The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Kings 21:9-10,
"Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death."
These were the instructions King Ahab's vicious, evil, disgusting and heartless wife, Jezebel, gave to the leaders in Jezreel.
King Ahab wanted a vineyard belonging to a man named Naboth who lived in Jezreel. Ahab wanted it for a garden, offered to pay Naboth for it, but Naboth refused. In the day, land was passed from one generation to the next and was never to leave the family. Naboth's response was, "The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors." Verse 3.
"Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death."
These were the instructions King Ahab's vicious, evil, disgusting and heartless wife, Jezebel, gave to the leaders in Jezreel.
King Ahab wanted a vineyard belonging to a man named Naboth who lived in Jezreel. Ahab wanted it for a garden, offered to pay Naboth for it, but Naboth refused. In the day, land was passed from one generation to the next and was never to leave the family. Naboth's response was, "The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors." Verse 3.
As Ahab became "sullen and angry" about it, his wife, a glittering jewel of deceit and wickedness, sprung into action and had the leaders of Jezreel murder Naboth. Once accomplished, she told her worthless husband, Ahab, to go take possession of the vineyard. None of it escaped the Lord's attention and they both paid dearly for it.
I note that Jezebel appropriated the Scripture that condemns blasphemy as a tool for accomplishing the murder, "Say to the Israelites: 'Anyone who curses their God will be held responsible; anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death.'" Leviticus 24:15-16.
How often the things of the Lord are appropriated for the evil intentions of so many today! Resorting to the Scriptures has long been a ploy for deceivers and evil-doers.
I have long ago learned that just because someone quotes the Bible to advance an agenda or anything else does not necessarily mean their intentions are in line with the Lord's desires at all. Particularly when lying, deception and murder are afoot, as Jezebel's actions teach us.
Just ask Naboth.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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