Jezebel

John 8:34 NKJV

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

Introduction

Greetings, dear friends. I'm so glad you've chosen to join us today as we gather, not just as a congregation, but as a family, united in our love for our Savior and our desire to grow closer to Him. We are here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. God has a word for us today, a message of profound importance that He wants to engrave on our hearts.

Today, we turn our attention to an infamous figure in the Bible, a woman whose name has become synonymous with wickedness and deception: Jezebel. Her story is not a pleasant one, but it is one that we must confront if we are to truly understand the depth of God's justice and the reach of His mercy.

Let's read together from the book of John, chapter 8, verse 34: "Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.'"

This passage, my friends, sets the stage for our discussion today. Jezebel was a slave to her sins, trapped in a cycle of wickedness that led to her downfall. But her story serves as a stark reminder to us all: Sin enslaves, but Christ frees. 

Transition. As we embark on this study, let's remember that while we may recoil at the deeds of Jebezel, we are all susceptible to sin. We are all in need of God's mercy. And it's in understanding the depths of our sin that we can truly appreciate the heights of God's grace. So, let's press on, friends, with humble hearts and eager spirits, as we uncover the truth of God's word.

Jezebel's Journey into Wickedness

In the pages of the Bible, we find the story of a woman who chose a path of wickedness, a path that led her away from the light of God's love and into the darkness of sin. This woman, Jezebel, serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of sin and the devastating consequences of turning away from God.

Jezebel was a queen, married to King Ahab of Israel. She was not an Israelite, but a Sidonian, and she brought with her the worship of Baal, a pagan god. This was her first step into wickedness, the introduction of idolatry into the kingdom of Israel. She did not merely worship Baal in private, but actively promoted his worship among the Israelites, leading them away from the worship of the one true God.

This was not a trivial matter. Idolatry, the worship of false gods, is a direct violation of the first commandment. It says, "You shall have no other gods before me." It is a rejection of God's sovereignty, a denial of His love and grace. And it was this sin, this rebellion against God, that marked the beginning of Jezebel's descent into wickedness.

But Jezebel's sin did not stop at idolatry. She was also a woman of great cruelty and violence. She persecuted the prophets of God, ordering their execution and silencing their voices. She used her power and influence to spread fear and oppression, to silence those who dared to speak the truth of God's word.

This was a direct assault on God's authority, a blatant disregard for His commandments. The prophets were God's messengers, His voice to the people. By silencing them, Jezebel was attempting to silence God Himself. This was not just wickedness, but blasphemy, a sin of the highest order.

Yet, even in her wickedness, Jezebel was not beyond the reach of God's justice. God sent the prophet Elijah to confront Ahab and Jezebel, to pronounce judgment on their wickedness. And in the end, Jezebel met a gruesome end, thrown from a window and trampled underfoot, just as Elijah had prophesied.

This was the culmination of Jezebel's journey into wickedness, the inevitable consequence of her sin. She had turned away from God, rejected His commandments, and embraced a life of sin. And in the end, she reaped what she had sown.

So, what can we learn from Jezebel's story? 

First, we see the destructive power of sin. Jezebel's sin led her away from God, into a life of wickedness and rebellion. It brought her to a place of judgment and destruction. Sin is not a trivial matter, but a serious offense against a holy God. It separates us from Him, leads us into darkness, and brings us under His judgment.

Second, we see the danger of idolatry. Jezebel's worship of Baal was a rejection of God, a denial of His sovereignty and love. Idolatry is not just the worship of false gods, but the elevation of anything above God. It is a form of spiritual adultery, a betrayal of our relationship with Him.

Third, we see the consequences of rejecting God's authority. Her persecution of the prophets was a direct assault on God's authority, an attempt to silence His voice. When we reject God's authority, we set ourselves up as our own gods, deciding for ourselves what is right and wrong. This is a dangerous path, one that leads to judgment and destruction.

Finally, we see the certainty of God's justice. Despite Jezebel's power and influence, she could not escape the judgment of God. He is a God of justice, who will not let the wicked go unpunished. He is also a God of mercy, who offers forgiveness and salvation to those who turn from their sin and trust in Him.

Transition. Jezebel's story serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of sin and the devastating consequences of turning away from God. But it also points us to the hope we have in Christ, who came to save us from our sin and to bring us into a right relationship with God. Let us heed the lessons of Jezebel's story, turning from our sin and trusting in Christ for our salvation.

Judgement and Jezebel's Downfall

As we continue to examine the life of Jezebel, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in her narrative. This is the point where her actions begin to catch up with her, where the seeds of wickedness she has sown begin to bear their bitter fruit.

The first instance we see of this is in 1 Kings 21:23, where the prophet Elijah prophesies Jezebel's downfall. The Scripture reads, "And of Jezebel also spoke the LORD, saying, 'The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.'" This prophecy is a direct consequence of her actions, a divine judgement upon her for the sins she has committed. It's a stark reminder that while God is merciful, He is also just. He will not let wickedness go unpunished.

1 Kings 21:23 NKJV

23 And concerning Jezebel the Lord also spoke, saying, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’

This prophecy is fulfilled in 2 Kings 9:30-37. Jezebel, having heard that Jehu has come to Jezreel, puts on her makeup, does her hair, and looks out of the window. Jehu, upon seeing her, orders her eunuchs to throw her out of the window. They obey, and Jezebel is trampled by Jehu's horses. Her body is left to be eaten by dogs, just as Elijah had prophesied.

