Ahab - Patterned Sin & Still Offered Forgiveness
Ahab was one of those interesting kings in Israel. He is basically responsible for the starvation of his people because of his disobedience to God. Enter Elijah. The context here is that following a drought, God showed his grace and sent rain and also proved his superiority over Baal. A remarkable text proceeds this verse (1 Kings 18) where the prophets of Baal are proven fools, but is Ahab convinced of God's sovereign reign over him? Apparently not because instead of drought we find Ahab walking around in a lush, green vineyard that belongs to Naboth. This beautiful garden is right next to Ahab's palace. He can see it every morning when he looks out his window. He wants Naboth's garden. He starts out honorably and offers to buy it or trade for a property of even better value, but Naboth is a righteous man and knows that he needs to follow the Hebrew law and will not trade or sell property that is preserved for the next generation in his family line. It really doesn't matter what the reason was, he didn't want to sell. Ahab continues his pattern of sin, goes to his bedroom and pouts. He didn't get his way. How many times do we do this? I know do it all the time. It is a simple and not perhaps a grievous sin when compared to other sins, but yes it is sinful to be ungrateful. His wife, like an actress on stage and perhaps even more evil than Ahab (she will get her due later), gets Ahab what he wants.
Naboth is killed, Ahab dances in the vineyard that is now his. He starts to plan and enjoy the view.
Oh no, he sees Elijah walking up the lane. This can't be good news, Elijah is well-known to Ahab as the bearer of accurate messages from God. Sure enough, the sin is pointed out. Elijah, in very visual terms, explains what is going to happen. As I read this, we cheer for God. We clap for Elijah. But, why does God even bother to send the message? Why not just carry out the penalty and move on, after all Ahab is a terrible leader for the nation.
Why? Because the purpose of the message was to evoke a response. Elijah isn't really part of the picture now, this is between Ahab and God. Sometimes we like to fluff up our sin and say how we aren't responsible or the circumstances drove us to engage in our rebellious act. Ahab could have done that here. After all, most of what happened was Jezebel's fault. Gosh, I would have at least tried it. Good night, Ahab was simply reaping the benefit of something Jezebel put in motion.
Personally, I am always looking for a scapegoat for my sin. I can easily blame others, But, God is gentle and offers mercy to those who have a change in heart. While no mercy is suggested in Elijah message, it is great to consider why the newspaper arrived on Ahab's doorstep anyway.
Ahab repents. Now this isn't just a superficial repentance. Yep, sackcloth and ashes ... the full 9 yards.
Grace in action. God responds to our actions when we honor him with obedience. No matter how desolate we are, how undeserving we are, He is there and only God can change the future. Even though Ahab has a pattern of sin, a evil wife and others who assist him in carrying out injustice, God responds to Ahab's act of repentance.
If Ahab is offered grace, despite this terrible injustice to Naboth and his family, surely God offers that same grace to you and me. Ahab doesn't get his "due" and we don't get our "due."
Step out of the luscious garden of sin for a moment. While we don't have Elijah walking down the lane, we should be just as quick to respond to the conscience that is pricked by the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness is ours if we only would respond as Ahab did.
Naboth is killed, Ahab dances in the vineyard that is now his. He starts to plan and enjoy the view.
Oh no, he sees Elijah walking up the lane. This can't be good news, Elijah is well-known to Ahab as the bearer of accurate messages from God. Sure enough, the sin is pointed out. Elijah, in very visual terms, explains what is going to happen. As I read this, we cheer for God. We clap for Elijah. But, why does God even bother to send the message? Why not just carry out the penalty and move on, after all Ahab is a terrible leader for the nation.
Why? Because the purpose of the message was to evoke a response. Elijah isn't really part of the picture now, this is between Ahab and God. Sometimes we like to fluff up our sin and say how we aren't responsible or the circumstances drove us to engage in our rebellious act. Ahab could have done that here. After all, most of what happened was Jezebel's fault. Gosh, I would have at least tried it. Good night, Ahab was simply reaping the benefit of something Jezebel put in motion.
Personally, I am always looking for a scapegoat for my sin. I can easily blame others, But, God is gentle and offers mercy to those who have a change in heart. While no mercy is suggested in Elijah message, it is great to consider why the newspaper arrived on Ahab's doorstep anyway.
Ahab repents. Now this isn't just a superficial repentance. Yep, sackcloth and ashes ... the full 9 yards.
Grace in action. God responds to our actions when we honor him with obedience. No matter how desolate we are, how undeserving we are, He is there and only God can change the future. Even though Ahab has a pattern of sin, a evil wife and others who assist him in carrying out injustice, God responds to Ahab's act of repentance.
If Ahab is offered grace, despite this terrible injustice to Naboth and his family, surely God offers that same grace to you and me. Ahab doesn't get his "due" and we don't get our "due."
Step out of the luscious garden of sin for a moment. While we don't have Elijah walking down the lane, we should be just as quick to respond to the conscience that is pricked by the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness is ours if we only would respond as Ahab did.
