Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, “Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?
2 Kings 9:31
In the worldly sense, the term “blasphemy” generally refers to speaking irreverently or disrespectfully about God or sacred things. While Jezebel’s actions were not necessarily blasphemy in this sense, she did commit many acts of wickedness and injustice against others, amounting to blasphemy.
Jezebel’s most famous act of blasphemy was her promotion of the worship of Baal in Israel. According to the biblical account in 1 Kings, Jezebel was a devotee of Baal and worked to establish his worship throughout the land. She deliberately does things with direct violation of God’s commandments. In addition to her promotion of Baal worship, Jezebel was also known for her persecution of the prophets of the Lord. She had many of them killed, and the ones who remained alive were forced to flee and hide. Jezebel’s actions were a direct attack on the worship of the true God and a violation of the prophets’ right to speak God’s message.
Elijah & Naboth
In addition to her false accusation against Elijah, Jezebel is also known for her role in the death of Naboth, a vineyard owner.
After Elijah’s victory in the test, Jezebel threatened to kill him. She sent a message to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow” (1 Kings 19:2). Jezebel’s false accusation against Elijah was that he had killed the prophets of Baal and was a threat to her life.
Jezebel’s accusation was false because Elijah had not killed the prophets of Baal. In fact, Elijah had only defeated them in the test of the gods. However, Jezebel’s false accusation shows how she was willing to use lies and deceit to achieve her goals.
Whereas, the story of Naboth’s vineyard is found in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings, chapter 21. According to the account, Naboth was a man who owned a vineyard next to King Ahab’s palace in the city of Jezreel. Ahab, who was Jezebel’s husband, wanted to buy Naboth’s vineyard, but Naboth refused to sell it because it was his family inheritance.
Jezebel, who was the queen and wielded significant influence over Ahab, was determined to get Naboth’s vineyard for her husband. She came up with a plan to falsely accuse Naboth of blasphemy, a crime punishable by death, in order to have him executed and seize his vineyard.
Jezebel wrote letters in King Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, then sent them to the elders and nobles of Jezreel, instructing them to proclaim a fast and to seat Naboth at the head of the assembly. Then, she arranged for two scoundrels to accuse Naboth of cursing God and the king, which was a capital offense. The false accusations were made in front of the assembly, and Naboth was condemned and taken outside the city to be stoned to death.
Jezebel’s false accusation was a calculated plan to obtain Naboth’s vineyard, and it was successful. After Naboth was killed, King Ahab took possession of the vineyard, as he had desired. However, the prophet Elijah confronted Ahab and Jezebel about their crime, and prophesied that their dynasty would be destroyed because of their wickedness.
In summary, Jezebel falsely accused Naboth of blasphemy and arranged for his execution in order to obtain his vineyard for her husband. Her actions were a flagrant abuse of power and a violation of God’s law, and they ultimately led to the downfall of her family’s dynasty.
Use Of Threats & Intimidation
Jezebel was known for her use of threats and intimidation to get what she wanted. As the queen of Israel and the wife of King Ahab, she had a significant amount of power and influence, which she often wielded to control others and protect her interests.
Jezebel’s use of threats can also be seen in her treatment of the prophet Elijah. After Elijah had defeated the prophets of Baal in a dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel, Jezebel threatened to kill him. This threat caused Elijah to flee into the wilderness, where he was sustained by the Lord.
Another example of Jezebel’s use of threats can be seen in her involvement in the death of Naboth. When Naboth refused to sell his vineyard to King Ahab, Jezebel falsely accused him of blasphemy and had him stoned to death. This act of violence was a clear message to anyone who would dare to oppose Jezebel or her husband’s wishes.
Jezebel’s use of threats was not limited to these two examples but was a consistent pattern throughout her life. She was known for her ruthless and cunning tactics, which she used to maintain her position of power and control. Her example serves as a warning against the dangers of using fear and intimidation to get what we want, and highlights the importance of treating others with respect and dignity.
Apart from using threats, Jezebel’s actions were not limited to blasphemy but included many other forms of wickedness and injustice. She used her position of power to oppress others and promote her own interests, even if it meant violating God’s commandments and causing harm to other people.
Powerless Jezebel
While Jezebel is not typically seen as a powerless woman in the Bible, there are certain scriptures that suggest her downfall and ultimate defeat. Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab of Israel, and she promoted the worship of Baal and other pagan gods, leading the people of Israel away from the worship of the one true God. Here are some scriptures that relate to Jezebel’s eventual defeat:
1 Kings 18:4 – “For while Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.”
This scripture suggests that even as Jezebel was exercising power and authority by persecuting the prophets of God, there were those who were able to resist her and provide protection for God’s people.
1 Kings 19:1-2 – “Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, ‘May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.'”
In this passage, Jezebel is shown to be threatened by the power of God displayed through the prophet Elijah. Her response is one of fear and desperation, indicating that her power is not absolute.
Revelation 2:20-23 – “Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.”
In this scripture from the New Testament book of Revelation, Jezebel is used as an example of false teaching and idolatry. The passage suggests that even though Jezebel may have held some power and influence in her time, ultimately she will face judgment and defeat.
Her example serves as a warning against the dangers of pride, power, and corruption. Overall, Jezebel’s actions demonstrate how false accusations can be used as a tool of manipulation and control. Her example serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of lying and the importance of seeking the truth.
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