The Great Awakening That Didn't

Do you ever read the Bible and wonder "why is this here?" There are lots of passages that are head scratchers. In reading in the OT this year, I've gotten to a portion that made me ask "what's the point here?", and the more I think about it, the more I think the key is in the differences.

After Solomon the nation of Israel was torn in two. The southern kingdom of Judah remained loyal to the house of David, and there were good kings and bad kings. The kingdom of Israel was made up of the 10 northern tribes that followed Jeroboam in his rebellion against Solomon's son. They had bad kings and worse kings.

The history of this period, especially regarding the kings of Israel, gets into a familiar pattern:

In the X year of A king of Judah, B became king of Israel, and he reigned Y years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the ways of Jeroboam and committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.

If something really notable happened (as far as the author's intention was concerned), it might be mentioned, but most of these kings' stories are summed up in a few verses. Then Ahab appears. He gets five chapters. That level of attention continues through his descendants, then the former pattern returns.

Space in the Bible indicates importance or emphasis. The author really wants to say something about this period. But what is he trying to say? That question is answered when we consider who Ahab had to share the limelight with.

The scriptures tell us,

Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him. (1Kings 16:30-33)

That is immediately followed by,

Now Elijah the Tishbite ... said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” (1Kings 17:1)

And the narrative slows down to highlight this. Ahab's wickedness is met with one of the three periods of intense miraculous activity in the Bible. As Israel's sin hits a crescendo, God displays his power for all to see. This seems to be the most likely period for a revival in Israel.

We love the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel. Elijah mocks the prophets of Baal, then the Lord sends his fire to consume the sacrifice, and the assembled Israelites recognize "The LORD—he is God!" (1Kings 18:39) and kill the prophets of Baal. Some time after this, Aram attacks Israel, and God rescues them, giving Ahab victory.

And nothing changes. Ahab continues in his wickedness. Israel continues in their worship of Baal for several more years, through the reigns of two more kings. The ministry of Elijah and Elisha could have been the start of a great awakening in Israel. Instead, it is proof of their stubborn wickedness.

This episode in the history of Israel provides a couple of important lessons for us.

First, many people have said they would believe if only God showed them something sufficiently miraculous. As the history of Israel repeatedly shows, seeing God's acts of power on full display does not change the hearts of wicked men. When hardened hearts saw the miracles Jesus performed, they attributed them to the power of Satan. Raw displays of power alone do not change hearts.

Second, it really looked like Israel might have that great awakening. The people rebelled against Baal worship for a moment. Even Ahab had a moment of apparent repentance (1Kings 21:27-29). But in the end nothing changed. Sometimes people get caught up in the emotion of something and appear to have a change of heart. The question is whether it lasts. How many people have tearfully prayed for salvation at a revival meeting only to go back to their old life unchanged? We must not look only at emotional responses. What happens next is what matters.

Does that mean we should be skeptical of revivals and the people saved in them? That would be sad. Realism tells us not to be overly enthusiastic, but I would still be cautiously optimistic. We know people, but we hope for the best because we also know our God saves sinners.


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