Reading: I Kings 21 – 22
And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee (I Kings 21:2-3). And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite (I Kings 21:7). They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died(I Kings 21:12-13).
Naboth was falsely accused, summarily convicted without a trial, and stoned to death, all because he chose to conduct his life according to the law of God. The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land (Lev. 25:23-24). Had Ahab merely sought to lease or even just seized control of Naboth’s vineyard, the humble man likely would have yielded to the king's will, but Ahab’s request to permanently purchase the land went against God’s commandment and was therefore refused. This refusal ultimately cost Naboth his life. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
Obedience to God will not always protect us from the evils of the world; at times, it even puts us directly in its path. Doing the ‘right’ thing can be difficult, even dangerous. It can put us in awkward, uncomfortable positions—up to and including placing us in opposition to civil authority. Cloaking ourselves in God's Word does not mean we become invulnerable to mortal trouble. Looking at it strictly from a worldly perspective, evil regularly triumphs over good, and ‘happy endings’ in life are much rarer than many modern-day evangelists would have us believe. This is the price of living in a fallen world—the cumulative effect of sin—and we cannot escape it. But with God’s help, we can endure it; touched by His grace, uplifted by His mercy, cleansed by His love, and reborn in His Spirit, we can emerge victorious on the other side. The same cannot be said for those who unrepentantly embrace evil, no matter how good they may have it in life.
Everyone, everywhere, regardless of their level of worldly power and influence, is ultimately answerable to God. All will come before Him on His terms; all will be held accountable for the unrepented sins they carry into His presence. In that moment, no defense will be possible. With all revealed, ignorance of His will won’t be a valid excuse, and the perceived righteousness of human law will provide no shield. Anyone who hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord (I Kings 21:10) will answer to Him for their actions.
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness(Rom. 14:11-12).
Thought For Today:Our worldly lives are a trial. God does not guarantee a life free of pain, but the promised life after will be free of all suffering.
Christ Portrayed:By Micaiah, who would say only what God instructed him to say (I Kings 22:14). Jesus faithfully told others only what God told Him to say. Then said Jesus unto them . . . I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things (John 8:28; 12:49-50).
Word Studies:21:27 softly = sadly, subdued; 22:3 be still = do nothing; 22:11 push = gore; 22:13 with one mouth = unanimously; 22:16 adjure thee = put you under oath; 22:34 at a venture = without specific aim; harness = armor; 22:48 broken = wrecked.
Pray For Government Officials:Rep. Bobby Scott (VA), Rep. William Timmons (SC), Rep. Robin Kelly (IL) • Country: Malawi (16,777,547) in Southeastern Africa • Major Languages: English, Chichewa • Religious Freedom • 82.7% Christian; 13% Muslim; 1.8% Other; 2.5% None • Prayer Suggestion: Humble yourself before the Lord (I Pet. 5:5-6).
Optional ReadingRomans 3
Optional Reading:Romans 2