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And as though it were not enough to follow the example of Jeroboam, he married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and he began to bow down in worship of Baal. 1 Kings 16:31 NLT
What picture comes to mind when Bible readers visualize Ahab? A pathetic, sullen, washed-out man? Yet God’s Word says he was more evil than any of the other kings before him.
Then visualize Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, and the picture comes into flaming color. Like a villainess from a Disney fairy tale or worse, it’s easy to imagine her evil sneer.
Ahab already had defied God by worshipping idols. With the help of his pagan wife, however, his personal rebellion became a national religion. Besides playing pretend with the golden calves, Ahab endorsed Israel’s official worship of Baal and the Asherah pole that Jezebel brought with her.
The Lord took the trouble to reveal Himself to Ahab over and over again. Through a predicted drought and prophesied rains, through a flash of fire from heaven, and through a miraculous military victory, the Lord sought to convince Ahab that He alone was the true Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth.
In the end, however, refusing to say yes to God eventually becomes the same as always saying no.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that Ahab wasn’t my father! May I never repeat his wicked choices.
What picture comes to mind when Bible readers visualize Ahab? A pathetic, sullen, washed-out man? Yet God’s Word says he was more evil than any of the other kings before him.
Then visualize Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, and the picture comes into flaming color. Like a villainess from a Disney fairy tale or worse, it’s easy to imagine her evil sneer.
Ahab already had defied God by worshipping idols. With the help of his pagan wife, however, his personal rebellion became a national religion. Besides playing pretend with the golden calves, Ahab endorsed Israel’s official worship of Baal and the Asherah pole that Jezebel brought with her.
The Lord took the trouble to reveal Himself to Ahab over and over again. Through a predicted drought and prophesied rains, through a flash of fire from heaven, and through a miraculous military victory, the Lord sought to convince Ahab that He alone was the true Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth.
In the end, however, refusing to say yes to God eventually becomes the same as always saying no.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that Ahab wasn’t my father! May I never repeat his wicked choices.
