Some People Attack The Messenger
Ahab, king of Israel, was a very wicked king. He married Jezebel, a woman guilty of murdering God’s own prophets. He worshipped and served Baal, and even built an altar and a temple for Baal in Samaria.
“Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” (1 Kings 16:33).
The great prophet Elijah proclaimed a drought as punishment for the sins of Ahab — and it lasted three years (1 Kings 17:1; 18:1). One of the most interesting points of the story is the reaction of Ahab when he met Elijah. “Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, ‘Is that you, O troubler of Israel?'” (1 Kings 18:17). Ahab caused the drought in the land of Israel because of his sins, but he blamed the messenger!
John the Baptist lost his life because of his stand on marriage, divorce and remarriage (Matthew 14:1-10). John had informed Herod that he was living in sin because he married Herodias, a woman he had no lawful right to marry. At Herod’s birthday party, he promised the daughter of Herodias that she could have anything she wanted. After being prompted by her mother, she requested the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
The truth is the ONLY thing that can set us free (John 8:32).
What does the truth mean to you?
- For part 1 of this epistle, check out What Does the Truth Mean to You? (Part 1).