2 Kings 9:30–37 NKJV

30 Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window. 31 Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, “Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?” 32 And he looked up at the window, and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” So two or three eunuchs looked out at him. 33 Then he said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot. 34 And when he had gone in, he ate and drank. Then he said, “Go now, see to this accursed woman, and bury her, for she was a king’s daughter.” 35 So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. 36 Therefore they came back and told him. And he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; 37 and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field, in the plot at Jezreel, so that they shall not say, “Here lies Jezebel.” ’ ”

This is a gruesome end for a woman who had wielded so much power and influence. But it's a fitting end for someone who had led so many astray, who had caused so much harm and suffering. It's a testament to the fact that no one, no matter how powerful or influential, is beyond the reach of God's judgement.

Hebrew word study. In the original Hebrew, the word used for 'dogs' in 1 Kings 21:23 is 'kelev'. This word is used elsewhere in the Bible to denote contempt or scorn. For example, in 1 Samuel 24:14, David uses the term 'kelev' to refer to himself in a self-deprecating manner, highlighting his lowly status in comparison to King Saul. In 2 Samuel 3:8, Abner uses the term 'kelev' to express his indignation at being accused of disloyalty. In both these instances, the term 'kelev' is used to convey a sense of worthlessness or insignificance. This same term is used to describe the fate of Jezebel, a woman who had once been a queen. It's a stark contrast to the power and prestige she once enjoyed. It's a clear indication of the severity of God's judgement upon her.

In addition to the prophecy and its fulfillment, there are two other instances in Jezebel's narrative that highlight the severity of her downfall. 

The first is in 2 Kings 9:22, where Jehu confronts Joram, Jezebel's son. Jehu accuses Joram of following in the footsteps of his mother, of perpetuating her wickedness. This accusation is a clear indictment of Jezebel's influence, a stark reminder of the harm she has caused.

2 Kings 9:22 NKJV

22 Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” So he answered, “What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?”

The second instance is in Revelation 2:20, where the church in Thyatira is rebuked for tolerating a woman who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives God's servants. This woman is referred to as 'Jezebel', a clear reference to the infamous queen. This reference serves as a warning to the church, a reminder of the dangers of tolerating false teaching and deception.

Revelation 2:20 NKJV

20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

Transition. These instances serve to underscore the severity of Jezebel's downfall. They highlight the consequences of her actions, the repercussions of her wickedness. They serve as a stark reminder of God's judgement, of His justice in dealing with sin.

Jezebel's Bondage and Our Freedom

Jezebel's bondage was a result of her own choices. She chose to worship false gods, to lead her husband astray, to murder innocent people for her own gain. These choices, these sins, were her shackles. They bound her to a life of wickedness and ultimately led to her downfall. But while Jezebel was a slave to her sins, we have been offered a different path. Through Christ, we have been offered freedom.

Don't be a Jezebel! Don't allow sin to bind you, to control your actions and dictate your life! Instead, choose freedom. Choose Christ. This freedom is not a freedom to do whatever we please, but a freedom to do what is right. It's a freedom to live in accordance with God's will, to love Him and to love others. 

But how do we choose this freedom? How do we break the chains of sin and step into the freedom that Christ offers?

Firstly, we must acknowledge our sin. We must recognize the ways in which we have fallen short, the ways in which we have allowed sin to control us. This is not an easy task. It requires humility and honesty. It requires us to look deep within ourselves, to confront the parts of us that we would rather ignore. But it is a necessary step on the path to freedom.

Secondly, we must repent. Repentance is more than just feeling sorry for our sins. It's a turning away from sin and a turning towards God. It's a commitment to change, to strive to live in a way that honors God. As C.S. Lewis once said, "We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."

Thirdly, we must accept God's forgiveness. Christ died for our sins. He paid the price that we could not pay. When we accept His sacrifice, when we accept His forgiveness, we are freed from the guilt and shame of our sins. We are freed from the judgement that we deserve.

Finally, we must live in the freedom that Christ offers. This means striving to live in accordance with God's will, to love Him and to love others. It means resisting the temptation to return to our old ways, to the sins that once bound us.  

Transition. So, dear friends, let us not be like Jezebel. Let us not allow sin to bind us. Instead, let us choose freedom. Let us acknowledge our sin, repent, accept God's forgiveness, and live in the freedom that Christ offers. Let us strive to live a life that honors God, a life that reflects His love and grace. Let us choose Christ.

Conclusion

Let's remember that the story of Jezebel is not just a tale of wickedness and deceit, but a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin. Yet, in the midst of this, we see the unwavering justice and mercy of our God. He is a God who loves us so deeply, so passionately, that He sent His only Son to free us from the chains of sin. 

We've seen today that sin enslaves, but Christ frees. We've seen the depths to which sin can drag us down, but we've also seen the heights to which God's grace can lift us. That's the beauty of our God. No matter how far we've fallen, His love can reach us. His grace can restore us. His mercy can redeem us.

So let's leave here today not with hearts heavy with the weight of sin, but with spirits lifted by the promise of God's grace. Let's remember that we serve a God who loves us, who forgives us, and who sets us free. 

Let's bow our heads for our closing prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your word today. We thank You for the lessons we've learned and the truths we've uncovered. We ask that as we leave this place, You would help us to carry these truths in our hearts. Help us to remember that while sin enslaves, Christ frees. Help us to live in the freedom that You've given us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. =

And now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen.