Support for What Is Right
First Kings 21:25 says, “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, who Jezebel his wife stirred up.” One version translates these last few words as whom his wife “urged on.” What a difference it might have made in Ahab had Jezebel supported him in righteousness instead of urging him on to do wrong.
When Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard (I Kings 21:1-4), and Naboth did not want to trade or sell it, what a difference it would have made had she said to him, “Look, Ahab, that vineyard belongs to Naboth, and if does not want to sell or trade it, he does not have to, and you must respect that right!” Instead, she devised a plan in which Naboth was falsely accused of cursing God and the king, and Naboth was taken out and stoned to death.
When Elijah confronted the 450 prophets of Baal, and won the contest on Mount Carmel, he put to death those prophets of Baal. When Ahab told his wife what had happened, instead of telling Ahab, “Now, Ahab, what we ought to do is learn from this event in which the superiority of the God of heaven has been demonstrated, and be thankful that we have been shown what was right.” However, instead, Jezebel sought to kill Elijah and he had to flee for his life.
In Genesis 27, the story is told of Jacob obtaining the blessing that was to be bestowed on Esau. The blessing was obtained by deception. One might say that Jacob’s mother was the prime mover in this deception. She was the one who said to Jacob, “Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command you.” He was then sent to bring two good kids of the goats from which a savoury meat was made for Isaac, along with putting skins on his arms and neck to imitate the hairy man that Esau was. What a difference it would have made if Rebekah had said, “the will of God must be done. We must not interfere with the order of passing the blessing on to the eldest son.”
Yes, what a difference it will make if we support our wife, husband, parents, children, or friends in what is right. It is extremely important that we support what is right. Church attendance, contributing to the church, supporting the work of the church, church attendance, reading the Bible, and praying are just some of the things good Christian people must support. Especially should we give this support to those close to us. It will definitely make a difference for eternity!
– Max Patterson, 4438 South 89th Road, Bolivar, MO 65613-8012
