Introduction

Greetings, dear friends. I'm so glad you've chosen to join us today as we gather, not just as a congregation, but as a family, united in our love for our Savior and our desire to grow closer to Him. We are here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. God has a word for us today, a message of profound importance that He wants to engrave on our hearts.

Today, we turn our attention to an infamous figure in the Bible, a woman whose name has become synonymous with wickedness and deception: Jezebel. Her story is not a pleasant one, but it is one that we must confront if we are to truly understand the depth of God's justice and the reach of His mercy.

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "By perseverance the snail reached the ark." The path to understanding and wisdom is not always easy or straightforward, but with perseverance, we will reach the truth that God has laid out for us.

Let's read together from the book of John, chapter 8, verse 34: "Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.'"

This passage, my friends, sets the stage for our discussion today. Jezebel was a slave to her sins, trapped in a cycle of wickedness that led to her downfall. But her story serves as a stark reminder to us all: Sin enslaves, but Christ frees.

Before we proceed further, let's bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today with open hearts and minds, ready to receive Your word. We ask that You guide us as we delve into the story of Jezebel, that we may glean from it the lessons You intend for us. Help us to see, not just the wickedness of Jezebel, but the justice and mercy of You, our God. May Your truth resonate in our hearts and minds, leading us to a deeper understanding of Your love and grace. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Jezebel's Journey into Wickedness

In the pages of the Bible, we find the story of a woman who chose a path of wickedness, a path that led her away from the light of God's love and into the darkness of sin. This woman, Jezebel, serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of sin and the devastating consequences of turning away from God.

Jezebel was a queen, married to King Ahab of Israel. She was not an Israelite, but a Sidonian, and she brought with her the worship of Baal, a pagan god. This was her first step into wickedness, the introduction of idolatry into the kingdom of Israel. She did not merely worship Baal in private, but actively promoted his worship among the Israelites, leading them away from the worship of the one true God.

This was not a trivial matter. Idolatry, the worship of false gods, is a direct violation of the first commandment. It says, "You shall have no other gods before me." It is a rejection of God's sovereignty, a denial of His love and grace. And it was this sin, this rebellion against God, that marked the beginning of Jezebel's descent into wickedness.

But Jezebel's sin did not stop at idolatry. She was also a woman of great cruelty and violence. She persecuted the prophets of God, ordering their execution and silencing their voices. She used her power and influence to spread fear and oppression, to silence those who dared to speak the truth of God's word.

This was a direct assault on God's authority, a blatant disregard for His commandments. The prophets were God's messengers, His voice to the people. By silencing them, Jezebel was attempting to silence God Himself. This was not just wickedness, but blasphemy, a sin of the highest order.

Yet, even in her wickedness, Jezebel was not beyond the reach of God's justice. God sent the prophet Elijah to confront Ahab and Jezebel, to pronounce judgment on their wickedness. And in the end, Jezebel met a gruesome end, thrown from a window and trampled underfoot, just as Elijah had prophesied.

This was the culmination of Jezebel's journey into wickedness, the inevitable consequence of her sin. She had turned away from God, rejected His commandments, and embraced a life of sin. And in the end, she reaped what she had sown.

So, what can we learn from Jezebel's story?

First, we see the destructive power of sin. Jezebel's sin led her away from God, into a life of wickedness and rebellion. It brought her to a place of judgment and destruction. Sin is not a trivial matter, but a serious offense against a holy God. It separates us from Him, leads us into darkness, and brings us under His judgment.

Second, we see the danger of idolatry. Jezebel's worship of Baal was a rejection of God, a denial of His sovereignty and love. Idolatry is not just the worship of false gods, but the elevation of anything above God. It is a form of spiritual adultery, a betrayal of our relationship with Him.

Third, we see the consequences of rejecting God's authority. Her persecution of the prophets was a direct assault on God's authority, an attempt to silence His voice. When we reject God's authority, we set ourselves up as our own gods, deciding for ourselves what is right and wrong. This is a dangerous path, one that leads to judgment and destruction.

Finally, we see the certainty of God's justice. Despite Jezebel's power and influence, she could not escape the judgment of God. He is a God of justice, who will not let the wicked go unpunished. He is also a God of mercy, who offers forgiveness and salvation to those who turn from their sin and trust in Him.

Judgement and Jezebel's Downfall

As we continue to examine the life of Jezebel, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in her narrative ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO