1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 1: Let us pray and nay. Both said to Ahab, the 2 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:08,799 Speaker 1: Lord forbid it that I should give the inheritance of 3 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:14,160 Speaker 1: my fathers unto thee First King's twenty one one. As 4 00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:17,160 Speaker 1: I sit and ponder on the truths in today's reading 5 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:20,760 Speaker 1: of First King's twenty one, I'm reminded how critical it 6 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:24,440 Speaker 1: is to operate my life in complete honesty and integrity. 7 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 1: Through the life of Ahab and Jezebel, I will do 8 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:32,160 Speaker 1: everything in my power to only go after what You've 9 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 1: positioned for me to possess. I bind any thoughts that 10 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:40,280 Speaker 1: would have me act in any deceitful way to obtain 11 00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:44,520 Speaker 1: some one else's inheritance. I declare that what God has 12 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:48,159 Speaker 1: for me is perfect for every need I will ever have. 13 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 1: Forgive me for any jealous thoughts and actions I may 14 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 1: have committed, both knowing and unknowing. In addition, I declare 15 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 1: that any blessing was wrongfully taken from me be replaced, 16 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: and that I would receive extra for the wrong committed 17 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:10,720 Speaker 1: against me. I know you are a just God and 18 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 1: that justice is part of your character. Move on my 19 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 1: behalf today, Lord, so that I can continue to flourish 20 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:25,680 Speaker 1: in the promised place. You've prepared for me in Jesus name. Amen. 21 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: Thank you for making prayer a priority in your day. 22 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:34,959 Speaker 1: To learn more about the Bible, stay tuned for today's story, 23 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com 24 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 1: Nabbeth's Vineyard. In our last story, we learned about Elijah 25 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 1: meeting with God on Mount Sinai. He had fled from Jezebel, 26 00:01:56,640 --> 00:02:00,360 Speaker 1: the witch queen, and was afraid for his life. His 27 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:03,559 Speaker 1: troubled and weary mind was met with the gentle touch 28 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 1: of God's presence and direction. The Lord gave guidance to 29 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 1: Elijah and told him that there was a civil war 30 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 1: approaching that would topple the kingdom of Ahab and Jezebel. 31 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,400 Speaker 1: Now we see Jezebel working behind the scenes to shed 32 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 1: blood in corruption, and Elijah finally returns to confront the 33 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:28,520 Speaker 1: king and enact the judgment of God inspired by the 34 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: Book of First Kings. Hello, this is Jack Graham with 35 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:37,720 Speaker 1: today's episode of the Bible in a Year. In our 36 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 1: last time together, we heard how Elijah fled the ruthless 37 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:45,160 Speaker 1: and violent queen Jezebel. She wanted to kill him for 38 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:48,240 Speaker 1: humiliating and killing the prophets of her false god, Bail. 39 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 1: Elijah was frightened, and he became depressed, even asking God 40 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 1: to take his life and end his misery. But the 41 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,079 Speaker 1: Lord came to Elijah on a mountain and gave him 42 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 1: assurance and action. He told Elijah that there was a 43 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 1: war coming and new kings who would help cleanse the 44 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:09,559 Speaker 1: land of the worship of Bail. He also lent Elijah 45 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: to find a new prophet, Elijah, who would learn from 46 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:15,920 Speaker 1: him and live with him and follow in his footsteps. 47 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:19,560 Speaker 1: Today we will return to Ahab, the King and the 48 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:23,119 Speaker 1: wicked queen Jezebel, and discover how God dealt with them 49 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 1: for their unrighteousness, unfaithfulness, and sheer evil. Jezebel will prove 50 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:31,960 Speaker 1: as bloodthirsty and evil as ever, but God will prevail 51 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 1: against those who mock his name, and Elijah will appear 52 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:39,119 Speaker 1: again before Ahab to bring forth God's judgment. So get 53 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: ready and listen now to today's scripture. Naboth was tending 54 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: to the soil of his vineyard. The sun was high 55 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:50,640 Speaker 1: in the sky, but the breeze provided a cool respite 56 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 1: from the heat. Naboth smiled and breathed in deeply. He 57 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 1: loved his land He loved his vineyard. It had been 58 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 1: passed down many generations, and he saw vine dressing as 59 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:07,120 Speaker 1: his true passion in life. Nay Both looked to his 60 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 1: left to see a massive home in the distance, King 61 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 1: Ahab's palace. It was ideal for him to be so 62 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:17,800 Speaker 1: close to the king. It made Naboth feel safe knowing 63 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 1: that the palace guard was so close to his little vineyard. 