Lausanne World Pulse – Jezebel: Unusual Missionary

August 2007

By Ferdinand Nweke

Take away “Christian” from the above definitions and Jezebel perfectly fits the description. She gained access into and maintained herself in another culture through marriage, but with the primary intention of making disciples for Baal. She was recognized in the host culture as something other than a religious professional. She was queen; however, “in terms of her commitment, calling, motivation and training” she was a missionary for Baal in every way. Nobody needed to send “support” or “raise funds” for Jezebel: She not only sustained herself, but used all instruments of her office to advance the cause of Baal.

Jezebel’s passion for Baal was unsurpassed: she threw her all into propagating Baal. Matthew Henry notes that “this one strange wife debauched Israel more than all the strange wives of Solomon.” She used her influence and the vast resources that attended her position to preach Baal. Where persuasion failed, she resorted to ruthless repression. She did whatever she had to do to ensure Baal prospered. Adam Clarke2 lists the following high points of Jezebel’s ignoble “ministry” in Israel:

  1. She was the idolatrous daughter of an idolatrous king.
  2. She practiced it openly.
  3. She not only countenanced it in others, but protected it, and gave its partisans honours and rewards.
  4. She used every means to persecute the true religion.
  5. She was hideously cruel, and put to death the prophets and priests of God.
  6. And all this she did with the most zealous perseverance and relentless cruelty.

Amazing Possibilities
What would happen for the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ if every Christian did for the Kingdom of God what Jezebel did for Baal? What could happen if every believer used their God-given platforms to advance the gospel (within righteous limits) akin to how Jezebel used hers to advance Baal?

I live in northern Nigeria, in an area of the country that is within the 10/40 Window. Here, Islamic fundamentalists have destroyed scores of churches and slaughtered (literally, in many instances) multitudes. I see firsthand the kingdom-consciousness of Muslims. To them, “to live is Allah, and to die is gain.” Their jobs and businesses are unapologetically committed to enthroning Allah and the teachings of Islam. They build mosques on government property, with government funds, and must leave work to pray several times a day. Whatever positions they occupy—including government or political appointments—are tools to propagate Islam.

It was in this manner that Nigeria was smuggled into the Organization of Islamic Conference, an umbrella body of Islamic nations, when a Muslim was head of state. It is this kingdom-consciousness—a willingness to lay down all to serve the purposes of Allah—that is behind the current wave of terror they are spreading around the world. Western societies, hedged in by the twin evils of hedonism and humanism, stand helpless before such sacrifice.

To Change Society: Rethinking the Great Commission
Many Christians are the very antithesis of the above. To remain politically correct and accepted, they do everything to hide their Christian identity in the marketplace. The idea that the Church can change the world from inside the Church is not biblical; the early Church knew they needed to invade every facet of society with the gospel if the Great Commission was to be fulfilled.

Here are some things we could do to begin to mobilize the silent majority for the final harvest in the nations:

1. Understand that the vast majority of the lost we are sent to are not in the church. More people go to hospitals than to church. In my days in medical practice, patients trooped in. Standing for Christ in that setting, we organized evangelism in the wards and ministered to patients and their relatives caring for them. We were taught in our Christian fellowship in medical school to treat the whole person (they called it “holistic medical practice”)—not just the body. That meant addressing both the soul and the body. We saw many saved and blessed as we ministered. In private medical practice, we witnessed to patients and saved the lives of several babies whose mothers had come seeking abortions.

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Dr. Ferdinand Nweke, a medical doctor in Nigeria, coordinates Eternity Ministries, which focuses on maximizing Calvary and living with eternity in view. He has authored several books and songs.