A Troublemaker or Truth Teller

“Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” -1 Kings 18.17

 

Here is recorded the classic question of the wicked King Ahab regarding the Prophet Elijah - “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?”

 

What a terrible thing to be accused of!  By the King no less!

“Troublemaker!”

Maybe Elijah needed to reconsider his approach…

Maybe Elijah needed to spare a thought for Ahab’s feelings…  Besides how could he respond to such an accusation?  “And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD,”

Oh...

But that’s right  - he could just tell the truth.  The Bible goes on to tell us, “there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.  And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.   And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words,” (“Behold, I will bring evil upon thee…” verse 21) “that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.”

If we are ever called a troublemaker because we say the truth – may the world also see our grace and humility, and may the truth of what we say give them the chance to go “softly” – fearing the judgment of God.