Jezebel's Idol Worship
Jezebel consistently worships other gods (Baal and Asherah). Worship of these gods often involved giving in to personal pleasures (whether that be sexual, gluttony, violence, etc.), we can see that Jezebel is very self-centered and focused on her own desires above all else.
1 Kings 16.31-33:
He (king Ahab) not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. 32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.
Jezebel was the daughter of the king of the Sidonians. It was directly against the commands of God for the people of Israel to marry outside of their own nation, meaning that by marrying Jezebel, Ahab was directly sinning against God.
Jezebel right away convinces king Ahab to build an altar for Baal and an Asherah pole. She is so focused on her idolatry and influences the king to set up this temple and idol to these pagan gods. As the king, Ahab is literally setting the example for the entire kingdom that pagan worship is acceptable and begins to lead the entire Jewish people away from the true God.
We are consistently called in scripture to worship God alone. There are MANY examples of this all throughout scripture:
Exodus 20.3:
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Matthew 4.10:
“Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’"
Isaiah 42.8:
“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.”
Psalm 86.8-9:
“8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. 9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.”
Psalm 97.7:
“All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols—worship him, all you gods!”
Psalm 150. 1-3:
“1 Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness 3 Praise him…praise him…praise him…6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."
True guidance, wisdom, and fulfillment can ONLY come from Jesus.
Jezebel's Conflict with the Lord's Prophets
Jezebel murders many of the prophets of the Lord God of Israel and is in constant conflict with the prophet Elijah.
Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal (over whom Jezebel rules) to a competition.
1 Kings 18.27:
“At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” He said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”
1 Kings 18.36-39:
“Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these thing at your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”
Jezebel vows to kill Elijah if it is the last thing she does. This shows how Jezebel is vindictive and is more focused on revenge than anything else at this point in today’s story.
1 Kings 19.1-2:
“1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
Jezebel continues in her stubbornness and disobedience.
Jezebel and Naboth Steal a Vineyard
Instead of killing an innocent man, they could have worked together with Naboth or even simply respected his own wishes to remain in his family’s vineyard.
