Innocence before God


Innocence before God: Naboth the farmer - 1 Kings 21

Rev. Bartholomew Segan Palk, CSI Coimbatore Diocese
  
A poor farmer inheriting his ancestral property might be the only asset that he has in the world and once a rich man covets this poor man’s farmland. For the poor, that piece of land is the only source for his survival but for the rich, it is a place to enjoy. Poor man is offered the best price in the market for the land. Yet he refuses the deal because he has to migrate to a new place where he will become a stranger. Once the poor man moves away from his land, he has to give up his way of life to become a slave of the situation and fight for his rights.

*Tamilarasan a young farmer and a civil engineer of Ayodhipatnam including other farmers, owning a few acres of farmland are under the government's pressure to sell their land for the green corridor project across the districts. Giving up on their land is equivalent to selling their identity. Such is the plight of thousands of farmers in our state who do not receive any support from the government officials. They are disrespected of their generations of harvesting and serving their countrymen by feeding them. If soldiers guard our country borders, these poor farmers guard us by feeding every meal. But it’s ironic of how we treat these poor farmers that leaves their stomach to starve! The history repeats itself like that of the life of Naboth, even till date.

It is clearly against God’s law. God never allows the rulers to oppress his people.And today's scenario is where the leaders in various positions oppress others (their followers) and covet others’ blessings for their luxury.

Is it not against God's Law? The sad part is the oppressors are the 'Law Makers', 'Deciding Authorities' and in the place of judging others.

Bible says in the book of Exodus 23: 6 You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in their lawsuits. 7 Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and those in the right, for I will not acquit the guilty. 8 You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the officials, and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.

 When Naboth refused to give the piece of land for the best market price, people surrounding him would have mocked him saying that he missed the best opportunity that knocked at his door. People would have called him, a fool.

If any such offers come to us,  what would have  been our response?

Naboth was determined, he did not give up his father’s land for which he had to risk his life, faced false allegations, humiliation and disappointment from the authorities. Naboth was more concerned with obeying God’s word than pleasing the king or making money.
The authoritative evil King Ahab, with the help of his wicked queen Jezebel, conspired against the innocent farmer Naboth and killed him under false accusation and therefore, Ahab enjoyed Naboth’s vineyard after his death.
For the sake of our growth/career many a time we too have become like Ahab and Jezebel.
 The King should be surrounded by wise people and not people like Jezebel. There is a well-known proverb, ‘Tell your friend I’ll tell about you’, it suits well to King Ahab.

The end of Naboth is the beginning of God’s action against the unjust.

God came into the forefront for the innocent blood and fought for justice. Just like God fought for the “Blood of Abel”, so will God question us. It was for our guilt that God sent His own Son, so that we may be saved like Naboth and Abel.

The story of Naboth ends as Jezebel’s body is eaten up by the dogs in a disgraceful manner as the Words of Elijah, the Tishbite. (1 Kings 21)

Do not worry!
For God is with you to take care of you; your act of innocence saves you from evil.

 Reference: * https://www.news18.com/news/india/our-land-is-our-identity-tamil-nadu-farmers-up-in-arms-against-govts-expressway-project-1790221.html



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