Naboth had a vineyard and garden next to King Ahab’s house in Samaria, and Ahab wanted Naboth to either sell it to him or exchange it for another one somewhere else. However, he didn’t want to break the law by selling his inheritance. Ahab left his meeting with Naboth depressed, and Jezebel asked him about his sadness, so he told her about Nabath turning him down about the vineyard. Jezebel, being wicked, used the law and some unscrupulous people to wrongfully accuse him and had him killed so she could take his vineyard and give it to Ahab. When Ahab went to claim his vineyard, Elijah met him there to admonish him for having Naboth killed and told him the dogs would lick his blood there and that Jezebel would die and the dogs would eat her by the wall in Jezreel. Ahab repented, tore his clothes, and begged forgiveness. God, being the loving God he is, put off his death sentence and had mercy upon him for the time being.We wonder why wicked people get away with murder and other crimes and then seem to prosper more than others; it’s likely because they sometimes have remorse for their sins, and God gives them another chance like he did Ahab. Ahab has been reprieved from justice for now because of his repentance. I read ahead to the next chapter, and it seems God served Ahab the justice he deserved, and every word of Elijah’s prophecy about Ahab was fulfilled. God doesn’t let evil go unpunished. If you have been wronged, wait for it; justice will be served, and God will make it happen.
And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house. 1 Kings 21:28-29
No comments:
Post a Comment