185. JUDGMENT UPON THE HOUSE OF AHAB

"whom Jezebel his wife stirred up"

 

Ahab was a man who knew what was right, but lacked sufficient strength of purpose to put his knowledge into practice. Elijah had brought the Divine warning to Ahab and demonstrated it with miraculous signs, such as the famine (1 Kings 17) and the sacrifice on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Although he recognised the power of Yahweh in these things and did not object to the slaying of the prophets of Baal, yet when Jezebel threatened Elijah's life, he offered no protest. He could not receive Divine thoughts and his behaviour worsened as he allowed his wife to arrange for the murder of Naboth, a man whose righteous life revealed deep religious conviction.

 

The action of Jehu in swiftly annihilating the house of Ahab illustrates the principle that God will not be mocked, but will punish the evildoers.

 

1 Kings 19; 21; 2 Kings 9; 10.

 

ELIJAH REASSURED. 1 Kings 19:1-2.

Elijah must have thought that after the great demonstration of Divine power on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) no one would ever again tolerate false worship. His optimism was, however, short lived. When Ahab told Jezebel all that had happened on Mt. Carmel and how Elijah had slain the prophets of Baal, she was very angry and sent a message to Elijah say­ing "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as one of them by tomorrow about this time" (1 Kings 19:2).

 

In fear of his life Elijah fled and eventually came to Mt. Horeb. The prophet wished that he could die. He could not see how he could succeed in his great mission to turn the hearts of the people away from their idolatrous worship.

 

As Elijah rested in a cave God spoke to him and asked him, "What doest thou here Elijah" (v.9). Elijah replied that he had done everything possible to reform Israel, but they would not heed, "and I, even I only am left, and they seek my life to take it away" (v.10). God told Elijah to stand upon the mount, "And behold Yahweh passed by and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and brake in pieces the rocks . . . but Yahweh was not in the wind." "And after the wind an earthquake, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake: after the earthquake, a fire; but Yahweh was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice" (v.11-12).

Elijah's work had been like that of the fierce wind, earthquake and fire, each of which demonstrated the power of God in judgment and destruction. But God was trying to show Elijah that there was something he had overlooked, and this was just as important as judgment. What was needed was the still small voice of instruction in God's Word. Unknown to Elijah there were still 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed down to Baal. Elijah was questioned: "What doest thou here Elijah?" implying that there remained a great number of people to whom he should teach the "still, small voice" of Yahweh's Word, so that their faith and courage may be built up. There is a great need, today, to "strengthen the things which remain" (Rev. 3:2). This is done in our ecclesias and our Sunday Schools by faithful teachers building up our faith so that we may individually overcome the ungodly pressures of those perilous last days.

 

THE PROMISE OF RETRIBUTION. 1 Kings 19:14-18.

In His answer to Elijah, Yahweh also encouraged him with a message telling him of the judgment that would fall upon the wicked house of Ahab. God would use the swords of Hazael, King of Syria, Jehu, King of Israel and finally, Elisha the prophet (1 Kings 20:17). Faithful followers of Yahweh today can be assured that evil will be put down in the future when the Kingdom of Men is destroyed and replaced by the Kingdom of God (Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Daniel 2:44-45).

 

THE WICKEDNESS OF AHAB. 1 Kings 21.

Ahab loved luxury and pleasure; however he wanted the land that was adjacent to his palace in Jezreel. The land belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite. Ahab spake unto Naboth saying, "Give me thy vineyard that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house; and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it, or if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money." (v.2).

 

But Naboth refused; he was a righteous man and respected God's law. The law strictly forbad the sale of a man's inheritance unless there were circumstances which forced him to sell (Num. 36:7; Lev. 25:23). Even then the land was to be returned to its original owner in the Year of Jubilee (Lev. 25:13).

 

Thus Naboth refused to sell and Ahab became sullen and despondent. He could not understand why Naboth refused to sell and like a little sulky boy "he laid down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread" (v.4).

 

JEZEBEL'S CUNNING PLAN. 1 Kings 21:5-16.

When Jezebel saw Ahab's mood she said, "Do you not govern the kingdom; Arise, and eat bread and let thy heart be merry; I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth" (v.7).

