The Jezebel Way

Before I begin today’s post, I want to give an update to those of you who read my Wednesday post about “What If You Knew You Only Had Another Day.” 
My precious cousin was given the prognosis of two months, but she only had three days.  She went home to be with Christ, her Savior on Wednesday afternoon.  She is safe in the arms of Jesus and her faith in Him is now sight.  Scripture says, Absent from the body, present with the Lord.  II Cor. 5:8 Thank you to those of you prayed for her.  Please pray for their family, for they are the only ones suffering now.  She is pain free, cancer free and sin free.  Again, I pray you have the assurance of eternity in heaven as she did and is now experiencing!

The Jezebel Way ~

Someone close to me had a terrible incrimination by an associate.  It would mar his testimony and possibly even displace him from his position in his vocation.

Such injustices are not isolated to leaders.  They happen to us all.  But how is a wife to respond when it is her husband who has been misrepresented or lied about?  It’s so easy for the “Momma Bear” in us to unleash our fury on the attackers, but as daughters of Christ, how should we respond?  How do we talk to and encourage our mate? I see an example in God’s Word that is a warning to us of the wrong way to counter the attack.

It’s The “Jezebel Way” – In I Kings 21 we read that Jezebel’s husband, King Ahab, desired to purchase a vineyard from Naboth, but Naboth wasn’t interested in making a deal.  He refused the king.  When Ahab got home, he pouted, even refusing to eat.  Jezebel saw his countenance and asked what any wife would ask,

But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?

When she heard the reason for his saddened disposition, she answered ~

Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

In other words, she said, “Don’t you remember that you’re the king?!  Who does Naboth think he is?! I’ll take care of this!  Step aside!”

Jezebel is furious.  She did indeed take matters into her own hands.  Men came and lied about Naboth, accusing him of something he did not do.  Then they stoned him in compliance with Jezebel’s wishes just so the land could belong to her husband.

Jezebel’s response is so easy for any wife to copy.  Oh, no, you and I wouldn’t kill anyone, but we may destroy the “enemy’s” position, their reputation, or their name in order to set things straight for our man.  We may feel justified because what has happened to him isn’t fair.  It isn’t true!  He doesn’t deserve what is being dished out! Or maybe he’s being overlooked when he should be recognized, so we step in. (There could be many scenarios of injustices.  You insert what has come to your mind. ) We just want things to be in our husband’s favor!!

BUT WAIT!!!

We must understand that God is sovereign.  God sees what is happening.  He knows.  He hears.  Reminders of that truth are seen in the life of Joseph (who wasn’t even married at the time!).  He was overlooked, lied about and mistreated. He didn’t have a wife that could step in for him. Poor guy.  I guess he just suffered for the rest of his life, right?

Wrong!!

God saw him, and God promoted him in a way and in a time that was just perfect!

God could have done the same thing for King Ahab if he and Jezebel had waited.

What could God do for you and your husband if you are willing to suffer for a time and wait?  The truth will always come out!!  It might not happen when you desire, but it will be revealed.

For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Luke 8:17

So what are you to do while you’re waiting for God to avenge this wrong?

• Remind yourself of the Truth! Don’t dwell on what others are doing.
• Remind your husband of the Truth! Give him God’s Word – not your opinion.
• Don’t talk down about the situation or the person doing the hard things; pray for them.
• You can speak the truth if someone asks you what is going on, but put the emphasis on what God will do. Put the emphasis on God’s perfect timing and your trust in Him!  Were it not for His grace, we would be doing the very same thing as those that are opposing us.
• Be a woman of integrity.  Remember you are not responsible for the actions of your opposers, but you are responsible for what you do and say.  Show Christ.  Reveal His love.  Forgive.
• Don’t stir your husband up to evil.  Remind him instead that the Lord honors the humble and will exalt him in due time.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,
lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Hebrews 12:3

• Yes, consider Jesus Who endured much more than you and I ever will!!!  When you turn and look at your situation, it will seem so very insignificant in comparison!

The Jezebel way is selfish, proud, evil, and short-sighted, but Jesus is generous, humble, holy and eternal.  When our husband is attacked, let’s not respond like Jezebel; let’s be like Jesus.

Refresh your husband with biblical truth instead of words that will stir him up!