Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Da Obadja var på veien, kom Elia ham i møte. Han kjente ham igjen, falt ned på knærne sine og sa: «Er det du, min herre, Elia?» Elia svarte: «Det er jeg. Gå og si til din herre at jeg er her!» Så sa Obadja: «Hvilken synd har jeg gjort, siden du utsetter meg for denne faren? Ahab kan drepe meg for dette! Han har nemlig lett etter deg og spurt etter deg blant alle jordens folkeslag. Folk har måttet sverge på at du ikke var blant dem, og nå vil du at jeg ganske enkelt skal gå å si at du er her? Kanskje du blir borte i det øyeblikket jeg snur ryggen til deg? Kanskje Herrens Ånd tar deg bort til et sted jeg ikke vet om. Hvis jeg sier at du er her, men Ahab ikke kan finne deg, da kommer han til å drepe meg. Jeg har alltid hatt stor respekt for Herren – ja, helt fra min ungdom av.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, Obadiah, on his way somewhere, encounters Elijah, a prophet of God. Obadiah recognizes Elijah and shows great respect by falling on his face. He confirms the identity of Elijah, acknowledging him as his lord.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're on your way to the playground and suddenly you see your favorite superhero. You get so excited that you want to hug their feet to show how much you respect them. That's kind of what happened here, but with a prophet named Elijah and a man named Obadiah.
Historical Background
This verse is part of the book of 1 Kings, written by multiple authors, likely including Jeremiah, around 560 BC. It was written to the Israelites in exile, reminding them of their history and God's faithfulness, especially through the lives of prophets like Elijah.
Living It Out Today
In modern terms, this verse can remind us to show respect to those who serve God and speak His truth. For instance, if you meet someone who has made a significant impact in your faith journey, showing them respect and gratitude can be a way of honoring God.
Elijah was a prophet of God, known for his unwavering faith and confrontations with false prophets, particularly in the face of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.
Why did Obadiah fall on his face before Elijah?
Obadiah fell on his face as a sign of deep respect and reverence for Elijah, acknowledging his position and authority as a prophet of God.
What can we learn about respect from this verse?
We can learn that showing respect to those who serve God and speak His truth is an important way to honor God and acknowledge the authority of His messengers.
How does 1 Kings 18:7 relate to our modern lives?
This verse encourages us to show respect and honor to those who serve in the church or community, reflecting our respect for God and His word.