Jezebel: a lesson and warnings in idolatry

Jezebel is a name that has become synonymous with a wanton or sinful woman. As a Phoenician princess, Jezebel was the daughter of the priest-king of Sidon and became queen when she married King Ahab. She was a woman of great conviction and unwavering devotion. She worshiped Baal, the pagan fertility and Asherah, the mother goddess (Ackerman, 1999). She was a religious woman who set out to spread idolatry throughout Israel. She was a powerful, cunning, and arrogant woman who actively stood up and opposed God. She knew how to enhance and use her power at the expense of others. Jezebel meets a gruesome end as her arrogance leads to a death unworthy of a queen. What is her story? What is the significance of idolatry in her story? And why does God warn us against idolatry? 

Jezebel was so determined to convert all of Israel that she hunted and killed all YHWH’s prophets and replaced them with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 of Asherah. One prophet escaped and became her most hated adversary. Elijah, whose name means “My God is YHWH”, and Jezebel would square off and it would be a battle to the death. Elijah prophesied to King Ahab that no rain would fall except by his word (1 Kings 17:1) and for three and half years, there was drought and famine. Elijah would challenge the prophets of Baal and Asherah to see which god would rain fire from heaven. For twelve hours, the prophets called on Baal and Asherah to light the sacrificial fires but nothing. To add emphasis, Elijah doused his sacrificial wood with water three times and then called on God to light the fire which happened immediately. Elijah then rallied the Israelites to kill Jezebel’s prophets. Jezebel would be outraged and vowed to kill Elijah (1 Kings 18:19-40, 19:2). Jezebel would also plot to kill a man simply because the king wanted his vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-16), Elijah prophesied Jezebel’s gruesome end (1 Kings 21:20-23) and it would come to pass as she was pushed from a window and devoured by dogs in the street (2 Kings 9:30-37). 

Idolatry is the worship of idols. It is usually an item that is worshiped as if it were the god. For example, an idol of Baal, which is in the image of the god, would be worshiped as if it was Baal himself.  Idolatry comes from the Greek, eidolatria, meaning “worship of idols” which appears to be borrowed from various Hebrew phrases meaning “strange worship” (Chrisholm, 1911). It is “humanity’s attempt to give material shape to religious ideals, symbols, and personages” (Lee, 2015). Today, it is also the extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone. An idol is anything or anyone that supplants or placed higher than God in our lives. We need to be mindful of what could possibly be an idol in our lives. A few example of modern idols are sex, money, fame and even important people in our lives. Charles Spurgeon once said “If you love anything better than God you are idolaters: if there is anything you would not give up for God it is your idol: if there is anything that you seek with greater fervor than you seek the glory of God, that is your idol, and conversion means a turning from every idol.”

God’s warnings about idolatry are very clear. Exodus 20:3-6 warns against any idols before God or the worship of any of these idols. Leviticus 19:4 says “Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves.” God would consistently remind the Israelites that the idols do not save them (Judges 10:14, Psalm 16:4, Isaiah 45:20, Jonah 2:8). The New Testament turns to warnings about physical and intangible idols. Paul warns us to stop (“put to death”) whatever belongs to our earthly nature including sexual immorality, evil desires and greed (Colossians 3:5 and Galatians 5:19-21). 1 Corinthians 10:14 and 1 John 5:21 instruct us to flee from idols. The question that remains is why no idolatry? I believe that the psalmist says it best in Psalm 135:15-18, “The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.” Those who worship idols become like the empty figures they worship. They cannot see or hear God and cannot speak of Him. Trust in God himself not an image or a lifeless figure. 

There is no doubt that Jezebel was an educated woman with particular astuteness for the political realm. She was also a woman who hardened her heart and suffered the consequences. She has become the worst queen and one of the Bible’s most infamous women. Revelation 2:20, 21 uses her name as an example of those who completely reject God. Many pagan women married Israelite royalty, bringing their practices with them. Jezebel being the most vocal and determined to see God wiped from Israel’s consciousness. However, God is bigger than one individual on earth. Idolatry causes us to lose focus from God the Father and Creator of all to the image made of earthly materials. Ask God to teach and guide you in all your days, so that you can gain wisdom and fight against the evil that surrounds you. 

Reference

Ackerman, Sarah (31 December 1999). Asherah/Asherim: Bible, Jewish Women's Archive. 

https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/asherahasherim-bible#:~:text=Asherah%2C%20along%20with%20Astarte%20and,found%20in%20the%20Israelite%20tradition. Retrieved March 21, 2022. 

Brenner, Athalya (31 December 1999). Jezebel: Bible. Jewish Women’s Archive. 

https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/jezebel-bible. Retrieved March 12, 2022. 

Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Idolatry. Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 14 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Idolatry. Retrieved March 21, 2022. 

Lee, Dennis (29 July 2015). God warns us to stay away from idols. The Spectrum. 

https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/local/mesquite/2015/07/29/god-warns-us-stay-away-idols/30851977/. Retrieved March 21, 2022. 

Second Chance Grill: small town drama and romance

Second Chance Grill by Christine Nolfi is the first book in the Liberty series. Dr Mary Chance needs a break from practicing medicine after the tragic loss of her closest friend. When the opportunity came to reopen her aunt’s struggling restaurant in Liberty, Ohio, she thought it was exactly what she needed. Unfortunately, reopening the restaurant wasn’t as smooth as she thought. She wasn’t prepared for the eccentric residents and one determined eleven year old girl. Blossom Perini is a girl who has been through hell, battling leukemia and has emerged victorious. Now she is determined to find a wife for her father, Anthony, and Mary is the perfect candidate. Mary can’t help being drawn to Blossom and Anthony but she tries to resist. But when Blossom faces another battle, Mary and the town will rally together for her and set in motion an outpouring of love from outside their small community. 

Second Chance Grill is touted as “an unforgettable tale of love, loss and second chances,” and while it was an emotional story, I closed the final pages conflicted. I have loved Ms. Nolfi’s books in the past and I expected to enjoy this one. Unfortunately, I did not. At certain parts, I was bored and even annoyed over the small town antics of its eccentric residents. And other parts, I was angry and not angry as I think Ms. Nolfi intended. While Second Chance Grill had all the elements of a great small town story that I usually love, however, I didn’t care for Mary, Blossom or Anthony and other characters really grated my nerves. The romance between Mary and Anthony started off fine, then morphed into something cringey. There were actions of some characters that bordered on the criminal with no consequences or at least any I saw. Unfortunately, Second Chance Grill wasn’t the story I expected. 

Second Chance Grill is available in paperback and eBook

Ismeni: a story of love, passion and fate

Ismeni by Tosca Lee is a prelude to The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen. It is a story about a mysterious beauty born under a bad omen, a destiny set by the stars of her birth. Set in Saba (present day Yemen), Ismeni grew up feared by her people. Her beauty was considered unnatural and many were weary of her as they expected misfortune when she was around. But Ismeni prays for one thing: to live an invisible life. To live her life in relative peace. But it was not meant to be as she caught the attention of Prince Agaziah, the king’s youngest son. Through war and twists of fate, she becomes queen. 

I haven’t read anything by Tosca Lee and when Ismeni was offered to me, I was intrigued. I recently finished a bible study on the Queen of Sheba and her story was fresh in my mind. Ms. Lee writes a beautiful story that was so engaging I forget it was a short story and over before I was prepared. I am looking forward to reading The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen to see if Ismeni’s wishes and dreams see fulfillment when her daughter comes to the throne. Ismeni is torn between the love of her heart and her societal duty. It is a story of love, passion and fate. I recommend Ismeni. 

Ismeni is available as an eBook

The Keeper of Happy Endings: a story about fate, second chances and hope

The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara Davis is a story about fate, second chances and hope. Soline Roussel is well versed in the business of happy endings. For generations, the women of her family kept an exclusive bridal salon in Paris. Where magic is worked into each stitch. It is said that every bride who wears a Roussel gown is guaranteed a lifetime of joy and happiness. When World War II arrives in Paris, Soline is faced with devastating loss after another. She arrives in America with one simple dress box. She places all her memories in it, stowing them away, determined to forget. Decades later, another young woman is dealing with her own tragic loss. Rory Grant is left reeling after her fiancé goes missing with no words as to his whereabouts or if he is even alive. When she comes across an old store front, she becomes determined to open her own art gallery. Inside the storefront, she discovers Soline’s old dress box. What happens is an unlikely friendship between Soline and Rory. While they both believe they were destined to meet, their connection would have a profound impact on their future. 

The Keeper of Happy Endings is my first book by Barbara Davis and it was widely praised and recommended. Now I can see why. It is a beautiful story of love, loss and finding hope when hope seems lost. From the very beginning, I enjoyed Soline’s story as well as Rory’s. Although there were a few twists and “aha” moments that I saw them coming before the big reveal. However, figuring out the twists didn’t take away from the emotional impact of the story. It is also more than just another historical story about war and love lost. It is about the eternal struggle between mother and daughter, the constant push and pull that they seem to be engaged in and the influence that one generation has on another. The Keeper of Happy Endings also serves as a reminder that hate doesn’t change with time. One of my favorite quotes is “People always find a way to justify their hate—and give others an excuse to fall in line. They put words in people’s mouths, plant them like viruses, then watch them spread.” Words that ring true today as they did over eighty years ago. I highly recommend The Keeper of Happy Endings. 

