Today's daily lesson comes from 1 Kings chapter 21 verses 8 through 13:
8 So [Queen Jezebel] wrote letters in [King] Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. 9 And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. 10 And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” 11 And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, 12 they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. 13 And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones.
Now here is an old trick to be on the lookout for -- especially when it involves people of political ambition.
When Queen Jezebel wanted to enlarge the palace grounds all that stood in her way was a humble vineyard owner named Naboth and humble plot of earth. When Naboth could not be bought off, Queen Jezebel hatched a devious plan against Naboth which involved an old and well-proven tactic -- question the man's piety and patriotism. Thus the false-charges were laid: that Naboth had cursed God and King. And for that he was tried, found guilty, taken out and stoned, and his property was turned over to the State.
They did it long ago to Naboth, they did it to the prophets, and they did it to Jesus also. Guaranteed somebody is plotting to do it today. It's just so easy.
So let us remember how easy it is before we cast our own stones, tweet our tweets, or get otherwise sucked in as unknowing participants in a smear campaign.
Let us remember Naboth's vineyard.
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