Trouble

 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 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/1ki.18.18.ESV

This passage illustrates the fact that believers in God have been scapegoated for thousands of years. King Ahab accused Elijah of troubling Israel because he'd declared a three year famine as God's response to the people's apostasy. It might have seemed like Elijah's fault, but ultimately Ahab himself was responsible for leading his people into idolatry.

Elijah rightly turned Ahab's accusation back on him. Ahab's kingly line was defined by apostasy, rejection of the God of Israel for the false gods of the nations around. His pagan wife Jezabel was inciter in chief of such false religion.

God had brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt and into the promised land. He commanded them to destroy the nations and their gods that they displaced, but Israel only did half the job. The nations and gods became a snare to them.

Baal was a god of sex and fertility. So whilst we might think this is some kind of antiquated, irrelevant story, it speaks to us today. Many people even today idolise sex, and are prepared to sacrifice unborn children on altars of their own convenience and comfort.

'Lord God of Israel, forgive us for times we might stray from You. May our hearts be wholly true to You all of our days, until You call us home, in Jesus' name, amen'

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