ToddGaddisBook_October2023_8.5x5.5.indd

Continuing the revelation of His judgment through the prophet, the Lord goes on to say, “I am going to bring disaster on you. I will wipe out your descendents and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel -slave or free” (1 Kings 21:21). His house would be cut off like those of the first two dynasties, Jeroboam and Baasha. Certainly, his pagan wife would not be spared. As the Lord determined, “Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel,” adding, “Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab, who die in the city, and the birds will feed on those who die in the country” (1 Kings 19:23,24). This is a great time to include the Lord’s word to the chil dren of Israel in the days of Moses: “Be sure, your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). Later, through one of the major prophets, the Lord said, “The person who sins will die” (Ezekial 18:20). Achan, mentioned earlier for taking the gold and silver, is a prime exam ple. After his sin was exposed, he was taken out and immediately stoned to death Such swift punishment for a crime doesn’t fit in a society where one is innocent until proven guilty and entitled to a fair trial. Yet, it does get discouraging when obvious perpetrators, especial ly the rich and well connected, get by with a slap on the wrist or completely without retribution. Time often allows for such unfair justice, yet eternity definitely won’t.Whether it be believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) or the lost at The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15), a day of reckoning is coming. By then, however, it will be too late for repentance. Fortunately, for Ahab it wasn’t too late. Once he heard the words of the Lord, “He tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly” (1 Kings 21:27). All indica-

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