By: Gen. Jim
The Bible does not cut corners or water down the truth about evil.
(1) Potiphar’s wife (Egypt) who tried to seduce Joseph (son of Jacob). But he was wise enough to refuse her advances (see Gen. 39:7-10).
Eventually, she used deception to entrap him in which Joseph was sent to prison (see vss.11-20). But this led Joseph to God’s greater plan for His people. The wisdom God used was outstanding. Joseph became the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt.
(2) Delilah lived during the time of Judges. The Philistines were sworn enemies of God & Israel. Her role in the downfall of Samson is paramount in history. But again, God’s wisdom was at work (see Judges 16). Despite Samson’s unwise confession of where his strength came from, God was still with him. In the end Samson was able to kill many Philistines (16:28-30). This woman was a woman full of lust for wealth & fame. She sided with the enemies of God & His chosen people, using deceit, charms, & manipulation, but in the end, God had His way by destroying the Philistine rulership. Her legacy of evil is a warning to those who will follow her ways.
(3) Herodias was a prominent woman in the Herodian dynasty, a ruling family in Judea. She was eventually married to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee & Perea. She is infamous for her bitter grudge against God’s prophet, John the Baptist, who condemned her marriage (as sinful). This marriage, according to John, was unlawful according to Jewish law (see Mk. 6:18,19). Herodias manipulated her daughter, Salome, into performing a dance that greatly pleased Herod & his guests. Herod, in his delight & sexual arousal promised to grant the daughter anything she desired (6:22,23). Salome was instructed by Herodias to get the head of John the Baptist! (vss.24,25). John’s head was taken to the two wicked females (6:26,27,28).
Although Herodias was never personally punished, Herod Antipas was expelled to Gaul by the Roman “crazy” Emperor Galigula. But her wicked actions left a lasting impression as an epitome of treachery & vindictiveness. She manipulated her own daughter in requesting the DEATH of John, a righteous man of God. Her legacy is one of infamy, illustrating the evil both of vengeance & the moral decay that accompanies the ABUSE of power.
(4) Athaliah, the daughter of wicked king Ahab & Queen Jezebel of Israel. Her lineage was one of idolatry & ruthless behavior. She was married to Jehoram, King of Judah, and created a strong alliance between the Kingdoms of Judah & Israel. Upon her husband’s death & her son’s (Ahaziah) short reign as King of Judah, and after his death, Athaliah’s thirst for greatness & power became all too evident. To secure the power/rule she lusted for, she ordered the massacre of all potential royal heirs. The gruesome purge was an act of TERRORISM! (see 2 Kgs. 11:1-3)
(5) Jezebel was queen & Ahab was king of Israel. Ahab was a wicked king (1 Kgs. 16:30), and he married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, King of the Sidonians, a Baal worshipper. Ahab also worshipped Baal (vs.32). To my point, Jezebel hated God’s prophets, killing them (18:13). The history of Jezebel is well known for her deceit & craft which involved Naboth’s vineyard & had him stoned (vs.14). Thank God she did not get away with her craft (witchcraft!), for God used Jehu, Son of Jehoshaphat, to bring about her BLOODY DEATH! (2 Kgs. 10:30-37) Jehu ordered Jezebel’s eunuchs to throw her down from her upper window (vs.33), thus fulfilling what the Prophet Elijah prophesied: “The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel” (1 Kgs. 21:23).
Thus ended the cruel & murderous reign of queen Jezebel – “and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field, in the plot at Jezreel, so that they shall not say, ‘Here lies Jezebel.’” (vs.37).