Wednesday
Today’s reading includes another example of how totally detestable and depraved Ahab and Jezebel are.
Ahab was pouting over the fact that Naboth had turned down his request to buy his vineyard. When Jezebel finds out why Ahab is pouting, she bares her claws and fangs and goes after poor Naboth. She devises a plan that will get him killed and Ahab ends up with his property. Unfortunately for Ahab and Jezebel, God has his own plan for this vineyard. Elijah prophesies Ahab and Jezebel’s end. 21:19 and 23 tells us that Ahab’s blood will be licked up by dogs and Jezebel will be devoured by dogs. This will happen in this very vineyard. This was just about as bad an ending as a person could imagine and this prophecy is fulfilled in 2 Kings 9:30- 10:28.
After Elijah’s reprimand, Ahab does have a slight change of heart and he does humble himself and in verse 29, God tells Elijah that because Ahab has humbled himself He will reduce His punishment. The truth for us is that no matter how evil or bad the things we have done, nothing is beyond God grace. Nothing is beyond His love and compassion for His children. If you ask for forgiveness and humble yourself, if you repent with sincerity, God will forgive you of your sins.
Praising God for His Love
Pastor Kathy