While it is disgusting to read of the immaturity and depravity of Jezebel and Ahab, the rest of their story reveals that God's justice will prevail. By the time we reach our senior years, we have probably observed people of power whose lives have ended in failure and dishonor. While they are flourishing it is difficult to imagine anything but success for them. (Psalm 37:1-2, reminds us, "Don't fret because of evil doers, neither be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb".)
We cannot allow people to exert power over us and take us down the road of wickedness as Ahab did.
I Kings 21:25: "But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up". Ahab was not able to free himself from her influence and it ultimately cost him his life and went so far as to have a destructive affect on his posterity.
Don't you love this verse about Micaiah--"And Micaiah said, 'As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak'" (22:14)! Idolatry and spiritual darkness only serve to accentuate such resplendent commitment to God! In contrast to Micaiah, Jehoshaphat "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord---nevertheless the high places were not taken away" (22:43). God is looking for that beautiful, whole-heart mindset!
“Humility means accepting reality with no attempt to outsmart it” (David Richo, author). Whether Ahab lacked humility, was in denial, or was afraid--he attempted to avoid the outcome that Micaiah had prophesied. God had let him know his end was near, however Ahab tried to avoid the inevitable by disguising his appearance. Verse 34 of I Kings 22, reminds us that God is in control--regardless! "Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck (Ahab) between the joints of his armor", eventually resulting in his death. We cannot hide from God or thwart his purposes.
Rather than hiding from God, it would be much better to be "planted in the house of the Lord" and "flourishing in His courts" as it says in Psalm 92:13. God is our safe place. Psalm 71:3, is a great scripture to make into a prayer: "Be my strong refuge, to which I resort continually"! As believers, God's door is always open to us--we have the opportunity to go to Him with every concern. If we are not taking advantage of this privilege we are missing out on the assistance and help God is so willing to give us. (We will also get to know Him better in the process.) Our joy will not be "full" (John 15:11) if we are not "resorting" to Him continually! What a blessing to have Jesus as a friend. John 15:14, says He calls us "friends" if we do what He commands us--and that is loving one another (verse 17)!
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