Are you called to be an Elijah or an Obadiah right now? And will you recognize it if the call to switch roles comes?
I've been a bit of both at certain times—though I've yet to call down fire from heaven like Elijah and am looking forward to the future possibility!
I ask the question because I've recently been re-taking the Elijah Bible study by Priscilla Shirer (it's THAT good!). She spends a week on the role of Obadiah as a prelude to the dramatic showdown on Mt. Carmel. Prior to this Bible study, I don't think I'd ever noticed Obadiah but now I'm seeing how I've played his role in certain instances and how others have done so in history. I'd never noticed the juxtaposition of Elijah, the loud trouble-maker who has to run for his life, and Obadiah, the trusted, faithful servant to the worst king in Israel's history.
If I had, I probably would have judged Obadiah harshly, given my personality's penchant for clarity and confrontation. And I wouldn't be alone—many scholars are rather tough on him. Shirer's perspective is one of admiration though—and she's won me over.
It's not everyone who can serve a wicked ruler, keeping their trust by demonstrating faithfulness to their position all while walking in the fear of the Lord.
One example from history I've been considering is Paul von Hase, uncle to Detrich Boenhoffer, Brigadier-General in the German military, commandant of Berlin at the time of the last unsuccessful assassination attempt on Hitler's life and coup. We now know he was a member of the resistance. He was arrested while dining with Goebbels, convicted quickly in a trial, and executed that same day along with other members of the assassination plot.
During his time serving in Hitler's army, he must have served with distinction as he continued to rise in the military. He was privy to several unsuccessful assassination attempts and took part in the planning of at least one. He maintained some kind of friendship with some of the evilest men the world has ever known. Now we know, behind the scenes, he was instrumental in saving lives while still executing his orders.
Personally, I wouldn't be able to keep up the balancing act. I'd rather be outspoken and then run for my life or take a stand and lose my life, than manage that intricate web!
However, I have seen such people maintain their "influencer" role from within corrupt administrations, corrupt businesses, toxic cultures, abusive churches, etc. They remain "inside" sustained by the conviction that they will be able to make a "change."
I have remained "inside" a few times—never as successfully as I'd wished. In at least one situation, looking back, I see clearly that I stayed far too long and it was not until my exit that the tower toppled.
How does one keep from being an enabler of evil while still being a part of the machine? Where should we draw the line? Will we know the line when we see it or will it be too late?
I have also been an Elijah—loudly pointing out the corruption, toxicity, and abuse, then exiting when I see that I'm no longer an agent of positive change. It's the role I'm more comfortable with and lets me sleep at night but it always creates discomfort, both for the prophet and for those who feel called to remain.
The study of Obadiah's role as a bridge between wicked Ahab and scorching Elijah teaches me personally that I can't judge either role. Each role seems vital to accomplishing God's purposes, for Israel and during our times as well.
I've come to the conclusion that there are risks to both roles. Obadiah certainly risked his life by hiding the priests of God when Jezebel and Ahab ordered their deaths. He continued to risk his life by feeding them during the drought and famine. His trusted position as head of Ahab's household was likely the sole reason they survived!
On the one hand, those who remain may overestimate the influence they can actually make while those who leave could certainly be accused of protecting their own interests instead of helping to restrain the evil. (Logic: If everyone righteous leaves then the restraint of those who are evil disappears completely.) Those who remain risk losing focus and perspective on how bad things really are and those who leave risk self-righteousness and pride of right.
So, to prepare me for whichever next role I'm asked to play, I'm establishing the following boundaries:
Staying accountable to other Christians
Refusing to judge the heart—that's God's role
Ensuring I am hearing and seeing clearly a strategy from God and His purpose
Deciding, now, how much compromise to allow—drawing a line and keeping it
Making financial decisions (and other types of decisions) that allow my family and me to walk away at any time from anywhere
In a culture increasingly hostile to the God of Israel—very similar to the times of Elijah and Obadiah—we must prepare to be used by God to accomplish His purposes.
God's grace accomplishes God's purposes.