The Woman, Jezebel
Central Thought: Righteousness exalts a Nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
Hymn: “Amazing Grace”
Text: 1 Kings 19:1-3, 21:1-26
Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal, Kind of Zidonians, 1 Kings 16:31; she was the wife of King Ahab and was a wicked Queen. She did not fear God and she destroyed the prophets of God, 1 Kings 18:4-13. She was an outspoken woman at a time when females had little status and rights. She was a foreigner and an idol worshiper, and meddled with the political affairs of the nation of Israel. Her story is an account of the first time king of Israel who married a heathen woman. In our days, the spirit that was at work in Jezebel is still much at work. In this study, we shall be looking at some of her attributes and how to deal with the spirit that was at work in Jezebel.
Lesson Objectives:
- To know who Jezebel was in the Bible, and what were her attributes.
- To understand her influence and learn lessons from being unequally yoked.
- To understand how the spirit that was at work in Jezebel manifests in our time and how it can be dealt with.
- To see how Jezebel’s life ended.
- Lessons from the life of Jezebel.
- Who was Jezebel in the Bible? 1 Kings 16:31, 18-19
As seen in our introduction, Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal, King of Sidonians. Unlike Ruth who chose to serve the God of the people she got married to, by surrendering her gods for the God of Israel, Jezebel remained an idolater serving Baal and influencing Israel to do so. She was a very wicked Queen that did not FEAR God but worshiped idols. She had 400 prophets of groves, which ate at her table at 450 prophets of Baal. In 1 Kings 21:5-16, Jezebel is seen as an oppressor, a dictator, having no value for men’s life. In a bid to make her husband, King Ahab, happy: she master-minded the execution of an innocent and helpless man, Naboth. She exacted authority that did not belong to her, sharing the throne of the king by abusing the office. She slayed the prophets of God, thereby forcing Prophet Elijah into self-exile, 2 King 9:7, and she was at her death, called a cursed woman, 2 Kings 9:34.
Unlike her husband, Ahab, who humbled himself in fast and sackcloth upon hearing God’s verdict, there is no record of her penitence and repentance.
In 1 Kings 21:5-13, Jezebel seem to be a caring wife who could understand her husband’s countenance/mood, that he had not eaten and actually comforted him, but in mischief. She had the option of encouraging her husband to accept Naboth’s refusal in good faith, but rather she conceived and hatched the plot to execute Naboth. She was an evil advisor.
- What does the text teach us about being unequally yoked together with unbelievers? 1 Kings 21:25; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
The above scriptures are clear on this, as Apostle Paul was emphatic on it. It is not a matter of choice, it is a command. ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers’. This is because of the attendant effects. 1 Kings 21:25 states that, “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up”.
This verse is clear on the influence Jezebel had on her husband. King Ahab did wickedness because his wife, Jezebel stirred him up. The degree of the influence of a wife on a husband varies, depending on a lot of factors. For example, on the individual’s type of marriage, level of education and exposure etc. No matter how small, a wife influences her husband one way or the other, either positively or negatively. We are to deal with unbelievers with some level of caution; it is however disheartening that we also need to extend such caution to some believers.
The marriage of King Ahab who was from the heritage of God’s people to a heathen princess Jezebel, a Sidonian was an unequal yoke. God had warned Israel dwelling amongst other nations not to inter-marry. No wonder, she stirred him up to wickedness and influenced the nation to commit Idolatry.
In the same vein, we see some believers getting married to unbelievers, the end result of such marriages cannot be different from that of King Ahab and Jezebel. Believers, who think they stand, must take heed to themselves, least they fall.
3A. How does the spirit that was at work in Jezebel manifest in our time? Revelation 2:20
Today, there is no want/lack of persons that entice and push unsuspecting individuals from right behavior into wrong behavior. Various unimaginable sexual perversions abound in our time, from such influencing.
The eating of things sacrificed to idols appears in subtle forms today. In Daniel 1:8, we see Daniel purposing in his heart not to defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat. Daniel was determined to keep himself pure, undefiled by the king’s meat; this talks of sincere determination and action not to join the popular bandwagon in compromise. Daniel had the choice to compromise but chose not. Whenever God expects you to act for Him but we fail to, it becomes a compromise that can be likened to eating foods sacrificed to idols. The spirit of “it does not matter”, most often connotes one form of compromise of the other. The list of these compromise scenarios cannot be exhausted, they include but not limited to issues of dressing, handling of money recklessly without being accountable, cheating in academics, false measures in business, etc.
