Dealing With Wicked Rulers
Book of 1 Kings Chapter 21
A ruler is someone who is in authority over other people. Here in our church our Pastor is the ruler because he is the man God called to lead us.
Can someone be so evil that Jehovah will condemn that person to hell?
We had better be clear on this question.
Jhn_3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Many people do not believe this because they do not believe in a Divine Creator. They deny the existence of a Holy God.
Many people say they believe in a God, but they do not believe He will hold people accountable in a day of justice.
Many people believe that if there is such a day that they have done enough good to overcome the bad things they have done.
If we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation, then we need to believe what He says about these things.
Sixteen times in the New Testament the Lord Jesus Christ says the word Hell as in a place that exists.
This is more than any other person.
There is a coming judgment for everyone who has ever lived!
One of the major teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ is that there is a place called Hell, and we are condemned to this place called Hell already unless we repent and turn towards Him and His ways.
Today we will meet two of the most wicked people in the Old Testament. In fact, Jezebel may have been the most wicked woman to have ever lived.
In fact, the Word of God lists his marriage to Jezebel as the worst sin of King Ahab.
Jezebel is the first of the persecutors of the people of God.
This woman had four hundred and fifty false prophets who ministered under her care beside four hundred more false prophets who maintained her groves.
A grove was a wooden image or large idol of the goddess Ashtoreth.
She had other names which included Ishtar, Astarte, Alytta, Diana, the goddess of love to many people.
This Jezebel felt that she was the Living Goddess in her day.
The Lord Jesus Christ mentions this wickedness in the last of the Church Age.
Rev_2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
In our world today we see far too many people trying to tolerate what God hates, and they say it is because of His great love for all people.
We are never to tolerate what God say He hates!
We are to never allow this false teaching into the Church.
We are never to allow the teaching of this seductress into our Church.
What does the Lord Jesus promise about the teaching of Jezebel?
Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
*****1Ki 21:1 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
1Ki 21:2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
1Ki 21:3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
King Ahab was a wicked and evil man and the seventh king of the Northern Tribes of Israel.
His wife Jezebel had a very evil influence over him.
We first met the prophet Elijah in his dealings with King Ahab.
It seems that every king who heard from Elijah then wanted to kill him.
You cannot kill the Word of God!
He had warred with Ben-Hadad of Syria and in the end, defeated him with the help of Jehovah.
It was a time of peace that King Ahab had gone to his palace in Jezreel that he looked out his window which was upon the city wall, and he could see a vineyard that belonged to Naboth.
King Ahab had a love for herbs, and he wanted to turn the vineyard of Naboth into a garden for herbs and so he approached Naboth and attempted to buy or trade for this piece of land under his window.
Naboth responded to this king with an absolute no, but he explained himself.
Naboth still clung to the Word of God and God had told the Hebrews when they entered into the promised land that they were to keep that land in their families.
Num 36:7 So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.
Num 36:8 And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers.
Num 36:9 Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance.
If we are deep enough in our convictions we will not give in to the ways of the world.
It may be that this thing might have ended at this point if not for the interference of Jezebel.
*****1Ki 21:4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
King Ahab had done nothing wrong in trying to buy the vineyard of Naboth.
King Ahab had done nothing wrong in trying to trade a better vineyard for the land of Naboth.
His sin was covetousness.
Greed and covetousness are forbidden sin!
Covetousness is an inordinate desire for worldly possessions. It is the desire to increase the things you have by taking what others have.
It is a disorder of the heart and is associated with selfishness.
It is an irresistible desire to have what others own!
King Ahab showed childlike behavior when Naboth refused his offers.
Covetousness comes from the heart where all lustful and sinful desires are located!
Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
The Lord Jesus said it like this: Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Here comes Jezebel to save the day for Ahab.
*****1Ki 21:5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?
1Ki 21:6 And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.
1Ki 21:7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
King Ahab is one of those people in this world who always have to have their way.
He is a weak man who acts like a spoiled child.
Jezebel is a wicked tyrant who does not allow anyone to question her authority.
She promises her husband that she will get him the land of Naboth.
King Ahab could have had almost any piece of land in all his kingdom but not that one small piece of land that belonged to Naboth.
He was miserable because he could not get that one piece of land.
It should be obvious that it was Jezebel who had the true authority in the kingdom of Ahab.
Jezebel's sin was the sin of Ahab. Ahab did not try to stop Jezebel even though he knew she would have an evil plan.
We know that Adam did not pluck the fruit from the forbidden tree, but he was still guilty when he took a bite from it in the hand of Eve.
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
We are trying to be like God when we make up our own rules and ignore the Word of God.
Jezebel devised a plan for the neighbors of Naboth to end his life making herself and King Ahab free from guilt.
It did not bother her to take a man's life!
She paid for two false witnesses according to the Word of God.
Num_35:30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
She sent letters to the elders and nobles of the city in King Ahab’s name using his signet ring to seal them.
They proclaimed a fast.
*****1Ki 21:12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.
In ancient times a day of fasting was sometimes set aside in order to show concern that a criminal or some evil threatened the city, but this did not come from Jehovah.
Fasting is for one purpose only and that purpose is to open the ear of God to a special need.
Isa 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
It is a sad thing but wicked and corrupt leaders can always find someone to do their bidding.
Today we see godlessness and corruption in our courts are like poison to our nation and I hope it is finally put aside for the truth.
Some high officials ask certain people to do things, and they just do them without asking for what reason.
What is going on in America today should not be happening, yet it is going on in the Church also.
There is coming a day soon where God says He has had enough!
It is the innocent who suffer just as Naboth.
