Q1. Courage

[Pastor Ralph]

Q1. (1 Kings 17:1) What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of drought? What dangers does this bring to Elijah? Why is “speaking truth to power” so difficult when the power structures are corrupt?

[Krissi]

Elijah was strengthened by the deep inner conviction that God Himself had asked him to perform this task. The power of the Holy Spirit was with Elijah. Observers must have surmised that Elijah's power came from sources other than his personality, for Elijah was a bizarre and socially shunned and may have even appeared both homeless and mentally ill. In short, Elijah was a man who did not have the social standing to confront Ahab, but did it anyway. For this reason, I don't think that Elijah's power was that of a military man who bravely plunges into battle as much as that of a man possessed by the Holy Spirit. This wasn’t a contest between two powerful men but between a man empowered by God and a man empowered by men.

Elijah willingly put himself into a situation in which he was physically endangered even though God didn't guarantee He would protect Elijah's life even though he obeyed Him. This is hard for me to accept, but it simply is the case that obedient Christians have been killed by government bureaucrats  – even Jesus, Himself, was unjustly martyred … until his glorious resurrection.

“Speaking truth to power” is difficult if one’s faith is weak, but easy when one is overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. I have never been asked by God to do anything like this but pray that I would be convicted by His voice alone. If God tells me to do something that puts my life in jeopardy, I pray to have the spiritual maturity to do it without fear, questioning or second-guessing.

The disgusting corruption in all layers of our government today may prompt God to ask us to obey Him unto death just as Elijah had to obey God's voice before a similarly evil government. We should ponder how we would confront “Ahab,” if the Lord asked this of us. Also, we need to be very sensitive and confident in His communication to us … to really know His voice.

Note that Elijah walked away after he delivered God’s message. He didn’t debate. He didn’t call a press conference. He walked away … then hid.

[Damian Denis]

Its not easy to speak truth to power esp if you're a lone ranger. In this case, Elijah was not part of the "band of prophets". He works alone (i believe) so for him to get into a confrontation with the most powerful men in this country would have been frightening. 

But i dont think that deter him. He must have reflected and prayed a lot about the situation in his country. He would have struggled but once he has decided to be the Lord's spokeperson there is nothing to stop him. He was ready to fight this battle till the end but at great cost to his life as we shall find out later in the studies.

[Twilly]

The only way Elijah was able to talk to King Ahab was his confidence and faith in God. When you know you have an order to deliver a direct message from God, nothing gets in your way or matters but God's message. I'm thinking while Elijah was concerned about the danger of Ahab, he was more concerned about displeasing God. 

[MachonaP]

Elijah's courage is drawn from the fact that he serves a living God (Yahweh), the God of Israel and of proven power. His strength is fortified by the fact that he is delivering this message to Ahab directly from God and is unafraid in the face of imminent danger. 

Ahab was the King of Israel at the time and any affront towards him could imperil the life of Elijah. The fact that Ahab has embraced the worship that is detestable to God makes it riskier for Elijah to contradict a king who bows to Baal and Asherah.

When power structures are corrupt governance is wrought with extrajudicial and unorthodox tendencies to suppress dissent and divergent views. Under the prevailing dictatorial leadership, it becomes increasingly difficult for one to confront leadership on matters of truth or calling out the injustices under their watch. Since the structures are corrupt it follows that even the aides to the leaders are corrupt and oblivious to injustice and unlikely to advise their leaders in a proper and right manner.

[Irmela]

Q1. (1 Kings 17:1)

What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before king Ahab with a message of drought?

Ahab was king in Israel but he was no longer serving as a king following Yahweh, the One True God.  He was serving/worshiping Baal and Asherah the gods that Jezebel, his wife was worshiping.  Baal was supposedly the one who controlled the rain. Now Elijah was going against exactly the belief that the king supported. He threw spanner in the works by declaring a drought and daring this so called god to prove him wrong. The drought would of course affect the fertility of the land (crops would be affected as well as the animals). Asherah was believed to be the fertility goddess. So by his declaration, Elijah was going against Ahab without beating about the bush. Elijah was empowered with courage by Yahweh, whom Ahab was openly denying as being the only True God.

What dangers does this bring to Elijah?

Elijah openly showed that he was against the king's way of worship and this was a serious matter. The king could have him put to death for going against his views so openly.  The kings advisors were very likely just as corrupt, so there was no court support for Elijah.

Why is "speaking truth to power" so difficult when the power structures are corrupt?

(Corrupt power does not easily see reason.)  When the power structure is corrupt it is also very unpredictable.  Speaking truth to power can end up getting the death sentence.

