The Dangerous Side of Influence

Queen Jezebel, now that’s a character in the Bible that I do not want to be associated with. She is known for her evil ways and that of her husband, King Ahab. In fact, the Bible has much to say about King Ahab’s character and behavior. 1 Kings 16:29-33 gives us this introduction and synopsis of his reign: “Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him…He did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him.”

Two key points are then listed -

- He married Jezebel, daughter of Eth-baal king of the Sidonians.

- This marriage resulted in the import of Baal worship into the Israelite nation.

One man influenced by one woman. The king may have issued the order to build both an altar and temple in Samaria for Baal worship, but his wife's religious practices set the stage. The huge influence of and addiction to idolatry within the nation eventually resulted in the showdown at Mt. Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. One little ol’ prophet against over 400 hundred. A whole nation led into evil against one who stands up for God’s law.

Jezebel isn't just an idolatress. No! She is also known for killing the prophets of God (1 Kings 18:13), threatening Elijah’s life (1 Kings 19:2) and witchcraft (2 Kings 9:22). Her name, for many, is synonymous with evil. Queen Jezebel serving alongside of King Ahab made for quite the power couple, and they were definitely a thorn in Elijah’s side as he and others came to bring God’s warnings of coming judgment.

In 1 Kings 21:25-25, we get an even deeper look at the influence that Jezebel had over her husband. It surrounds the story of a business deal that leaves the King sulking and angry. A neighbor, Naboth, refuses to go against God’s law, regarding property and inheritance matters, and declines Ahab’s request to purchase his land. So, Jezebel, does what every wife is tempted to do – defend her man! Fix things for him. Jump in and help straighten things out. 

You’ve felt those burning desires deep within, right? When someone speaks poorly of your husband or attacks them and their character to their face or in more sinister ways. It is nearly impossible to not react to slander or bullying especially when it is meant to harm our husband. Tempted as we may be, we teeter on a slippery slope when we intervene where we’ve not been asked. 

Jezebel only knows one way to react. She is decisive and ready to take things into her own hands, especially since her husband refused to ‘man up’ in this situation (see 1 Kings 21:7). She plots with others in leadership to kill an innocent man to rectify the situation and bring respect back into their household. King Ahab may not have gotten his hands ‘dirty,’ but there is no doubt that he knew what his wife was ultimately up to – and so did God.

Elijah comes to confront the King about the sin within his household. He prophesies about the demise of Ahab's legacy and the impending death of his queen. This disastrous warning from the Lord finally gets through to Ahab’s heart, and he humbles himself before God. What? Ahab, the evil king, repents? Yes! It’s hard to absorb. Part of me wants to see God’s vengeance explode and part of me is ecstatic to witness a man as evil as Ahab in a state of humble repentance. 

Even though some believe that Ahab's behavior was just for show, that's obviously not the case. God saw his heart, and God showed Ahab mercy. Wow! The prophecy of the destruction of Ahab’s dynasty was postponed by God, but did later come to fruition after his death. And, Jezebel, she got just what was promised and apparently died with an unrepentant and hardened heart toward the only true God, Yaweh.

Jezebel’s influence was tremendous and played a huge part in the life and legacy of King Ahab. 1 Kings 21:25-26 makes this profound statement about the royal couple. “There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by his wife Jezebel. He behaved in the vilest manner….” Urged on by his wife Jezebel. Ouch! What if Ahab had been married to a God-fearing woman? One of peace and forgiveness. What kind of influence could she have had on her husband and the whole nation? Not a conniver or mistress of manipulation, but one who is peace-loving, humble, forgiving and is quick to seek God’s divine intervention?

If God wrote a commentary on you (or I) today what would it say about how we ‘urged on’ our husbands. Are we ‘urging them on’ to be Godly leaders, husbands and fathers or are we overstepping on a regular basis trying to fix things - our way? Or, do we ‘urge them’ on toward peace and forgiveness, to stand up for truth and to seek God’s ways and in God’s time?  

Our influence, be it for good or for evil (even if initially well-intentioned) is one that we need to carefully consider before we act or react. We have a tremendous responsibility before the Lord to encourage others in their faith as well as trusting God to be big enough to take care of all the situations that may excite us, disappoint us or even threaten to overwhelm us. May we each be given the strength and courage to live as Paul encourages us in Ephesians 4:1-3 -

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”