Naboth was murdered under the cover of religion instead of covetousness.
Religion has been used and continues to be used today to cover up wickedness and terrible sin!
It was not just Naboth in this instance but his entire family.
Today innocence will not always be our security, but we have assurance that there is a judgment coming to the wicked.
*****1Ki 21:13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
1Ki 21:14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.
Naboth was accused of treason against the kingdom and blasphemy against the gods of Israel, which we know were golden bulls.
Naboth was innocent of both charges.
Naboth was stoned to death for being innocent.
We see a type of Christ in Naboth in this passage.
Naboth is a type of Christ, which means he is a foreshadowing and representation of Jesus Christ.
Naboth's vineyard is seen as a representation of salvation.
Naboth's story is an example where we can see Jesus Christ. Both Naboth and Jesus owned a vineyard.
God saw what happened to Naboth.
Naboth was killed simply because wicked people wanted what belonged to him -- and not just any people, but the king and queen of Israel.
This thing, of course, displeased the Lord very badly.
God Himself would condemn Ahab for what he had done.
God condemned Ahab's wickedness, in that he coveted, killed, and took possession of his victim's land.
"So, [Ahab] died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. Then someone washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood while the harlots bathed, according to the word of the Lord which He had spoken."
God knew what happened and God did not let such injustice slip away.
What does Naboth teach us? Here are two things we can learn from him:
1) We must stand up for what is ours in Christ
Of course, this does not mean we should be stingy hoarders. What this means is that we must never let go of our inheritance in the Lord.
Many of us Christians today easily let go of our inheritance, trading it for some temporal pleasure and comfort. We do not stand up and rise as God's children, we don't fight for the salvation of our families, we stop praying for the will of God to happen in our nation and wherever we are.
We must take hold of our inheritance in Christ and never let it go.
2) Injustice may happen to us, but God sees it all
God saw the injustice done to Naboth and didn't let it slip. No injustice can ever be hidden from God's eyes, and we can rest our hopes on that.
We might feel angry at God for allowing bad people to do bad things to us, but the truth is that God is good and that He's not our enemy. He's watching us closely and is taking note of all that happens to us.
He will always ensure that justice will be served according to His way.
*****1Ki 21:15 And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.
1Ki 21:16 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
There are three villains in this passage.
1) Ahab who is a wicked and weak man.
2) Jezebel who is a wicked and strong woman.
3) The elders of Israel who were wicked and useful to promote wickedness in the government of Ahab.
This shows us that if our leades are wicked and corrupt then these things will spread throughout our nation.
We should be clear, just because Naboth had been murdered, that land did not belong to King Ahab.
It still belonged to the family of Naboth.
Ahab probably claimed the land because the crown at that time, could seize the land of an executed criminal.
None of these things were hidden from the Almighty Living God.
*****1Ki 21:17 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
1Ki 21:18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.
1Ki 21:19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
You could substitute the word "wickedness" with the name "Jezebel".
Ahab may not have known what happened to Naboth, but he certainly knew that Jezebel said she would take care of this matter.
This made Ahab just as guilty of the death of Naboth as was his wife and those elders.
God has this saying: Num_32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: "and be sure your sin will find you out".
No sinner can escape the judgment of God!
No sinner can escape the consequences of sin.
Sin will search and find us no matter where we are at.
What did God tell Cain after he had killed his brother Abel? Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? "and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door". And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Every sin brings its own punishment and there has never been any deviation of it!
It is only a question of time!
There is no getting away from these words of the Holy Spirit!
Jehovah called upon Elijah to deliver another message to King Ahab.
Ahab did not think of himself as some murderer or guilty of anything other than being king and able to do as he pleased.
Ahab hated Elijah even though he had no real reason to do so.
What was God's message to Ahab? "In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine".
Why was Elijah so hated? Elijah only spoke the truth of God.
*****1Ki 21:20 And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.
Ahab was standing right in the middle of Naboth's vineyard, a place Ahab had wanted so much.
Ahab even though he wqas King of Israel had no power over the man of God and he knew it.
Elijah possessed the power of a righteous man.
Ahab was a weak and wicked man.
Ahab was guilty of murder and stealing an innocent man's property.
Jezebel and the elders of Samaria were all guilty of the same crime.
Not many would have stood alone against such wickedness, but the man of God was just being obedient to the Lord.
What did Jehovah have to say?
*****1Ki 21:21 Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,
1Ki 21:22 And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin.
1Ki 21:23 And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.
1Ki 21:24 Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.
This prophecy of Jehovah took place in the time of Jehu.
Jehu was made King of Israel by Jehovah and God used Jehu to punish the house of Ahab.
2Ki 9:23 And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah.
2Ki 9:24 And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
2Ki 9:25 Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him;
2Ki 9:26 Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD.
There is no escaping the "judgment of God"!
Ahab and Jezebel are suffering the "judgment of God" today and they will throughout eternity.
They are joined by all such people today.
Once we are born into this world we never cease to exist.
First, we exist upon this earth then at our death we continue to live in God's presence, or we will live in a place that the Lord Jesus Christ called Hell.
Mat_10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Where we spend eternity depends upon how we live our lives upon this earth!
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
*****1Ki 21:25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
There was not a more godless king than King Ahab. He allowed his wife Jezebel to lead him straight to Hell.
In fact, his wickedness reached its lowest point because he listened to his even more wicked wife.
Jezebel did all she could to stamp out the truth of Jehovah and Ahab knew this was wrong.
King Ahab should have recognized Elijah as his best friend and Jezebel as his worst foe.
We cannot ever be on the side of the world and think we are on the side of God!
Amen
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