 

[Tom Slockee]

Courage to stand before the people of power or power structures takes an inner strength or a knowing that comes only from the prompting or voice of God speaking to you or empowering you to do what God instructs or commands. The drought is physical but more deeply it’s spiritual and been substituted by a fake or fraudulent system that fools or captures the people. Elijah is taking on the forces of evil and knows that we fight not against flesh and blood but spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. His armour or courage is his absolute faith in God. Courage comes from believing, knowing and being empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak out and declare that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we think or imagine. 

In danger of ridicule and persecution even death, we must declare God’s Word to a sinful and dying world, as Elijah. 
 

Its difficult to speak out against the powers of day, satanic powers seem to be overwhelming in government, in media, in social media in the general public spaces, yet we are called to declare God’s message of salvation to a dying world. 

[Jokotoye Sunday]

Elijah completely depended on God's strength. We can rightly say it was a battle of supremacy between Yaweh and the worshippers of Baal. Elijah was encouraged challenging king Ahab knowing fully well that the living God was with him.

What dangers does this bring to Elijah?

Nelson Mandela said there are three places freedom fighters can be found:

Prison, grave and exile. Elijah could have paid the price of daring king Ahab with any of the above. It was a risk worth taken by believers whose confidence lies in Christ and have developed a vast resolution to stay firm no matter the consequences. 

 

Why is "speaking the truth to power" is so difficult when the power structure are corrupt?

Globally, the principal issue the world is facing is lack of the fear of God in leadership.  Nothing hopeful can come out of a corrupt government. Such government try to control media houses, buy over strict journalists or regarded the principled ones as oppositions. The sole aim is always to make people never to call a spade a spade for the fear of being  jailed,  killed  or exiled. But the likes of John the Baptist and Elijah are rare today. I admit it is difficult to tackle a corrupt government by standing for the truth and defending the truth. But there is no way around it except through it. Truth must be told.

[hanks]

Q1. (1 Kings 17:1) 
What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of drought? What dangers does this bring to Elijah? Why is "speaking truth to power" so difficult when the power structures are corrupt? 
It is the kind of courage we get from spending time with our Lord Jesus and His Word. Understanding His holiness, His righteousness in contrast to our own sinfulness, our own moral decay as seen in the world today. This also creates in us a righteous anger that gives us the courage to speak against this apostasy. Elijah must have had this God given courage, for without it, it would have been utter foolishness to confront such an evil king with a message of drought. A drought that would last a few years, and would only end when he (Elijah) said so. This was a direct insult against their false religion, against their god Baal, a god who was their so-called god of rain. In fact, Elijah had announced that it was the God of Israel who controlled the rain, and not their false gods. He was now an enemy of the state and his life was in great danger. He had to flee because he would soon be hunted by the king (18:10). Ahab and his evil wife Jezebel had turned the people away from the God of Israel to the false religion of Baal worship. They no longer lived in obedience to God’s commandments. Forgetting that rainfall was part of God’s sovereign control (Deut 11:13-17), and that they were to faithfully obey His command - “to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deut 11:13). If they had lived in obedience to Yahweh, the result would have been abundant rainfall and plentiful harvests, but by turning their back on God, combined with their idolatry would be followed by drought and barrenness. Elijah’s message, Divine truth, was from God, yet Ahab did not listen, could not listen, would not listen, since his heart and mind was blinded by his corrupt sinfulness of his idolatry; besides he had his own god Baal, the god of rain. 
 

[HaGadolaMom]

I lived in the kingdom of Morocco. I cannot even imagine just walking up to the king and telling him there’s not going to be any rain unless I say so. He would probably chop my head off. It must’ve taken Herculean spiritual strength for Elijah to speak that way to King Ahab. The message that Elijah received from God to speak to king Ahab about a drought could ONLY have come from God. As corrupt as that kingdom was, if Elija’s message had not been from God, Elijah would have lost his life on the spot.

On the other hand, when the Holy Spirit fills our mouth with his words, we have abilities that we would not have ordinarily had. Look at Peter, the fisherman. He didn’t exactly receive public speaking training. He wasn’t a ToastMaster. But when the Holy Spirit fell on him, he spoke, and he he kept speaking even when it cost him his life.

[Mable]

Elijah is a man of God and therefore the spirit of the Lord would have empowered him with the courage to stand before KIng Ahab.

If he had gone in his own might and strength then he would have had reason to be fearful. 