64 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:23,599 Speaker 1: As he was peering into the distance, he saw a 65 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:27,920 Speaker 1: horse approaching with a rider from the palace. Upon further inspection, 66 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 1: Naboth realized that it was King Ahab himself. Flustered, Naboth 67 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:37,360 Speaker 1: dusted off his clothes and ran towards him. Before Naboth 68 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:40,680 Speaker 1: could greet the king, he spoke saying, since your vineyard 69 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:42,920 Speaker 1: is so close to my home, I would like to 70 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 1: buy it from you. Perhaps I will plant a vegetable garden. 71 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 1: Of course, I will not leave you empty handed. I 72 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 1: shall either buy it outright from you or find you 73 00:04:51,880 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 1: a better vineyard in a different location. Which do you prefer. 74 00:04:57,160 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 1: Naboth was surprised at the King's candidness. He bowed his 75 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 1: head and said, oh, the Lord forbid that I just 76 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:08,840 Speaker 1: give away the inheritance of my father, grandfather, and great grandfather. 77 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 1: It has been passed down for many generations. Nay Both 78 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:17,159 Speaker 1: was nervous at the king's response. He had heard stories 79 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 1: of Ahab's volatility. He prepared himself for a lashing of 80 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 1: the whip or tongue. However, to Naboth's surprise, Ahab said nothing. Instead, 81 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 1: he simply walked away with his head held low, like 82 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 1: a sulking child. Ahab departed. Ahab slammed the door to 83 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 1: his chambers. His anger burned against nay Both. He hated him. 84 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:44,040 Speaker 1: Food was waiting for him at the table beside his bed. 85 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 1: He refused it, took off his robe, and laid face 86 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:51,120 Speaker 1: down on his bed. Jezebel slithered into the room with 87 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:54,719 Speaker 1: barely a sound. She sat beside Ahab on his bed 88 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 1: and began stroking his hair. What is the matter, my king, 89 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 1: she whispered, do you refuse to eat? Ahab rolled over 90 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:05,920 Speaker 1: on his side to look at her. His eyes were 91 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:10,799 Speaker 1: red with tears and rage. This small and insignificant vineyard 92 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: truly bothered Ahab. Nay Both will not sell or trade 93 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 1: his vineyard to me, Ahab said. Jezebel sighed. She stroked 94 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:24,279 Speaker 1: Ahab's head, vexed by her husband's weakness. Are you not 95 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 1: the king? She said sternly. Ahab shrugged and put his 96 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 1: face back on his pillow. Jezebel rolled her eyes back 97 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:34,839 Speaker 1: and twitched her neck. She stood to her feet and 98 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 1: looked at her pathetic husband. When he looked back at her, 99 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 1: she forced a smile and said, get up and eat something. 100 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:45,520 Speaker 1: I will go get you nay Both's vineyard. With that word, 101 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:51,080 Speaker 1: she slowly closed the chamber doors. Jezebel's evil heart knew 102 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:56,600 Speaker 1: no conviction. She was a brutal and bloodthirsty woman. However, 103 00:06:56,680 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: she was wise. She was tactful and careful to never 104 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 1: get her hands dirty unless it was absolutely necessary. She 105 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:07,359 Speaker 1: gathered together letters under Ahab's name and sent them to 106 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:11,119 Speaker 1: the elders and other leaders around the city, saying, call 107 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:14,760 Speaker 1: every citizen to a time of fasting. Give nay Both 108 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 1: a place of very special honor. When he is reveling 109 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 