The Ahab Problem & Jehu Solution: Lessons in Conquering Jezebel Today! By James W. Goll Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 You [Jehu] shall strike the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel. 2 Kings 9:7 NASB I. Major Characteristics of the Jezebel Spirit In a previous webinar, we looked at Exposing Jezebel s Influence. The following is a brief review of some of those points to give us a foundation to build upon. In scripture, 1 Kings 17-19 gives us the primary historical setting of Queen Jezebel s reign and her demonic schemes to control everyone in her sphere of influence. A. Jezebel s Ultimate Goal Is Always Control The Jezebel spirit is always motivated by its own agenda and relentlessly pursues it. B. The Jezebel Spirit Attacks, Dominates or Manipulates Those in Authority The ultimate goal is to conquer or neutralize prophets and discerning leaders. C. Jezebel Causes Fear, Flight and Discouragement Authority figures often flee from their appointed place because of Jezebel s character assassination. D. Jezebels Are Natural Leaders, Although Often Covertly Jezebels seek out people of influence to win their endorsement for toxic causes. E. Jezebels Are Often Insecure and Wounded People Jezebels typically have deep, unhealed wounds. F. The Jezebel Spirit Functions Subtlety and Deceptively Jezebels are masters of manipulation to undermine or discredit other s influence. G. Ultimately, Jezebels Are Proud, Independent and Rebellious They will attempt to control others through any means other than the Holy Spirit. H. It Takes an Ahab to Enable Jezebel to Operate Jezebels do not operate without an Ahab s empowerment. I. Jezebel Is Usually in Alignment with a Religious Spirit Jezebel operates under the cover of religious deeds for all to see. J. A Jezebel s Family Is Often Out of Order Jezebels control their partners and produce disrespect toward authority.
II. King Ahab and His Passive Nature A. A Look at 1 Kings 19:1-2 Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. The abdicating nature of Ahab empowers Jezebel. She resists and opposes true godly authority and desires to control and exercise power over everyone. She sets herself up against the Elijah s in particular. The Elijah spirit of the end times will stir up and expose both the passivity of Ahab and the control of Jezebel. B. A Look at 1 Kings 21:8-10 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal, and sent letters to the elders and to the nobles who were living with Naboth in his city. Now she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the people; and seat two worthless men before him, and let them testify against him, saying, You cursed God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death. Jezebel usurps her husband s or her leader s authority and often acts in their name. She manipulates and controls leadership and attempts to fill the Ahab vacuum with power plays, lies and even religious works. She uses the vacated platform of Ahab to accuse others of what she has done. C. A Look at 1 Kings 21:25-26 Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him. He acted very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the LORD cast out before the sons of Israel. Ahab gave into the seductive witchcraft and behaved in the vilest of manner by going after idols. Jezebel urged her husband to do all kinds of evil. D. A Look at 2 Kings 9:7-10 You shall strike the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male person both bond and free in Israel. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury [her.] Then he opened the door and fled. Ahab s passivity emboldens the assertive nature of Jezebel. This demonic spirit destroys families. The end result was that both family lineages were cut off. Eventually the bloodshed of God s true servants was avenged. E. A Look at Revelation 2:18-20
And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have [this] against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit [acts of] immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. Jezebel claims to be inspired and to have a word from the Lord. Jezebel not only neuters prophets but also sets up a false prophetic anointing in their place. Ultimately, the full manifestation of the Jezebel spirit will include multiple forms of sexual perversion and immorality. A warning is given for us not to tolerate this false Jezebel spirit even in the midst of good deeds and acts of service. III. King Jehu and His Warrior Anointing A. A Look at 2 Kings 9:7-10 You shall strike the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male person both bond and free in Israel. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury [her.] Then he opened the door and fled. Jezebel is empowered by Ahab s passivity. But in the midst of this, the Lord always has a solution. In the heat of the battle, Jehu, who is anointed as one of the three successors of Elijah, is called to strike down Jezebel and Ahab s entire lineage, legacy and household. B. A Look at 2 Kings 9:22 When Joram saw Jehu, he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? Jehu, whose name means, Yahweh is God, discerns the roots: witchcraft and idolatry. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and arrogance (stubbornness, insubordination) is as iniquity and idolatry (see 1 Samuel 15:23). Jehu not only discerns the roots, he does not partake of the false appeasement by which Jezebel operated. C. A Look at 2 Kings 9:30-31 When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard [of it,] and she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked out the window. As Jehu entered the gate, she said, Is it well, Zimri, your master's murderer? Jezebel uses seduction, sexual manipulation and payoffs to control men. When that does not work, she uses shame, scorn and arrogance.