He was in danger because considering he appeared to be an ordinary man, making a declaration that there would be no rain nor dew would have surprised and even angered the King. Elijah spoke against their god (Baal) who they believed to be the god of fertility. To say as Elijah did "at my word" denotes that he spoke with authority, and was certain that that what he foretold would have happened. The King might have thought he was been disrespectful, so his life would have been in danger to approach the king in that manner.

When you are directed by God and anointed to speak "thus saith the Lord", then the fear of men regardless of their status is secondary. So Elijah delivered his message and moved on, no debate, no argument. As powerful and corrupt as Ahab was he had to hear what the man of God said. He did not have to agree but he must be made to understand like our government and other leaders in the world that God is all powerful and all other powers must be subjected to him. As in the days of Eijah God will continue to speak through his true servants. Who can stand against the Lord no one can, no one will.

[Zibuyile]

1. What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before Kung Ahab?

-It is courage  of knowing  the news he had fir King Ahab comes direct from Yahweh 'the true Gid  and whatever  God reveal is true and no one can Go against  His word even Baal whom King Ahab was worshipping 

1.1 What danger does it bring to Elijah?

It pose a danger of not being listened to , taking the fact that King Ahab was now worshipping  false idols . Also Elijah  being an ordinary  man you would not take as God's spokesman  , but because of his faith in God and hated idol worship he find courage And Elijah being true man of God was courageous  to bring these news tothe King

1.2Why is speaking in truth to power so difficult when power structures are corrupt? Danger of being killed for speaking what , ears do not want to hear or to believe  might have been difficult  for Elijah , but because of mandat coming from above he had to do it

 

[faith & hope 2017]

Elijah had to have strong confidence, faith and trust in the Lord to go before King Ahab with a message of drought.   Ahab had knowledge of Baal but his wife, who was very influential in his life, had a great allegiance to Baal.  She was a true worshipper of Baal.  King Ahab knew of God but turned his faith to pagan gods to appease his wife Therefore, Ahab probably did not believe Elijah when he told him.  

The danger that could come upon Elijah was probably imprisonment or death.  Elijah did not fear Ahab, therefore, he went before him in boldness.   But because Ahab did not take Elijah's message of drought seriously, he gave little to no notion to it.    But we know, later that Ahab considered Elijah to be a threat to him.  You might say that Elijah was his "thron in his side."

Speaking truth to those who are in power and of a corrupt mindset, can be difficult because of the consequences that might arise from it.  They have the authority (not necessarily the right) to cause seriouse mishaps such as imprisonment, separation of love ones, slavery and death.  Most time corrupt people of power uses tactics of manipulation, threats, falsifying and lying. 

[Melody Ann]

ETIHW

It is never easy to stand up for what you believe when society and those in power are against you.  Elijah had the strength of his convictions and the knowledge that he was not alone.  God was with him.

[S Roberson]

On 9/14/2022 at 4:59 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Kings 17:1) What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of drought? What dangers does this bring to Elijah? Why is “speaking truth to power” so difficult when the power structures are corrupt?

It takes tremendous courage, His death upon engaging the King could have been ordered because of news against Ahab's belief.  The danger of Elijah's life ending.             

Most corrupt People in power surround themselves with corrupt advisors only speaking what the Person in power wants to hear. False advice is often portrayed as truth.

[Paula Price]

This is God working his will through Elijah. Just as he did through Moses. This is a battle between the gods of man and the Supreme God of all creation. God is showing himself to his chosen people who have once again turned from him to false gods. This generation has not witnessed the power of the God of their ancestors, those who where delivered from Egypt by God with miracles,signs and wonders. They are about to be introduced to the real wonder working God! Elijah is just the instrument God uses to proclaim his glory!  Elijah had no voice or will of his own!! God is speaking and working through this prophet! God used Pharoah's gods against him to prove they had no power! He will show Ahab and his people as well. He will show his chosen people the difference do they will return to him!

[Vivian Kamba]

Q1. (1 Kings 17:1) What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of drought? What dangers does this bring to Elijah? Why is “speaking truth to power” so difficult when the power structures are corrupt?

It took great courage for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of impending drought in the next few years. Elijah had faith in God , Yahweh and thus his courage was derived from his faith in Yahweh. King Ahab trusted in Baal the rain god and  could not fathom anybody discrediting Baal. He had ruled Israel for many years and he had married  powerful Queen Jezebel. As Elijah declared the drought to King Ahab, he declared that as long as the God of Israel lived, whom he served, there would not be dew nor rain in the coming few years expect by his proclaimation.  

