The Price of Integrity
Naboth's Refusal and the Consequences of Righteousness
A man named Naboth lived in the ancient city of Jezreel. For generations, this vineyard had been in Naboth's family since the time of the great conqueror Joshua. Oftentimes, Isreal's ruler, King Ahab, looked out of his palace and onto Naboth's vineyard. It wasn't long until the King's heart yearned for that beautiful vineyard. Little did the King know what would occur and the unthinkable consequences of making false accusations.
Naboth lived in the ancient city of Jezreel. He inherited a vineyard from his father, who had been in the family since Joshua’s time. The vineyard was near the palace of King Ahab of Israel.
One day, the king approached Naboth with a generous offer. “Give me your vineyard,” Ahab said. “I would like to use it for a vegetable garden, as it is close to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or if you prefer, I will pay you well for it.”
Naboth refused to sell or trade because God had instructed His people not to sell the land given to them when Israel entered the promised land.
King Ahab was not used to being rejected. He began to pout and whine. His wife Jezebel decided to get the vineyard for her husband, the king.
Jezebel accused Naboth falsely and destroyed him and his family to do so. She wrote letters in Ahab’s name and then publicly denounced Naboth in front of the crowds.
The city officials and the people went along with the false accusation because of fear or corruption. They convicted Naboth without giving him a chance to defend himself. They dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death, along with his family.
Now that Naboth was out of the way and there was no family member to continue the claim, Jezebel instructed Ahah to take possession of the vineyard he deeply wanted.
Thankfully, one man dared to stand against the mob and the king. Elijah, the prophet of God, pronounced judgment on Ahab and Jezebel.
What a tragedy illustrated when the accusers can get a following and destroy a good man without a trial, without a rebuttal, and without checking the facts.
This happens more today than ever because of social media and the ability to cancel your enemies. There is no need for truth; the crowd will follow the mob mentality to destroy rather than stand for truth.
Why do people falsely accuse others?
Jezebel could get around right and do wrong by destroying Naboth.
By destroying Naboth, Jezebel could get what she wanted for her husband.
She manipulated the system to achieve her goals
She probably felt offended because Naboth didn’t show her husband the respect she believed a king deserved.
Greed and popularity are still reasons to destroy another to climb the ladder.
Misinformation and manipulating people via social media still sways public opinion
When there are no checks and balances in place, then the Jezebels of the world can destroy others at will
How should the believer respond when he hears accusations against another
Do not rush to judgment.
Inquire diligently and seek the truth to determine if the accusation is true or false.
Give a fair hearing to both the accuser and the accused.
Look for the facts, not the emotions.
Evaluate motivations.
Do not spread unverified accusations.
Protect the falsely accused.
Quotes
“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." Mark Twain
"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything." Albert Einstein
"Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are." Benjamin Franklin