Preuzmi aplikacijuThrough the Bible: 1 KingsUzorak
Reprieved or Justified?
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.
1 Kings 21: 27 (ESV)
King Ahab was complicit in Naboth’s murder. God sent Elijah to confront Ahab, who had sold himself to do evil, causing all of Israel to sin by encouraging idol worship. Elijah told Ahab that God would wipe out his descendants.
When Ahab heard God’s judgment, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. God saw his repentance, and showed mercy, so judgment would only befall Ahab’s sons. Judgment was delayed but not removed.
How genuine was Ahab’s repentance? Was it an outward show only and was his heart unchanged? Only God really knows what takes place in our hearts. Partial repentance may lead to a reprieve but sincere repentance leads to justification.
All of us can be put right with God, and He can grant us freedom from judgment if we truly repent.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, it is so comforting to know that You do not want anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance. Help me to appreciate the people in my life who confront me when I do wrong. Help me to genuinely repent. Also, help me to share with those around me that You rejoice when one of Your precious children comes back to You in true repentance.
O ovom planu
1st Kings begins with Solomon’s rise to kingship and his fall, leading to the nation’s splitting into two kingdoms, known as Judah and Israel. During the most wicked time, God sent the prophet Elijah to call the people to repentance. The author intends to recount history with an appeal to readers in every generation: the darker the world we live in, the more Christ-followers need to stand firm for God.
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