SUNDAY 22ND APRIL, 2018 MORNING PRAYER DEVOTION
SCRIPTURE READING:- 1KINGS 21:1-23
TOPIC:– DEMONIC JEZEBEL MUST DIE
TEXT:- 1KINGS 16:31
Jezebel means unmarried; not exalted; chaste; an impudent; shameless; morally unrestrained woman. Also means unexalted; unhusbanded.
Jezebel was the Phoenician wife of Ahab who according to the account in I and II Kings pressed the cult of Baal on the Israelite kingdom but was finally killed in accordance with Elijah’s prophecy.
She was the daughter of Ethbaal, King of the Zidonians, i.e. Phoenicians, and Queen of Ahab, King of Northern Israel.
Ahab union with Jezebel is regarded as a sin in 1 Kings 16:31, “And it was not enough that he should walk in the sins of Jeroboam Ben Nebat, he also took to wife Jezebel,” the Hebrew can be pointed to mean, “And it was the lightest thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam Ben Nebat, he also took to wife Jezebel, and went and served Baal and worshipped him,” i.e. all the other sins were light as compared with the marriage with Jezebel and the serving of Baal, compare Micah 6:16.
The character of Jezebel is seen revived in that of her daughter, Athaliah of Judah 2 Kings 11; there is no doubt that Jezebel was a powerful personality. She brought the worship of the Phoenician Baal and Astarte with her into Hebrew life, and indirectly introduced it into Judah as well as into the Northern kingdom.
Jezebel killed God’s prophets. This is not described in the Bible but it is only referred to in 1 Kings 18:4, “When Jezebel cut off the Prophets of Yahweh”; and this shows the history of the time to be incompletely related. In 1 Kings 18:19 we are further told that “450 prophets of baal ate at her table.
In 1 Kings 19:1-2, Ahab tells Jezebel of the slaughter of the prophets of baal by Elijah, and then Jezebel sends a messenger to Elijah to threaten his life. This leads to the prophet’s flight, an object which Jezebel had in view, perhaps, for she would hardly dare to murder Elijah himself.
Judging Jezebel from the religious standpoint, the balance is heavy against her when we remember her successful plot against Naboth.
Ahab expresses a desire to possess the vineyard neighboring upon his palace in Jezreel, owned by Naboth, who refuses to part with the family inheritance though offered either its money value or a better vineyard in exchange.
Ahab is depressed at this, and Jezebel, upon finding the cause of his melancholy feelings, asks him sarcastically if he is not king, suggesting that as king his wishes should be immediately granted by his subjects.
She thereupon plots to secure him Naboth’s vineyard. Jezebel sends letters sealed in Ahab’s name to the elders of Naboth’s township, and bids them arrange a public fast and make Naboth “Sit at the head of the people.” Two witnesses–a sufficient number for that purpose–are to be brought to accuse Naboth of blasphemy and treason. This is done, and Naboth is found guilty, and stoned to death. The property is confiscated, and falls to the King, 1 Kings 21:1-16.
Elijah hears of this, and is sent to threaten Ahab with divine vengeance; dogs shall lick his dead body, 1 Kings 21:19.
But in 1 Kings 21:20-25, this prophecy is made, not concerning Ahab but against Jezebel, and attributes the sins of Ahab to her influence over him. The prophecy is fulfilled in 2 Kings 9:30-37.
Jehu heads a revolt against the house of Ahab, and one day comes to Jezreel. Jezebel had “painted her eyes, and attired her head,” and sees Jehu coming. She greets him sarcastically as his master’s.
She is then thrown down and the horses tread upon her. When search is afterward made for her remains, they are found terribly mutilated. Thus was the prophecy fulfilled. See 2 Kings 9:33.
Don’t ever spare Jezebel! She must die!
Prayer Points:-
1. Every spirit of Jezebel troubling me, come out of my life by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. O Lord God, dethrone anyone that is oppressing me with his/her throne, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. Every evil conspiracy against my life, be exposed and scattered by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Happy Lord’s Day!
