Nougat 16

Wanna hear something crazy? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Do you notice anything strange about Jezebel’s comment? She is making a very serious oath! If you think she was putting our God to the test; so do I. Furthermore if you thought she was only barefaced in denouncing and threatening Elijah; I’m at that place too.

I must confess that I’m also impressed by her threat. Or should I say her promise. It doesn’t waver; she made her assertion and that was it. (My older Jamaican folk would say, ‘when she talks NO dog barks’; ie what she’s spoken – she has spoken. No room for compromise). Many of us remember what precipitated the threat: Elijah, prophet of YHWH, quite literally oversaw the execution of close to five hundred prophets of Baal; after a grand showdown about idolatry! It was fierce and fiery! It was dramatic and, for Jezebel and her remaining cronies, it was utterly humiliating!

Jezi did not take it lying down. She was livid enough that she was ready to take Elijah down single-handedly! Of course, she was also making a vow to ALL her gods. At the risk of her life!

That’s some serious conviction there.

Enough to send Elijah into depression born of fear.

Enough to suggest she knew what she was threatening and how she planned to execute it.

Enough to guarantee that she would either mollify her defeated idols or have them kill her.

Jezebel wasn’t focused on the God Who defeated all her gods; rather she was focused on the perceived power of HER idols!

Herein lies my reflection – are we as confident when we speak of and for our God? When faced with OUR own contexts of defeat and utter humiliation, how do we respond? Are we willing or able to confidently declare that the battle has moved into the heavenlies? And would we be willing to defend God’s honor even unto death? That’s some serious food for thought.

Before we respond let us remember that believers in Jesus have the full assurance that we don’t have to address our fights on this realm. Ephesians 6 AND 1 Corinthians 10 affirm this. And since we’re in possession of our Secret (and public) Weapon: God’s Spirit, we can enter the battle fully clad and confident that the battles we face aren’t ours; they’re the Lord’s (see 2 Chronicles 20:15).

I’m not in agreement with Jezebel’s threat; but she surely insists that I begin to be bold about my faith in YHWH; for I know that my God IS the Lord strong and mighty; the Lord MIGHTY in Battle (Psalm 24:8-10)! And knowing that about our God; I believe we can confidently take our stand.

We know we got the victory. Let’s hold on.

—

May all we seek be found in Christ