Lesson 300 - Junior

Memory Verse

"Take heed, and beware of covetousness:  for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth”  (Luke 12:15).

Notes

New Schemes

God had pronounced judgment upon Ahab for his wickedness. But instead of repenting of his sins when he knew his end was near, he planned more mischief.

One of Ahab's neighbour had a vineyard that Ahab wanted. He was willing to pay for it, and tried to make a business deal. But God had commanded the Israelites not to sell their land; and Naboth, the owner of the vineyard, had more regard for the Law of God than did the king. Naboth answered: "The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.” Naboth might have excused himself by saying that if the king commanded it, he would have to sell regardless of the Law of God. Some people are very quick to find an excuse for compromising with the thing they know is not the will of God. However Naboth had courage to hold to the right, even if he displeased the king.

Jezebel's Plot

Ahab certainly was displeased when he heard that Naboth would not sell him the land. Ahab acted like a spoiled child, and went to bed and pouted. But Jezebel, his wicked wife, was going to make sure that Ahab got what he wanted. She was clever, and she began to scheme how she could take the vineyard from Naboth to give to her disappointed husband. Was he not the King of Israel? Should not he be entitled to anything he wanted?

First Jezebel wrote letters, signed in the king's name, and sent them to the elders in the city where Naboth lived. In the letter were instructions to call a fast, and to set Naboth before all the people. Perhaps they were to make him think that he was going to be honoured. But then they were to hire two wicked men to accuse him of blasphemy. They would have to be false witnesses, because Naboth had done nothing wrong.

The Law of God said that no man could be condemned by less than two witnesses. "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death” [DEU:17:6]). It was not hard to get two witnesses to lie if they were paid for it. There are many dishonest people who will even betray their friends for money.

Martyrs

Many people have been condemned to a martyr's death by false witnesses. False witnesses were hired against Jesus Himself. And Jesus said: "The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” [JHN:15:20]). The followers of Jesus Christ were not to be disheartened or frightened because of the things they might have to suffer for Him. He said, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” [JHN:16:33]), even though it looked as though His enemies had overcome Him.

When we are the children of God, we are "Joint-heirs with Christ.” If we suffer with Him, we shall be glorified together [ROM:8:17]).

Naboth Stoned

Naboth had to suffer and give his life because he insisted on keeping the Law of God. He was carried outside the city and stoned until he was dead. What glory must have been his when he stood before his Maker, having given his life for his God! Naboth had entered into eternal life to live with God throughout all the ages.

Naboth's stoning reminds us of that of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stephen was not afraid to die for Jesus, and when he left this earth he received a royal welcome into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Treachery Discovered

Now the vineyard belonged to Ahab. Was he going to enjoy it? His greediness had caused the death of an innocent man. Could Ahab be happy?

Children are often told that God is watching everything they do. God watches not only the children. He had watched Ahab's pouting, and Jezebel's treachery. God had seen His servant Naboth die; and it is written, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” [ROM:12:19]). It is not our place to try to get even with someone who has wronged us. There will come a time of reckoning when God will even all scores. "Be sure your sin will find you out” [NUM:32:23]).

Ahab was guilty of robbery and murder, and God was going to punish him. He was the king of Israel, but the glory of the throne was not to remain in his family. No son of his would be king after him, for God said that all his sons were going to die -– and they would not even have a decent burial. His wife, too, was going to suffer a shameful death for her sins. All this was the wages for Ahab's sins. Not everyone is told ahead of time what his punishment will be; and sometimes it seems that some wicked people never do have to suffer for their sins. But the Bible says, "The wages of sin is death” -– eternal death. God sees the sin and it will surely bring punishment if it is not repented of.

Mercy

God in His mercy does forgive when we repent. It was said of Ahab that he did more to provoke the Lord God than any other king of Israel had done who reigned before him; yet, when Elijah, the Prophet of God, came to tell him of the judgment he would receive for his sins, Ahab humbled himself, put on sackcloth, and prayed. God saw that, too, and He sent Elijah to tell Ahab that because he had humbled himself, all the judgments would not happen to Ahab's house until after he was dead.

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not” [LAM:3:22]). Everyone has sinned, and needs to repent and be saved, even though his sins may seem to be little. Perhaps a person would not think of committing murder in order to get the thing he coveted; but if he only disregarded his service to the Lord in order to get unnecessary comforts and possessions, it would be sin and would need to be repented of.

Covetousness

The sin of covetousness can begin in a small way. We may admire something someone else has. There is nothing wrong in that so long as we are glad that he has it, and we do not want it for ourselves. But when we begin to want something we cannot have, and take steps to try to get it, as Ahab did, then it becomes sin. The Bible tells us that covetousness is idolatry. Other things have become more important to the covetous person than the will of God. "Let your conversation be without covetousness.” Do not be always talking about the things you are going to get for yourself, or how you can better yourself. You will get a much greater blessing by talking about the things of God, and how you can help others: "Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” [HEB:13:5]).

Questions

1. What did Ahab want?

2. Why did Naboth not want to give it to him?

3. How did Ahab act when he could not get it?

4. How did Jezebel help Ahab get what he wanted?

5. What kind of person was Naboth?

6. How do Naboth and Stephen compare?

7. What is covetousness?

8. What has God promised to those who are content with what they have?