The danger that this message to King Ahab brought to Elijah was him being killed by King Ahab. The King had become angry and was acting up as this meant that Baal who was the god of rain and fertility was not powerful after all and this did not go well with him. As the king was in that state of humiliation Elijah stalked out the palace and disappeared. God told Elijah to go into hiding and directed him where to go and even made plans of how Elijah would survive in hiding. 

Speaking truth to power becomes very difficult when the power structures are corrupt because they usurp all power and disregard any counsel from common or lowly people. 

[Jonathan Edwards]

Elijah was a man of God that developed his spiritual stamina in the mountains of Gilead.   He was deeply moved as he sought the Lord; very much like the Prophet Ezekiel at the beginning of his ministry.   Elijah didn't act from a presumptuous spirit.  He knew that if failed he would face ridicule and confusion.  Confronting Ahab was no light matter.   ELIJAH knew how deeply idolatry was ingrained the hearts of the people.

Book of Proverbs is replete with admonitions in regards to fools and those that have no desire to change.   Elijah had a deep fear of not conforming to God's purpose in eradicating idol worship.

[Katy]

Q1. Elijah was a servant of the living God, and was obviously a man of God with great faith and trust in Yahweh. Otherwise he would not have been able to walk into the palace go straight to the king and deliver his message. It is a wonder he got as far as the king and that he was allowed to speak. I am sure on a human level he must have been nervous, but he was also being led by the Spirit. He must have been aware that this could have dire consequences for him but he was a true follower of Yahweh and did it because he had been told to do it. Because Ahab and his wife were Baal worshippers it would put them in an awkward position if their ‘god’, could not make it rain as it was supposed to be the god of rain. But Yahweh was to prove who was God of rain. Elijah is declaring devestation on the land and crops and by doing so putting himself in danger. But he is true to Yahweh, he delivers his message from God and promptly leaves.  It is not easy to speak out truth to power because one is so often not welcome. People can be set in their ways and not want to listen to you. Especially if they are corrupt. Your words could be used against you and charges made which could get you into trouble.

[haar]

Q1. (1 Kings 17:1) What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of drought? What dangers does this bring to Elijah? Why is "speaking truth to power" so difficult when the power structures are corrupt?

Great courage and faith in God’s ability to deliver and protect him was required for Elijah to be able deliver such a powerful and confrontational massage to the King. This challenging message has the potential of putting Elijah's life at the risk of death.

[lighthouse2014]

Elijah no doubt knows that going before King Ahab with a message of drought could get him killed. He also knows that the King and Queen have a reputation of being very evil. He also knows the Lord will protect him from the King's wrath.

[Jacqueline B]

Imagine going before a King with a message such as the one Elijah delivered to King Ahab. I would say that's bold and brave courage one that could have only be attained through faith and a strong relationship with God. 

This challenging message meant sure death for Elijah but when he knew without a shadow of doubt that God was with him so he nothing to fear.

I don't think that speaking the truth to a corrupt power structure could be easy. In Elijah’s case, when God speaks all of heaven stands in alignment with Him because His promises are based on His unchanging Word. He cannot lie nor will He allow His Word to fail. 

[Diane D.]

Thank you for filling in the blanks on the background and times that Elijah lived in.  It was very helpful.  Regarding being courageous in telling Ahab that God was about to send a drought for years, Elijah had to be fully persuaded that this was a message from God and that it was true.  Regardless the might and reach of the King, there was a more urgent issue here...the kingdom was in danger and will suffer for the way they lived.

I was also thinking about what would happen today.  in most cases, with a corrupt government they would reach out to intimidate family and friends as well.  Not much is mentioned at this point about Elijah and his background. He showed amazing courage in spite of the risk, but the necessity for the truth from God was greater.  

[Pastor Modupe ME Adisa]

On 9/14/2022 at 10:59 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Kings 17:1) What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of drought? What dangers does this bring to Elijah? Why is “speaking truth to power” so difficult when the power structures are corrupt?

It really takes serious courage and commitment for Elijah who knew He is serving a living God and reverenced God to go before King Ahab without fear with the message of drought.

It brought a danger of death to Elijah.

The fear of being eliminated makes speaking the truth difficult when the power structures are corrupt.

[JOLLAM BANDA]

It takes GREAT courage for Prophet Elijah to go before King Ahab and declaring drought. In so doing he risks his life because declaration of drought over Israel threatens its food security and therefore the life and survival of its people. Moreover this declaration undermines the authority of King Ahab who is tolerating and promoting the worshipping of false gods of baal who can’t solve the drought challenge.