Jezebel and Clyde ∙∙∙

Jezebel and Clyde ∙∙∙

[Ahab] married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and he began to bow down in worship of Baal. – 1 Kings 16:31

1 Kings 18:14-46

14 And now you say, “Go and tell your master, ‘Elijah is here.’”

16 Ahab went out to meet Elijah.
17 When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?”
18 “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the LORD and have worshiped the images of Baal instead.”

Infamy Across Time: Bonnie and Clyde vs. Ahab and Jezebel

Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow will forever be etched into history as one of the most infamous criminal duos of the 20th century. During the Great Depression, their lawless escapades captivated the public’s imagination. Known for robbing small stores, rural gas stations, and the occasional bank, their criminal activities were both destructive and shrewd. Their gang swung in a circle, skirting the edges of five midwestern states. Exploiting the state “line rule,” they evaded law enforcement by crossing state borders across the Midwest, keeping officers at bay across five states.

For a time, Bonnie and Clyde were seen as folk heroes—a romanticized escape from the bleakness of the Great Depression. But their brutality told another story. They killed indiscriminately, whether it was a police officer or an innocent bystander who stood in their way. Eventually, their cold-blooded violence turned public sentiment against them. By May 1934, their reign of terror came to a bloody end during an ambush orchestrated by former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer and Maney Gault.

But as shocking as Bonnie and Clyde’s story is, they pale in comparison to the twisted legacy of Ahab and Jezebel—Scripture’s most notorious husband-and-wife duo. Their crimes didn’t just strike fear into their contemporaries; they led an entire nation into rebellion against God.

Ahab and Jezebel’s Dark Reign

Unlike Bonnie and Clyde’s spree of robberies and murders, Ahab and Jezebel’s wickedness ran much deeper. Their reign as king and queen of Israel was marked by idolatry, murder, and the deliberate rejection of the Lord God Almighty. Ahab, a weak and immoral king, joined with Jezebel—a cunning, ruthless woman—to lead the nation into worshiping Baal. For the first time in Israel’s history, the worship of Yahweh was nearly obliterated, and idol worship became the norm. Bible scholar Richard Rice describes this shift as “a quantum leap in the history of apostasy.”

Paganism took root in Samaria, the northern kingdom’s capital, casting a deep shadow over the land. The prophets of God became targets of Jezebel’s murderous wrath. Determined to annihilate anyone loyal to Yahweh, she put contracts on their heads, forcing the prophets to flee for their lives. But she didn’t stop there—her goal was total extermination, not only of God’s prophets but of His followers as well. Darkness blanketed the northern kingdom as Jezebel sought to erase the worship of the one true God.

This era of rebellion and depravity continued unchecked for 14 years. But the Lord is never without a plan or a champion. Out of the shadows of despair, He raised up His prophetic challenger—a man who would stand against the darkness and restore hope to Israel.

The Days of Elijah

Enter Elijah. The Father’s chosen prophet emerged with bravado and faith that shook the foundations of Ahab and Jezebel’s kingdom. Fearless and bold, Elijah condemned Ahab’s wickedness to his face, exposing his sin and disobedience. With clarity and conviction, he reminded Israel of the truth they had abandoned, calling them back to the worship of Yahweh.

But the Lord’s judgment could not be ignored. What goes around comes around. Just as Ahab and Jezebel had sought to wipe out the Father’s prophets, God turned the tables. Elijah became the instrument of divine justice, tasked with confronting and eradicating the prophets of Baal. What began as an era of despair turned into a dramatic confrontation between darkness and light; goodness and evil.

Elijah’s words and deeds became the stuff of legend—miracles, confrontations, and unwavering faith. He stood atop Mount Carmel, challenging 450 prophets of Baal to a contest of divine power. With fire sent from heaven, the Father proved once and for all who held ultimate authority, shaming the false prophets and their empty gods.

REFLECT & PRAY

Ordinary people can do extraordinary things when the Father has their back.

Father, thank You that even in the darkest times, You always have a plan and when needed, a champion.

INSIGHT

Elijah, A Man of Faith and Fire

In the Old Testament, the prophets were called God’s servants. Elijah was tasked to confront and overthrow. He was equipped for the job. Elijah’s story is one of courage, passion, and the overwhelming power of God. His mission was monumental—he was called to challenge idolatry and turn a rebellious nation’s heart back to God. When you read the stories of Elijah, you might be prompted to ask, “How can this possibly happen?” The answer would always be, “Then a miracle occurred.” Miracle after miracle flowed through him as God worked mightily.

