June 28, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

1 Kings 20 - In spite of Ahab's idolatry and gross disobedience to God, the Lord still promised him a victory against the Syrian king, Ben-Hadad.  This king had invaded Israel and threatened Ahab and God used this as an opportunity to show that He was still God and Ahab should learn to trust Him.  Twice the Lord gave Ahab victory, but after the 2nd battle, Ben-Hadad sought Ahab's leniency and Ahab gave it to him thus angering God who wanted Ben-Hadad destroyed.  A prophet devised a plan to confront Ahab and this plan demanded explicit obedience on one of the sons of the prophets, verse 35.  The judgment for disobedience was being killed by a lion!  After that happened the next prophet's son was very quick to obey! 

1 Kings 21 - Ahab's family was a repulsive family to Israel.  When he wanted a vineyard belonging to another Israelite, Ahab was denied, and rightly so.  He went home and sulked.  So Jezebel, treacherous as she was, devised a plan to have this vineyard owner falsely accused and taken out and stoned to death.  After that happened Ahab took possession of that vineyard but God was angry and Elijah rebuked Ahab with a dire warning.  Ahab humbled himself and God held off the judgment until after Ahab would die.  Ahab's humility didn't actually save because there was no seeking after God.  Not wanting judgment is not the same as wanting God!