The supremacy of God

When the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt He established a new covenant with them in form of Ten Commandments. The first of those commandments forbids the Israelites from worshiping any other god beside the Almighty God. Through Moses God gave them ordinances and structures which they must follow at all times.

During the time of Ahab he married a foreigner, Jezebel, from Sidon. Jezebel then introduced the worship of the Sidonian god, Baal to Israelites. Together with her husband they erected an altar for Baal. This led to religious tension in Israel. Jezebel persecuted the prophets of God by killing them, while the ones that were alive went into hiding. Apparently Ahab was considered as one of the worst kings of Israel. He did not only sin he as well led the Israelites to sin. This annoyed God greatly, therefore sent Elijah to go and proclaim to the king that there would be drought (no rain) for three and half years as punishment for worshiping idol. For proclaiming this Ahab and Jezebel hunted Elijah in Israel and beyond, but the Lord was with him: God provided security, food and water for him.

In Israel, Obadiah who was the head of Ahab’s household had a great fear of God in him. Following the persecution of God’s prophets Obadiah gathered some hundreds of prophets of God and hid them in a cave, providing water and food for them daily. There was serious tension in Israel, Jezebel and her group worked hard to instill and solidify the worship of Baal in Israel. God showed His supremacy by withholding rain. This drought hit Jezebel’s household greatly but God made provision for Elijah and the other hundreds of God’s prophets in hiding. In all the desperate search Jezebel and Ahab did to kill Elijah they did not succeed.

Lessons to Learn About God’s Supremacy

1. The rain that God withheld for three and half years demonstrated themanifestation of God’s power.
2. Elijah and Obadiah were very courageous
3. God protected those prophets that were loyal to Him in Israel

Lessons to Learn About Leadership

1. Good leadership should not lead the people astray
2. They must have good sense of judgment
3. They must be careful in allowing foreign culture

EVALUATION

1. Discuss the circumstances that brought religious tension in Israel
2. Why were Jezebel and Ahab hunting Elijah?