Day 179 – 1 Kings 20-21

Talking Points

• King Ahab continues his wicked reign. He shows his cowardice and selfishness, as he is willing to give over his possessions, wife, and kids in order to save his own life. Ahab, King of Israel, shows himself to be a petty, dishonorable man.
• God defeats the Arameans twice, upholding His own name before the pagan world and trying to show Ahab that He is the LORD. Yet, Ahab is not swayed. He makes a covenant with the enemy king God had delivered into his hand.
• Deceit, wickedness, and self-service continue to be the hallmarks of Ahab’s rule. His evil wife, Jezebel, feeds the cause. She has an innocent man killed by “worthless men” in order to steal his vineyard (21:10). God tells of His coming judgment.

Thoughts

In this now ancient account of King Ahab, we see the character of God that produces the gospel of Jesus Christ: God cannot stand sin. The Bible says the sin of Ahab and the nation of Israel is an abomination that provokes Him terribly. God promises His judgment. Yet, over and over again, God is gracious and patient. He calls them repeatedly to repent and see He is the LORD. He is just to judge, and He is gracious and willing to forgive even people who so wickedly rebelled.

Isn’t that the gospel? Today, God still hates sin. It is still an abomination that provokes Him terribly. He has promised His judgment. Yet, in His consistent character, God is gracious and patient (oh, so patient). He is willing to forgive. In the message of the gospel, He still patiently calls us to see He is the LORD. In Jesus, God offers us, those who have also wickedly rebelled, a Way to come back.

Praise the Lord for His standard of justice and His gracious compassion toward sinners. Praise Jesus, the fullest expression of both!