Tuesday, June 23, 2009

A Kitchen Garden


Greetings and Holykisses,

Closing my eyes, I dream of a kitchen garden. A path is worn in the grass from the screen door to a little-white, picket gate. Cucumbers grown on trellises, with dill sprinkled here and there. Vine-ripened tomatoes; taller than the cattle guards they're tied to. Crook-neck squash dreaming of being floured and corn-mealed; then allowed to simmer in a seasoned and oiled cast iron fry pan. Carrots, and onions, sugar snap peas; all growing in my kitchen garden imagination.

Today I read, that there was once a man who wanted a "kitchen garden" even worse than me.
Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, right next to the palace of King Ahab of Samaria.

Ahab went to Naboth and said,
"Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house:" 1 Kings 21:2
He told Naboth he'd give him an even better garden, or he'd just buy from it from him. Naboth told him no! He said, "The Lord forbid it to me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee." Ahab went home, laid on his bed, turned on his side and wouldn't eat. Totally upset; in walks Jezebel his wife. She asks him what was wrong and why he wouldn't eat? In a funk, he tells her everything.

I for one know that when Myguy is upset about someone, it really gets my dander up in his defense. But Jezebel.... takes thee extreme to say the very least. No one tells her hubby "no," and gets away with it! She even says,
"Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? ARISE, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. (1 Kings 21:7)


Sometimes, women just love to wear the pants don't they? This one did for sure. She takes action. Madder than a wet hen, she takes it upon herself to get that "kitchen garden!" She wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal. She sent them to thee elders and nobles that were in his city. Jezebel devised a great plot and called a meeting. In the letters she proclaimed a fast, setting Naboth on high among the people. She set 2 men into place to bear witness against Naboth saying he blasphemed God and the king, so he'd be taken out and stoned til dead. Her plan worked, and was carried out just as she'd plotted.

When Jezebel found out Naboth was dead, she went to Ahab and told him Naboth was dead, and to go get that vineyard! Meanwhile, the word of the Lord was spoken to Elijah and God told him to go meet Ahab who was going to possess the vineyard. Elijah did as God said, and confronted Ahab, telling him dogs would lick his blood just as they licked the blood of Naboth, because he'd sold himself to work evil in the sight of the Lord. Evil would fall on him, and posterity would be taken away. And of Jezebel also, dogs would eat by the wall of Jezreel. Him that would die of Ahab, in the city the dogs would eat. (Not a pretty picture of days to come.)

There was none like Ahab, which sold himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. He did abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. --- And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, he tore off his clothes and put on sackcloth. He fasted, slept in his burlap, and went about quietly....

God spoke to Elijah and said,
"Seest how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil on his house." (1 Kings 21:29)


A kitchen garden. A conniving wife plotting murder. A dead vineyard keeper. A man who broke the heart of God, but because he truly repented,.... found grace!

Thousands of years later, I sit and read this story because God wanted us to remember it. The same God of then, is the same God of today. And people haven't changed so much either. We can learn from their mistakes; their sin. I see a man who wasn't content with what he had. I see a man who wanted something another man owned. I see a meddling wife who tried to wear the pants in the family, and who orchestrated evil and wickedness to get what she wanted. I see a husband who turned away from God, and should have stood up and been the priest of his home. This man must have known what was going on around him, and allowed it anyways. I also see a man who remained true for his belief unto his death. I see a God, my God who gives mercy and grace to those who humble themselves and repent.

I no longer want a kitchen garden. (after reading this story! lol) The garden I have, is garden enough. ;) I don't want to be a meddling wife, and I pray for my husband to be a Godly man. I will to do him good and not evil all the days of my life. I will to remain true to GOD, my God, unto my death. And I thank Him for His mercy and grace.

"This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word" Isaiah 66:2


Holykisses,
L

11 comments:

. said...

Great read and lesson something I probably needed to hear. You are so sweet and kind. What a blessing you are. ;) Holykisses and Hugs. Denise

Edie said...

I love the way you tell this story Lea! Are wet hens really mad? LOL!

Love your ending and I bet your husband does too.

Denise said...

Bless you for such a great post, love you.

Unknown said...

Lovely post, well said and delivered! I love the garden theme today, thanks!

From the Heart said...

Great post. You are a very creative writer and explain the Bible in a way that makes it understandable.
Thanks for sharing,
Alice

Yolanda said...

Oh, Lea, this was a timely message. What a time we live in for Women's Right, equality....and I so desire to be the Woman God wants me to be and designed me to be. I'm not into women's rights, God changed by heart, and I pray that He changes the women's hearts in my circle and in my family....Love, Yolanda

Kelly said...

Thanks for sharing all you learned. Remember, it wasn't the kitchen garden, it was the coveting of anther's that caused all these problems. So if you want one, go for it!

Have a great day!

Sharon said...

I don't want a kitchen garden either, after reading that. That was a great post you wrote there, and I will carry that with me today and just ponder. That type of gardening can stay outside, it is not welcome into my kitchen.

Have a beautiful & joyfilled day :)

Kelly said...

Wanted to let you know I posted the bookmark on my blog today (FINALLY!)

http://chattykelly.blogspot.com/2009/06/awards-prizes-gifts.html

From the Heart said...

Lea, I just came by to check on you. You didn't do your WFW and I'm wondering if you are okay.
I know you were having some problems. Hope everything is cleared up and you are okay.
From my heat to yours,
Alice

The Patterson 5 said...

Lea,
You've probably already won this award thousands of times but I am nominating you for a creative blog award it will post tonight (late) I love your blog! It's a nice place to be!