Also, where brethren try to control or manipulate a person in authority, for personal advantage can be likened to the spirit that was at work in Jezebel. Lack of accountability in our actions is also another manifest of the spirit of Jezebel. We ought to be responsible to someone, besides God, even leaders. A leader may volunteer to do work with intent to control, ignores the people when they disagree with him and fights back by taking revenge. Just like Jezebel killed Naboth, some leaders tend to oppress individuals who refused to be their puppet and in Christian circles such individuals are ignored, isolated or even transferred as punishment; some leaders also fell threatened by anyone who dare to challenge them. Another subtle way to manifest the spirit of jezebel is inordinate desire to be in power and to control others. It is a spirit that belittles others, minimizes or places no value whatever in others. Believers should note that this spirit of Jezebel is being manifested in all spheres of the society, even in Christian assemblies. See Proverb 1:10.
3B. Discuss in practical terms how the spirit that was at work in Jezebel can be dealt with. Revelation 2:22, Ephesians 6:10-18.
The Lord Jesus condemned those in the church in Thyatira who followed the teachings and practices of Jezebeel, and warned them to repent forth with. To deal with the spirit that was at work with Jezebel, the first step is to be able to identify it. The manifestation of that spirit is not in doubt and once it is identified, the problem is half solved. We must as believers decide in accordance with Scripture to come out from among them. We must not join them and no matter the pressure, we must be resolute to live for Christ alone. We must reprove all of its manifestation in our lives. We must resist it whenever we see any manifestations. Ephesians 6:10-17, talks of the believer’s ability to stand in these evil days by putting on the whole armor of God. This is indispensable as an individual or church; the church must preach against it, and discipline defaulters with a view of effecting correction and restoration back to the Lord. Where an individual on self-examination finds this spirit at work in themselves, they must call for help from brethren who are spiritually matured. Where a member identifies it in an individual he must approach the person in love for the purpose of restoration, Galatians 6:1. Finally, brethren must stand against the operation of the spirit of Jezebel in the place of prayers by breaking its hold from the lives of the brethren and the church.
- How did the life of Jezebel end? 2 Kings 9:6-10, 30-33
It was God’s word in 1 Kings 21:23 that dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. These words were fulfilled in 2 Kings 9:6-10, 30-33. This surely is not an enviable end for anyone. She reaped the reward of her wickedness as the blood of the prophets were avenged, 2 Kings 9:7.
This was a fulfillment of scriptures that whatsoever a man sows, he shall surely reap.
- Mention other lessons we can learn from the life of Jezebel.
A major lesson to learn from Jezebel’s life is that everyone has power to influence other people, in their immediate environment and beyond. For Jezebel, it was an ungodly influence on her husband, King Ahab and the entire nation. Everyone must realize that their daily actions mete out and amount of influence, so decide today to positively influence your spouse, children, family, colleagues, church, community, etc., for God.
Another lesson is that of usurping authorities. At every level of organization, starting from the home, office, church, governance, etc., there are laid down hierarchy for smooth administration and running of the body. This must be upheld by us.
Jezebel usurped her husband’s office to her family gain without other considerations. Can we be trusted with power and not abuse same? As believers this is very crucial, as it is a mark of our deep walk with God. To be in a position of power and diligently do our chores or as delegated to us, not for eye service or personal gain, but from a deep conviction that it is a service unto God to whom we are ultimately accountable.
The episode of Jezebel played out, because there was an unholy union, believers should marry believers. Another lesson from Jezebel’s life is that the deeds of a few in authority, can adversely affect the whole.
Jezebel remained loyal to her religion and maintained her identity of worship of Baal. We as Christians must be determined to maintain our identity where ever we go, and stand for God like Elijah in the contest with the prophets of Baal. Believers must note that they are accountable to God.
Daily Living Application:
Ahab refused to obey God’s commandment not to marry from the heathen nations. He entered into a union that eventually ruined his family and even generations after him. This is a serious warning for today’s Christians. Child of God, choose not to be unequally yoked.
Memory Verse:
2 Corinthians 6:14 – “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”