1: in his new found glory, have two scoundrels accuse him 110 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:25,760 Speaker 1: of treason before everyone, hold no trial, Take him out 111 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: and stone him to death. Jezebel sealed the letters and 112 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 1: sent them away. In this Jezebel was tactful, not only 113 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 1: were the elders the ones to kill Naboth, but they 114 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 1: will think they are doing so under orders of Ahab. 115 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 1: This is how Jezebel operated. She was secretive and outsmarted 116 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:49,280 Speaker 1: everyone under and over her in command. All that Jezebel 117 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 1: ordered had taken place. Nayboth was elevated to a seat 118 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 1: of honor as he gleamed with the adoration of his peers. 119 00:07:56,680 --> 00:08:01,080 Speaker 1: He was torn down and brutally stoned. Jezebel was not 120 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: around to hear them, but she assumed his screams for 121 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 1: mercy were great. She closed her eyes and imagined Naboth 122 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 1: dying before her. The very thought of it made her 123 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 1: feel alive. As soon as Jezebel knew Naboth was dead, 124 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 1: she entered into her husband's chambers. She sat beside his 125 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: bed again and stroked his hair. You know the vineyard 126 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 1: nay Both refused to sell you. Ahab sat up at attention. 127 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: It is yours now, my king, he is dead. Ahab 128 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 1: leaped out of his bed in excitement. Jezebel watched him 129 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 1: dance like a little child. That's who he was to her, 130 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 1: a simple child. Ahab wasted no time and mounted his 131 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 1: horse to go and claim the vineyard. He rode fast 132 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:51,199 Speaker 1: and excitedly. What a pleasant surprise it was for him 133 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 1: to discover Naboth was dead. He was sure his wife 134 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:59,320 Speaker 1: arranged something, as she always does. However, had benefited Ahab 135 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:02,960 Speaker 1: to not ask questions about his wife's methods. The wind 136 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,200 Speaker 1: began to pick up slightly. Evening was only a few 137 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 1: hours away, and Ahab wanted to get the plan started 138 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 1: for his new garden. Ahab looked at the land, imagining 139 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:17,320 Speaker 1: himself like King Solomon, with vast gardens to prove his wealth. 140 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:20,640 Speaker 1: As Ahab was basking in his victory, he saw a 141 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:24,319 Speaker 1: dark figure in the corner of his eye. Ahab jolted 142 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:28,520 Speaker 1: behind him to find Elijah standing ten feet away from him. 143 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 1: His brow was furrowed and his gaze was piercing. Ahab 144 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 1: felt the blood leave his face as Elijah looked straight 145 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:39,080 Speaker 1: through his soul. So it was not enough to kill 146 00:09:39,160 --> 00:09:43,040 Speaker 1: nay Bath, Elijah said, now you must rob him too. 147 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:48,120 Speaker 1: The words shot force like arrows towards Ahab's chest. The 148 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 1: conviction of the Lord was looking to penetrate Ahab's heart. 149 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 1: Listen to me, Ahab, because you have done this, dogs 150 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 1: will lick the blood off your lingering corpse on this 151 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 1: very ground. Ahab did his best not to seem frightened 152 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:06,080 Speaker 1: by Elijah. Last time he saw him, Elijah was calling 153 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:11,000 Speaker 1: down fire from heaven and summoning tempests. Ahab stood upright 154 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:14,400 Speaker 1: with his shoulders back. So you have finally found me, 155 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 1: O enemy of mine, Ahab said, He forced a sly 156 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:22,960 Speaker 1: grin that had only served to reveal his nervousness. It 157 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: is true, Elijah said, as he took a step closer. 