Give no place to Jezebel

In the book of Kings we come across a character called Jezebel.  Now a lot has been written and preached about her, but one of the things she did was to get a vineyard off Naboth, and turn it into a vegetable garden. That doesn’t mean a lot until we understand that Naboth means fruit, and in Hitchcock’s book of names they have Naboth down as, words and prophecies.  A study of the root meaning of Jezebels name carries two meanings. One is habitation and the other is a series of questions, how? Why? Whether? Whence? etc. The prophetic word of God in our lives comes under attack by a questioning attitude or spirit that wants to take residence in our minds and hearts; constantly second guessing the promises and words of God, sowing doubt.  Sound familiar, “has God said” etc, trying to make us and our promises unfruitful or unproductive.

Now how to deal with it. A little further in the story in Kings Jezebel is destroyed namely by a guy called Jehu.  Now remember the prophet Elijah had run from her words and hidden himself in a cave, but Jehu charged straight for her and had her thrown down off the wall. We need to be radically ruthless in our own lives in dealing with the unfaith questions that arise in our minds and hearts.  They need to be ruthlessly and quickly attacked and destroyed. The apostle Paul said give no place for the devil; pull down every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. That questioning attitude is not to live in us.  If God says it, even though it seems impossible, and even if it tarries, it can and will come to pass.