STAND UP FOR JUSTICE. BIBLE STUDY – SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER by Major Margaret Stafford (Southern Africa Territory), based on 1 Kings 21 In South Africa we have recently gone through a very turbulent time, but in this period some people stood out because they were not afraid to ‘speak truth to power’. One such person was our former Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, who spoke out against corruption in high office on more than one occasion. Our Bible study is found in the book of the history of the kings of Israel and Judah, and of all the things Old Testament prophets were appointed by God to do, speaking the truth to kings was perhaps the most difficult. Under David the nation of Israel was united but after Solomon (who had a ‘divided heart’) the kingdom was split into a southern section – the kingdom of Judah (which included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin) – and a northern section – the kingdom of Israel (which comprised the other 10 tribes). King Ahab was the seventh king of the northern half of Israel and, according to 1 Kings 16:33, he did more to provoke God’s anger than any king of Israel before him. He married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon. Her father was a high priest of the god Baal, a god of land and produce and Jezebel brought this religion into Israel with her. Of Ahab and Jezebel it has been said that ‘Satan had his couple on the throne but God had his man [referring to the prophet Elijah] in the field’. Naboth – the king’s neighbour in Jezreel (the summer home of the King) – owned a vineyard. The king, wanting to expand his garden, offered to buy the vineyard for a more than fair price or relocate the vineyard for Naboth, but being bound by a biblical injunction not to sell ancestral land (see Leviticus 25:15), Naboth refused to sell the land to Ahab. Ahab, ‘sullen and angry’ (v 4) went home and refused to eat – a situation which brought his wife, Jezebel, into matters. Ahab told her that Naboth wouldn’t sell the land – but he did not tell her that Naboth wouldn’t sell because of a command from God. Jezebel devised a plan to get rid of Naboth for good. This plan included a fast (making it religious), a town council (involving the community) and two liars (corruption, creating injustice). The end result of the plan was that Naboth was stoned to death and Ahab acquired the land he coveted. Let’s pick up the study from verse 17: 17
‘Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 18 “Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. 19 Say to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: in the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood – yes, yours!’” 20 Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!” “I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD. 21
He says, ‘I am going to bring disaster on you. I will wipe out your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel – slave or free. [See 2 Kings chapter 10 – the killing of Ahab’s family.] 22 I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have aroused my anger and have caused Israel to sin.’ (See 1 Kings 15:29 and 16:3.) 23 “And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ (See 2 Kings 9:10, 34-38.) 24
“Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds will feed on those who die in the country.”
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(There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife.) [See also 1 Kings 14:9 and 16:33] 26 He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the LORD drove out before Israel.) [See Leviticus 18:25-30.] 27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. 28
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 29 “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”
Questions to ponder 1.
What did Ahab want from Naboth and why?
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Why did Naboth refuse the King’s request? See also Leviticus 25:15.
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How did Ahab react to Naboth’s refusal and what was the result of this behaviour?
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6. Verse 25 tells something about what Ahab did. See also 1 Kings 14:9 and 16:33. What did God think about this man? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ 7.
How did Ahab react to this judgement?
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Why was it important for Elijah to speak truth to power?
__________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Application When confronted with gross violation of a person’s rights by someone in authority or in a position of power, it is sometimes easier to walk away than it is to confront the person. But Elijah was not afraid of Ahab, even though Ahab had the power to have him killed. Verse 20 tells much about the relationship between Ahab and Elijah – it was not friend to friend. Nevertheless, Elijah had to speak truth into the situation. Later God would find a portion of grace for Ahab because of his contrite heart, but there would still be consequences because of his actions. This story teaches that we serve a God who does not sleep He sees and calls people to account for their actions. He will bring about his purpose and his plan. In our world, with human trafficking happening in every nation, it is wise to remember that God is still on the throne and calls everyone to account. We need to be prepared to be part of his mission to bring justice to the nations and stand up for justice at every opportunity.
Insight ‘LORD’ (using small capitals) reflects the original term ‘YHWH’ (pronounced ‘Yahweh’) – it is found more than 6,820 times in Scripture and was a name so sacred it was not spoken. ‘Lord’ is the English rendition of the Hebrew word ‘Adonai’ – used some 300 times.
Scripture quotation from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®