This is God’s World A Sermon

This is God’s World
1 Kings 21:1-21/ Galatians 2: 15-21/ Luke 7: 36-8:3
3rd Sunday of Pentecost/ Year C/ June 13, 2010
The narrative of the criminal confiscation of Naboth’s vineyard by
Jezebel and Ahab is one of the more important texts in the cycle of stories concerning Elijah and Elisha. the figures of Ahab and Jezebel represent more than just wicked persons, even wicked persons in high office; they are emblematic of an oppressive social order in which the structures of power, fortified by cultural and financial interests from abroad, deprive ordinary citizens of their wealth and their happiness. Faithfulness to the God of Israel and simple justice in dealing with one another appear to be the two issues that drive the prophets of Yahweh in their confrontation with the Baal-worshiping royal house. If such a text as that in 1 Kings 18 emphasizes the importance of fidelity to the religious traditions of Israel, the present text stresses the crucial role of social and personal justice in Yahweh’s land.
Ahab covets the vineyard of Naboth, a faithful Jew. The land was good and had been a part of Naboth’s family’s inheritance from the time of Moses. It was a considered a sin against God to sell one’s divinely given property to someone other than a relative. His decision is not an economic one, for he cannot sell his property to someone outside his family—not even the king—without violating ancient God-given principles concerning the relationship between Israelites and their land (Lev. 25:1–34). Even in the face of a disaster as ruinous as the Babylonian invasion of the early sixth century, a hard-pressed but faithful Jew of Jerusalem would sell his land only to a relative (see Jer. 32:6–12). Naboth’s faithfulness to the land is understood for what it is: faithfulness to the God of Israel, who has entrusted this land to the people of Israel. Naboth’s faithfulness demands to be noticed as the bold contrast it is to the egregious unfaithfulness of Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab’s greed has made him sick. He has taken to his bed in a gloomy “Resentful and sullen”mood (v. 4), Ahab pouted on his bed, refusing even to eat, when informed of Naboth’s decision not to sell his land. Jezebel, his foreign wife came into his room and castigates him for his childish behavior. When he told her Naboth would not sell him his vineyard for money. She assaults his virility as a man and as a king. “Do you not govern Israel? Get up eat some food, be cheerful, and I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
Leaving her husband, she called her minions to her, wrote letters to the elders and nobles who lived in Jezreel against Naboth, accusing him of cursing God and the king. Then take him out and stone him according to the law.
There is also a subtle note struck here for democracy. We often assume, quite rightly, that the ancient roots of modern democracy are to be found among the Greeks, whose tenacious opposition to tyrants made them noteworthy among peoples in the classical age. But Naboth, while not a democrat in the ultimate sense of that word, is aware that all persons have rights, even persons who till the land, and not even the kings of the earth may deprive these persons of those rights without violating God’s intention for human life. When Jezebel learns what has happened, she does what absolute rulers have done since the beginning of time: she acts with unbridled self-interest. Naboth is killed on trumped-up charges, whereupon Jezebel presents the land to a delighted Ahab (vs. 5–16). Jezebel, the actual murderer of Naboth, is not more evil than Ahab. She is simply less troubled by the humanitarian aspects of Israelite faith and tradition. She sins. Wills she get away with her devious behavior? Will Ahab, King of Israel, Protector of the Covenant People get away with his greedy acquisition of Naboth’s vineyard?
However, as Ahab goes to claim his prize, he is intercepted by Elijah, who has been directed by Yahweh to confront the king. And God’s message is harsh. He reminds Ahab that one is not to covet what the neighbor’s possessions, and that “Vengeance is Mine,” over those who sin against me and people. God’s message to Ahab and Jezebel and all of Israel is that when power corrupts there will be consequences. And Justice will be done.
Elijah, though fearful of Ahab and Jezebel, told Ahab the truth. He confronted him with his evil actions. Deep within his soul Elijah remembered the times of his own trials, that God always walked with him. What he spoke to Ahab was the truth. This evil perpetrated on the innocent Naboth is not God’s doing it is human actions down with corrupted power. Evil cannot win against God.
This story is not only about evils power naboth’s vineyard, it is about God’s people and God’s vineyard, We are God’s people, the earth is God’s vineyard, given in trust to us to care for and maintain as an inheritance. Even when stomped, burned, robbed, flooded with oil, and even when the night of despair seems long and unending, grace conquers evil power, and joy comes with the morning. We are all God’s people, god’s vineyard. We suffer all things such crops normally endure, droughts, floods, and calamities of all sorts. Yet we keep hoping, not based on the events currently engulfing us, but on what we have experienced with God. God’s justice will flourish. God’s goodness comes to us even in the midst of disaster. God over comes evil, mercy overcomes pain, and as with Jesus, life overcomes death. This is God’s world. We are only its stewards. WE are called to care, to trust, and work to ensure its fruitfulness through all generations. Greed is not a part of the equation. Justice and love for all of creation is the will of God.