PHRANKSTAR HIGH SCHOOL, AMAWBIA, AWKA.

CRS SS2
THIRD TERM
WEEK 2 AND 3

GREED AND ITS EFFECTS

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
At the end of this chapter, students should be ble to:
1. Explain the meaning of greed
2. Recognise it as a Canceous Vice that is injurious to individual and the society
3.Recount the stories of Ahab and Gahazi's greed
4. Give examples of greed in Nigeria.
to the action .
AHAB AND NABOTH'S VINEYARD (1 Kings 1:1-29)
Greed can simply be defined as the excessive desire for something. It can
food, money and other forms of wealth. A greedy person can commit
crime to ensure that he satisfies his desire. Greed is a bad qualify.
and bad phenomenon in the society at large because of its evil consequences
In this chapter, we are going to learn how King Ahab coveted
Naboth's Vineyard and the evil consequences of his grecdy action
Naboth, the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel near the palace of Ahab,
king of Samaria. Ahab wanted this vineyard from Naboth to use it for
vegetable garden because it was near his place. he proposed to exchange
for another vineyard or, if Naboth desired, he would settle him with money
Naboth refused both offer. He said to Ahab, "The Lord forbid that I should
give you the inheritance of my father."This statement annoyed Ahab. He
lay down on his bed, tumed away his face and refused to eat food. When
his wife Jezebel learnt from this, she comforted him and promised that she
would surely give him Naboth's vineyard. The promise, she hoped to accomplish through crime.
Jezebel, a wicked and devilish woman, quickly
plotted how to destroy Naboth and take his vineyard.
[4/27, 1:37 PM] Chigoziem: Jezebel wrote a letter in Ahab's name and sealed it with his seal. In
the letter,
she directed the elders and
Noble to proclaim a fast and set
Naboth among the people, with two base fellows against him. The fellowes should bring a charge
again him saying that he cursed God and the king. The instruction was carried out. Naboth was
killed and the people reported back to Jezebel that Naboth was dead.
She went to her husband (Ahab) and said:

"Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the

Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money: for Naboth is not alive but dead."

Consequences of Ahab's Greed

As Ahab moved in to take possession of Naboth's vineyard, unknown
to both Ahab and Jezebel, God uncovered he atrocity they committed and
He sent Elijah the Tishbite to Ahab. The Lord, through Elijah decreed that,
"in the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboh shall dogs lick
your blood. "The Lord further said that He would bring evil upon the house
of Ahab and would utterly sweep him away. He further stated that he would
cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. Furthermore,
"The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the bounds of
Jezreel. Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in
the city shall dogs eat: and anyone of his who
dies in the open country the birds of the air shall feed on,1 Kings 21:23-24)
The bible records that Ahab repented of his action, but the Lord only postponed the evil day to the
days of his children.

Lessons to Learn

() The evil consequences of greed, in most cases, outweigh the benefits,

if any. At times, they have lingering effects. In the case of Ahab, his
greed for little things like the vineyard led to the destruction of his
future generation. What a big curse! People should be contented what they have.
(ii) Whenever people are in position of authority , they should avoid a situation where people
around them, either their wives, friends or husbands as the case may be, influence their decision
in obnoxious practices that would attract condemnation like the case ofAhab, it was the wite.
Although, he was not happy about Naboth's refusal on his own, he never planned evil but the wife
Jezebel
planned it on his behalf and he accepted it. People should endeavor to resist such things at all
times and at all cost.

(ii) It is better to have little that is blessed that to have much that is curse.
Many people in position of authority, particularly in Nigeria
used their position to amass wealth and because of this excess wealth, their children turn into
vagabonds and rascals, thereby becoming a source of reproach or shame to them. Greed should be
avoided; it is self-destruction.

