Obadiah, The Secret Servant of God (Part Three)

 

The sun beat down relentlessly on the dry, cracked earth, painting the landscape in shades of gold and brown. Obadiah, head lowered against the heat, walked along the narrow path, his sandals kicking up dust with each step. The land was parched, much like the people—hungry, thirsty, and weary. His mission, sent by King Ahab, was simple on the surface: find food and water for the royal horses and mules. Yet, as Obadiah’s eyes scanned the desolate landscape, he knew the deeper pain of the people—suffering not only from famine but from the spiritual drought that plagued Israel.

Ahab, in his arrogance and power, cared only for his beasts, not the people who toiled under the scorching sun. The king had turned away from the God of Israel, placing his trust in idols—false gods that had no power to save or provide. Obadiah had witnessed this betrayal daily in the royal court, where the queen, Jezebel, had done everything in her power to wipe out the prophets of the Lord.

But Obadiah had secretly protected them—hidden them away in caves, providing food and water, keeping them safe from Jezebel’s bloodthirsty reach. He had kept his faith alive, though it was a quiet faith, one that had to stay in the shadows. No one could know of his loyalty to the one true God.

As he trudged on that hot afternoon, his thoughts heavy, a shadow fell across the path. His heart skipped a beat, and he looked up, squinting against the harsh light. There, ahead of him, stood a figure—a man cloaked in worn garments, his face as weathered as the land itself.

“Elijah?” Obadiah’s voice was barely a whisper, a mixture of awe and disbelief. The man before him was none other than the prophet of the Lord—the one whom Ahab had been hunting for years.

Elijah’s eyes locked with Obadiah’s, deep and unyielding. “Obadiah,” he said, his voice low, yet full of purpose. “I knew you would find me.”

Obadiah took a step back, his heart racing. “I thought you were gone... I thought you had vanished,” he stammered. “Ahab has been searching for you. He wants you dead. If he knew I was speaking to you, he’d—”

“I know the danger, Obadiah,” Elijah interrupted, his gaze sharp. “But it is time. The moment has come for Israel to see who the true God is.”

Obadiah shook his head, his brow furrowed in disbelief. “Elijah, you know what this means, don’t you? If Ahab finds out, he will have us both killed. I serve him every day, I walk through his palace. I can’t risk it. You have to disappear again.”

Elijah stepped closer, his eyes burning with the fire of a prophet. “Obadiah, do you not believe that God is still in control? Do you not trust Him to guide you through this? This is not about Ahab or Jezebel; this is about Israel. It is time to make a stand. You’ve hidden the prophets in caves for too long. Now it’s time for Israel to see that there is no god but the Lord.”

Obadiah swallowed, his chest tightening. He had kept his faith, even in the midst of danger. But now, with the prophet standing before him, calling him to action, the weight of his choices felt heavier than ever before. Was he really ready to step out from the shadows?

“But I’m no prophet,” Obadiah murmured. “I don’t have the words, the boldness. I’m just a servant. I can’t—”

Elijah placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm. “God does not need your boldness, Obadiah. He needs your faithfulness. You have been faithful in the shadows, hiding His prophets. Now, will you be faithful in the open? Will you help me bring Israel back to the Lord?”

Obadiah’s heart raced as he looked into the prophet’s eyes. The challenge was clear. This wasn’t just about saving his life anymore. This was about saving Israel’s soul.

“Alright,” Obadiah said, his voice quiet but resolute. “I’ll do it. I’ll go to Ahab. But you’d better be sure this is God’s will.”

Elijah nodded. “It is. I have no doubt. Meet me tomorrow. We will face Ahab together.”

The following morning, the air was thick with tension as Obadiah made his way through the royal palace. He walked with a sense of purpose, though his heart thudded with anxiety. Ahab was unpredictable, often volatile, especially when things weren’t going his way. And today, the king was in a foul mood. Obadiah could already hear his voice echoing through the halls, demanding answers, blaming anyone and everyone for the famine that had gripped the land.

When Obadiah entered the throne room, Ahab turned toward him, his eyes dark with anger. “Obadiah!” the king barked, his voice sharp. “Where is Elijah? I’ve searched for him everywhere! If you know where he is, you’d better speak now!”

Obadiah, standing tall before the king, steeled himself. “Your Majesty,” he said, trying to keep his voice calm. “I believe I know where Elijah is.”

Ahab’s eyes flashed with fury. “You do? Where is he?” he demanded, stepping closer.

“He is waiting for you, King Ahab,” Obadiah said, his words measured but firm. “He says it is time for you to meet him.”

Ahab’s face twisted in disbelief. “You’ve found him? After all this time, you’ve found him? You will bring him to me now!”

Obadiah hesitated for a moment, knowing the danger of what he was about to do. “Yes, Your Majesty. But be warned, Elijah is not here to make peace with you. He has come to challenge you.”

Ahab’s lips curled into a sneer. “Let him come. I’ll deal with him myself. You’ve brought this upon yourself, Obadiah.”

Obadiah nodded, knowing that his part in this was done. With a quick turn, he led Ahab out of the palace and across the land, towards the place where Elijah awaited them.

When they arrived at the foot of Mount Carmel, the tension between the two men—Ahab, full of anger, and Obadiah, full of quiet courage—was palpable. Elijah stood on the mountaintop, his figure outlined against the sky, a silent force of nature.

As Ahab approached, Elijah turned to face him. The words that came from the prophet’s lips were sharp and unyielding. “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him. But if Baal is god, follow him.”

Ahab stood frozen for a moment, then sneered. “You think you can change the course of Israel with your words? You’ve failed us. And now you come here to mock me?”

Elijah’s voice rang out, filled with the authority of the Almighty. “I have not failed Israel. You have failed Israel, Ahab. You and your queen have led the people into sin. You have worshiped idols, and now the Lord will show you who truly holds the power.”

Ahab’s eyes flickered with doubt, but his pride kept him standing firm. “And what do you suggest, Elijah? That I abandon my gods? That I listen to your empty threats?”

Elijah’s eyes were like fire as he spoke. “We will call on the Lord, and He will answer. Bring your prophets of Baal. Let them call on their god. And I will call on the Lord. Then we will see who answers by fire.”

Obadiah stood off to the side, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never seen anything like this—never imagined that God’s power would be displayed so boldly. And yet, as the challenge began, Obadiah knew one thing for sure: this was the moment when Israel would see the truth.

When the fire of the Lord descended from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the prophets of Baal fell silent. Ahab’s face drained of color, and the people cried out, “The Lord, He is God!”

Obadiah’s heart swelled with relief. He had played his part. He had trusted God, even when the risk was great. And now, Israel had witnessed the truth.


Obadiah’s part in this story may seem small beside the thunder of Elijah’s fire, but without him, there might not have been a confrontation at all. His quiet obedience—serving faithfully in enemy territory, risking everything to protect God’s prophets, and finally stepping out of the shadows to help deliver a nation—reminds us that faith isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it hides in caves. Sometimes, it walks into palaces. But when God calls, even the quiet ones must answer. And when they do, the fire still falls.

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