Ahab, A Manipulable and Idolatrous King
TEACHER
------------------
Lesson 8
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
1 Kings 16.29-33
1 Kings 18.22-24
GOLDEN TEXT
And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied by Baal and caused my people Israel to err.
Jeremiah 23.13
OBJECTIVES
Know the reason of the increase of worship to Baal in Israel;
Comprehend that God brings judgement over the Earth due to the practice of sin;
Know the main characteristics of Ahab’s ruling period;
Apply the spiritual truths of this lesson to your life.
INTRODUCTION
In this lesson, we will discuss the life of Ahab, the sixth king of Israel. It is noteworthy that his father, Omri, did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord (1 Kings 16:25), having started his dynasty after a bloody civil war in Israel.
INTRODUCTION
Unfortunately, Ahab managed to be an even worse ruler than Omri: And Ahab the son of Omri did what was evil in the sight of the LORD more than all that were before him (1 Kings 16:30), for he institutionalized the worship of Baal, allowing himself to be manipulated by his wife, Jezebel, the cunning and bloodthirsty princess of Sidon.
The son of Omri was one of the most corrupt and weak rulers of the Northern Kingdom, arousing the wrath of Jehovah more intensely than the previous rulers of Israel (1 Kings 16:28-33)
1. JEZEBEL AND HER EVIL CUNNING
King Ahab, when he decided to marry the daughter of Ethbaal, made a great mistake (1 Kings 16:31), for Jezebel was the daughter of a Phoenician priest-king. By marrying Ahab, she consequently became queen of Israel.
Jezebel, in addition to being deeply unbelieving, was tireless in doing evil. After uniting with Ahab, she completely dominated him. Through Jezebel's negative influence, Baal worship was instituted in Israel. Through the queen, 850 pagan prophets were supported at the expense of the state (450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah; cf. 1 Kings 18:19).
1.1. Jezebel’s perseverance in killing the prophets
In addition to introducing a pagan cult into the Northern Kingdom, Jezebel was determined to eliminate the worship of Jehovah in Israel. So, to prevail against the prophets of the Lord, she had them killed.
The biblical text narrates that Obadiah, an official in charge of Ahab's palace, fearing the Lord, protected them on this occasion (1 Kings 18.3-16). In spite of the slaughter commanded by Jezebel, one hundred God-fearing men were preserved in that time of extreme apostasy (1 Kings 18:4, 13); however, many others were slain for their faithfulness to the Lord (1 Kings 19:14).
1.2. Baal’s worship
Israel has always been inclined to idolatry; the worship of Baal was attractive to the people (Judges 2:11; 3:7). In several episodes of sacred history, it is noted that paganism was both a hindrance and a trap for the people of the Covenant.
Although the cult of Baal had intensified in the time of Ahab, through Jezebel, it is known that, since the period of the Judges, this deity already existed in Canaan and, at times, it was worshiped by the Israelites.
2. ELIJAH AGAINST BAAL
In order to confront the Northern Kingdom, God raised up Elijah — which means the Lord Jehovah is God — as a prophetic voice during the period of great apostasy.
From Elijah's prayer, Jehovah did not allow dew or rain to fall on the earth for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; Jas 5:17). The drought resulted from Israel's disobedience (Deut. 28:23, 24).
2.1. Israel’s troublemaker
The prophet Elijah was called by King Ahab a troubler of Israel (1 Kings 18:17); the prophet's response to this provocation was this:
“I have not disturbed Israel, but you and your father's house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals (1 Kings 18:18).”
2.1.1. The fake prophets against Elijah
on mount Carmel
As well highlighted by Prof. Samuel Malafaia, after three years, the drought had already shaken the idolatrous convictions of part of the people, but Baal was still worshiped, and his priests feared by the residents of the North. Elijah then challenged 450 prophets of Baal and 400 of Asherah, suggesting a confrontation between Canaanite deity and Jehovah on Mount Carmel; at the same time, he called upon the Israelite nation to decide whom they would serve (1 Kings 18:19): Baal, who did nothing for his devotees, or the Almighty Lord, who closed the heavens and would bring the rains again after the people repent. (Deut 28:12) (Central Gospel, 2015, p.70).
