Elijah #20 When God Delays His Judgment

The skeptic loudly proclaims that because he does not see immediate judgment poured out upon the wicked (as in the case of Ahab and Jezebel), but to the contrary it is those who are good that unjustly suffer (like Naboth), that God cannot be sovereign and yet good. If God could have prevented the murder of Naboth, He is not good (they proclaim). If God couldn't have prevented the murder of Naboth, He is not sovereign (they reason). If God allowed the wicked scheme of Ahab and Jezebel to prevail, God is neither good nor just (they conclude). And yet God declares that He is good (Psalm 119:68), just (Zephaniah 3:5), and yet sovereign (Daniel 4:35). God is not merely love. God is holy, righteous, and just. He brings His righteous judgment upon those who hate Him. That is not simply an Old Testament doctrine, but Jesus Himself spoke of judgment as much if not more than anyone else (John 5:22,27).
Today we shall see that though God's judgment upon the wicked and His reward of the godly may be delayed, the sovereign, good, and just God that created and controls everything will not fail to administer His justice upon His enemies who hate Him: (1) God Vindicates Naboth (1 Kings 21:17-19); (2) God Judges Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 21:20-26); (3) God Delays His Judgment (1 Kings 21:27-28).