Q1. Courage

[blezed]

What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of drought?

It took a lot of bravery to go before the King knowing he could be killed.

What dangers does this bring to Elijah?

Death!

Why is “speaking truth to power” so difficult when the power structures are corrupt?

Speaking the truth when corrupt people have power can be difficult because you do not know what will happen to your life or the life of love ones. 

 

[CharlotteC]

What kind of courage? Courage is required when you are in a situation that you fear something. Elijah testified that is was the Lord God of Israel that he stood before. It seems to be more about obedience than courage. I realize he was entering into a confrontation with spiritual and national leaders, but he knew who it was that he was really standing before was God Almighty. When your eyes are fixed on God, the fear of man has no power over you. Easier said than done many times, but I think Elijah at this moment had that figured out before he went in to the room before Ahab. 
Elijah knew it was only at his word that rain and dew would come to the land once again. Therefore, he knew he would be around for a few more years to release that word. He could be confident as he entered and just as confident when he turned and left.

“Speaking truth to power” would be difficult when you are more afraid of the person you are confronting than the God who is sending you. We need more of the fear of the Lord on God’s people today.
 

[Kym Nixon]

It takes a lot of courage to go counter to the culture of the elite and powerful. The deception Ahab was under put him in a unique position as king to lead an entire nation into idolatry and sin. To challenge this delusion that Baal brings rain and fertility creates cognitive dissonance. So, the initial challenge to a deeply held belief will immediately be met with resistance. That's a problem when the power and authority of a region is the resistor. There can be accusations of treason, imprisonment, and even death in extreme cases. Especially if there's any type of superstition or belief in witchcraft and cursing. Elijah could be seen as a sorcerer who has brought about a curse against the fertility god that prevented much needed rain for sustenance. 

[Old Jerry]

The courage was God’s courage that Elijah had in him. Elijah knew that there was going to be an uproar when he made the pronouncement that there would be not rain, but he knew that God was with him. Elijah also knew the danger that this was going to bring and ran away.  “Speaking the truth to power” is difficult because we know that the power can do away with us even though they are corrupt.

[Francine]

What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of drought?

• audacious and a crazy kind of courage. 

What dangers does this bring to Elijah? 

• danger of death, the fact that he is bringing a kind message to Ahab, that would clearly ridicule the power of his god known to them as the rain god of fertility 

Why is "speaking truth to power" so difficult when the power structures are corrupt?

• because power structures are hardened by their own warped abilities which is strengthened by their influence to cultivate responses that suite their worldly desires. Also, the difficulty is at the heart of truth disturbing the plans of evil schemes. Those whose heart are enshrined in evil are arrogant against anyone who pose as a threat to the fulfillment of evil desires.