Does evil have consequences? Take the story of Ahab and Jezebel. It’s a story that most are familiar with. At least, most people have a nodding acquaintance that Jezebel was evil. Some historical references will help to explain the story.
Ahab is king of Israel. He became king when his father, Omri, died. It’s in First Kings 16:28. Look back to verse 25 and the statement is that Omri was more evil than all that were before him. Now we get to Ahab. He’s a Jew who has married a pagan princess (verse 31 of the same chapter). Verse 30 says the same about Ahab as it did about his father.
Ahab wants the vineyard that is by the palace. The story is in I Kings 21. He offers the owner, Naboth, money or another vineyard in payment. But, Naboth can’t do that. He cannot sell that which he inherits from his father. It must remain with the tribe that he and his fathers before him belong to (Numbers 36:7-9). Ahab probably knew this but didn’t care. He wanted what he wanted.
Enters Jezebel his wife. He’s lying prostrate on his bed refusing to eat. Pouting he tells her his sad story. He can’t have what he wants. Jezebel jumps right up and says she’ll get it for him. Off she goes to work out her plan.
First, she writes letters to higher-ups in the community proclaiming a fast. She signs Ahab’s name and uses his seal on the letters. Next, she finds two guys who will do her dirty work for her. They yell loud and long that Naboth didn’t observe the fast. Everyone turns out and Naboth and his sons are stoned to death. The sons are killed so they won’t inherit. Second Kings 9:26 tells of the sons deaths.
Ahab gets the vineyard. God sends the prophet Elijah to confront Ahab over this evil he has done. Elijah paints a colorful picture concerning Ahab and Jezebel and what kind of death is in front of them. Ahab caves and repents. God is moved and Ahab is granted a stay. Three years later he died. It’s a good story. First Kings, Chapter 22 tells it. An arrow shot aimlessly into the air kills him. He bleeds to death in his chariot.
Jezebel, what of her? She’s tossed out her window by two of her own eunuchs. Her blood splatters on horses that trample her. When they went to bury her, all they could find was her skull, feet and the palms of her hands. Quite a gruesome death. It’s recounted in II Kings 9:29-37.
Extra time they had. What did they do with it? More evil. Evil, after all, does have consequences.
Ahab is king of Israel. He became king when his father, Omri, died. It’s in First Kings 16:28. Look back to verse 25 and the statement is that Omri was more evil than all that were before him. Now we get to Ahab. He’s a Jew who has married a pagan princess (verse 31 of the same chapter). Verse 30 says the same about Ahab as it did about his father.
Ahab wants the vineyard that is by the palace. The story is in I Kings 21. He offers the owner, Naboth, money or another vineyard in payment. But, Naboth can’t do that. He cannot sell that which he inherits from his father. It must remain with the tribe that he and his fathers before him belong to (Numbers 36:7-9). Ahab probably knew this but didn’t care. He wanted what he wanted.
Enters Jezebel his wife. He’s lying prostrate on his bed refusing to eat. Pouting he tells her his sad story. He can’t have what he wants. Jezebel jumps right up and says she’ll get it for him. Off she goes to work out her plan.
First, she writes letters to higher-ups in the community proclaiming a fast. She signs Ahab’s name and uses his seal on the letters. Next, she finds two guys who will do her dirty work for her. They yell loud and long that Naboth didn’t observe the fast. Everyone turns out and Naboth and his sons are stoned to death. The sons are killed so they won’t inherit. Second Kings 9:26 tells of the sons deaths.
Ahab gets the vineyard. God sends the prophet Elijah to confront Ahab over this evil he has done. Elijah paints a colorful picture concerning Ahab and Jezebel and what kind of death is in front of them. Ahab caves and repents. God is moved and Ahab is granted a stay. Three years later he died. It’s a good story. First Kings, Chapter 22 tells it. An arrow shot aimlessly into the air kills him. He bleeds to death in his chariot.
Jezebel, what of her? She’s tossed out her window by two of her own eunuchs. Her blood splatters on horses that trample her. When they went to bury her, all they could find was her skull, feet and the palms of her hands. Quite a gruesome death. It’s recounted in II Kings 9:29-37.
Extra time they had. What did they do with it? More evil. Evil, after all, does have consequences.