GEHAZI'S GREED (II Kings 5:1-27)

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha destroyed his life and his destiny as
result of greed. Naaman was a commander of the army of Syria. Through
recommendation, he went to Elisha, the prophet to be cured of his leprosy
When he got to the gate of Elisha, he halted. Elisha sent his servant
inform Naaman to go to the river Jordan and dip himself seven times and he
would be made well. Because Naaman felt that Elisha should have come
and give him personal attention which he did not, Naaman was annoyed and
he decided to go back. He was persuaded by his servants to obey the
instructions of the prophets. When he obeyed and dipped himself in River
Jordan seven times, his body was restored back like the flesh of a little
baby. He was full of appreciation. He praised the God of Israel and
GEHAZI
Gehazi was Elisha’s servant. He was very greedy. His greediness is shown in this account.
Naaman was the commander of the Syrian Army. He was a leper. His housemaid who was a
captive from Israel told Naaman’s wife about prophet Elisha who could cure him. Naaman told
the king of Syria about it and the king wrote a letter to the king of Israel. Naaman went to Israel
with gifts and the letter. When the king of Israel was given the letter he was afraid and said;
” Am I God, to kill and to make alive that this man sends words to me to cure a man of
leprosy”?
Prophet Elisha directed Naaman to wash seven times in river Jordan and that he would be cured.
Naaman hesitated to obey Elisha’s instruction but he was persuaded by his servants.
Eventually he was cured after dipping himself seven times in River Jordan. Naaman came to
express gratitude to Elisha and to praise God. He gave some gifts to Elisha but Elisha refused to
accept the gifts. Elisha’s servant, Gehazi was not happy for this, He secretly went to meet
Naaman and told him that Elisha was now ready to accept the gifts. Naaman was happy to give
him the gifts.
When Gehazi returned, Elisha asked him where he had gone. Gehazi lied to Elisha by saying
that he did not go anywhere. Elisha then told him what had happened. Elisha told him that the
leprosy of Naaman shall come upon him. Immediately Gehazi became a leper.
Elijah went to the brook of Cherith as directed by God. He was to drink the brook water and eat
bread and meat that the ravens would bring him there. Elijah needed to hide, far away from King
Ahab and his Queen Jezebel. Ahab and Jezebel were the most wicked and evil rulers Israel had
ever known. They employed 850 prophets of Baal and his consort, Ashera, and were killing the
prophets of Yahweh. After Elijah (God’s major prophet) told Ahab there would be no rain for
years to come and not until I say so, they were determined to kill him.

When Ahab married Jezebel he created an unholy alliance with the King of Sidon, Jezebel’s
father. Her country worshipped Baal and Ashera and Israel was beginning to do the same. Baal
was supposed to be a dominant god that controls storms and rain. Baal and Ashera, his companion,
were fertility gods.

During the third year of the drought Yahweh told Elijah it was time to go home. He was to show
himself to Ahab – even though Ahab had been looking everywhere far and wide, to kill him.
Elijah was going to tell Ahab that rain was about to fall.

The famine from the drought was so severe that King Ahab was looking everywhere for grass to
feed his horses and mules. If those animals all died his army would be powerless against their
enemies. Elijah sent word to the king that he needed to see him face-to-face.

Elijah challenged Ahab at their meeting to bring all the Israelites and all the prophets of Baal and
Ashera (850 of them) to Mount Carmel. He alone would represent Yahweh there, as his name
meant “Yah is God.”

On Mount Carmel he asks all the people, “How long will you waver between two different
opinions? If Yahweh is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.” None of the people answered him.

Next, Elijah asked for two bulls to be sacrificed as burnt offerings. “Let the Baal prophets pick
first and then make all the preparations for the burnt offering to their god. And I will take the other
bull and make all the preparations to sacrifice to Yahweh.” He then announced to everyone,
“Let no fire be put to the wood. The true God will light his own sacrifice.”

As soon as the false prophets had made everything ready they began to pray and dance and plead
with their God to light his sacrifice and prove himself. They continued hour after hour and even
cut themselves and threw themselves on the ground. Elijah mocked them, and then it was his turn.

