Life Is Unfair

Introduction

A. The year was 1986. The South was in the middle of the worst drought in years. Livestock was literally dying in the field. Lakes were so low, that many were returning to lakes to look at dry lake beds hoping to find lost jewelry and other sentimental items. Farmers from Iowa and Ohio were shipping bales of hay to farmers in the South so that the livestock would at least have something to eat. In some cities, water was being rationed. Governments were asking people not to water their lawns or to wash their cars. Kilowatt usage was at a record high. In just one hot dry summer, life in the South was changed dramatically. Can you imagine what it would be like to go three years without rain? Summer would be miserable, but even winter would not be pleasant. No moisture whatsoever — no rain, no dew, no frost — nothing which would provide nourishment for the earth.

B. This is what God did to Israel during the days of Ahab. Ahab was one of the kings of the Northern 10 tribes. After Solomon, the nation of Israel divided into two separate kingdoms. The northern kingdom became known as Israel. The southern kingdom was called Judah. Ahab reigned as king from 874-853 B.C. a span of 22 years. During his reign, Elijah was God’s prophet who at times goaded Ahab but always tried to point him to God’s will. Ahab married a woman named Jezebel. Jezebel was from Sidon. She worshiped the God, Baal. In Samaria, the capital city of Israel, Ahab constructed a temple and altar to Baal and in time began to worship Baal as well. Ahab did more evil than any other king before him. Thus, a strong prophet such as Elijah is dispensed to contest Ahab’s decisions and to point the way back to God.

The Story

A. Elijah appears in 1Kings 17 without an introduction. We know little about him. In fact, other than the mention of the city where he is from, Elijah first words are of judgment against Ahab and the nation of Israel because of the worship of Baal. To appreciate this story a bit more we need to understand that Baal was the God of rain and crops. It was believed that when it was the dry season that Baal was dead and that he came back to life during the rainy season. Elijah’s announcement strikes at the heart of who Baal supposedly is. He is the god of rain, but the one true God is not going to allow it to rain for three and a half years. This is a showdown between God and Baal. Baal is going to be seen as having no power against the God of the universe. God sends Elijah to a brook in the Kerith Ravine. There Elijah is fed twice a day by ravens. By going eastward, Elijah is able to avoid Ahab and it is possible that this was close to his hometown. God sends him away to protect him and to give him some rest. But eventually the brook dries up and Elijah is told to go to Zarephath, in Sidon.

B. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, was from Sidon. Sidon was the home territory of Baal. God is going to defeat Baal on his home turf. God isn’t afraid of a fight. In fact, he will go to battle against the forces of evil with one arm tied behind his back and still win. God will again provide for Elijah in the last place Ahab will look for him. God will take on Baal on his home turf and feed his man in hostile territory. Elijah approaches a widow who is down to her last bit of flour and oil. She is collecting sticks to make one last meal, then she and her son will wait for starvation to overcome them. Elijah asks for a drink of water and for something to eat. The widow is rightly hesitant, but Elijah assures her that God will not fail her. And having made Elijah something to eat, from that day forward she, her son, and Elijah had something to eat. There was always flour in the flour jar, oil in the oil jar, and water to drink.

C. Sometime later the woman’s son became ill. He eventually died. The woman verbally attacks Elijah. “Is this any way for God to repay one who has done what was commanded?” Elijah takes the boy’s lifeless body and three times he stretches himself out on top of this boy. After the third time, the boy’s life is restored to him. The mother is then convinced that Elijah’s God is greater than Baal and truthful. While I have told these stories factually there are a number of things taking place that we need to know and understand in order to appreciate what God is doing in this text. While the spotlight is shining on Elijah, the truth is that God is the one who is doing the work behind the scenes. While no one gives God much credit for the events, he is the hero of this chapter and in fact of Elijah’s life.

Lessons

A. This chapter is about God. The events of this chapter are to make us realize that God is actively pursuing his purposes in this world. For instance, death pervades this text. Baal is dead because there is no rain. The ravens who are unclean animals according to Leviticus 11:15 keep Elijah from dying. The ravens are unclean because they are scavenger birds. They eat that which is dead. When Elijah first meets the widow she is planning on dying. Then her son does die and God through Elijah gives him back his life. This chapter is filled with death. But notice in 17:1 how Elijah introduces God. He is the one who lives as opposed to Baal who is the one who is dead. Then notice in 17:12, the widow acknowledges that God lives. Then in 17:22, God hears Elijah’s pleas and gives life back to the boy. This is the point: God gives life.

1.  Anything else brings death. We may go after things believing that the acquiring of things will bring life. We may place a lot of emphasis on relationships hoping to gain some sort of reason for living. Nothing wrong with acquiring things or having relationships but there is only one who can give real life — the living God.

2.  From the rain which nourishes the earth, to food to sustain, to breath to live, the living God is the giver of life. Ahab forgot this truth and gave his life through a relationship to another god. If God were not active then there would not have been life.

B. The second thing we learn about God from this text is that sin has consequences. God is the one who brings the famine as well as bringing life. The famine is a result of Ahab’s wickedness. Ahab led his people away from God and into the worship of a false god, Baal. Such actions according to 16:33 provoked the Lord to anger. Sin has its consequences. This is not new. Most of us know this to be true. ILL. “Sin: Consequences.” Setting ourselves against God’s will results in consequences. Notice 18:16-17. Who does Ahab blame for all his problems? Elijah meaning God is to blame. Is God to blame for the consequence of our sin? We find it easy to blame God when it is our own sin which has brought the suffering in our lives. That is not to say that all suffering comes from our sin, but it is to say that when we sin, why should we not expect some consequence. ILL. “God: Blaming.” Notice Elijah’s words to Ahab in 18:18. Be truthful to yourself and to God. If there are problems in your life what have you done to contribute to those difficulties. Don’t blame God for your sin and the consequence which will come.

C. Do you think God enjoyed punishing the land? Do you think God wanted to make people suffer? I would venture to say that what God wanted more than anything was for Ahab and all of Israel to be obedient. Hasn’t that always been what God wanted? With Adam and Eve, perfection is ruined by their sin. Did God enjoy giving them consequences of their sin? He wanted to be in relationship with them. God’s intent is not to destroy. But he does intend for his people to be obedient. King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22 is told that obedience is better than sacrifice. God has constantly called his people to be obedient rather than satisfying their own desires. Even God’s own son had to learn to be obedient (Hebrews 5:8). It is not any different from us. We, too, are called to obedience. God sent a famine over Israel because they refused to be obedient. This famine was a consequence of their sin. God still calls us to be obedient. Have you obeyed God? Have you given your life to him? Do you still hold out hoping to get your way instead of listening to the Father? Invitation.

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