1 Kings 20-22

1 Kings 20-22

These chapters continue about Judah and Israel's Kings and their stories.  The part I want to focus on is in Chapter 21.  It is about King Ahab and his wife Jezebel.

Jezebel just killed a man because Ahab wanted his vineyard.  The word of Yahweh came against both Ahab and Jezebel that they were both going to die awful deaths because of their sin and disregard for God and His laws.

The part that really stuck out to me is how Ahab responded to his death sentence.  Now remember, in verses 25-26 it reiterates how wicked Ahab was (vs25-There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. vs26-He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel.))

...keep this in mind as we read how he responded: Vs 27- When Ahab heard these words (Yahweh's word), he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.

WHAT?!  That does not seem to make any sense!  This wicked man was full of remorse?  Wow.  Because this was how Ahab responded, in verses 28 and 29, God promised not to destroy Ahab's house in his own day.

This tells me how important our response to God's discipline and correction is.  Of course we aren't as wicked as King Ahab, but since we're human, we all have sinful tendencies that try to get the best of us.  When God's loving rebuke comes, which it will because He loves us (He disciplines those He loves-Proverbs 3:11-12), our response is so important!  We see in the book of Kings so many responses other than repentance...but in this story, we see God have some mercy in His judgement when Ahab responded with meekness and sorrow for his sin.

This also encourages me when I pray for friends who don't know Christ.  If Ahab, the most wicked King of his time humbled himself before God...my unsaved friends can too.  It gives me hope.

Be encouraged.  Keep humbling yourself before God and surrendering yourself to Him daily.  He loves you very much :)