience. • God plants His people even in hostile environments so His purposes advance. • Positions of influence are stewardship trusts, meant to serve God’s agenda. • Fear of God frees us from fear of man (Proverbs 29:25; 2 Timothy 1:7). • Faithfulness includes practical care—food, water, shelter—for those advancing God’s Word. Obadiah shows that true courage and faithfulness are inseparable: he trusted the LORD enough to risk everything, and he proved that trust through tangible, sustained action. |
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