 

She then cunningly plotted the cold blooded murder of Naboth. She wrote letters in Ahab's name, and arranged that the elders of the city should proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high amongst the people. Then in the midst of this, false witnesses would challenge him and accuse him of blaspheming God and the king, then Naboth would be taken out and stoned to death.

 

This terrible crime was carried out, and when Jezebel received the news that Naboth and his sons were dead (2 Kings 9:26), she said to Ahab,

 

"Arise take possession of the vineyard, for Naboth is not alive, but dead" (v.15).

 

The weak character of Ahab and the ruthless determination of his wicked wife are vividly contrasted. Ahab did not give any thought to poor Naboth; all he could think of was that the vineyard was his, and he joyfully set off to claim it.

 

ELIJAH DENOUNCES AHAB. 1 Kings 21:17-24.

Nothing can be hidden from God (1 Peter 3:12; Heb. 4:13; Psa. 139:1-4). God told Elijah "Arise go down to meet Ahab, and say; 'Thus saith Yahweh, Hast thou killed and also taken possession? ... In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick thy blood" (v.18, 19). So Elijah went and met Ahab in the vineyard of Naboth and gave him the message from God. He also said that God would completely destroy his house. When Ahab heard these words he realised the full enormity of what he had done. He rent his clothes and put on sackcloth and fasted (v.27).

 

JEHU IS USED TO BRING DIVINE RETRIBUTION UPON THE HOUSE OF AHAB. 2 Kings 9 & 10.

It was to be through Jehu that the house of Ahab was to be utterly destroyed. Ahab was killed in battle and just as Elijah had prophesied, the dogs licked his blood (1 Kings 22:37-38).

 

Jehu was a ruthless man and had a reputation for mad, furious driving in his chariot (2 Kings 9:20). Jehu willingly carried out the commands of God (2 Kings 10:30). He slew Jezebel and trod her underfoot with his horse (2 Kings 9:31-33). He killed 70 of the sons of Ahab (2 Kings 10:7), and completely wiped out the worshippers of Baal and broke down the images (2 Kings 10:18-28). "So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab, all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining" (v.11).

 

JEHU ASSESSED BY THE SPIRIT — HIS FAILURE. 2 Kings 10:29-36.

Although Jehu was used to destroy the whole house of Ahab and the worship of Baal, he was not himself a man of upright character. "Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of Yahweh God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin" (v.31). He retained the idolatrous calf-worship established by Jeroboam and drew Israel away from the true worship centred in Jerusalem.

 

LESSON FOR US:

A consistent God-fearing walk in the Truth is required of those who would seek to please God (James 1:5-7). Ahab wavered, and was easily manipulated by his evil and idolatrous wife. Marriage in the Truth avoids this evil (Proverbs 19:14; Ephesians 5:25-33). It produces true balance in brethren and sisters, for they learn to sacrifice self-interest for others, and not as Ahab and Jezebel, who sought to satisfy their own pleasure at the expense of others. Although the wicked seem to prosper, they have no lasting prosperity or satisfaction (Psalm 73). If we seek shelter in Yahweh through baptism into the Lord Jesus Christ, we may suffer from the evils of this world, but a character acceptable to God will be formed, fitting us to be citizens of Zion in the future.

 

Yahweh's character is a perfect blend of mercy and justice (Exodus 34:6-7; Romans 11:22). If we follow the example of Christ, we shall benefit from His grace and mercy in the age to come. Those who rebel against His ways, will feel His severity.

 

This lesson helps us to see God's attitude to sin. He will not tolerate sin, though He gives ample opportunity for sinners to repent. Those who reject His mercy will receive swift and sure punishment.

 

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"The Story of the Bible" (H.P. Mansfield)—Vol. 5, Nos. 2-4.

"The Ways of Providence" (R. Roberts)—Chapter 20.

"The Visible Hand of God" (R. Roberts)—Chapter 27—30.

"Elijah the Tishbite" (J. Martin)—Chapters 7-10.

 

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. What did Elijah learn from the "still small voice"?

2. What was it that Ahab wanted, and how did he get it?

3. Because of Ahab's evil in taking Naboth's vineyard, God denounced him through Elijah — what was the judgment?

4. In what way did Jehu carry out God's judgment against the house of Ahab?

5. What sort of man was Jehu? How did he fail before God?

 

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. What was it that Ahab wanted and how did Jezebel go about obtain­ing it?

2. What lesson do we learn from Ahab's character and his way of life?