Did you say Jezeel or Jezebel?

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"Did he just tell me his name is Jezebel?" I asked my husband as we were on speaker phone with a rather rude, arrogant airline representative concerning a reservation that had been totally botched and caused 8 charges to show up on our credit card.  At one point, getting no where with this man, I asked him to please connect us to his supervisor and that's when he said, "I am the supervisor my name is ...Jezebel."  I was speechless. He had a strong foreign accent and the sound of that name sent shivers up my spine.  

In the Bible, Jezebel is described as evil, scheming, immoral, shameless, licentious, crafty, malicious, revengeful woman with a reputation for murder, iniquity, and sexual promiscuity. Me oh my!  Quite the reputation.

The Hebrew meaning of the name is “not exalted”  or “Where is the prince?” which is a phrase used in Baal worship.  Jezebel and her husband, King Ahab, are credited for bringing Baal worship into his kingdom in northern Israel. Wikipedia says Jezebel “violently purged the prophets of Yahweh from Israel.


But here is how the Lord works, always teaching us.  The encounter sent me to my computer to google Jezebel and instead Jezeel came up first.

Jezreel was a city in the beautiful plain/valley, of Esdraelon with land stretchenin from Mount Carmel to the Jordan. Today this fertile plain is known for its agricultural production as well as a grazing tracts for sheep and cattle. The word Jezreel comes from two Hebrew root words meaning “to sow” and “almighty.”  The meaning would be “God will sow.”  You may recall this name where Jezebel met her death by being thrown from a window of the palace of Jezeel (2 Kings 9:30-35) or Jezeel being the scene of some important battles. There is speculation the battle of Armageddon may take place in Jezreel.

When we follow Jesus we go to some unexpected places, but they always have purpose. The Lord took me from shivers to a place of abundance and a reminder that the harvest is plentiful and everyday (even the Sabbath) holds Kingdom work for us to do. I should have spoken the name of Jesus over Mr. Jezebel and told him Jesus loves him.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him (Jesus), "I will follow you wherever  you go."  Luke 9:57 But he didn't.  

Jesus went to every town and village. He taught in their meeting places and preached the good news about God’s kingdom. Jesus also healed every kind of disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in.”                Matthew 9:35-38

May we have the compassion of Jesus on everyone he places in our path.

The Song 

 "I Speak Jesus"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcmqSfr1ENY




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