The Day Between

Ahab Admonitions Part III:  Ahab and Jezebel, a Match Made in Hell

Mawage, that bwessed awwangement, a dweam wifin a dweam*

            Well, maybe not for everyone. 

As stated in a previous blog, Ahab was the worst king Israel had – and that is saying something, since Israel never had a good king.  He gets this dubious designation with the help and encouragement of his darling bride.  There is truly someone for everyone.

We meet this lovely pair in 1 Kings 16:31-33.

It came about, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went to serve Baal and worshiped him. So he erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria.  Ahab also made the Asherah.  Thus Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.

Now this arrangement was most likely political.  Since Ahab adopted the religious system of the Sidonians and established it in Israel, one gets the impression that he viewed them as a superior country and worthy of emulation.  Israel had lost its moorings with Jeroboam; Ahab led them further into the abyss.

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?   (2 Corinthians 6:11-16a)

It seems we should be careful who we marry… elect into an office of leadership… find ourselves in agreement with…

An interesting aside on the times of Ahab is mentioned after his and Jezebel’s introduction.

In His days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.  (1 Kings 16:34)

Remember Jericho?  It was the first city the Israelites conquered in the Promised Land.  The method of attack was prescribed to Joshua by the pre-incarnate Jesus (Joshua 5:13-6:5).  It was important, miraculous, and unique – a big deal!  After those walls fell down, Joshua said this, “Cursed before the Lord is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he shall lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he shall set up its gates.”  (Joshua 6:26)

Now in Ahab’s day, they either forgot or didn’t care.  Either ignorance or apathy – both are deadly for a nation and for its people.

To get Ahab’s attention, God had Elijah proclaim a three-year drought.  In 1 Kings 18, Ahab is looking for springs of water and grass to keep a few animals alive.  Elijah shows up and challenges the false prophets to a duel of sorts.

Now then send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.  (1 Kings 18:19).

While Ahab was concerned for the well-being of horses, mules and cattle, Jezebel seems to be in charge of spiritual things.  She had the support of eight-hundred-fifty prophets to manage.  I wonder how many regular people starved to keep those prophets fed.

Now Elijah showed Israel who God was on Mount Carmel.  (1 Kings 18:20-46)

When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.”   (1 Kings 18:39)

The false prophets were destroyed, and the land was finally watered.  Ahab and the nation repented and revival was launched, right?

Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.  Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”   (1 Kings 19:1-2)

Funny, who is the king here?  God spoke to Ahab – Ahab deferred to Jezebel.  Like a young boy, he ran home to mommy to tell what happened.  Here we have a weak man, a hard-hearted, fierce woman, and a corrupt government.

In 1 Kings 20, Ahab faces war with Aram.  He is out-numbered and hopeless.  He gets the victory, because God wants to again reveal who He is to Ahab.  His mercy is truly everlasting.

Now behold, a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Have you seen all this great multitude?  Behold, I will deliver them into your hand today.’”  (1 Kings 20:13)

Ahab followed the prophet’s instructions and defeated Aram twice, but instead of passing judgment on the evil king, Ben-hadad, as instructed he made peace with him and called him brother.

The prophet said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore, your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people.’”  So the king of Israel went to his home sullen and vexed, and came to Samaria.  (1 Kings 20:42-43)

So, on the heels of a glorious victory and a foolish failure, followed by a stinging rebuke the Scripture reminds us that it was the king who went home sullen and vexed.  The king, ruler, potentate – boss man – went home grumpy and pouting…seriously?  No repentance, no self-examination, no regrets, no apologies – just a bad mood!

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  (Romans 8:5-8)

The next time he’s sullen and vexed it costs an innocent man his life.

To be continued…

*from the Princess Bride