Stick To Your Godly Principles, Even If You’re In The Minority

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(18) “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied <to King Ahab>. “But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals. (19) Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” (20) So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the <false god Baal & Asherah> prophets on Mount Carmel. (21) <On Mount Carmel> Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. (22) Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.”’ (1 Kings 18:18-22)

There are many in the ‘groupthink’ of today, who look at the current Ukrainian conflict as a ‘black/white’ issue.  If one opposes Russia, then one must support Ukraine, or vice versa.  The reality is, however, many people do not support either side of the conflict, as there are issues that are troubling on both governments.  Unfortunately, the people on both sides, and in particular the Ukrainian populace, but Russian civilians as well; have suffered due to the wrongdoing and stubbornness of their nations’ leadership.

Elijah in 1 Kings 18 was not following groupthink; the majority of Israelites were following the false god Baal, including their federal government officials (namely King Ahab and Jezebel, his wife & Queen).  Of course, like in today’s post-Constitutional society, free speech was not free and came at great cost.  Right was wrong, and wrong was right; it was Elijah who by telling the Truth and keeping to God’s Word was causing the downfall of Israel, not the policies (and purges) of Ahab and Jezebel which were sending Israel into economic and spiritual ruin.  (Just change out Ahab and Jezebel for some modern politician names…) 

Many did believe what was right, that God, and God alone, is truly the One God Over All, but were ‘cancelled’ into shutting up and remaining silent in fear of being ‘doxxed’.  (In Israel, it was the ultimate dox; your address would be published, people would not only picket in front of your house or egg it, but drag you out and kill you, and likely your family, pets and livestock.)

Obadiah, who still served Ahab, was a believer (and later a ‘minor prophet’) of God but did not speak out as he was afraid of being put to death by Jezebel, and was even reluctant to have Ahab meet with Elijah until Elijah insists and assured Obadiah he would not be killed.  (Obadiah, to his credit, did save 100 prophets from the purge by hiding them in caves, so he did not completely wither from being Righteousness.)

This fear of ‘doxxing’ and the ‘cancel culture’ led to this moment in time, where the majority falling into groupthink rallied against the minority, to destroy it.  The fear caused God’s People to either go into hiding or simply keep quiet, or be killed in the purge.  Thus, the ‘Prophet Showdown at the OK Corral’ was set; Elijah the Prophet of Jehovah God versus 450 prophets of the false god of Baal (and the 400 prophets of Asherah). 

Where the people fell was in-between; when Elijah went to the people, they did… nothing.  No commitment.  But Elijah did the one thing that needed to be done, he spoke up for the Truth.  The people, though, now had a choice to make; follow God or follow Baal.

Now the rest of the story is in 1 Kings 18:23-40; where the Prophet Showdown ended with the people witnessing God burning up Elijah’s bull sacrifice (that was flooded with water, both on and around it) with only dry ash (and no water) remaining.  The people then turned to God, and captured the Baal prophets and killed all 450 (850 if the 400 prophets of Asherah stuck around).  Not all occasions do everyone accepts Truth so quickly, it may take years, or decades, or even centuries. 

But always remember your God-math:  You + God = The True Majority.  In the case of Elijah, it was ‘Elijah + God’ > (much greater than) 450 (or 850) false prophets.   If you stand on Godly Principles, and you have allowed God to give you direction – follow it, and stick to your principles, regardless of the pressures the secular world may place upon you.  The world may reject you, but Jesus will not!