POLITICAL MURDERERS

POLITICAL MURDERERS

Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.” But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, “Why are you so sullen? Why won’t you eat?” He answered her, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ” Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. In those letters she wrote: “Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death.” As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard. —I Kings 21:1-16

There are some in political power positions who will do whatever it takes to get their way. So it was with King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard and the Queen got it for him by falsely accusing Naboth and manipulating government officials to have Naboth executed. Yes, there are those in power that do evil things to get what they want.

But the Judge of the Earth will have the final say as He did in this situation (I Kings 21:17-29). There have been rumblings of people in political power positions in our nation who have abused their power and have had people killed. It is amazing how these things are known and yet those responsible seem to get away with it. But they are not getting away with it. Yes, the Judge of all the Earth knows and He will mete out justice in due time. He will be absolutely just when He does so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYbX-3_a98U

Dear Father I am grateful to know that You always do the right thing and that You will carry out Your plans and purposes and no man will stay Your hand. You tell us not to carry out vengeance because You will do so. I leave that in Your hands. May I live faithfully according to Your desires. May I do so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.