Day 110

The Tragic Results of Sin

Read: 1 Kings 21-22

We see the smallness of Ahab’s character in his sulking because he cannot enlarge his property. We see the courage of Naboth in standing against the king rather than give up the inheritance of his forefathers. We see the evil heart of Jezebel in her heinous plotting of Naboth’s murder. We see the interest of God in the affairs of human beings by telling his prophet to bring his message condemning the evil which has been done. We see the prophetic stance of Elijah when he said, “Thus says the LORD.”

Here is another case of poetic justice. Later in another part of the larger biblical story, Haman is hanged on the gallows he prepares for Mordecai. Here Ahab’s blood will be shed in the same spot as where the blood of his victim was spilt.

Ahab called Elijah his enemy, but Ahab’s real enemy was himself. The same is true of us if we are not careful. Once again the point is made that what counts is whether one does good or evil in the sight of God. One may get his way, as Ahab did in the case of the vineyard, but in the end what counts is what God thinks and does in his righteousness.

Ahab will not listen to the prophet Elijah, neither will he listen to the prophet Micaiah. He prefers false prophets. Today the danger is that some prefer to hear preachers who do not preach against sin.

PRAYER
Father, help us to realize that all that counts is that we trust in Christ and do right in your sight. In Jesus’ name. Amen.