In his desperation to get Naboth’s vineyard, Ahab offered
him something that was even of greater value than the vineyard. Why would
anyone surrender something of greater value for a thing of clearly lesser
worth? Makes no sense. But amazingly many of us do just that every day we sin.
Daily we are choosing death over life; bondage over freedom; regret over
satisfaction; a brief moment of carnal indulgence over a lifetime of ordered
fulfilment. The hypnosis that the devil has us under makes so many of us
willing to sacrifice eternity for the illusion success in this life. There is
nothing in this life that is worth so much – even if we could have it all. Paul
puts it this way, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all
men most miserable.” 1 Cor 15: 19.
Whew; finally! Something seems to have gotten through to
Ahab. How long can one kick against the pricks? And yet some many of us do. I
am convinced that WAY contrary to the notion of God being a stern judge, He is
the most loving Father ever.
My wife is certain that if we had
children, and especially if a little daughter is among that lot, I’d spoil
them/her rotten. Well I don’t know… even as I don’t know if God doesn’t Himself
spoil us as His children. Understand that in the traditional Jamaican culture,
“spoiling children” is not giving kids their due punishment (a bout with the
rod/belt/whip) when they do something wrong (who is often, in those instances
described as, “getting away with murder”). It also has to do with an
inclination to saying more yeses than nos. Things are changing though. With God
however, we are left with no doubt that we’re wrong, when in fact we are. But He’s
always more interested in saving us than He is to expose and punish us for our
sins (the reason Jesus died). This is what I’m seeing with Ahab, the most evil
of all the previous kings of Israel; that has been my personal experience…
every day (without the slightest hint of exaggeration). It’s called GRACE. So I'm not a spoilt child, but a privileged recipient of God's Grace.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like
me,
I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.
Lessons From:
Naboth
The great message from Naboth is that the heritage of God is
definitely something worth dying for. The question is, do we know its true
value? Moses was also one who faced great dangers in standing for God, and was
happy to do it. He esteemed, "the reproach of Christ greater riches than
the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the
reward." Heb 11: 26.
Jezebel
Then as I imagine the horror of ending up with a wife like
Jezebel, I'd like to pay homage to all the godly wives in the world today,
especially those who frequent RBHW. Your value is, "...more precious than
rubies; and all the things that thou canst desire are not to be compared to
(you) her." Prov 3: 15.
Ahab
Ahab at length retires into being an ambassador of humility
before God, for surely he was destined to having the words fulfilled in his
life, "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a
fall." Prov 16: 18.
To read 1 Kings 21 and other related blogs click here
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