Evildoers and their reward

There are some people who delight in causing pain and sorrow to others as long as their own needs are met. Such people can go the extra mile of hurting innocent people if that brings them the desires of their heart. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:1‭-‬2‬ admonishes us this: “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.” They might seem to be enjoying their evil but the reality is that their days are numbered and judgement awaits them. One woman in the Bible who was committed to evil was Jezebel, the wife of Ahab. She was fearless and had no respect for God and man.

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” ‭‭(1 Kings‬ ‭21:15‬)

In her quest to ensure that Ahab takes possession of a Vineyard belonging to Naboth, she went the extra mile and conspired to have Naboth killed for no reason. This evil plot was successful and “as soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” ‭‭(1 Kings‬ ‭21:15‬). Jezebel’s wickedness did not go unnoticed. The Lord through the prophet Elijah declares a series of punishments for the house of Ahab and “concerning Jezebel the Lord says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’‭‭” (1 Kings‬ ‭21:23‬). Let’s consider a few lessons from this story:

Do not lie to get what you want: When Jezebel realized that king Ahab is sad because Naboth will not sell his Vineyard to him, she said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”‭‭ (1 Kings‬ ‭21:7‬) Jezebel wrote a letter in the name of the king and lied against Naboth that he has cursed God and the king. This wasn’t true but the nobles performed the instructions to the latter and killed Naboth. In Revelation 21:8, we are told that liars and all other sorts of sinful people are consigned to the lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 21:8).

Don’t hurt others to get what you want: There are others who don’t mind hurting others in the bid to get what they want. Jezebel’s murder of Naboth brought pain and sorrow to the Naboth family. Naboth was safeguarding his ancestral property and died for it. All the people who rely on Naboth would have been hurt because of this injustice.

Contentment: If Ahab had been content with his Vineyards, he wouldn’t have caused the untimely death of Naboth. Discontented people can do anything to get what they want. We need to understand this truth: “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” (‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:6‭-‬7‬). Paul, writing to the Philippian churches, reminded them of the need to be content whatever the circumstances (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:11‬).

Evildoers are destined for damnation: Jezebel and Ahab’s action led to bad consequences. This was the Lord’s verdict: “I am going to bring disaster on you. I will wipe out your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have aroused my anger and have caused Israel to sin.’ “And also concerning Jezebel the Lord says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ “Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds will feed on those who die in the country.” (‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭21:21‭-‬24‬). Ahab’s family was wiped out in a drastic way. Don’t be in a hurry to instigate evil. You will pay before the law (imprisonment) and before the Lord (eternal punishment). Repent now!

Let love lead you in all your choices: When we love self and hate others, we make provision for a better ground of evil. Jezebel didn’t care about the harm Naboth’s death could bring. Her main goal was to satisfy Ahab’s desires. When we fail to demonstrate love to one another, we make room for evil. If whatever we do is not motivated by real love, we can do foolish things just to make us happy. Let love lead in all your ways.

Know this, “Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.‭‭” (Proverbs‬ ‭29:6‬). May God protect us from evildoers in Jesus name. Amen.

Love letter to the church in Thyatira: The church that tolerate Jezebel

As we indicated in a previous post, women often represented the religious systems revealed in Revelation. Jesus’s letter to the bride in Thyatira mentions a popular Old Testament figure; Jezebel. We shall consider the general letter to the church in Thyatira and then focus on the woman Jezebel. Like all of the letters to the churches, the introduction is very significant. Jesus begins this letter this way: “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.” (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:18‬). Jesus is revealed as fire and bronze and we know the attributes ‭of these. Fire burns and bronze resists heat. Thus, the introduction is a judgement on all those who have deviated from the faith but also an encouragement to those who have held onto the truth.
‭

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. ‭‭(Revelation‬ ‭2:20‬)

Jesus told them that: “I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.” (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:19‬). This statement indicates that the church was indeed doing something for the Lord. But, right after this recommendation was this warning: “Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.” ‭‭(Revelation‬ ‭2:20‬). We identified in a previous post that Jezebel was the representation of false religion systems. Our study of 1 and 2 Kings revealed the poignant worship of Baal promoted by Jezebel. As a foreigner and the wife of Ahab, the king of Israel, Jezebel imported to Israel the worship of Baal which was in contrast to the words and commands of God. The first commandment of the Law or the first of the 10 commandments state this clearly: “You shall have no other gods before me.‭‭” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭5:7‬). Through the introduction and promotion of Baal worship, Jezebel raised a rebellion against God.