The Keeper of Happy Endings is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Happy Accidents: when a night of mistakes can turn your life around

The Happy Accidents by Jamie Beck is a story of friendship, love and finding fulfillment in the most unusual way. All Jessie Clarke wanted was a wild adventure to celebrate her upcoming 37th birthday. Her sister, Lizzie, and their friend, Chloe, agree to the birthday pact for one wild night. What a wild night it was! The next morning, they wake up to shocking consequences. A viral video throws Liz’s career in broadcast news and reputation into a downward spiral. Chloe loses at the craps table that threatens her seemingly solid marriage. She realizes that she wants something more. Jessie is desperate to unlock her artistic muse which leaves her with lift-changing choices. Each woman is at a crossroads, the choice they must make will test everything they know and love. Will their misadventure be a curse or a blessing in disguise? 

What could go wrong with a girls night out right? A lot as Jessie, Liz and Chloe find out. The story started off rough as I wasn’t sure if I cared for or could relate to any of these women. But I stuck with it and by the end, I could appreciate their growth even though I could not relate to them. I enjoyed seeing the growth in the supporting characters as well. More often than not, the consequences of our choices affect those around us as well as ourselves. It was refreshing to see that Jessie, Liz and Chloe not only changed for the better but also those in their inner circle, even resulting in closer relationships than before. Overall, I enjoyed following the aftermath of their misadventures and see them better for it. I recommend The Happy Accidents

The Happy Accidents is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Everything We Give: family secrets, closure and moving forward

Everything We Give is the third and final book in the Everything series by Kerry Lonsdale. Award winning photographer Ian Collins seemingly has it all. National recognition for his work, his loving wife, Aimee, and their adorable daughter, Caty. Only two dreams elude him: a feature in National Geographic and finding his mother. He made one mistake in life that cost his mother her freedom and destroyed what family he had. Now he is estranged from his father and his mother has been living off the grid for decades. When his dream assignment appears to be coming true, his wife’s ex-fiancé, James, reappears in their lives with a message for Ian and leaves, putting a strain on their marriage. Ian is faced with a decision: which dream to chase after? Does he go after his ultimate dream with National Geographic or does he pick up his search for his mom? 

The first two books in this series were excellent with suspense, mystery and secrets. I was eager to finish the series. Everything We Give was good but did not have the same emotional impact as the first two books. I found the constant fighting and making up cycle with Ian and Aimee annoying. Especially when they seem to be fighting about the same thing over and over again. I also didn’t like the constant shifting topics in their conversations. They would be having a normal conversation and suddenly their fighting over a comment made. It was distracting. I also did not care for Aimee in this story. She seemed to be at odds with not only Ian but also her friends. She saw betrayals in everyone’s actions but couldn’t see her own. Overall, Everything We Give was a nice closure to Aimee and Ian’s journeys. I recommend Everything We Give and recommend The Everything series as a whole. 

Everything We Give is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Book 1: Everything We Keep is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Book 2: Everything We Leave Behind is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Finding Faith: a story of family cycles and love with humor and heart

Finding Faith is the first book in the Finding Home series by B.E. Baker. Mary Wiggin had a troubled childhood. Her mom walked out, leaving her and her little sister in their father’s care, who started drinking and never stopped. Mary became responsible for herself and her sister. Mary swore off alcohol and decided she was never going to have kids, just in case bad parenting is hereditary.. She grew up to have a great, rewarding career as an accountant and even more rewarding work as president of Sub-for-Santa, a gift program for low income families. Then she meets the hunky Luke and his goofy smile and good natured humor sends shivers up her spine. He’s perfect…almost. When she discovers he is a widower with two young kids, she finds herself trying to walk away. Can she open herself to the possibility that she is not her parents? 

Finding Faith is my first book by B.E. Baker and it won’t be my last. From the opening chapter, I was drawn to Mary and her desire to stop the familial cycle. I also loved Luke. He instantly warmed my heart and I knew he’d be the one to change Mary’s mind. Finding Faith is a very sweet, heartwarming story with lots of romance moments, big smiles and humor. It was such a fun story. I couldn’t put it down. The characters’ fears and pasts felt realistic and their defensive walls they put up were also very real. I enjoyed the supporting cast of characters as well and I am looking forward to the rest of the series to read their stories. Finding Faith had relatable characters with real hurts, humor and possibilities for love. I highly recommend Finding Faith. 

Finding Faith is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.