Repent for the Children
5 min read
25 (There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. 26 He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the LORD drove out before Israel.)
27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.
28 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 29 “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”
— 1 Kings 21:27-28
The verdict against Ahab was already sealed. With respect to his idolatry, he had reached the point of no return.
One lesson that we learn from Ahab is that it does no good to believe in God if you also worship other idols. That is called syncretism. The Universalist “Church” is syncretistic. That is the church with those bumper stickers that say “Coexist.” Obviously God wants Christians to be the messengers of peace in this world, but we must never compromise the truth that there is only one God—Father, Son, and Spirit.
The reason that Ahab had reached the point of no return is that, as king, he had led Israel in committing idolatry, he had “caused Israel to sin” (verse 22). So even though he himself repented, he did not lead Israel in repentance.
At the same time, we see God’s mercy and forbearance at work. When Ahab did repent, God relented with regard to Ahab.
What that means is that even though disaster would come on his house “in the days of his son,” if his son repented, God would also relent with regard to his son.
God did not cause Ahab to commit idolatry, and God did not cause Ahab to repent, as if Ahab were some kind of puppet. He did those things all on his own. And yet God does know the end from the beginning.
Once again, I’m reminded of the story of King Hezekiah of Judah. He was a good king overall. But then he made the foolish mistake of showing envoys of Babylon the treasuries of Judah. Isaiah informed Hezekiah that the mistake would lead to the destruction of Judah, Jerusalem, and the temple. And Hezekiah responded by being happy that it wasn’t going to happen to him.
Hezekiah’s attitude reflects everything that is wrong with the world and with many churches, even. Each generation is accountable for its own generation. But each generation has a responsibility to teach and model the way of Christ for the next generation too.
Father, I thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace upon my life. You know my sin. But I know Your grace. Each day I draw a day closer to seeing You face to face. Help me to be strong and confident in Your grace. But also, sanctify me and lead me into Your righteousness and holiness. In Jesus’s name. Amen.