Naboth's Vineyard

In Israel, there was a man named Naboth who lived close to the land of the king. Naboth had a beautiful vineyard that had been handed down in his family for generations. Naboth loved his vineyard and saw it as a gift from God to himself. But King Ahab also saw it and wanted it for himself. When Naboth refused Ahab, he left to go sulk to his wife. Jezebel was quick to plan and execute Naboth’s murder. Though she was crafty, her involvement did not go unseen. And God would not let her or her husband go unpunished.

In our last reading, we heard how Elijah fled the ruthless and violent queen Jezebel, who wanted to kill him for humiliating the prophets of her false god, Baal. Elijah was scared and depressed, asking God to take his life and free him from misery. But the Lord came to Elijah on Mount Sinai, giving him assurance and direction. He told Elijah there was war coming, and new kings who would help cleanse the land of the worship of Baal. He also led Elijah to a new prophet, Elisha, who would learn from him and follow in his footsteps. Today we’ll return to Ahab and Jezebel and discover how God dealt with them for their unfaithfulness and wickedness. Jezebel will prove as bloodthirsty and evil as ever, but God will prevail against those who mock His name, and Elijah will appear again before Ahab to bring forth God’s judgment.