In Revelation, there was such an affront against God in the church in Thyatira: The promotion of false religious systems. Whether Jezebel referred to the people who promoted these false religious systems or the person who spearheaded this false religion, God was not pleased and warned the church about the consequences of this rebellion. According to Jesus, this Jezebel was given time to repent but it did not so both her and her children (followers) were destined to death and suffering. This punishment was necessary so that “all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds” ‭‭(Revelation‬ ‭2:23‬).

In the midst of this false religion were those who held onto the right gospel. This is the message of Jesus to them: “Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’” (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:24‭-‬25‬). And these are the rewards for the victorious: “To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:26‭-‬29‬). The victorious believers would receive power over nations, will destroy the evil religious systems and will receive the morning star. Christ Himself is the morning star. ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1:19‬ state that, “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

Unfortunately, we still have Jezebel-powered religious systems and some of these have infiltrated even to the ranks of the church deceiving gullible people. God’s judgement on Jezebel and her children has not changed. He will surely repay them with fire for their disobedience and for misleading the nations. How can we identify a Jezebel-led congregation? Know your scriptures and be prayerful. If they are teaching something other than the word of God, and promoting things that the Bible is against, know that you are not in church. You are in Jezebel’s congregation. Run for your life before you have a share in her punishment.

Women in Revelation: A representation of the Religious systems

Throughout the Bible, symbols and metaphors are used in a depiction of God’s bigger plan. As early as the Garden of Eden, God Himself sacrificed an animal and made garments for the fallen man and woman. This act was symbolic of the bigger sacrifice God would have to make thousands of years later to pay for the sins of humanity. As we begin to consider the different women in the book of Revelation, let’s first consider the representation of women in the book of Revelation. Before we go into detail, the representation of women in the book of Revelation was by no way an affront to the female gender. On the other hand, women often represented the religious systems revealed in Revelation.

Jezebel: In writing to the church in Thyatira, Jesus Himself stated this: “Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.” (Revelation 2:20). Anyone familiar with the Old Testament will know that Jezebel is a familiar name. In 1 and 2 Kings, we encounter Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab who was the promoter of the worship of Baal in Israel. Baal worship was against God’s laws and the worshippers of Baal were in rebellion to the laws of God. Jezebel in the book of Revelation, is associated with any religious system that promotes false teaching. In other words, in the church of Thyatira, Jezebel was used metaphorically to depict the action of promoting false teaching.

The Great Prostitute: In Revelation 17: 1-2, John had this encounter: “One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” The Great Prostitute is associated with false religion. In the Old Testament, whenever the people of God prostitute themselves, they do so in deference to worshiping another God.

The Bride: Revelation 19: 7-8 states that “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)‭”. The bride is associated with the church. The letters to the seven churches were letters written to the bride of the Lamb.

We shall consider these metaphors in detail in the subsequent posts beginning with the letters to the bride of the Lamb.

