Jezebel Seductress of Evil Lesson 7 Written by Janie Alfred

Transcription

1 Jezebel Seductress of Evil Lesson 7 Written by Janie Alfred Introduction When you hear this woman s name certain words come to mind: corrupt, idolater, lewd, carnal. In reality her name literally means chaste, free from carnal connotation, but by nature she was an evil, heartless, sexually unrestrained woman. 1 Jezebel lived in the 9 th century BC and was the daughter of the Phoenician priest, King Ethbaal, who murdered his own brother in cold blood. She married Ahab, king of the Northern kingdom of Israel. He was a weak, spineless man who went against his Hebrew faith by marrying this ungodly woman, as well as worshipping and serving her god Baal. Jezebel was an overpowering wife who worked her evil schemes through her husband. She was a zealous worshipper of Baal and her desire was to convert Israel from the worship of the true and living God to the immoral, superstitious, cult of Baalism. Her influence also corrupted her two sons who became devout worshippers of Baal. Add murder to her list of evil accomplishments which resulted in the tragic death of Naboth. She used her beauty, and even her makeup, to seduce and manipulate those who would harm her. Study and Personal Questions Read 1 Kings 16: How long did Ahab reign over Israel? 2. What statement was made concerning Ahab s reign? 3. Who did Ahab marry? Who was her father? 4. Who did Jezebel and Ahab worship? How did Jezebel encourage this worship? (See 1 Kings 18:4, 17-19) 1 Lockyear, Herbert. All the Women of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1967, p. 73.

2 5. Read Deuteronomy 4:1-9. a. What were God s instructions to Israel and why did He give them? b. What happened to those who followed Baal? c. What happened to those who followed God? d. What are we exhorted to do? 6. Although Ahab was not walking in the ways of the Lord, his marriage to Jezebel influenced him toward greater evil. What do these verses say regarding sinful limitations of worldly people and customs? a. Exodus 23:2 b. Colossians 3:1-4 c. 1 John 2:15-17 Personal: Examine your life for areas of evil influence. How can you apply Romans 12:1-2? 7. How could Ahab have handled the situation when he realized Jezebel wanted to eliminate Jehovah worship from Israel? (See 1 Kings 18:4, 19) Personal: What kind of influence are you before your family and friends? 2

3 Read Matthew 6:33, Ephesians 4:7, 11-12, and 2 Peter 1: What are ways to become more of a godly influence around your family, friends, or coworkers? Read 1 Kings 19: What was Jezebel s response to the execution of the prophets of Baal? 10. Elijah had shown great faith in God as he challenged the prophets of Baal. What did he do when Jezebel threatened him? 11. Sometimes it is hard to trust God. What are some things that can affect our trust in God? Read Proverbs 3: What does it say about trusting God? 13. What are some ways to increase your trust in God? Give Scriptures to support your answers. 14. Are there any people in your life who have caused you to fear? How do the following verses encourage you? Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 35:4, Isaiah 43:1, John 14:27 3

4 15. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists the seven things God hates. Throughout Jezebel s life we found her demonstrating each of these character traits. Give some examples from Jezebel s life of some of these traits. Read 1 Kings 21:1-15. a. a proud look - vs 7 b. a lying tongue - vs c. hands that shed innocent blood - vs 13 d. a heart that devises wicked plans - vs 8-10 e. feet that are swift in running to evil - vs 8 f. false witness who speaks lies - vs 13 g. those who sow discord among brethren - vs 11 h. Have you become aware of any of these traits in your life? Read 1 Kings 21:17-29 and 2 Kings 9: What was the prophecy given concerning Jezebel s death? 17. To what was Ahab s wicked behavior attributed? (See 1 Kings 21:25-26) 18. What do the following two scriptures say about what a wife s influence should be on her husband? Proverbs 31:11-12, 1 Peter 3:1-2 4

5 Read 2 Kings 9: What did Jezebel do when she saw Jehu coming? 20. What does 1 Peter 3:3-6 tell us is most pleasing to God? 21. The death of Jezebel was perhaps one of the most gruesome. How did she die? 22. As wicked as she was, what noble thing was done for her? (See verses 34-37) Read 3 John 1:11. We are admonished to follow that which is good and not that which is evil. Elijah followed the ways of the Lord. Ahab followed after the wicked ways of his wife Jezebel. Elijah was one of only three men who were taken up into heaven without dying. Ahab and Jezebel s deaths were the deaths of the wicked. Read John 15: According to this passage what will enable us to follow what is good? (See verses 4-5, 9) 24. What glorifies the Father? (See verse 8) 25. How do we abide in Jesus love? (See verse 10) 26. What enables us to have fullness of joy? (See verse 11) 5

6 Discovering Jesus in the Story The entire Old Testament points toward Jesus as Savior. If we miss that we miss the entire point of the Scriptures. 1. According to the Bible verses we ve studied this week, what promise or revelation points to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ? Reflection 2. Write a short paragraph explaining how the life of Jezebel has impacted your life, challenged you or corrected you concerning your choices. 6

7 A Hero s Vignette Fanny Crosby 2 Are you familiar with the hymns Blessed Assurance, To God Be the Glory and All the Way My Savior Leads Me? In March of 1820, the author of these and nine thousand other hymns was born: Frances Jane Crosby. By late April of that year, her parents were concerned that something was wrong with their baby s eyes. They were unable to afford a competent doctor, and instead found a man who claimed to be a doctor, but they soon discovered he was an imposter. He put hot, wet cloths on Fanny s eyes thereby scarring her eyes permanently. When the family realized that Fanny was deprived of sight, her grandmother, Eunice, decided she would be her granddaughter s eyes. Eunice would describe colors to Fanny as well as have her gather piles of autumn leaves asking Fanny to identify what tree they were from by touching each leaf. This early training enabled Fanny to have a wonderful memory and ability to give detailed descriptions. Eunice also had great influence on Fanny s development as a Christian. She read the Bible to her and explained it in terms Fanny could understand. Eunice was a firm believer in prayer. She taught Fanny to call upon the Lord in every need and give thanks to Him for all that happened. She taught that there was nothing too difficult for God to do and, whatever their need might be, God could meet it. Fanny was taught that the sufferings and frustrations of life could be borne patiently and cheerfully because they would lead to something better. Fanny Crosby, in her day, was considered the greatest hymn writer in America. She appealed to the true experience of the Christian life and expressed the deep longings of the human heart. Her hymns were sung all over the world. At 95 years of age, Fanny was still being used by the Lord. She would speak about the power of prayer and how essential it is for the believer s life. She urged people to cling to the Savior. Not only was she known for her hymns, but in the last quarter of the 19 th century she was one of the most prominent figures in American evangelical religious life. Though she saw nothing with her eyes, she saw much in her spirit. 1. How does Fanny s life encourage you, challenge you? Challenge Question: 2. Are there any Bible verses that come to mind after reading about her life? 2 Ruffin, Bernard. Fanny Crosby the Great Hymn Writer. Uhrichsville: Barbour Publishing,