1 kings chapter 21 reminds us that the bond we have with our spouse is both legal and spiritual. It is critically important that we know the heart of our future spouse. When I got married, all I knew was that 2 Corinthians 6:14 warned against any union with someone outside the faith. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers“. Outward beauty is easy to spot, but it is the inner beauty that does not fade. The chapter describes how King Ahab and his wife dealt with “an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite“. The king wanted the land adjacent to his own for a vegetable garden, the owner, however, understood the importance of the land. “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” It seems the king was unaccustomed to not getting his way, “So Ahab went home, sullen and angry“. How do you react to a godly rebuke?
His wife was not hindered by minor things like God’s Law. She told him, “Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite“. We read, “So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him“. It is unlikely that she did this without the king’s consent. It is true, that when we do not actively stand against evil, we are granting our approval. Her plan was simple, “seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death“. 2 Kings chapter 6 even indicates the innocent man’s entire family was killed so there were no other heirs. The king does not appear to be too upset. “When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard“. There are those that teach prosperity is proof of God’s approval, but Proverbs 16:18 reminds us, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall“.
Once again, notice that God holds the man responsible for the actions of his wife. God spoke to Ahab through the prophet Elijah, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel… I will make your house like that of Jeroboam… because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin“. And Jezebel does not escape judgment, “Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel“. The chapter ends with a word of hope for those of us that have done things we are ashamed of. As ruthless as the king was, God noted His observation to Elijah. “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me?” God desires that each of us would turn from our sin and ask for His forgiveness and mercy. 2 Peter 3:9 reveals God’s heart. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance“. Do not put the focus on your spouse; salvation happens in the heart of each individual.