Babies & Bullies

Truly, there was no one like Ahab who had sold himself by doing evil in the eyes of Yahweh, whose wife Jezebel urged him on.
1 Kings 21:25 LEB

Ahab and Jezebel demonstrate the partnership between the “sellout” and the “prodder”, the baby and the bully. A sellout is a person who compromises his or her personal values and integrity for personal gain. Jezebel urged Ahab to become a sellout. The Hebrew word for “urged” has origins in a word that means prick, as with thorns. Bullies will use physical harm as a tool, but they more often depend on the thorny poking of emotional terrorism. Jezebel had a way of poking and prodding Ahab in the direction that would benefit her agenda and increase her control —keep him like a baby so she could bully the nation.

Ahab put himself in bondage in his pursuit of selfish gain, and in the process gave all of his kingly authority to Jezebel who would deliver. Like a self-absorbed child, Ahab coveted his neighbor’s garden and had a hissy-fit when told “no”. Jezebel came in like his sweet, understanding mother, soothing him and promising to deal with that mean neighbor. She simultaneously got Ahab what he wanted and took charge over the country, ushering in idolatry and immorality while threatening and murdering anyone who resisted or spoke up.

“But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.”
Revelation 2:20 ESV

The spirit of Jezebel connects with your selfish desires, shows you a false empathy, and tickles your ears with words that please your appetite. The whole time she’s poking you forward on her wayward path. As you listen, a transaction takes place. You give her the keys and she delivers your fleshly desire; then once she’s standing in your door with the keys, she ushers in her true agenda: idolatry and immorality.

A friend of mine used a phrase “empathetic defilement”. This is when someone shows you a soothing, understanding attitude that actually keeps you stuck in childish, fleshly behavior. They tickle your ears like a baby when what you really need is a strong correction to grow up. Do not allow empathetic defilement to make you a sellout. Don’t be a baby and don’t empower the bully! Time to grow up!

Seeking His face!
Matt