FOR ANALYSIS ...

Jezebel is used biblically as a kind of “power that caused the great medieval apostasy in its day.

Jezebel was the wife of Ahab, who reigned over the ten tribes of northern Israel from 874 to 853 BC. Ahab was noted for military and political success, but was “weak in religious matters,” for “did Ahab the son of Omri. which was evil before the Lord above all that were before him ”(1 Kings 6:30). He chose to marry Jezebel, daughter of Etbaal, a high priest and pagan king.

According to the biblical account concerning Ahab: “He took as wife Jezebel, daughter of Etbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal, and worshiped him ”(1 Kings 16: 30-31). “Ahab's evil wife Jezebel came from the Phoenician city of Tire, from where her father had been high priest and king. Jezebel worshiped the god Baal. ”1 Given that Baal simply means“ lord ”2, Jezebel and Ahab introduced a counterfeit of God and his religion into Israel. Therefore, Ahab, “prompted by Jezebel,” introduced Baal worship in Israel (1 Kings 21: 25-26).

To please his wife, Ahab built a temple and an altar for Baal (16:32). And thus promoted idolatry, 3 "until almost all Israel was going after Baal." “The Baal mentioned here was considered the god who sent rain and made the crops grow. Baal worshipers engaged in some sort of sacred fornication in the temple to praise Him as the source of life. Sometimes the people even offered their children to Baal as burnt sacrifices (Jeremiah 19: 5). ”4 Ahab's marriage to Jezebel fulfilled a political and self-serving agenda, but not God's will. Biblically, that union was a spiritual adultery and a betrayal of God. Their influence as leprosy deepened the nation's religious syncretism and apostasy. While the people professed to serve Jehovah, they also served Baal. They "limped between two thoughts" (1 Kings 18:21).

We know that Revelation also mentions Jezebel and makes a connection of it to apostasy. What does that mean?

In the message of Christ to the Church of Thyatira, Jezebel is quoted: “But I have against you to tolerate this woman, Jezebel, who declares herself a prophet, not only to teach, but to seduce my servants to practice prostitution. to eat of the things sacrificed to idols. I gave him time to repent; But she does not want to repent of her fornication. Behold, they shall fall down as a bed, and in great tribulation, that they that commit adultery with her, if they do not repent of the works which she provoke ”(Revelation 2: 20-22).

According to the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, “just as Jezebel propagated Baal worship in Israel (1 Kings 21:25), some false prophetess of John's day would be misleading the church at Thyatira.” 5 Only one must consider that the letters to the seven churches of Revelation also have prophetic application to seven definite phases of the history of Christianity.6 When “applied to the Thyatira period in Christian history, the figure of Jezebel represents the power that caused the great medieval apostasy.” 7

What three lessons do the lives of Ahab, Jezebel and Elijah leave us?

Of Ahab, “he was weak in moral ability. Their union by marriage to an idolatrous woman of purposeful character and definite temperament has resulted in disaster for both him and the nation. ”8 The usefulness of a man in serving God and his people is closely related to the character of the person he has chosen. to be your wife and mate.

Concerning Jezebel, we can see the harm this woman caused to Ahab's life and to the people of Israel. It is not difficult to conclude, therefore, that a woman's influence for good or for evil is proven to be decisive. On the other hand, given that Jezebel is used biblically as a type of the “power that caused the great medieval apostasy,” 9 we should avoid a syncretic religion that marries Christianity and paganism, between truth and lies, and promotes the spiritual adultery. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers; For what society can there be between justice and iniquity? Or what fellowship of light with darkness? ”(2 Corinthians 6: 14-15).

About the prophet Elijah, we must remember that in the days of Jezebel there were hundreds of false prophets in Israel and only one true prophet. “Then said Elijah unto the people, I am only left of the prophets of the LORD, and the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men” (1 Kings 18:22). It was the presence and performance of this true prophet of God that held back the tide of apostasy in Israel.

We should value true prophets and their teachings. To do this, we have to turn to Scripture to learn to discern between the true and the false prophet, especially in this degenerate age when the fake ones multiply. “The prophetic word is thus all the more confirmed, and you do well to attend to it, as a candle shining in a dark place, until the day is bright and the morning star is born in your heart” (2 Peter 1: 19).

Jesus Christ warned, “See that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24: 5). “False prophets will rise up and deceive many” (verse 11). Another precious lesson is that “God's plan is not to send messengers to flatter and flatter sinners.” 10 We must be humble to submit to God and His messengers. By the way, instead of spending time on soap operas, wouldn't it be fantastic to seek God's Word and come into direct contact with the pure source of truth?

Do not be yoked together with the unfaithful; Why, what society has justice with injustice? And what fellowship does light have with darkness?

And what concord is there between Christ and Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

And what consensus does the temple of God have with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God and they will be my people.

Therefore go out from among them, and depart, saith the LORD: and touch nothing unclean, and I will receive you;

And I will be unto you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6: 14-18

SOURCE: https://biblia.com.br/perguntas-biblicas/segundo-a-biblia-quem-foi-jezabel-e-acabe/