Jezebel: The Lost Queen

If Jezebel strolled into a boardroom today, she'd be hired in a heartbeat. Intelligent, courageous, and assertive, she was a born leader with considerable influence who boldly took on the competition and got things done.

When such a woman honors the Lord, great things can happen. But this pushy Phoenician princess worshiped Baal, a fertility god. Temple prostitution and child sacrifice were the order of the day. Murdering the prophets of Israel was business as usual. No wonder she's the Lady Macbeth of the Bible.

Nor was her hubby one of history's good guys. In fact, Ahab "did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him" (1 Kings 16:30). Topping the list of Ahab's sins? He "married Jezebel … and began to serve Baal and worship him" (1 Kings 16:31). Politics, not romance, paired this nefarious couple.

The Steamrolling Spouse

With her sharp tongue, manipulative style, and misdirected devotion, Queen Jezebel is the perfect anti-role model. Imagine my dismay when I discovered a few similarities between her take-charge ways and my strong-natured self, especially when I studied Jezebel's relationship with her less-aggressive husband.

Consider the scene that unfolded in their private chambers at the palace. Ahab was "sullen and angry" because his neighbor Naboth wouldn't let Ahab buy his land to build a veggie garden. Miffed, Ahab "lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat" (1 Kings 21:4).

My husband, Bill, isn't prone to whining—that would be my specialty—but he is inclined to step back rather than take action. To ruminate rather than retaliate.

Alas, I'm more like steamrolling Jezebel, who jabbed her man with words and goaded him with sarcasm: "Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?" (1 Kings 21:5). The words of a concerned wife? Not the way

I hear them. Especially not when she chided him, "Is this how you act as king over Israel?" (1 Kings 21:7).

Those taunting words sound sadly familiar. Soon after we married, Bill was unemployed for several weeks. Instead of playing the role of supportive new wife, I swept through the door—reminding him I'd spent all day at work—and demanded, "Have you gone on any interviews? Is this what being the head of the household means to you?"

Jezebel, alive and well at the Higgs house.

What Not to Do

Maybe Jezebel has reared her ugly head where you live, too. Headstrong women like us can learn what not to do by watching Jezebel in action.

After verbally bringing Ahab to his knees, she deftly lifted the crown off his head and placed it on her own, vowing, "I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite" (1 Kings 21:7). Girl, did she ever. She "wrote letters in Ahab's name" and "placed his seal on them" (1 Kings 21:8), outlining a devious plan to have their neighbor wrongly accused of cursing both God and king. "Then take him out and stone him to death" (1 Kings 21:10), Jezebel insisted.

A tragic burial for Naboth. A new garden for Ahab. And a death sentence for Baal-loving, prophet-killing Queen Jez, handed down by God: "Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel" (1 Kings 21:23). Even when the end came, her last words were a cruel accusation—"you murderer of your master" (2 Kings 9:31)— seconds before she was shoved out the window by two guys who worked for her.

For those of us who love to run the show, Jezebel's story is worth a closer look. Even as a worshiper of God, not Baal, I can find myself taking charge instead of taking direction, or speaking my mind instead of speaking the truth in love. If that's you, sis, why not join me in praying for a gentler spirit and words that edify rather than destroy. God gave us our leadership abilities; let's use them for his glory.

Liz Curtis Higgs is the author of 23 books, including Grace in Thine Eyes (WaterBrook Press). Visit her website: www.LizCurtisHiggs.com.

Digging Deeper

1. James 3:5-10 describes the dangers of an untamed tongue. If your conversation—or tone of voice or attitude—needs adjustment, what steps might you take toward softening your speech?

2. 2. Being bold can be very good indeed. Read Romans 15:1-2 and 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. How can a strong-willed personality serve the cause of Christ?

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today/Today's Christian Woman magazine.
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July/August 2006, Vol. 28, No. 4, Page 30

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