The story of king Ahab is a horrific read. He was the evilest of the kings of Israel. The Bible says, "there was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited" 1 Kings 21:25-26.
When we meet Elijah, it was in reference to God bringing consequences on Israel for all their abominable ways under King Ahab, 1 Kings 17. Ahab sought the life of Elijah and his wife Jezebel pursued the prophets of God, putting them to death, those who were not hidden from her reach, 1 Kings 18. Ahab spoke to Elijah as if he was the problem with all that was going on with Israel and called him, "O troubler of Israel." Proof that Ahab was so deep in his sin that his heart was genuinely calloused. Ahab assigned prophets to Baal, in opposition to the One True God, who Israel was called to worship. We are talking about a man whose track record of evil and murder was long.
Ahab was offered an opportunity to be used by God to defeat an enemy. Instead, "you have let slip out of your hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction; therefore, your life shall go for his life and your people for his people." Ahab "went home sullen and displeased ..." There was no repentance, but the offer was to be used as an opportunity for grace. No one is beyond God's grace. The fact that God offered Ahab an opportunity to see His faithfulness to turn him and Israel from sin shows us God's character in which lies mercy. Ahab refused, but God's patience is long. I don't believe we always grasp that reality about God. Most of us would not put up with some of the rejection and disrespect God allows for extended periods. The Bible says this of Him, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise... but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, "2 Peter 3:9. That is a faithful word about God that we can rest in.
The next thing we read about Ahab was in reference to his greed. He wanted a vineyard that was not his. When God set up the kings under Samuel with Saul as the first king, one of the warnings about the king was his ability to acquire the people's property. However, this was not to become a personal acquisition but for the kingdom's benefit. Here Ahab simply wants the vineyard for himself to build a garden. He did offer to pay for the vineyard, but the offer was still refused. The owner of the vineyard's name was Naboth. When Ahab was denied, "he went into his house vexed and sullen..." This seems to be a practice of Ahab when feeling rejected, he pouts.
We also read how Ahab hid behind the evil of his wife, who was demonic and, I'd say, a psychopath. When she hears of Ahab not getting what he wants from Naboth, turning down Ahab's grasp for his vineyard, she has Naboth set up, accused of evil, and murdered 1 Kings 21:8-14. Once Jezebel hears of the death of Naboth, she informs Ahab, and he takes possession of the land. This action displeases God, like when David had Uriah killed. God is One of True Justice. He is never dismissive of innocent blood being shed. Proverbs 6 outlines six things the LORD hates. One of those six is "hands that shed innocent blood..."
God condemns Ahab for this action. This was the last draw. Interesting that Jezebel had put God's prophets to death, yet God was done for this action against Naboth, and the condemnation came. Maybe Ahab's cup of sin was full, and mercy was dismissed repeatedly. Perhaps God's servants are put in a position where their lives are placed on the line for Him. Their death still moves God especially again, innocent blood being shed. Could it be death may be part of the job description as a prophet? Likely, mercy must still meet justice and righteousness, or God will not be Holy, and He is. His Holiness could no longer tolerate Ahab's cup of sinfulness that was running over.
1 Kings 21:17-24 The disaster Ahab will face is outlined because "you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the LORD. I will bring disaster upon you." Ahab's lineage will be cut off. They will meet gruesome deaths, and none will be put to rest but eaten by dogs or birds. The darkness of a sinful life will be snuffed out, and his family with him.
Then the most amazing thing happens... REPENTANCE! God responds immediately to a heart broken before Him, no matter what has been done. This brings hope to all those who say, "God cannot forgive what I've done." "My sin is too big and horrible for God's forgiveness." The Scripture says, "No, that is a lie." Forgiveness waits for a repentant heart. "God gives grace to the humble," James 4:6.
1 Kings 21:25-29 we are reminded of the evil of Ahab more than any other king of Israel. We are told that "he acted very abominably." Then we read that after Ahab heard the words of the consequences of his sin on himself, his wife, and his family, he "tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly." Now we have read already how Ahab felt sorry for himself after a few rejections in the past. There is something different in this case, and God responds. God speaks to Elijah, "have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me." God delays the disaster he promised would come on Ahab for "his son's days." The consequences will still come, but repentance thwarts them from coming upon Ahab. It would come in his son's days because his son would continue in the sin of his father, not because the son is paying for the sin of his father, Jeremiah 31:30.
Let me belabor the point for just a paragraph. Ahab, the evilest of the kings of Israel, repents, and God's heart is moved to delay what should be a consequence of a life of sin. His evil turned the people of Israel to idols from the True God. Yet, in Ahab's humility, God relents and forgives. Stop and worship God over who He is. There is nothing anyone can do that forgiveness is not available when humility is present. The only way forgiveness ends is by dying in your sin. Ahab is a fantastic example of the grace God is offering. His mercy is also present as long as you are living, waiting for you to repent and receive his forgiveness. There is Romans 1, where God turns people over to their sins. We will save that for another devotion. Today we are looking at the hope for those humble enough to repent. Those willing to understand there is nothing God cannot forgive, with the exception of an unrepentant heart.
This story is one of life, even in all the disobedience we read about Ahab. A living hope is offered. We can walk in it and share it with others. People need to know it is not too late to repent. Forgiveness is available. Like Ahab, you must recognize it's time to be humble.
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