Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

REAL ESTATE DEAL GONE BAD

January 26, 2010

Ever been ripped off? Ever had anyone treat you unfairly, take advantage of you? King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, ran a school on how to steal and cheat from the ones for whom they were supposed to care.

________________________________________
There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel.
- 1 Kings 21:25,26 TNIV
________________________________________

Imagine your name, "Ahab," being listed in the Bible as the worst of the worst. Ahab was the king, he had it all. But he fancied his neighbor, Naboth's vineyard. "Swap with me, sell it to me, I've got to have your vineyard," Ahab told Naboth. "Can't do it, sorry, King. But this is family property, I'm pledged to honor my family by caring for this vineyard." Ahab did not understand such honor, such loyalty to family and promises. He was a spoiled king, and ruthless. He went home ticked, and told his whine to his nasty wife, Jezebel. "I'll get the vineyard for you, my lord." And she did. Quick as lightning she murdered Naboth, and gave title to the vineyard to her husband, the king. But Naboth's blood cried out from the ground. The dastardly real estate deal would find out both Jezebel and Ahab.

Sometimes it takes time, and it seems like the crook may have pulled it off. Ahab sipped on wine in the vineyard bought for him with blood. Yet the verses in 1 Kings 21 prove that the deal gone bad would find him out. A sobering reminder, eh?
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson