The Chronicle Of A Costly Vineyard Series

THE CHRONICLE OF A COSTLY VINEYARD

I Kings 21 & 22

It was only a little comma, but it cost the Lockheed corporation millions of dollars! An error was made in a contract with an international customer. There was a misplaced comma in a crucial number. The purchasing company insisted that Lockheed honor the contract as written. Unfortunately for Lockheed, the error was made in an equation that adjusted the sales price, and it cost them 70 million dollars.

That is similar to the consequences of sin; things that seem small and insignificant may have an extremely high cost in the end. Transgressions that may seem to be harmless can cause great and lasting damage.

“The price of sin is very high, though now it may seem low;

and if we let it go unchecked, its crippling power will grow.” - Fitzhugh

The Bible declares that “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:14-15). Hebrews 11:25 indicates that there pleasure in sin for a season. However, when that season is over, pleasure turns to misery.

It is highly likely that a good percentage of people in attendance today are lost. You do not belong to Jesus and you are living life on your own terms. Though you have had numerous opportunities to turn to Jesus, you refuse! If you continue in your rebellion there will come a day when you will be summoned to appear before Him. On that day, it will be too late to repent. You will reap what you have sown! Numbers 32:23 says, “behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.” Just as sure as chickens head back to the roost at dusk, you can be sure that your sins will find you out!

One of the greatest examples of the high cost of sin is the account that is recorded in I Kings chapters twenty-one and twenty-two. There we are given a detailed description of the horrific acts of Ahab and Jezebel against Naboth. We are also told of the great judgment that they experienced as a result of their wickedness.

There is a very important lesson to be learned in these chapters of God's Word. It is a lesson about a man that went after his heart's desire, and the price was far greater than he ever expected.

I invite you to join me in our selected text as we examine "The Chronicle Of A Costly Vineyard". As we survey the first half of 1 Kings twenty-one, I ask you to:

CONSIDER THE WICKEDNESS

A certain man named Naboth owned a vineyard in Jezreel. This vineyard was located beside the summer palace of the seventh king of Israel; a man named Ahab. Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard and desired to convert it into a vegetable garden.

He went to Naboth and offered to purchase it. Ahab was willing to provide him with a better vineyard or money in exchange for it. But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers” (v3). This response gives us a glimpse into the character of Naboth. Naboth was not declining an offer from just any neighbor; Ahab was the king. However, this vineyard was a cherished inheritance from Naboth’s forefathers.

Ahab’s reaction shows us that he was accustomed to getting his way. It was uncommon for him to hear the word “no!” When he returned to the palace he was angry and sulking because he did not get what he wanted. He went into his room, laid down, faced the wall, and refused to eat. The mighty king of Israel responded like a spoiled child.

It is at this point that one of the most wicked characters in the history of the world enters the story; her name is Jezebel. Jezebel is a women who makes scheming Delilah look like Mother Teresa.

Jezebel was Ahab's wife. Ahab was the first King of Israel to marry a heathen woman and the results were disastrous. Jezebel was devious, malicious, vengeful, cruel, and violent. She was immersed in Baal worship and her life was consumed with idolatry.

She enters Ahab’s room and immediately notices that something is amiss. She sees him pouting and asks, “what is wrong, why are you not eating?” Ahab, with his disheveled demeanor and his face red from anger began to explain his fury. He said, "I went by Naboth's house today and asked him to sell me his vineyard, but he refused!!"

When Jezebel hears this the wheels of evil begin to turn in her mind. She reminded Ahab who he was, she reminded him of his power, and she said, "you are the one who governs Israel… you are the king!" She goes on to say, "Don't you worry your pretty little head honey, I will see to it that you get what you want!”