D. A Look at 2 Kings 9:32-33 Then he lifted up his face to the window and said, Who is on my side? Who? And two or three officials looked down at him. He said, Throw her down. So they threw her down, and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall and on the horses, and he trampled her under foot. Jehu confronts without fear, as he knows his sphere of authority. Jezebel was not conquered by Elijah but by the Kingly anointing of the next generation under Jehu. E. A Look at 2 Kings 9:34-37 When he came in, he ate and drank; and he said, See now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king's daughter. They went to bury her, but they found nothing more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. Therefore they returned and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 'In the property of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; and the corpse of Jezebel will be as dung on the face of the field in the property of Jezreel, so they cannot say, This is Jezebel. Jehu operates under a fierce warrior anointing. Jezebel s destruction is so complete that she is unrecognizable. F. A Look at Revelation 2:24-28 But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them I place no other burden on you. Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received [authority] from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. What is ultimately at stake is the authority and rulership of the nations in God s stead. Overthrowing Jezebel aids in spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ into the entire world. There is a lavish reward waiting for those who partake in this Kingdom advancement. IV. Keys to Overcoming the Jezebel Spirit A. A Look at 2 Kings 2:9-12 The Elijah Transfer When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me. He said, You have asked a hard thing. [Nevertheless,] if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be [so.] As they were going along and talking, behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. Elisha saw [it] and cried out, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen! And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
After surrendering to the call, spending years serving and passing many tests, Elisha became the recipient of the transfer of Elijah s mantle to the next generation. Elisha asked for and received a double portion of the anointing that rested upon Elijah. Why did Elisha ask for a double portion? Why did he twice declare, My father, My father? Perhaps it would take a double revelation of fatherhood to combat the forces of evil in the next generation. In every generation there are distinct keys for overcoming the powers of evil. B. A Look at 1 Kings 19:15-17 The Kingly Anointing The LORD said to him, Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. It shall come about, the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death. Not only did Elisha receive a double portion of the mantle that rested upon Elijah, but by careful observation we find there were three who were chosen to follow in the footsteps of their father Elijah: Hazael, Jehu and Elisha. Note that two of the three were anointed to be kings and only one was set a part as a prophet. Jehu, king over Israel, was the one appointed to overthrow Jezebel s palatial reign. A key is revealed here concerning the kingly anointing of ruling and reigning in Christ Jesus. C. A Look at Malachi 4:5-6 Joining the Generations Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to [their] children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse." We must call forth the truths of Malachi 4:5-6 to win this end time battle of the ages. The spirit of Elijah results in joining the generations where hearts are turned to the Lord and to one another in cooperation. The spirit of Elijah brings restoration where evil has temporarily spread division and strife. V. Breaking the Chains of Bondage The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Luke 4:18-19 NIV It is vital to remember that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness. We must cloth ourselves in the Spirit of Christ and become part of the solution, declaring that the favorable year of the Lord has come bringing freedom for the prisoners and all who are oppressed.
A. Walk in the Solution 1. Receive the truth and light of God s Word that displaces darkness. 2. The Jezebel spirit is a sin needing repentance. 3. Receive and release forgiveness in the blood of Jesus. 4. Renounce the influence of this controlling spirit. 5. Submit to God and resist the enemy in Jesus great name. 6. Receive the healing power of the Holy Spirit upon your heart and soul. 7. Proclaim freedom and that the favorable year of the Lord has come! B. Closing Prayer of Command Father, in the powerful name of Jesus, I thank You for revealing this spiritual reality to me. I come to Your throne of grace asking You to forgive me for tolerating the spirit of Jezebel and for letting myself be controlled by a spiritual stronghold other than Your Holy Spirit. I forgive those who have been used to ensnare me and I renounce the grip that the Jezebel spirit has had over me. I ask You to heal me of the scars upon my soul from this deep personal hurt. Bring me into freedom and the joy of true submission to You in all my God-given relationships. In mighty name of Jesus, Amen and Amen!