September 17 – Ahab Doesn’t Wear the Pants – 1 Kings 21
In today’s passage, Ahab refuses to wear the pants of responsibility. Jezebel, his wife, is more than happy to take over this role. Ahab wanted a vineyard that belonged to Naboth. Naboth refused to sell him the vineyard, because it was an inheritance passed down from generation to generation. Ahab threw a fit and pouted. Jezebel saw this as another example where she could gain more authority, so she told Ahab she would take care of everything. After paying two false accusers to accuse Naboth of crimes he did not commit, Jezebel had Naboth stoned to death. Ahab got his vineyard in the end. We have raised a generation of “Jezebels” in America today. Women in the home have begun calling the shots. Men in the home have gotten comfortable with giving this responsibility to their wives. Many fathers can no longer call a family meeting and say, “we are going to follow what the Bible says.” Instead fathers must make sure “momma” is happy and is okay with the decision of pleasing God. 1 Corinthians 11:14 says, “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” It is the father’s responsibility to grab a pair of scissors and whack off the ever so precious “baby locks” of little boy’s head that is causing him to look like a girl. We have too many fathers in America that are satisfied to take a back seat when it comes to the authority in the home. If we are so hesitant to follow God’s Word in a “minor hair” issue, what is going to happen when we need to draw lines in the sand for ourself or the wife? God has implemented a certain structure in the home. The husband and father is responsible for what happens in the home. He will be the one that stands before God to give an account of successes and failures. Even though Ahab refused to be responsible in his home, he will still be accountable when he stands before God.
