A BLOODY END FOR A WICKED PAIR

          Reading the story of Elijah’s repeated confrontations with the wicked duo, Ahab and Jezebel, causes one to wonder - - “What does it take to invite the wrath of God?”  It seems to us that the all-knowing Jehovah God had every right to smack down Ahab long before his reign logged those twenty-two years (1Kgs.16:29).  And from the outset, that wicked queen Jezebel seems un-deserving of breathing God’s air.  cf. 1Kgs.16:30-33 and 1Kgs.21:25.  Two decades plus seems like a long time to put up with such wickedness.  But the apostle Peter reminds us that God does not count slowness as man does.  God is patient…not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2Pet.3:9).  Finally, however, that abhorrent tandem of Ahab and Jezebel exhausted the patience of God and the vengeance of the Lord brought their lives to a bloody end.

          Ahab’s remorse bought him a little time (1Kgs.21:29), but eventually both were weighed and found wanting (Dan.5:27) and their sins found them out (Num.32:23).  They discovered first-hand those words that would one day be penned by the apostle - - It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb.10:31).  While standing in his chariot, King Ahab was shot with an arrow in the joint of his armor and subsequently died in battle.  Later, when his chariot was washed by the pool of Samaria,  the dogs licked up his blood (1Kgs.22:37-38).  After Ahab’s death, his first-born son Ahaziah reigned for two short years.  After Ahaziah’s death, Ahab’s second-born son, Joram was also shot with an arrow through the heart that was delivered with full might by Jehu (2Kgs.9:23-23).  Finally Jezebel was thrown down from the palace.  Her blood sprinkled on the wall and on the horses below and she was then trampled under foot and eaten by dogs (2Kgs.9:33-37).  These deaths fulfilled the word of the Lord that spoken by Elijah to Ahab (1Kgs.22:19-24).  Thus a gory and bloody judgment was dealt to Ahab and Jezebel.  Let us never assume that we can evade the all-seeing eyes of Yahweh, who offers grace to all but who also holds accountable all who defy Him and refuse to turn away from sinful deeds.              

Though the mills of God grind slowly, they grind exceedingly small.  Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He All

Terry Siverd / Cortland Church Of Christ