25/04/2011 - CURSED HERITAGE

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“Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.” (II Kings 1:1)
According to the biblical records Israel had the misfortune of being commanded by Ahab, a completely self-serving man. Well, more abominations were carried out by that king to irritate the Lord than by all the others who ruled the Israeli lands before him. That leader’s passion for wrongdoings led him, alongside his wife, to turn the land of the people of God into a huge center of witchcraft as never before seen.
Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, were experts in evil deeds. Once, that ruler felt in his heart the desire of purchasing the vineyard of Naboth, the Jezreelite. So, since its owner was determined not to negotiate with Ahab, he chickened out but his wife Jezebel took control of the situation and had Naboth stoned to death. This episode demonstrates how harshly that couple carried out their judgments. Besides, Ahab was a vain man: he even built up a house made of ivory (I Kings 22:39). As for battles, he was actually successful in some of them, however he ended up being killed in one by an arrow shot at random.
Since God’s a God of love, He sent a citizen of Gilead to reprimand that king; an ambassador who later became known as Prophet Elijah. Yet, Ahab paid no heed to Elijah because he loved wickedness. And Elijah, through divine intervention, shut the Heavens and not even a dew drop fell in the whole land of Israel for three years. And though he realized that the word of that prophet prevailed and also witnessed the defeat that Elijah inflicted on the 450 prophets of Baal and on the 400 post-idols, Ahab wouldn’t change his behavior. Prophet Elijah met him again later on to prophesy the death of Ahab and his wife as well as the destruction of all his family. Then, he humbled himself but he didn’t truly convert to the Lord.
As soon as Ahab died, Elijah’s each and every word was fulfilled to the letter. So, all the royal descendents were murdered and there was none left to take over the government of the ten tribes. Also, the people of Moab who had been obliged to pay taxes to Israel became rebellious against the Israeli domain.
Nothing built without God\’s help is a blessing. For example, the person in charge of the purchasing department at a certain company who accepts bribes in exchange for any “favors” he or she might do will realize on the Great Day that they were bringing a curse onto themselves and their descendents. The same will happen to those who were unfaithful spouses, lied under oath or caused scandal to the work of God. This is something very serious, my brethren! We can’t trifle with our Father’s patience and mercy.
Those who are in the leadership of a company or a church or those who are the heads of their household must open up their eyes and keep away from temptations. There are people who dare bring charges against their brethren, thus despising the Word of God. And the worst thing is when someone files suit against the Church, whose head is Jesus. Don’t you think it’d be more profitable to suffer the loss, if actually there was any? Where’s the spirit of the servants of God in those people? Do ponder on it!
In Christ, with love,
R. R. Soares