Jezebel

2022-11-07

Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians. King Ahab of Israel married her. Though the king was wicked, his wickedness was encouraged by Jezebel: “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up” (1 Kings 21:25). She was known for “whoredoms...and her witchcrafts” (2 Kings 9:22).

She was not of Israel, and her foreign religion corrupted Israel even further. She was a bloodthirsty person, killing the prophets of the LORD: “Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD” (1 Kings 18:4). The remaining prophets had to hide in caves. Not only did she slay the prophets of truth, the lying prophets of Baals and groves were rewarded by eating at her table.

When the LORD proved to Israel that He was God, and the prophets of Jezebel were slain, the king’s wife took no lesson from the display. She rather sought the life of Elijah the prophet of the LORD, causing him to flee to Horeb in Arabia.

When Ahab could not buy Naboth’s vineyard, Jezebel conceived a scheme to slay Naboth and get his vineyard for free.

Though the men of Ahab’s family were condemned to be consumed by beasts, a special pronouncement against Jezebel was given by Elijah: “And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel” (1 Kings 21:23).

She outlived her husband and her son, Ahaziah. Jehu went to avenge the blood of the prophets by the command of the LORD. While she was dolling herself up with makeup, Jehu had certain men throw her out the window. Before they could clean up the body, dogs had eaten most of the corpse.

Because of Jezebel’s evil, a woman preacher who was causing much evil in the Thyatira church was given this name. This false prophetess was much like the Zidonian queen from centuries before in “whoredoms” and “witchcrafts”: “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols” (Revelation 2:20). Toleration of this would result in severe judgment to her and her followers, for the Lord Jesus told the church:

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:22-23)

The LORD takes immorality, witchcraft, murder, and false religion seriously. These things can take place “secretly” in the heart. Keep away from the company of people like Jezebel and her Thyatira counterpart.