This Means War

The Battle for a Nation

1 Kings 16:29–17:1 (ESV)

Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam, he took for his wife Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.

Jezebel’s Four Battlegrounds

Her name means “Where is the prince?”—a ritual cry to Baal. She fought on four fronts:

  • Samaria – the battle for authority
  • Carmel – the battle for the altar
  • The Vineyard – the battle for inheritance and abundance
  • Jezreel – the battle for the anointing of the called

Her tactics: manipulation, intimidation, deception, seduction.

Good news: God still raises up Elijahs! And when Elijah stands, the fire of God still falls.

Point One: As Jezebel Rises, the Nation Declines

1 Kings 21:25 (ESV)

“There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited.”

Jezebel’s Background

  • Her father, Ethbaal, means “With Baal” or “Baal is with him.”
  • He was both king of Sidon and priest of Astarte.
  • By marrying Jezebel to Ahab, Baal worship entered Israel’s royal household.

“There was none who sold himself to do what was evil… like Ahab.”

Principle: When you elevate leaders, you also elevate their ideology. That’s why we pray for godly leaders and hold them accountable.

Jezebel’s Battle Plan  

Manipulation

The text says Jezebel “incited” Ahab—to mislead, entice, or manipulate.

Spiritual manipulation is the misuse of influence, authority, or religious language to control, coerce, or deceive people for selfish purposes instead of God’s purposes.

  • Political Manipulation – Ahab wanted clout; Jezebel required Baal’s invitation. What looked smart became disaster.
  • Religious Manipulation – She built altars to Baal (child sacrifice, self-mutilation) and Asherah poles (ritual prostitution, sexual immorality). She turned immorality into worship.
  • Message Manipulation – She purged the prophets (1 Kings 18:4), silencing truth in the land.

Result: Truth silenced. Worship corrupted. The nation declined.

Jezebel’s Belief System vs. God’s

Christian WorldviewSecular Worldview
AbsoluteTruthRelative
Rooted in God’s character & commandsMoralityMorality by culture & consensus
God’s Word as authorityAuthority The self defines right/wrong
Designed by GodIdentityDefined by self
To glorify GodPurposeTo pursue self-fulfillment
One true God, Salvation through Christ aloneReligionAll religions equally valid or unnecessary
Love with truthToleranceAffirm all choices
Fallen, in need of redemptionMankindHumanity essentially good
Holiness, justice, mercy, truthEthicsPragmatism: “If it works, it’s right”
Eternal kingdomEternityFocus only on the now

Bottom line: This is not “my side” vs “your side” — it’s kingdom vs kingdom.

“Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

Point Two: As a Nation Declines, God Raises a Voice

1 Kings 17:1 (ESV)

“Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.’”

Elijah’s Backstory

  • His name: Elijah = “My God is Yahweh.”
  • His home: Tishbe—a rugged, obscure region.
  • Lesson: God doesn’t need pedigree, platform, or privilege. He just needs a willing voice.

Elijah’s Boldness

  • He spoke a bold message: “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand…”
  • He prayed a bold prayer: “There will be no rain except by my word.”

Dark times require direct words and fervent prayer.

Elijah’s Blueprint for Us

Our culture mirrors Jezebel’s:

  • Relativism – truth is fluid
  • Humanism – man is supreme
  • Pluralism – all paths are valid
  • Secularism – God is private, not public

James 5:16–18 (ESV): “The prayer of a righteous person has great power… Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently…”

  • In a world of relativism → Strengthen yourself in truth
  • In a world of humanism → Draw close to God
  • In a world of pluralism → Preach the gospel
  • In a world of secularism → Live a public faith

Takeaway: God calls imperfect people to carry His perfect message. Elijah was a man like us—but when he stood before the Lord, his voice shook a nation.

Point Three: As God Raises a Voice, a Generation Awakens

1 Kings 17:17–24 (ESV) – Elijah revives the widow’s son in Zarephath.

  • Jezebel’s influence brought death, but God sent Elijah into her own land to bring life.
  • A house of despair became a house of resurrection.

Foreshadowing Christ:

  • Elijah stretched himself over a dead son → Jesus stretched Himself on the cross.
  • God raised the widow’s boy → God raised His own Son, bringing life for all.
  • Elijah revived one child → Jesus revives entire generations.

Application:

  • “Give me your son.” Who are you giving your children to?
  • “O Lord, let this life return again.” Intercession covers a generation.
  • “See, your son lives.” God still raises what culture tries to kill.

National Path to Restoration

  • National Awakening – Pray for revival
  • Biblical Foundations – Read and live the Word
  • Reclaim Education – Teach truth to the next generation
  • Strengthen Families – Build homes of faith

Elijah stood before Ahab and said: “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand…” (1 Kings 17:1).

When God’s people stand in Christ—dead sons live, dead nations awaken, and the fire of God still falls.

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