Some mornings are rough from the minute you wake up. That is the morning I had when I was originally planning to write this post. There was plenty that went wrong and I was feeling a little like I was being squeezed by Satan. This was a more than one prayer morning, in fact, I think I prayed throughout the day! I am happy to say that the Lord heard my prayers and things are starting to mellow out. So on to the post!
1 Kings 21-22
As we come to the closing chapters of the book of 1 Kings, we also come to the end of Ahab's reign over Israel. He has been an interesting person to study and to be honest at times I have felt sorry for him. I know that seems weird, since he is known as a wicked king, but I couldn't help but think that he was meant for so much more and just couldn't see it. I think that is one of the saddest things in the world, to see a person with so much potential, given so many chances, yet still seems to spiral downward. Here are some things I learned from Ahab in chapters 21-22:
Who you marry is important!
Jezebel was the worst thing to happen to Ahab. She was not from Israel. She did not feel constrained to pay attention to God’s ways. She came from a land where the King could do whatever he wanted.
When Jezebel learned why her hubby the King was moping around she rebuked him. (I’m betting it wasn’t the first time. I get the feeling she ruled the roost at home.) She implied that he was a weakling as a king and she would take care of things. Ahab allowed her to do just that.
Jezebel’s plan was simple: Eliminate Naboth and take the land. So, she set about to frame Naboth. She sent a proclamation (in the Kings name) to the city leaders and told them to proclaim a fast. During this fast they were to have two people (because the law required two witnesses) make charges of blasphemy and treason against Naboth (similar to what happened to Jesus when he was being tried). The leaders in Jezreel apparently were not men of particular character and so they embraced the plan. Consequently, Naboth was framed, convicted, and executed. In 2 Kings 9:26 we are told that Naboth’s sons were also murdered (probably to eliminate any claim of the land by an heir).
Jezebel was guilty of forgery, injustice, deception, religious perversion (in charging him with blasphemy), murder, and theft. And all of this to get Ahab a piece of land he wanted! She was a wicked woman who influenced Ahab to take the wrong path. Your spouse should make you a better person, not bring you down.
Friends and Enemies
As soon as Jezebel heard the news about Naboth's death she told her husband the land was his. Like a child on Christmas morning, Ahab went to the vineyard to begin the process of putting in his vegetable garden. What he found was not what he was expecting. His nemesis Elijah was there. How bad is it when you think the prophet of the Lord is your enemy? In reality, Elijah was the closest thing to a true friend that Ahab ever had. Remember that Elijah and Ahab had a history together. Each time Ahab had seen Elijah he was rebuked and Elijah would prophesy. And each time what Elijah told Ahab came true.
Once again, Elijah comes with a message from the Lord.
"This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’"Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’” (1 Kings 21:21-24)
Elijah rebuked Ahab for his actions and predicted a brutal death for Ahab, the dishonoring death of Jezebel and that all of Ahab’s descendants would die dishonorable deaths.
Ahab would not easily dismiss this prophet from God. In fact, this is one of those moments that gives you hope that maybe Ahab is starting to see the error of his ways and will have a change of heart.
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.
"Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” (1 Kings 21:28-29)
Ahab, the proud and wicked King, actually adopted a posture of repentance! He believed Elijah, and I suspect, on some level, really was sorry for what had taken place. I think it is a mistake to conclude that Ahab became a believer but he did respond to the Lord’s declaration. As a result, God extended a measure of mercy to Ahab and said the punishment would be postponed until Ahab’s son was on the throne.
I am impressed with God's love and mercy regarding Ahab. Even though Ahab is behaving wickedly the Lord continues to give him opportunities to repent and be what he was meant to be. I think he does the same for you and me. He will even send those friends that will tell us like it is, just like he did for Ahab. Hopefully we will be a little more open to what the Lord is trying to tell us.
You Can't Hide From God
Ahab's repentant posture doesn't last long, because soon we find him trying to hide from the consequences of his actions. He is going into battle and he knows that the enemy will seek him out to kill him so he decides not to dress as a king and instead has the other king (Jehoshaphat), take the brunt of the attack. Seriously, who did he think he was fooling? It doesn't take too long for the enemy to clue in and shoot him with an arrow. Ahab dies from his wounds and his blood is licked up by the dogs, just like Elijah had prophesied (1 Kings 22:32-38).
There are times when I wish that I could hide from some of the stupid things I have done in my life. It never works out for me either. Usually it all comes out in the end and it is three times worse than if I would have just dealt with it in the beginning. God knows what we've done and if He thinks that we are going to hide He will put us in a situation that prods us to come clean. He is merciful that way.
The hard part about Ahab's story is that he had glimpses of what God to do with him and for him. The battles won, the warnings sent, the miracles witnessed, and His mercy. If only he would have held on to those moments instead of turning away from God. He died an unrepentant sinner, instead of majestic king of Israel, all because of his choices.
This story makes me think about what I need to be doing in my own life to prevent such a tragic ending for myself. How many times has the Lord blessed me and I have not acknowledged it, or how many warnings has He sent me and I have ignored them, or how many times have I let my pride keep me from seeing the Lord in my life? Ahab may have been wicked during his lifetime, but his story has had a positive effect on me. It has helped me to see that I am meant for more than I am currently allowing myself to be. For that I am grateful.
There are times when I wish that I could hide from some of the stupid things I have done in my life. It never works out for me either. Usually it all comes out in the end and it is three times worse than if I would have just dealt with it in the beginning. God knows what we've done and if He thinks that we are going to hide He will put us in a situation that prods us to come clean. He is merciful that way.
The hard part about Ahab's story is that he had glimpses of what God to do with him and for him. The battles won, the warnings sent, the miracles witnessed, and His mercy. If only he would have held on to those moments instead of turning away from God. He died an unrepentant sinner, instead of majestic king of Israel, all because of his choices.
This story makes me think about what I need to be doing in my own life to prevent such a tragic ending for myself. How many times has the Lord blessed me and I have not acknowledged it, or how many warnings has He sent me and I have ignored them, or how many times have I let my pride keep me from seeing the Lord in my life? Ahab may have been wicked during his lifetime, but his story has had a positive effect on me. It has helped me to see that I am meant for more than I am currently allowing myself to be. For that I am grateful.
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