158 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 1: I have come because you have hoard yourself off to evil. 159 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 1: The Lord is not pleased. Elijah took another step towards Ahab. 160 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: Ahab's heart began to beat faster as Elijah approached him. 161 00:10:39,520 --> 00:10:42,960 Speaker 1: Elijah spoke for the Lord, saying, I will bring destruction 162 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: upon you. I will destroy all of who you are, 163 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:50,840 Speaker 1: your descendants, servants, and life stuck will be consumed. My 164 00:10:51,160 --> 00:10:55,000 Speaker 1: anger is targeted towards you, oh Ahab, for you have 165 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:59,559 Speaker 1: led my children into sin. At this point, Ahab was 166 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:03,960 Speaker 1: stepping back from Elijah, breathing heavily in fear. Elijah was 167 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:07,360 Speaker 1: close enough to grab Ahab now. And as for Jezebel, 168 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:12,160 Speaker 1: your witch queen, Elijah paused, dogs will eat her body 169 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:15,600 Speaker 1: on the wicked land of Jezreel. All the members of 170 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:19,680 Speaker 1: your family will be picked apart by vultures. The Lord's 171 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:23,120 Speaker 1: anger burned against Ahab for allowing his heart to slip 172 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:26,760 Speaker 1: into complete corruption. He had sold himself to the powers 173 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:31,240 Speaker 1: of darkness and allowed Jezebel to poison his mind. No 174 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:34,559 Speaker 1: one else in Israel had completely given themselves over as 175 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: he had. However, upon hearing this rebuke, the heart of 176 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:42,720 Speaker 1: Ahab began to melt. He tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, 177 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:46,440 Speaker 1: and fasted before the Lord. He humbled himself towards the 178 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 1: point of poverty to prove his sorrow to God. Elijah 179 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 1: learned of this, and God spoke, saying, do you see 180 00:11:54,559 --> 00:11:58,839 Speaker 1: how Ahab has humbled himself. Although his dynasty will still 181 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 1: be cut off, will not deliver my judgment to him 182 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:06,640 Speaker 1: while he lives. God always honors a repentant heart. As 183 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:09,680 Speaker 1: far gone as Ahab seemed. There is no one so 184 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 1: far gone that God will not hear their cries from us. Say. 185 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 1: In today's passage, we meet a man named Naboth who 186 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 1: owned a vineyard near the palace of King Ahab. The 187 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:28,559 Speaker 1: king wants Naboth's land for himself, so he tells Naboth 188 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 1: to sell it to him or trade it for an 189 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 1: even better plot of ground, But Naboth is unwilling to 190 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 1: part with his family land that he had inherited from 191 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:43,839 Speaker 1: his father. Ahab doesn't respond in violence, but he goes 192 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 1: home and sulks like a child, whining to his wicked 193 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 1: wife Jezebel, that Naboth refused to give him what he wanted, 194 00:12:52,559 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 1: what a weak king he is. But if Ahab was 195 00:12:56,360 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 1: unwilling to take what he wanted by force, Jezebel had 196 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:03,520 Speaker 1: no issue with taking what he wanted and what she wanted, 197 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 1: so she told Ahab that is ruler of Israel, he 198 00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:09,439 Speaker 1: could have whatever he wanted, and that she would make 199 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 1: sure that he got the vineyard. She was very cunning 200 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 1: and knew how she could use deception to accomplish her plan, 201 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:21,040 Speaker 1: so she wrote letters in Ahab's hand telling the elders 202 00:13:21,040 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: to call a fast and to put Naboth in a 203 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:28,560 Speaker 1: place of prominence. This wasn't meant to honor Naboth, but 204 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 1: bring false charges against him. The punishment would be given 205 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:38,000 Speaker 1: then and there, a public stoning. Her plan went off 206 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 1: without a problem, and Naboth was killed by the elders. 207 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 1: The vineyard Ahab wanted was as good as his now, 208 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:51,320 Speaker 1: and Jezebel delivered the news to the king. Ahab was overjoyed. 209 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:56,320 Speaker 1: He knew Jezebel had employed unscrupulous methods, evil methods to 210 00:13:56,400 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 1: get him what he desired, but he asked no questions. 