3 Questions Will you obey? Will you join God’s heart for Justice? Will you repent?

How did we get here?

“I’ll help you if you obey me “I’ll help you if you obey me. And if you do what I say as my servant David did, I will always let someone from your family rule in Israel just as someone from David’s family will always rule in Judah. The nation of Israel will be yours.”

“One day Jeroboam started thinking, ‘Everyone in Israel still goes to the temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the Lord. What if they become loyal to David’s family again? They will kill me and accept Reheboam as king.” (1 Kings 12:26-27)

Made two gold statues of calves Made two gold statues of calves. He showed them to the people and said, “listen everyone! You won’t have to go to Jerusalem to worship anymore. Here are your gods who rescued you from Egypt… What Jeroboam did was a terrible sin … Jeroboam built small places of worship at the shrines and appointed men who were not from the tribes of Levi to serve as priests… This sinful thing led to the downfall of his kingdom.” (1 Kings 12:28, 30-31; 13:34)

Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel in the thirty- eighth year of Asa’s rule in Judah, and he ruled twenty-two years from Samaria. Ahab did more things to disobey the Lord than any king before him. He acted just like Jeroboam. Even worse, he married Jezebel the daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon and started worshipping Baal. Ahab built an altar and temple for Baal in Samaria and set up a sacred pole for worshipping the goddess Asherah. Ahab did more to make the Lord God of Israel angry than any king of Israel before him.

Insert Lord of the Rings Clip (chapter 12 in return of the king special edition)

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal War with king Ben Haddad of Syria Naboth’s Vineyard

Naboth’s Vineyard Naboth owned a vineyard in Jezebel near King Ahab’s palace. One day, Ahab said, “Naboth your vineyard is near my palace. Give it to me so I can turn it into a vegetable garden. I’ll give you a better vineyard or pay whatever you want for yours.” Naboth answered, “This vineyard has always been in my family. I won’t let you have it.” So Ahab went home, angry and depressed because of what Naboth had told him. He lay on his bed, just staring at the wall and refusing to eat a thing. (1 Kings 21:1-4)

Jezebel his wife came in and asked, “Whats wrong? Why won’t you eat?” Naboth’s Vineyard… Jezebel his wife came in and asked, “Whats wrong? Why won’t you eat?” “ I asked Naboth to sell me his vineyard or to let me give him a better one,” Ahab replied. “And he told me I couldn’t have it.” “Aren’t you the king of Israel?” Jezebel asked. “Get out of bed and eat something! Don’t worry, I’ll get Naboth’s vineyard for you.”

Naboth’s Vineyard… Jezebel wrote a letter to each of the leaders of the town where Naboth lived. In the letters she said: Call everyone together and tell them to go without eating today. When they come together, give Naboth a seat at the front. Get two liars to sit facing him and swear that Naboth has cursed God and the king. Then take Naboth outside and stone him to death! She signed Ahab’s name to the letters and sealed them with his seal. Then she sent them to the town leaders. (1 Kings 21: 8-10)

The Lord said to Elijah the prophet, “King ahab of Israel is in Naboth’s vineyard right now, taking it over. Go and tell him what I say, ‘Ahab you murdered Naboth and took his property. And so, in the very spot where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, they will lick up your blood.”

When Elijah found him, Ahab said, “So my enemy, you’ve found me at last.” Elijah answered: “Yes I have! Ahab, you have managed to do everything the Lord hates. Now you will be punished. You and every man and boy in your family will die, whether slave or free. (1 Kings 21:17-21)

My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like You, O Lord My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like You, O Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.” (Psalm 35:10)

Righteousness and Justice are the foundation of Your throne; love and faithfulness go before You. (Psalm 89:14)

Will you Join in God’s heart for Justice?

When Ahab heard this, he tore his clothes and wore sackloth day and night. He was depressed and refused to eat. Some time later, the Lord said, “Elijah, do you see how sorry Ahab is for what he did? I won’t punish his family while he is still alive. I’ll wait until his son is king. (1 Kings 21:25-27)

Will we repent when we fail to obey?