The writer of Kings took great pains to inform his readers about the wickedness of Ahab and Jezebel. We see their evil in this incident concerning Naboth and his vineyard. They murdered him and then stole his property. In this way they violated God’s commandments and showed disrespect and disdain for His covenant. The land that Naboth possessed was given him by God as the Lord gave the land to his people. Elijah stood up against the oppression and pronounced doom against both Ahab and his wife. Both would die shamefully. Ahab humbled himself and so the Lord softened his judgment but did not remove it.
The name Jezebel is often used to refer to a jealous, shameless, scheming, immoral and impudent woman for that was the type of woman she was. Yet, although Ahab comes off as spineless and whiny, we must not forget how sinful and shameless he was. Both demonstrate the evil that results from covetousness and greed. Both also show us the evil that can be done by those who possess political or financial power though in this day and age, that should not really be news to us. Politicians and capitalists often make names and fortunes for themselves at the expense of others. For example, in the United States most politicians routinely vote pay raises for themselves but neglect the poor and needy all over the world who struggle for daily existence. Many pad their expense accounts or take “kick-backs” from wealthy corporations and executives in return for preferential treatment.
The church ought to stand up to such evil political behavior and expose the sins of the wealthy for the Lord. We ought to oppose political injustice and greed in any and all forms that it manifests. God is going to judge the evil doers and, like Elijah, we must warn them so that either they will repent before it is too late or else they will have no excuse when judgment falls.
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