2.1.2. “the one who answers by sending fire —
he is God.”(1 Kings 18.24b)
On that mountain Jehovah revealed himself powerfully, exposing the folly involved in worshiping other deities (1 Kings 18:20-40).
The defeat of the prophets of Baal and the resumption of the cycle of Nature, in the form of rains (1 Kgs 18.43-45) - which prevented the irreversible scourge of the earth - led the people to a revival (1 Kgs 18.39)
3. NABOTH’S VINEYARD
Ahab tried to buy a select vineyard near his palace; this property belonged to a man from Jezreel named Naboth (1 Kings 21:1-19). The Jezreelite refused the king's offer; however, even if he wanted to sell or exchange the lands of his inheritance, the Law forbade the transaction (Lev 25:23; Num 36:7; Ezek 46:18).
Jezebel, being informed of Naboth's refusal, told the spoiled king that he should rejoice, for he would soon possess that property (1 Kings 21:7).
3.1. Jezebel’ tricks
The queen wrote letters in Ahab's name, set the royal seal on them, and sent them to the civil authorities of Jezreel. In these letters, Jezebel—as if had been Ahab—commanded the nobles of the city of Naboth to summon Jezreelite citizens to fasting and prayer.
3.1. Jezebel’ tricks
On this occasion Naboth was to be placed in a prominent place among the people to be accused there by two false witnesses (1 Kings 21:8,9). Witnesses would say before the assembled people that Naboth had cursed both God and the king (1 Kings 21:10 NIV)—the fanatical Baal-worshipper knew how to appeal to the Mosaic Law to obtain two misleading statements against the accused (Lev 24:16; Deut 17:6) .
The nobles and city officials followed all the queen's instructions (1 Kings 21:4-14); so Naboth and his sons were stoned to death (2 Kings 9:26), and Ahab took possession of his vineyard (1 Kings 21:15, 16)
3.2. The judgement of the Lord over Ahab
and his house
God, the righteous judge, commanded Elijah to go to the vineyard of Naboth to confront Ahab and cast a curse from heaven on his house (1 Kings 21:17-19, 21-24). Ahab, who called Elijah an enemy (1 Kings 21:20), very angry and probably terrified, had to hear the harsh words of punishment, which were literally fulfilled:
3.2. The judgement of the Lord over Ahab
and his house
At the place where the dogs licked up Naboth's blood, they will also lick his blood (compare 1 Kgs 21:19 NIV with 1 Kgs 22:38,39).
I will devour your descendants and cut off all the males in Israel from your family (compare 1 Kings 21:21 NIV with 2 Kings 1:2,17 [death of Ahaziah his eldest son]; and 2 Kings 9:24 [death of his son Jehoram] newest]).
Concerning Jezebel, the Lord says, 'The dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel' (compare 1 Kings 21:23 NIV with 2 Kings 9:30-36).
CONCLUSION
Ahab was punished for his mistakes: his lack of repentance; submission to the will of his wife, Jezebel, and growing idolatry.
Let's learn from Ahab: we can allow someone else to make choices and decisions for us (1 Kings 21:25), but we can also choose to face with God (and in God) the challenges that come our way.
CONCLUSION
The editors of the New Bible Commentary on the Old Testament aptly point out about Ahab: the ruler of the North could at times show courage (1 Kings 22:34, 35) and even true humility before God (1 Kings 21:29). ). Unfortunately, he never had a true spiritual relationship with God (RADMACHER; ALLEN; HOUSE. Central Gospel, 2010a, p. 591).
Let us therefore know how to make the best choice.
May God Bless
your life!
EBD ADVEC
@ebdadvec
ebd@advec.org
advec.org/ebd
youtube.com/ebdadvec
CONTACTS | EBD ADVEC
@ebdadvec
CONTACTS | FÁBRICA EBD
Fábrica EBD
@fabricaebd
contato@fabricaebd.org
fabricaebd.org
youtube.com/fabricaebd
@fabricaebd