Ahab and Provocation

 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

1 Kings 16:33

 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.

1 Kings 20:25-26

                  There is a good amount of talk on what makes a good leader. Some love charisma. Some love decisiveness. Some love demeanor. While these are good things to consider, one chief qualification is how they will provoke the governed. The word provocation carries a lot of weight with it. One might provoke others to good things such as the case in regards to our Sunday assemblies. We are familiar with the command found in Heb 10:25 to not forsake the assembling together. Immediately before that in verse 24, it is written that one of our purposes in meeting together is to help with the provocation of one another to love and good works.  

                  The treacherous King Ahab was far from a good king and his actions led to great evil against the Lord and the people of the land. He provoked not the people to do well but he provoked the Lord with his practices.  He built an altar to Baal in the house of Baal in Samaria the capital of Israel (1 Kings 16:32). He made the grove which was associated with the worship of the Asherim (1 Kings 16:33). His wicked wife, Jezebel, was one of the driving forces behind his provocation for it was by her plan that the prophets of the Lord were slain (cf. 1 Kings 18:4). With such provocation of the Lord, judgment was sure to come.

                  We all want leaders that provoke us to good and not evil. This starts with the type of people we will be. For leaders are often a representation of the people they serve. What kind of people are you in the congregation of the Lord's people? Are you there to provoke one another to love and good works? What kind of people are you in your homes? Do your children and your spouse see the love and good works evidently in your lives? What kind of people are you in your workplace or circle of influence? Do people see you as one who provokes the best in people? You might just have the opportunity to share the Gospel of God with them because of the type of provocation you bring.

   Grace and Peace,

   Ryan