Athaliah: The Destroyer of Royal Family

Ahab and his wife Jezebel we considered in a previous post did lots of evil before the Lord. Although Ahab was forgiven because he humbled himself, his son still faced the consequences of Ahab’s sins. 1 Kings 21: 28-29, the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” Ahab’s first successor was Ahaziah, his son. Ahaziah died because he fell from his lattice and injured himself. Instead of consulting God, he consulted  Baal-Zebub. 2 Kings 1:17 states that, “So he died, according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken. Because Ahaziah had no son, Joram succeeded him as king. Joram was another son of Ahab. During the kingship of Joram, Jehu, the army commander rebelled. Joram (king of Israel) was with Ahaziah, the king of Judah (remember Joram’s own late brother was also known as Ahaziah!) when Jehu attacked them. When Joram discovered Jehu’s evil intentions, “Joram turned about and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!” When Ahaziah king of Judah saw what had happened, he fled up the road to Beth Haggan. Jehu chased him, shouting, “Kill him too!” They wounded him in his chariot on the way up to Gur near Ibleam, but he escaped to Megiddo and died there. His servants took him by chariot to Jerusalem and buried him with his ancestors in his tomb in the City of David” (2 Kings 9:23‭, ‬27‭-‬28). Thus both Israel and Judah lost their kings in the hands of Jehu, the commander of Israel’s army.

When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. (2 Kings 11:1)

This incident didn’t go down well with Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah (king of Judah). 2 Kings 11:1 states that, “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family.” How can a single woman hold so much power? Who did she collaborate with to exterminate the royal family? However, one son was spared by the sister of Ahaziah known as Jehosheba. She took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed (see 2 Kings 11:2). Joash remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled the land (2 Kings 11:3). Thus, Athaliah did not just destroy the royal family, she assumed a leadership role and reigned over the land. She destroyed the royal family so she could become the ruler of the land. Her quest for violence was not justified. Her son Ahaziah was attacked by Jehu in Israel (the Northern Kingdom) so she had no excuse to murder the people in Judah (the Southern Kingdom). Her vengeance was unjustified and barbaric. 

After six years, Jehoiada, the priest, brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!” (2 Kings 11:12). Athaliah was unaware of the activities in the temple. She didn’t even know that a remnant remained after her mass murder of the royal house. The shouts from the temple got to the palace. “When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she went to the people at the temple of the Lord. She looked and there was the king, standing by the pillar, as the custom was. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her robes and called out, “Treason! Treason!” (2 Kings 11:13‭-‬14). Athaliah felt betrayed that the legitimate son of the late king was being crowned as the king. She wanted to rule, she wanted power and she was not ready to share the throne. However, it was too late for her. Athaliah’s evil cup was full. When she got to the temple, Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops: “Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the temple of the Lord.” So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, and there she was put to death (2 Kings 11:15‭-‬16).

The land was rid of an evil and wicked woman and the true son of the late king was given his rightful position. Joash was seven years old when he began to reign (2 Kings 11:21). Joash’s father (Ahaziah) had a wrong association with the wrong king (Joram). The death destined for Joram also took Ahaziah. Not happy with the death of his son, Athaliah took matters in her own hands and destroyed the royal family. The confusion in the whole palace began because of Ahaziah’s meeting with Joram. 

You should be intentional about who you mingle with. Not every good person is a God-fearing person. If you follow the crowd, you might end up a victim. 

Jezebel: The fearless evil woman

There are people who are permanently bound on doing evil and even if everyone around them changes for the better, these people still continue their evil and wicked  ways of life. They are stiff-necked, unmoved and unchanged by times and seasons. In fact, if evil was a person, such people would have been known as Evil. The Bible perfectly depicts human nature. We see the good, better, best and the bad, worse, worst. Jezebel, as we saw in our previous post, was one person who promoted, supported and sponsored idolatry in Israel. Idolatry promotes evil and vile lifestyles. Jezebel was a full-blown depiction of idolatry. She did not just serve the gods, she pushed others to serve them and she lived such a heartless and evil lifestyle. No wonder Ahab, her husband, partnered with her in idolatry. Jezebel was a bad influence and she doesn’t stop until she gets whatever she wanted. Even after the miracle the prophet Elijah did by commanding fire from heaven, Jezebel still didn’t fear God but she desired to kill the prophet. Elijah fled for his life.

Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” (1 Kings 21:7)

One more time, Ahab desired to have the vineyard of his neighbour known as Naboth. The king of Israel said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth” (1 Kings 21:2). But Naboth refused to part away his ancestral inheritance (1 Kings 21:3). Ahab went home sad and refused to eat. Ahab was coveting another’s property and yet he went home like he was the one that had been cheated. If Ahab had read the Ten Commandments, he would have known that the tenth commandment was about his unholy crave for the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. Exodus 20:17 states that, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” In other words, Ahab broke the law by his actions. Ahab went home sullen but Jezebel was not impressed. When she heard the reason for Ahab’s sadness, she said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite” (1 Kings 21:7).

Jezebel doesn’t take “No” for an answer. In the world of Jezebel,  the king must have everything he wanted. She therefore set up an evil agenda using Ahab’s name and authority. Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. In those letters she wrote: “Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death” (1 Kings 21:8‭-10). The elders did exactly as Jezebel’s letter had commanded and they killed Naboth. After this, the elders sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death” (1 Kings 21:14). Without shame, fear or remorse,  Jezebel said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead” and Ahab “got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kings 21:15‭-‬16). See how Jezebel and Ahab partnered in evil. But, their actions did not go unnoticed. 

The word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!” (1 Kings 21:17‭-‬19). These were God’s words to Ahab and his family:
“I am going to bring disaster on you. I will wipe out your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have aroused my anger and have caused Israel to sin.’ “And also concerning Jezebel the Lord says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ “Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds will feed on those who die in the country” (1 Kings 21:21‭-‬24). Ahab was convicted and he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son” (1 Kings 21:27‭-‬29). The just God is also merciful to the humble. 

Jezebel on the other hand did not repent. She outlived Ahab and was queen mother when Ahaziah and Joram became kings. When Jehu overthrew and killed Joram, he went to Jezreel to destroy the rest of the house of Ahab. When Jezebel heard about it, fearlessly put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window (2 Kings 9:30) as if she was not scared for her life. Jezebel asked Jehu, “Have you come in peace, you Zimri, you murderer of your master?” Jehu looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked down at him.  Jehu commanded that they throw Jezebel down. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot. But when they went out to bury her, they found nothing except her skull, her feet and her hands. They went back and told Jehu, who said, “This is the word of the Lord that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh. Jezebel’s body will be like dung on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, ‘This is Jezebel” (2 Kings 9:31‭-‬33‭, ‬35‭-‬37)

Jezebel used her influence to do evil but she died like a mere animal. There are lots of Jezebels in our world today. Men and women who have no fear for God and neither have any form of regard for humanity. If they don’t change, their end would be like Jezebel. They would face the wrath of God. If the sinner repents like Ahab, God shows mercy. But, if the sinner does not repent, God’s judgement would befall the sinner. 

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood” (Revelation 22:14‭-‬15).

Jezebel: The promoter of Idolatry

Certain women in Biblical history are seen as evil, manipulative and wicked. Their presence gave birth to more wickedness and evil and their evil ways of life led the nation astray. One of such women is Jezebel. The lifestyle of Jezebel and the influence she had over her husband and the nation cannot be overemphasized. Who is Jezebel and why is she relevant in Biblical history? Jezebel was a Sidonian Princess who later became the wife of king Ahab. Sidon was a pagan nation and they did not worship the Lord. Jezebel grew up serving Baal, Asherah and the many gods of the Sidonians. Ahab brought her to Samaria, the capital of Israel (Northern Kingdom). There, Jezebel established herself and used her authourity to promote idolatry in Israel.  No wonder God warned the Israelites against marrying foreign women so their hearts are not drawn to follow foreign gods. 

He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. (1 Kings 16:31)

Ahab was not any other king. He followed the evil ways of all the evil kings that had come before him. According to 1 Kings 16:31, Ahab not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him (1 Kings 16:31). In other words, Jezebel was not the only one who worshipped her gods, Ahab was also led astray and he promoted the worship of Baal and Asherah: “He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him” (1 Kings 16:32‭-‬33). Jezebel’s evil influence on Israel led the prophet Elijah to prophecy against Israel. Elijah said, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1). The whole nation lived in famine for three years because of Jezebel’s evil influence.  When Elijah returned to Samaria after three years, he won the “Power contest” against the prophet of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-40). 

Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done in the Power Contest and how Elijah had killed all the prophets of Baal with the sword (1 Kings 19:1), Jezebel was angry and sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them” (1 Kings 19:2). The prophet fled for his life. Elijah had killed 450 prophets of Baal, but he feared one woman and took to his heels. Thus, even the prophet of God knew how influential and manipulative Jezebel was. God Himself had to send his angel to encourage Elijah and to send the prophet food to eat (1 Kings 19:5-9). Jezebel’s idolatry was so pungent that she is seen as an image of Idolatry even in the book of Revelation (Revelation 2:20). Jezebel represents the relationship with strange women that led to the turning of the hearts of the people of God to follow foreign gods. She was resolute and her corrupting influence led the whole nation away from God. Her husband became her biggest sponsor and he built altars for Baal and Asherah all across his kingdom. 

Jezebel was not repentant even when the prophet Elijah miraculously prayed for fire and destroyed the prophets of Baal. She rather became poised for more evil. She would rather kill Elijah than serve God. Even when her husband Ahab fasted and prayed and God forgave him (1 Kings 21:27-29), Jezebel refused to change. In the New Testament, Jezebel is the spirit of idolatry. In the letter to the church of Thyatira, Jesus Himself accused the church for tolerating that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and who through her teaching misleads God’s servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols (Revelation 2:20).

Jezebel reminds us that whoever you marry can make or unmake you. An unbelieving, evil, manipulative, idolater, wicked spouse can make you a partner in evil. Ahab’s partnership with Jezebel led to all the evil he committed. He was schooled, trained, nurtured and ultimately graduated into idolatry. Before you say “I do”, say “I don’t” to any lifestyle that is contrary to the word of God. You cannot marry someone to change them. Are you God?

What are you doing here?

Have you gotten to a point that you feel, you are all alone? Have you ever asked yourself, “How did I get to this unpleasant situation?” It can be overwhelming to be in a condition that affects your life and general well-being. If you are in a tough situation that gives you sleeplessness, know that someone cares for you. Never feel all alone. Elijah experienced a “wow moment” with the contest against the prophets of Baal and the rains after the drought. He had a big ministry highlight that obviously announced him to all Israel. Baal worshippers were threatened and God-worshippers were excited. However, Jezebel, the wife of the king, had plans to kill Elijah. “So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there.” (1 Kings 19:2‭-‬3)

There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9 ESV)

The same man who single handedly destroyed 450 prophets of Baal, ran away from one woman (the powerful wife of the king). The king feared Elijah’s words and did as the prophet requested, but Elijah feared the words of the king’s wife. It sounds ridiculous but Jezebel was a dominant force in Baal worship and Elijah’s destruction of Baal’s prophets caused Jezebel to retaliate. Couldn’t have God saved Elijah from Jezebel’s hands? Definitely, God’s plan was much bigger. Elijah was bold to meet the king but fled from the king’s wife to Mount Horeb. “There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9 ESV). Have you ever asked yourself a similar question? Sometimes, after experiencing amazing testimonies, a little situation comes that causes you to run helter, skelter. Today, God is asking, “what are you doing here?” 

When life takes you to a lowest point, you do not stay there. You can make a message out of your state or you can create a mess out of it. No Jezebel is bigger than our God. No matter how much life’s challenges rages on, there is always a small voice of peace and restoration. The Lord said to Elijah, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:11‭-‬13)

If you are currently running into the Horeb of your life, wondering, “where is God?” God is whispering to you, “what are you doing here? Get up and move on. I have reserved for you legions of angels at your beckoning. I have good plans for you. Just let go of your fears and trust me. I am the God of the good times and the unpleasant times. Trust me to deliver,  protect and bring you to the expected end.”