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THE FEIGNED REPENTANCE OF AHAB
MUCH there is which bears the semblance of religion, and which brings with it a present reward, whilst in the sight of God it is of no avail for the salvation of the soul. The hopes of the presumptuous, the fears of the desponding, the joys of the hypocrite, and the sorrows of the worldly, are of this kind. An instance of the last occurs in the passage which we have just read; wherein Ahab’s repentance was honoured with the notice and approbation of Heaven to a certain degree, though we have no reason to think that it ever availed for his final acceptance before God.
In speaking of Ahab’s repentance, we propose to shew,
I. What there was in it that was good—
If there had not been something good in it, God would never have called the attention of Elijah to it, or have honoured it with a reward. The two principal things in it that were good, were,
1. A fear of God’s judgments—
[Many, when God’s judgments are denounced against them, only “puff at them [Note: Psa_10:4-5.]” as unworthy of any serious regard. They do not believe that God will execute them: the language of their hearts is, “God will not do good, neither will he do evil [Note: Amo_9:10; Zep_1:12; Mal_2:17.]” — — — But Ahab credited the predictions of the prophet, and sought deliverance from the judgments he foretold. This it was that prevailed in behalf of the Ninevites, when “they repented at the preaching of Jonah [Note: Jon_3:5; Jon_3:10.];” and God on the present occasion was so pleased with it, that he pointed it out with special approbation to the Prophet Elijah.]
2. An acknowledgment of God’s justice in inflicting them—
[Had Ahab thought himself unjustly dealt with, he would have complained of the severity of the sentence that was passed against him: but he complained only of his own sins, which had so justly brought on him the divine displeasure. This was a public testimony that God was worthy to be served, and that the most exalted monarchs are bound, as much as others, to be obedient to his laws. Such an acknowledgment, from so abandoned a character, was honourable to the Lord: it “gave glory to him [Note: Jos_7:19; Jer_13:16; Jer_13:18.]” as a God of holiness and power, and consequently was so far good and acceptable in his sight.]
Still, as it availed not for his salvation, it will be proper to shew,
II. Wherein it was defective— The terms wherein it is set forth are doubtless strong; but yet it was altogether defective;
1. In its principle—
[If there had been no punishment denounced against him, Ahab would have felt little concern about his iniquities: he had no real hatred of sin, no ingenuous shame on account of his having transgressed against so good a God. It was fear, and fear only, that called forth his penitential acknowledgments. But, if his repentance had been genuine, he would have mourned for his sins even though there had been no punishment annexed to them [Note: Eze_20:43; Eze_36:31.]; he would have seen an hatefulness in them, as transgressions of the holy law of God; and would have hated and abhorred himself on account of them, even though God should have blotted them from the book of his remembrance [Note: Eze_16:63.]. Hatred of sin, and not fear of punishment, is the true source of penitential sorrow.]
2. In its measure—
[His repentance was expressed only by external signs, such as fasting and clothing himself with sackcloth: but it should have proceeded to operate in the renovation of his heart and life. He should have instantly begun to put away his sins. But we read not of any such effects produced upon him. He turned not from his idolatry, nor did he, as far as we know, restore the vineyard to Naboth’s family. But true repentance would have led him to mortify his besetting sins [Note: Hos_14:1-3; Hos_14:8.]: that alone is the repentance which is not to be repented of.]
3. In its end—
[Could Ahab have escaped the miseries he had brought upon himself, he would have been contented though God had still been as much dishonoured as ever. He had no view to God’s glory, but only to his own safety. But if his sorrow had been of a godly sort, he would have inquired, how he might best counteract all the evil he had done, and cause his subjects to honour Jehovah as much as they had before slighted and despised him [Note: 2Co_7:10-11.].]
Nevertheless God was pleased to reward it: and it is of importance to inquire,
III. What the honour which God put upon it was
designed to teach us—
It was designed to shew,
1. That God will not overlook the smallest things that are done for him—
[We have many instances in Scripture of actions rewarded, even where there was little, if any, reference to him in the minds of the actors. Ebed-melech had some regard to God in the services he rendered to Jeremiah the prophet: Jehu was more actuated by pride than any feeling of true piety: and Nebuchadnezzar, in his siege of Tyre, had not the least idea that he was doing Jehovah’s work: yet were they all rewarded for the services they performed [Note: 2Ki_10:30; Jer_38:7-10 with 39:15–18; Eze_29:17-20.]: and if those of us who have done the least for God would consult the records of their lives, they would find that he has in some way or other recompensed to them whatever they have done, and never long continued in their debt.]
2. That he will surely receive every true penitent—
[St. Paul, in reference to the rites of the ceremonial law, argues thus: “If the blood of bulls and of goats availed for the least things, how much more shall the blood of Christ avail for the greatest [Note: Heb_9:13-14.].” In like manner we may justly say in reference to the history before us, if the feigned repentance of Ahab availed for the deferring of temporal judgments, how much more shall true repentance avail for the removal of all sins, and for the everlasting salvation of the soul! Let any one only see how God longs to behold his people returning to him [Note: Luk_15:5; Luk_15:9; Luk_15:23-24.], — — — and how he rejoices over them when they do return [Note: Jer_13:27; Hos_8:5; Hos_11:7-8.], — — — and we shall not doubt, but that instead of “willing the death of any sinner, he desires that all should turn from their wickedness and live [Note: Eze_33:11; 1Ti_2:4; 2Pe_3:9.].” “He will not despise the day of small things [Note: Hos_4:10.];” but will hear the groans, and regard the sighs, and treasure up the tears, of all who truly turn unto him. He never has said, nor ever will, “Seek ye my face in vain.”]
We cannot conclude without a few words,
1. Of caution—
[Many there are who conceive that they have repented, because they can look back upon some time when they were humbled before God, either in an hour of sickness, or after some awakening discourse. But those temporary affections of the mind are a very small part of true repentance: they have been experienced by thousands, who yet have “turned back with the dog to his vomit, or the sow to her wallowing in the mire [Note: Psa_78:34-37; Hos_5:15.]!” Let it be remembered therefore, that if we dissemble with our God, his sword shall certainly overtake us [Note: Jer_42:20-22.] — — — You have been long and faithfully warned of your danger; and if you despise the admonitions of the weakest of God’s servants, it will ensure and aggravate your eternal condemnation [Note: 2Ch_36:12; 2Ch_36:17.].]
2. Of encouragement—
[It is not said of him in vain, that “with him there is mercy and plenteous redemption.” Do but bear this in mind, and you will frequently put yourselves in the posture of Ahab, and “walk softly” before him all the days of your life. Were it only temporal deliverance that you were authorized to expect, it would be right to mourn as Ahab did: but when God promises to multiply his pardons beyond the utmost reach of your sins [Note: Isa_55:7; Rom_5:20.], you maybe sure that nothing shall ever be wanting to those who seek him with their whole hearts. O that God might now see in us occasion to address the angels as he did Elijah; See how those people humble themselves before me! Because they so humble themselves, and “wash in the fountain” of their Redeemer’s blood, “their iniquities shall all be blotted out,” and “cast behind me into the depths of the sea!”]