There’s a disturbing story in 1 Kings 21 of a guy named Naboth whose vineyard appealed to the evil king Ahab. It wasn’t like the king was short of real estate. He just wanted to add it to his vast collection of properties. The rich and powerful are used to getting what they want when …
I wrote this a year ago. It seems even more needed today!
Despots, Minions, and Truth-Tellers
Our case study, Ahab (not the whaler, but the seventh king of the northern tribes of Israel) was a despicable human being and a lousy ruler. He and his supermodel wife worshipped the false gods of promiscuity and profligacy. He did some good by fortifying some cities and benefiting the national economy. But the rest …
The Conscience of the Country
Kings, Prophets, and Presidents: A Warning about Power Abuse (Part 3 of 4) We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. Elie Wiesel The stories about Kings David and Ahab abusing their power are the basis of these few posts. …
Kings, Prophets, and Presidents: A Warning about Power Abuse (Part 1 of 4)
I never imagined I’d be comparing these two kings of Israel: David, arguably their greatest monarch, and Ahab, reportedly one of their worst! At first glance these two men have nothing in common, until we look at their common abuse of power. Refresh your memory of their narratives here. Even the best of people are …
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barney wiget 