A Troubler?

1 Kings 18:17-18

When he saw Elijah, he said to him, ‘Is that you, you troubler of Israel?’ ‘I have not made trouble for Israel,’ Elijah replied. ‘But you have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals.’

A visiting friend recently encouraged me to find a copy and watch the 2000 film Chocolat. Intrigued and with Johnny Depp in the cast, Tris and I watched it the other night, with a box of chocolates of course.  The story tells of a young mother and her six year old daughter arriving to a very conservative, by-the-book French town and opened a small chocolaterie during the forty days of Lent.  Her alluring treats soon opened ways for friendships with miserable women and dull couples, thus attracted more controversies. The village mayor regarded her as immoral and rallied the whole town to boycott her sweets. She may have no intention of troubling the people there, but they became troubled nonetheless.   

Troubler of Israel. That was how Ahab addressed Elijah when they came face to face again. To him, this prophet is to blame for the severe famine in the land. Three and a half years and he could have instead pursued grander visions for his name and kingdom. But all came to a halt at Elijah’s word. But t’was not Elijah’s fault. The royal family’s idolatry, causing all Israel to sin, was what paved the way for God’s punishment. Sadly though, no one saw it on that light. Maybe like that small French town, they felt they were doing okay. And so when their known-peace felt trouble, it was more likely someone caused it from the outside.  After all, it’s always easier to name names and play blame games. Three and a half years and they never saw their sins causing all these.  Ahab spent those years hunting down Elijah. He could have instead summoned the people for a day of repentance and God would hear it. Maybe another month to burn down poles and high places and surely God will order the heavens to shower them with rain. Exodus was supposedly just a 40-day journey. Sin stretched it to 40 years. Do we really want longer routes?

A person of integrity and godliness will surely trouble the hearts of sinning people around him. Some will try to edit their wild stories or minimize their cursing the moment you come in. Make a God-mention and you’d soon feel their distance or see a raised eyebrow, and worse, not be welcomed anymore.  To them, you’re Ms. KJ and Mr. Not-Cool Guy. The disrupter of their fun nights and their parents in disguise. It should be the case. God’s presence in us should trouble them to the core. But is it happening? How many Christians were caught surprised to find a schoolmate or an officemate also a believer? Aren’t we supposed to be salt and light and not secret agents?  Just be sure we’re offending them right. A stumbling block is definitely far different from a signal light :>