There is a growing desire to see God’s judgment as we see a growing amount of chaos and atrocities around the world. We can get discouraged if we don’t keep a close eye on God’s word to be reminded that God has everything under control and His judgment or His payday if you please, is coming.
If we aren’t careful, we can easily become skeptics as described in 2Peter 3, where we find the words, “where is the promise of His coming?” In other words, the skepticism set in because God is on a different schedule than we think He should be. Nevertheless, the principle is true that God will not be mocked, and He will judge.
Galatians 6:7–8 (ESV) — 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
There’s a case in point in the book of 1Kings 21, and the account of King Ahab and his desire to have Naboth’s vineyard. The king tried to buy the vineyard from Naboth, but Naboth would not agree because it was his inheritance. This made the king very angry so he went home and pouted. His wife, Jezebel, rebuked him and said she would get the vineyard for him. Notice her devious plot:
1 Kings 21:8–10 (ESV) — 8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. 9 And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. 10 And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
This was a violation of many things that God hates. God will not be mocked.
Proverbs 6:16–19 (ESV) — 16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
After Naboth’s death, Jezebel told Ahab to go and claim the vineyard for himself, but God instructed the prophet Elijah to meet him and proclaim to him the judgment that is coming upon him and his wife for their mocking of God by going against His word.
1 Kings 21:19–24 (ESV) — 19 And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Have you killed and also taken possession?” ’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.” ’ ” 20 Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. 21 Behold, I will bring disaster upon you. I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. 22 And I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the anger to which you have provoked me, and because you have made Israel to sin. 23 And of Jezebel the Lord also said, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.’ 24 Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat.”
Hebrews 10:31 (ESV) — 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Sure enough as you continue in the historical accounts of 1st and 2nd Kings, you’ll find the exact judgment God proclaimed to Ahab through Elijah taking place for both Ahab and his wife Jezebel.
Galatians 6:7–8 (ESV) — 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
We can be encouraged in this reminder that although we see things happening in the world that stir us up to maybe think that God has forgotten or has overlooked injustices, He has everything under control and yes, His judgment is coming. We should also be reminded of the severity of every sin that deserves His judgment and not to think lightly of sin in our lives but be swift to admit through confession and repentance as we also must remember that we too can be deceived in thinking we can get away with sin, but God will not be mocked.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
