1st Kings 21
TREACHEROUS, ABUSIVE, BRUTAL BEHAVIOR When a downward trend has been set, and people get used to defying normal, decent behavior, there is no stopping the moral mudslide that overtakes them. They begin to treat those who follow the righteous law of God as if they are at fault for the consequences of sin that befall a nation. To leave unjudged evil to work its havoc on people, opens the door for abusive actions against people like Naboth who still recognized the supreme authority of the word of God. Naboth knew the land passed on to him from his ancestors was given to them, and him, by the Lord. It was the Lord's land and he was given this trust to preserve for his family's inheritance after him. The sale of inherited property to those outside the family was prohibited [Lev.25:23- 28]. When we realize that all we have and claim for our own use really belongs to the Lord, we are motivated to maintain it and use it in ways we know would please "the Lord of heaven and earth."
Before Israel had a king, the Lord had warned the people of Israel that a king would expropriate their land and claim their vineyards for themselves. This event illustrates one such time and how treacherous and brutal those who claim authority over common people can be. The abuse of people and of power still goes on when those in authority claim "the law of eminent domain" gives them the right to take what they want according to their own interpretation as to what is for the good of the majority. When things didn't go the way Ahab wanted, after a prophet had predicted a fatal sentence would come on Ahab, he was angry and bitterly rebellious. It was in a fit of temper that he reacted against Naboth when he was refused the vineyard of Naboth. Never underestimated the depth of treachery and deceit people have against divine authority. The natural man, is an enemy of God and will go a long way in defiance against the Lord.
Ahab knew the law. Jezebel apparently did not or else ignored and rejected it. Treachery happens when the covetous actions of a sinful person go unchecked. Covetousness is one of the moral sins that must be judged and dealt with in the assemblies of God's people. To want what others have and take steps to get it, is a behavior that has to be changed. Discipline for such actions has to be serious enough that the sinning person never does it again, and others who are tempted to do something similar will not do it.
The treacherous scheme Jezebel devised looked legal in the way it was carried out. The law was twisted to suit the desired outcome. This practice is common in our country where frivolous law-suits and subtle legal procedures are used to manipulate people and get what covetous people want. Some things may seem to be legal but when investigated, can be found to be a perversion of the original intent of the law. When we are challenged by man-made laws, we need to be sure they do not contradict the law of God. In such cases where there is a conflict between the two, "We ought to obey God rather than man."
According to the law of God, the false charge laid against Naboth was a capital crime. By manipulating people and the law, Jezebel was responsible for the death of an innocent family. Her design was to not only claim the vineyard, but to eliminate any prior claim Naboth's sons might have. So, both the father and the sons were stoned to death. When a person benefits from the abusive, brutal, treacherous actions of another person, they too are guilty. To deny responsibility of the consequences laid on an innocent person by just standing by and doing nothing, or by willing compliance, is an act of guilt.
There is a lesson to be learned and remembered, that any and all actions we commit are observed by God. He knows what is behind everything we do and why we were willing to do it. Not only is the motivation known by Him who knows "The thoughts and intents of the heart," but the outcome we desired may be allowed, and the consequences such an action will bring. Elijah gave Ahab the dire prediction of his actions and the fact that what he had done would affect his family forever. Even though he considered the prophet his enemy, he believed what Elijah prophesied. His deep repentance and humility were evident when he fasted and dressed in sackcloth. In spite of all the evil and wrong he had done; God was merciful to him and to a certain degree reduced his punishment by waiting until his son was ruling before dealing with the evil.
Envy, hatred and anger make it almost impossible to see the evil in ourselves, and so we blame others for that which happens to us. We cannot avoid the fact that we are responsible for that which comes on us and how we respond to it. We are not able to avoid the consequences of our own actions. To place blame on others does not solve any problem nor does it bring a conclusion to our negative attitudes. When a person humbles before God and turns in repentance to Him, He draws near in grace that is undeserved and forgives our sins.
1Kings 21:3. “And Naboth said to Ahab, the Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.”
THE INHERITANCE OF MY FATHERS. For generations the Bible has been open – The children learned from those now gone before.
Our family has learned it is God who helped them – It is the same today as in days of yore.
Reverence for God and respectful fear, Were taught us from our earliest days. We knew that God was always near – Through the older ones we learned to walk in His ways.
Our inheritance was not just in money But in things of much higher worth. We learned God was with us in poverty or plenty – We were taught the just will live by faith.
I have walked over lands where my forefathers walked, And now much of it is owned by others. They labored hard by day, and then at night they talked Of the life of faith passed down by their fathers.
I have tried to pass on to those coming after me The value of a spiritual inheritance. Mow that I am older I’ll just wait and see If what I modeled to them made any sense.
I know they’ll be different, the world is a different place, But fundamental values will always stay the same. It is my daily prayer that together we’ll see God’s face – And with wonder we’ll see all who before us came.
“O God of all grace, and Father of all who believe: bless our inheritance; save all the children. Help them to guide their children and children’s children in the ways of the divine inheritance we received. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”