- Sep 27, 2005
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"...It is most evident in the story of Jezebel, who has long been presented as the epitome and symbol of the treacherously evil woman, that her real crime was her refusal to accept the worship of Yahweh, choosing instead the religion of her own parents, that of the Queen of Heaven and Her Baal. He parents, as Queen and king of Sidon (some say Tyre), held high positions in the ancient religion as high priestess and priest. Not only did Jezebel herself follow the ancient religion, but according to the Bible, as a result to her influence her husband Ahab, a Hebrew King of Israel, adopted the pagan ways as well, erecting asherim in the temple. Jezebel's supposed crime, that of starting a rumor that resulted in the death of a man, becomes questionable when we realize that it was her husband who actually desired the dead man's property and it was with letters signed with Ahab's name that she was accused.
Jezebel was murdered in the most gruesome manner, described in morbid detail in the Bible, surely intended as a warning to all other "treacherous" women. The execution was carried out by the avenging Hebrew hero Jehu. But Jehu's motives became frighteningly clear when, after the death of the "pagan" Queen, he arranged a massacre of those who "ate at her royal table" and then later claimed the throne of Israel as his own
Shortly after the murder of Jezebel, Jehu called for a solemn assembly of the people who paid homage to Ashtoreth and Baal, tricking them in this way into gathering together at their own temple at an appointed time. The holy shrine was described as being full from one end to the other. It was then reported in the Bible, 'And when they went to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed four score men without and said, if any of the men that I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for a life of him.' So it was recorded in the book of ll Kings that Jesu and his men murdered every member of the congregation and then finally made a "latrine" of the building itself. And when the massacre and desecration was complete, Jehu is recorded to have heard Yahweh say, 'Thou has done well that which is right in mine eyes' (ll Kings 10:18-31)..."
Page 188, 189
"When GOD Was A Woman"
by Merlin Stone
Reading is "Most Definitely" Fundamental