1 Kings 21; 1 Kings 22; 2 Kings 9
Jezebel is killed
Jezebel was pure evil. She orchestrated the brutal
death of Naboth and was killed in a similar fashion.
There can
be nothing good, not one positive word spoken concerning Queen Jezebel. She stole Naboth’s vineyard for her husband
Ahab by falsely accusing him of blasphemy and treason. Jezebel's domination of her husband was
directly responsible for the whole of Israel falling into the sin of idolatry.
The whole nation suffered a famine caused by the lack of rain. This was God's
judgment on them. (1 Kings 17) This was particularly humiliating for Jezebel,
since Baal was supposed to be the god of weather. Jezebel directly attempted to
overthrow the worship of God - she commanded that the people forsake the Lord -
and murdered as many of His prophets that she could find. (1 Kings 18:4) The remainder, were forced to hide in caves in
the wilderness. (1 Kings 18:13) She
met a horrible end at the hands of Jehu. (2 Kings 9:14-34)
A lesson
drawn from Jezebel's life is that the deeds of a few can adversely affect a
whole nation. Evil people sometimes live long. God could be giving them the chance to repent
and yet, destruction waits for them if they do not. A part of our prayer life
must include petitions that God would break and hinder every evil counsel and
will which would not let us hallow God’s name nor let His kingdom come and that
He would preserve us steadfast in His Word and faith unto our end. Review the
third petition of the Lord’s prayer as well as the first and second
commandments.
Almighty
God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning, and though we
have in no way deserved Your goodness, You still abundantly provide for all our
wants of body and soul. Give us, we pray, Your Holy Spirit, that we may
heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your
benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son,
our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and
forever.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcut used with
permission © WELS
Collect for Lent 4
Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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