This is All Your Fault

And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals.” 1 Kings 18:18

A few years ago, I met a guy who’d relapsed and found himself back in jail. So, I asked what I always ask – What happened? He launched into a story explaining why everyone around him was responsible for his relapse and subsequent incarceration . . . except him. Someone close to him had become severely ill. Others had swindled him out of his money. Friends betrayed him. While many of the details of the story were probably true, none of those unfortunate circumstances were to blame for him being back in jail. I pointed this out. The police don’t arrest people when their loved ones get sick. What did you do that got you arrested? I was hoping for some acceptance of responsibility, but it wasn’t going to happen. He was the victim and none of this was his fault. In the end, I did feel it was my responsibility to point out the misplaced blame. It wasn’t well accepted, but still, I felt it was my responsibility to speak the truth.

This appears to be where the prophet Elijah found himself in today’s passage. In the story, Elijah had previously confronted King Ahab for his idol worship. This landed him on Ahab’s enemies list and so, when Ahab met Elijah again, Ahab started in on him – Is it you, you troubler of Israel (1 Kings 18:17)? Elijah should have feared for his life, but emboldened by God, Elijah responded with the truth. I’m not the problem. You are (my paraphrase). Elijah knew that Ahab wasn’t going to suddenly accept responsibility for Israel’s idol worship and subsequent drought/famine, but as a messenger of God, Elijah wasn’t about to let Ahab blame him for Israel’s misery. Though it was uncomfortable to do so, Elijah spoke the truth.

As Christians, we can sometimes be guilty of using grace to avoid the truth. We tell ourselves we’re being gentle and kind – like Jesus – but really, we’re just avoiding conflict because we don’t like conflict. We may not enjoy it, but sometimes, it’s our job to call out the lies when others blame everyone but themselves for their life predicaments. We must always strive to share the truth with love, but sometimes, the truth must be stated, even when it hurts to do so.