1 KINGS 21 (FROM CAC'S NOTES)
1 KINGS 21 (FROM CAC’S NOTES)
Naboth was one who, in a time of great departure, valued the inheritance of his fathers. The enemy’s object was to take it away, not now using Ben-Hadad, as in chapter 20 — the world as such — but Ahab, the responsible head of Israel. This is typical of how the christian profession, or its leaders, would like to divert the inheritance from its proper heirs so that they might have it for their own advantage. It is like the clergy claiming to have all spiritual matters under their jurisdiction but using their authority to dispossess the children of God of their inheritance in Christ.
Naboth would not recognise that his God-given portion was a matter with which Ahab had any right to interfere. It was divinely conferred and was a birthright held in immediate relation to Jehovah. To give it up was to give up his personal link with God according to the original calling. For us, the Father’s love has been given to us that we should be called the children of God, and children involves heirship, joint heirship with Christ whom God has established Heir of all things.
The proposal to Naboth was that he should part with his possession and give up the advantage to another for what Ahab calls “a better vineyard” or its value in money. It was said to one in my hearing, ‘You have given up all your spiritual prestige amongst the saints for two shillings a week!’ Ahab set no spiritual value on the inheritance; it was not to him a link with God; it was in his mind something to add to his pleasure away from God. When one is [p. 146] away from God oneself, spiritual things even have no spiritual value. We all know that if our interests are on other things we have no real enjoyment of spiritual things. We complain of the saints and of the meetings and do not think that it is ourselves who are wrong — we have fallen into idolatry.
Naboth was in conscious possession of his inheritance. That is a great thing. The best way for me to help others is to be in enjoyment myself. God has given us brethren so that we may enjoy the inheritance with them. The effect of the breakdown that obtains today is to take away the inheritance from the saints, and if this is resisted persecution follows from it in real annoyance.
Jezebel represents corrupting influence which is purely Satanic, urging on the responsible leaders to do what they would not do otherwise. Jezebel urges on the leaders to accuse Naboth of blasphemy; he was condemned as a blasphemer.
Note the great patience and forbearance of God!