What was Elijah’s secret? It was right there in his name. Elijah means “Yahweh is my God.” This wasn’t just a title; it was a declaration of who he served and the source of his strength. Elijah stood in the presence of the Lord God Almighty (1 Kings 18:15). His life was a conduit for the Father’s miraculous work on Earth.

Was Elijah Superhuman? The Bible provides an unequivocal answer: No! Despite his divine calling and miraculous deeds, Elijah wasn’t a superhero. He was as human as the rest of us. James makes this abundantly clear.

“Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” – James 5:17

Elijah, with all his fiery faith, was still susceptible to fear and weakness. After Jezebel threatened his life, he fled in terror, defeated and despondent (1 Kings 19:1-3). Like a frightened dog with its tail between its legs. He was prone to complaining and whimpering.

“LORD, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” – Romans 11:3

If nothing else, Elijah’s moments of weakness remind us that God’s power is made perfect through human weakness.

The Mountaintop Battle

Elijah’s faith shines brightest on Mount Carmel, one of the most extraordinary events in biblical history. You’ve likely heard of ‘The Gunfight at the OK Corral.’ But have you heard about the firefight at Mount Carmel? The Father orchestrated a mountaintop showdown between Elijah and 950 pagan prophets. It was the fight of the century, the eighth century BC, that is. It was the ultimate face-off, with Elijah challenging them to a public contest.

Before the era of the NFL and trash talk, Elijah was “smack-talking,” taunting the prophets of Baal and Asherah. Representing the Y-team, Yahweh, Elijah stood alone against the combined forces of A-team, ‘Asherah’ (400 prophets), and B-team ‘Baal’ (450 prophets). Outnumbered 950 to 1, Elijah didn’t flinch. Why? He had them exactly where he wanted them. Remember, if the Father has your back, that is all you need!

It was the ultimate test of divine authority. Elijah laid out the challenge to these pagan prophets. Each side would prepare an altar with a sacrifice, but they wouldn’t light the fire themselves. Instead, they would call on their god to send fire from heaven.

“Call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” – 1 Kings 18:24

The competition began. The prophets of Baal went first, calling on their god from morning until noon. There was no answer. They shouted louder, danced with desperation, and even cut themselves, hoping their blood would stir their lifeless god to respond. But still—silence.

Then Elijah spoke.

“You’ll have to shout louder,” he mocked. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is daydreaming or relieving himself. Or maybe he’s on a trip or sleeping and needs to be awakened!” – 1 Kings 18:27

Their efforts were futile. Hours passed, and there was no sound, no response, no fire.

Elijah’s Moment

Now, it was Elijah’s turn. But first, he wanted to make it clear that he wasn’t relying on trickery. He ordered the altar to be drenched in water—not once, but three times. The trench around the altar was overflowing. Now, everyone would see that what was about to happen could only come from the One True God.

Elijah stepped forward and prayed, “O LORD, answer me!”

“O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O LORD, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” – 1 Kings 18:36-37

Then it happened.

The fire of the Lord descended from heaven, consuming the bull, the wood, the stones, the dust, and even the water in the trench.

“And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, ‘The LORD—he is God! Yes, the LORD is God!’” – 1 Kings 18:39

It was a moment of ultimate triumph—a vivid, undeniable display of God’s power that silenced the idolatry of Baal and called the nation back to Yahweh.

The Power of Prayer

Elijah’s victory at Mount Carmel underscores the power of faith and prayer. It wasn’t about Elijah’s strength or abilities; it was about his reliance on God. Elijah approached the Father with confidence and a clear purpose, asking Him to act in a way that honored His name and turned hearts back to Him.

“The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” – James 5:16

Elijah’s story reminds us that prayer isn’t a religious formality—it’s a powerful connection to the Father. Whether we face overwhelming odds or personal battles, the God of Elijah, Who answered with fire, is the same God who hears us today.

When we trust entirely in the Father, we, too, can face our own Mount Carmel with boldness. Through prayer, we align ourselves with His will, knowing that His power will accomplish far more than we could ever imagine.

The Lord—He is God! Yes, the Lord is God! Never forget it!

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© Dr. H 2025