Read 1 Kings 21

God’s Judgment

Ahab and Jezebel were among the most wicked rulers in the history of Israel. The murder of Naboth is but one example of their evil deeds, but it did not go unpunished. Elijah, who had been out of the picture for some time, popped back into Ahab’s life after the death of Naboth and declared the Lord’s judgment against the king.

Ahab’s response to Elijah is not surprising. “Have you found me, O my enemy?” (1 Kings 21:19). Elijah was Ahab’s enemy only in the sense that the prophet was delivering the truth that the king did not want to hear. Had the king heeded the words of God as delivered by Elijah, they could have been close friends. Ahab, however, was affected more by his wicked wife Jezebel and the idolatrous influence she exerted over him.

Elijah pronounced the judgment of God against both Ahab and Jezebel. “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on you. I will take away your posterity, and will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both bond and free. I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, because of the provocation with which you have provoked Me to anger, and made Israel sin.’ And concerning Jezebel the Lord also spoke, saying, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ The dogs shall eat whoever belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, and the birds of the air shall eat whoever dies in the field” (1 Kings 21:20-24). While God’s judgment against Ahab himself was delayed due to his repentance, His judgment against Jezebel was executed to the tee.

The same is true today. God has pronounced judgment against all who rebel and disobey him still. If we refuse to love Him will all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and refuse to lovingly take care of those around us who are in need (Mark 12:28-34; Matthew 25:31-46), we will hear the words, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

Are you serving God with your whole being, every day?