Ahab was the son of Omri, he reigned for 22 years over Israel. He
married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Zidorians. As a result he made an
alter to Baah and served him. He did more to provoke the Lord to anger than any
of the kings of Israel that were before him. He practiced idolatry with
impunity, idolatry was so prevalent in his time that Elijah had to pray there
would be no rain in Israel for 3 years. This would result in famine and was
expected to turn the hearts of the children of Israel to the Lord. Ahab gave
room for his wife to establish the worship of baal in Isreal. In so much that when Elijah challenged the prince
of baal and had them slain after the showdown at mount Camel, he met with the
wrath of Jezebel who threatened to kill him. Jezebel also used the royal
authority to plan and execute Naboth in order to secure his vineyard for Ahab.
Inspite of all these evil, when Benhadad rose against Israel, God delivered
Israel for his name sake. Elijah was eventually sent to prophesy against Ahab
because he killed. Ahab however, made a covenant with Israel’s enemy Benhadad
without seeking God’s face first and this became a snare to Israel. Naboth took
possession of his vineyard. The curse was on him and his posterity, to cut off
every male in his generation and every one of them shall experience a shameful
death. The scriptures recorded that there was none who sold himself to wickedness
like Ahab whom his wife stared up. After Ahab heard about the judgement from God,
he humbled himself and fasted and the Lord promised to delay the judgement
until the time of his son.
LESSON
a) Evil may prevail for a long time but nemesis
will catch up in the end. Ahab and Jezebel succeeded in doing evil for a long
time but judgement came In the end.
b) God sees all that we do even as leaders,
oppression, idolatry and every wicked act are hateful to God. Leaders should
beware of using their authority.
c) Repercussion may not be on the leaders alone
but their posterity.
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