Ahab reigned as king of Israel beginning approximately 860 B.C. (exact dates of his reign vary). It was said that Ahab did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all those who were before him. I Kings 16:30. Under his rule, idolatry was tolerated, even encouraged, largely a result of his evil wife Jezebel’s influence. Ahab erected an altar for Baal and made the Asherah, a wooden idol symbolizing a female god. I Kings 16:31-33.

Ahab was a weak-minded individual who was known to pout when he did not get what he wanted. Such was the case when Naboth would not sell his vineyard to Ahab. I Kings 21:1-6. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, arranged to have men testify falsely concerning Naboth. When it was falsely said Naboth had cursed the king, Naboth was stoned to death. Jezebel then told Ahab to take possession of the vineyard that Naboth previously would not sell to him.

The seventeenth chapter of I Kings begins with Elijah pronouncing God’s judgment upon Israel because of their sins. Elijah spoke to Ahab, saying, “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain three years, except by my word.”

Later, when Elijah and Ahab met, Ahab said to Elijah, “Is this you, you troubler of Israel?” I Kings 18:17. In simple terms, Ahab said Eijah was being a troublemaker. Elijah had a most appropriate response. “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals.” I Kings 18:18.

Let’s consider two statements from I Kings 18, Ahab’s accusation and Elijah’s response.

First, Ahab’s accusation. “Is this you, you troubler of Israel?” Ahab was blaming Elijah for a problem that Ahab himself had created.

Elijah was NOT the troublemaker. He was simply preaching the message God wanted him to preach. He was sounding out God’s message to a sinful people. While king, Ahab, like most kings, was largely interested in military strength and expansion of his kingdom. Elijah, like most prophets, was interested in faithfulness to God. Elijah wasted no time in pointing out that Ahab, not he, was the source of the trouble.

Sounds a lot like the situation today, doesn’t it? If many who are living today would have been living in Elijah’s day, they most likely would have asked Elijah, “Who are you to judge us?” Those persons who are either engaged in, or supportive of, sinful behavior often expect others to be supportive of such behavior or, at the very least, turn a blind eye to their behavior. When they refuse, they are accused of being troublemakers. Their accusers would prefer they remain quiet, go along with the status quo and don’t rock the boat.

Second, consider Elijah’s response. Elijah made it unmistakably clear that Ahab had caused the trouble by forsaking God’s commandments. Who is the troublemaker today?

Is the troublemaker the one who wants to recognize God’s word as the standard of right and wrong? II Timothy 3:16-17. Or is it the one who lives in total disregard of God’s commandments and is willing to allow every man to do that which is right in his own eyes? Judges 17:6.

Is the troublemaker the one who exposes the unfruitful works of darkness? Ephesians 5:11? Or is it the one who takes pleasure in such immoral deeds? Ephesians 5:1-6.

Is the troublemaker the one who would warn others of the ultimate consequences of sin? Ezekiel 3:17-21. Or is it the one who would idly sit by while others continue down the road to an eternal hell? Romans 6:23.

Christians have a responsibility to speak out against sin and its consequences, regardless of how others react. “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Galatians 4:16.