Naboth's Vineyard

 1 Kings 21: 1-7

 

July 27, 2021

 

Naboth's Vineyard

Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.   And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.”   But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”   And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.

But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?”  And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”   And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

 

In the account of two evil people, one acts like a small little spoiled boy, and his wife took the role of the mother who never allowed her little boy to own his own problems.  I believe they call them helicopter mothers today, always hovering and making sure their sons are never allowed to grow into manhood.  In all areas of life, we will face a situation where we must make a decision and often we choose to take risks that lead to disappointments, and sometimes real pain for both ourselves and those watching or being affected by our actions.  

 

In my case, I was given clear directions on what was right and what was wrong, but often I was not sure my parents knew what they were saying and so I made many bad discissions that cause me pain, and I never had my mother or dad try to cover my wrong choices but always allowed me to take the full punishment.  I would not be the man I am today if my mother or dad was trying to fix my disappointments as Jezebel did for her weak evil husband Ahab.

 

If you are such a person and you love your child tell them what is right and what is wrong according to God’s Word, and allow them to make mistakes but also receive punishment for their poor choices.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice