Who is real troublemaker?

1 Kings 18:17-30

1. Prophet Elijah stood fearlessly in front of Ahab, who had intention to kill him. The God made Elijah’s brow (forehead) strong due to him entrusted message.

Prophet Jeremiah had the same approach. Jeremiah 1:9.18.

The same stand had Joshua who implemented his task. He was strong because that he had obedience to the God’s commandments. Joshua 1:3. 6:8-9.

2. Ahab had accused Elijah: “So there you are – the worst troublemaker in Israel!” (1 Kings 18:17).

It’s very seldom when the real disturber and reasons of perturbation in people are being recognized properly. Instead of looking for those perturbations in perpetrators, the majorities are looking for them in God or in his people, as it’s written:

“The insults which are hurled at you fall on me” (Psalms. 69:9).

3. The actual troublemaker and reasons of perturbations (1Kings 18:18).

Ahab and his household. Ahab joined pagan nation and made sanctuaries to worship Baal and Astarte. The nation was without the real leader and pastor. Israel became Babylon. They had left Lord’s commandments and it’s the reason of their delusion, it’s the reason of their perturbation and disorder.

Obedience is the main condition for blessings. Deuteronomy 28:1-14.

God’s order makes peace. 1Corinthians 14:33. Isaiah 48:18.

Any hostility is being eliminated in Christ.  Ephesians 2:14.

Israel had lost all of this and had to wander.

4. Associates of this wander (deviation) were prophets of Baal because that they were getting food from the table of Jezebel (1 Kings 18:19) and for this reason they sang a song for her and they were slaves of human beings. They were the main tools of deviation when was mixed divine and human ministries (worship).

Elements of their ministry (worship):

1) 1 Kings 18:26: they danced around the altar and shouted.

2) 1 Kings 18:28: they cut themselves until blood flowed, it reminds self abusers.

5. The real troublemakers and disturbers were Ahab and his household with ministers of Baal. They had been unfairly accusing Elijah.

1) Jesus had been unfairly accused as well.

2) Apostle Peter and Silas were accused too. Acts 17:4-9  (universal troublemakers).

3) True and sincere ministers of church had been blamed in any process of reformation.  E.g. it was with Martin Luther.

4) When the world is angry, it blames the God and the God’s nation (e.g. accusation in the Roman Empire).

5) There are people, who for “the loaf of bread and fish” are prepared to accuse someone.

6.  You need:

- to have courage,

- to have strong character,

- to be honest,

- to be calm.

Amen

By Vladimir Shelkov

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