211 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:05,240 Speaker 1: Jezebel was wicked to the core, and our heart was 212 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:12,240 Speaker 1: on evil continually. Ahab was guilty by compliance, giving consents 213 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: through his silence and his own personal wickedness. And for 214 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:18,920 Speaker 1: the moment, it seems that the plans of these evil 215 00:14:18,960 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 1: people had prevailed. In the Psalms, we read about how 216 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 1: it seems at times wicked people prevail and boast in 217 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 1: their triumph over good people. But as the Psalms would proclaim, 218 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 1: God will always avenge his people, and judgment does come 219 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 1: in due time. Whatever a man sows, he will reap. 220 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 1: So as Ahab stood in his vineyard basking in his conquest, 221 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 1: a familiar figure approached. It is Elijah. Ahab seemed to 222 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 1: know that the end was near. His choices had consequences, 223 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:58,840 Speaker 1: and rather than run, he listened to what God was 224 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 1: saying through Elijah. In First Kings twenty one, twenty and 225 00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:08,240 Speaker 1: twenty one. This is what God says to Ahab, because 226 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:10,480 Speaker 1: you have sold yourself to do what is evil in 227 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 1: the sight of the Lord. Behold, I will bring disaster 228 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:18,160 Speaker 1: upon you. I will utterly burn you up and will 229 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 1: cut off from Ahab every male bonder free in Israel. 230 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 1: Elijah went on, telling him that he would take from 231 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: him the kingdom because he had led so many people astray. 232 00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:33,520 Speaker 1: Ahab had given himself over to evil, though he was 233 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 1: the king of the nation. God would judge both Ahab 234 00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:41,880 Speaker 1: and Jezebel, and their sin would cost them their lives. 235 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:45,600 Speaker 1: Jezebel would be thrown off a balcony and die and 236 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 1: be eaten, her blood lapped up by the dogs in 237 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 1: Jezreel and many others would die there to be eaten 238 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:55,960 Speaker 1: by dogs, are carried away by birds who foolishly turned 239 00:15:56,000 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 1: from the Lord. It was surely payday some day for 240 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:04,920 Speaker 1: Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab was cut to the heart with 241 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:07,240 Speaker 1: these words, and toward his clothes as a sign of 242 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 1: mourning and repentance. He fasted and wore sackcloth. God seemingly 243 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:16,200 Speaker 1: had gotten through to him, and the Lord was moved 244 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 1: by Ahab's humility and contrition, he spoke again through Elijah, 245 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 1: telling Ahab that his life would be spared because he 246 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 1: humbled himself, but disaster would still be visited upon his household. 247 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 1: The stain of his sin would have consequences. You see, 248 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:34,800 Speaker 1: the Lord is always near to those who seek him. 249 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 1: There's no last cause in God's grace, and God stands 250 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:44,760 Speaker 1: ready to forgive anyone who would earnestly repent and return 251 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 1: to him, even Ahab, even you and me. Dear God, 252 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 1: we thank you that you are a God of justice, 253 00:16:54,560 --> 00:16:57,040 Speaker 1: but that you are also a God of great mercy. 254 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:00,840 Speaker 1: Thank you for your love that end it all the 255 00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:04,640 Speaker 1: way to Jesus and his cross and resurrection, and through 256 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:08,920 Speaker 1: your grace, amazing as it is, we can have forgiveness 257 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:14,720 Speaker 1: and eternal life in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you for 258 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:18,400 Speaker 1: listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor 259 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:21,760 Speaker 1: Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Let me encourage you to 260 00:17:21,920 --> 00:17:25,479 Speaker 1: download the Prey dot com app and always make Bible 261 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,479 Speaker 1: reading and Bible study a priority in your life, along 262 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:32,119 Speaker 1: with prayer. If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with 263 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 1: someone you love. Let someone know because by sharing this podcast, 264 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:39,680 Speaker 1: you can truly make a difference in someone's life. And 265 00:17:39,800 --> 00:17:43,040 Speaker 1: if you want more resources from me, Jack Graham as 266 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 1: to how you can grow in your Christian life, then 267 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:50,360 Speaker 1: go to Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack Graham dot org. 268 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 1: God bless you. This episode is sponsored by Medicine, an 269 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 1: innovation of healthcare solution for Christians to save money without 270 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:04,800 Speaker 1: sacrificing quality.