He then instructed the false prophets to soak his bull and the wood and the ground with water.
They poured water all over everything three times as Elijah directed, even filling a trench with
water circling the sacrifice. Then Elijah began to pray to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel,
and asked God to validate himself and his servant and turn the hearts of the people back to
himself. Immediately fire fell from heaven and lapped up everything, including the rocks, the dust
and the water in the trench.

The people all said surely Yahweh is God, and they fell on their faces. Elijah then had all the false
prophets rounded up and took them down the mountain and put them to death.

Elijah went to Ahab and told him to go back to his palace as the flooding rain was about to start.
Ahab and Jezebel hung on to power for years to come, but on this day the people turned back to
the true God and would worship Him only.

The supremercy of God.

1 Kings 18
New International Reader's Version
Elijah and Obadiah
18 It was now three years since it had rained. A message came to Elijah from the Lord. He said,
“Go. Speak to Ahab. Then I will send rain on the land.” 2 So Elijah went to speak to Ahab.

There wasn’t enough food in Samaria. The people there were very hungry. 3 Ahab had sent for
Obadiah. He was in charge of Ahab’s palace. Obadiah had great respect for the Lord. 4 Ahab’s
wife Jezebel had been killing off the Lord’s prophets. So Obadiah had hidden 100 prophets in
two caves. He had put 50 in each cave. He had supplied them with food and water. 5 Ahab had
said to Obadiah, “Go through the land. Go to all the valleys and springs of water. Maybe we can
find some grass there. It will keep the horses and mules alive. Then we won ’t have to kill any of
our animals.” 6 So they decided where each of them would look. Ahab went in one direction.
Obadiah went in another.
7 As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized him. He bowed down to the
ground. He said, “My master Elijah! Is it really you?”

8 “Yes,” he replied. “Go and tell your master Ahab, ‘Elijah is here.’ ”

9 “What have I done wrong?” asked Obadiah. “Why are you handing me over to Ahab to be
put to death? 10 My master has sent people to look for you everywhere. There isn’t a nation or
kingdom where he hasn’t sent someone to look for you. Suppose a nation or kingdom would
claim you weren’t there. Then Ahab would make them give their word that they couldn’t find
you. And that’s just as sure as the Lord your God is alive. 11 But now you are telling me to go to
my master. You want me to say, ‘Elijah is here.’ 12 But the Spirit of the Lord might carry you
away when I leave you. Then I won’t know where you are. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn’t
find you, he’ll kill me. But I’ve worshiped the Lord ever since I was young. 13 My master,
haven’t you heard what I did? Jezebel was killing the Lord’s prophets. But I hid 100 of them in
two caves. I put 50 in each cave. I supplied them with food and water. 14 And now you are telling
me to go to my master Ahab. You want me to say to him, ‘Elijah is here.’ Ahab will kill me!”

15 Elijah said, “I serve the Lord who rules over all. You can be sure that he lives. And you can be
just as sure that I will speak to Ahab today.”

Elijah on Mount Carmel

16 Obadiah went back to Ahab. He told Ahab that Elijah wanted to see him. So Ahab went to
where Elijah was. 17 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you? You are always stirring
up trouble in Israel.”

18 “I haven’t made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family
have. You have turned away from the Lord’s commands. You have followed gods that are named
Baal. 19 Now send for people from all over Israel. Tell them to meet me on Mount Carmel. And
bring the 450 prophets of the god named Baal. Also bring the 400 prophets of the female god
named Asherah. All of them eat at Jezebel’s table.”

20 So Ahab sent that message all through Israel. He gathered the prophets together on Mount
Carmel. 21 Elijah went there and stood in front of the people. He said, “How long will it take
you to make up your minds? If the Lord is the one and only God, worship him. But if Baal is the
one and only God, worship him.”

The people didn’t say anything.

22 Then Elijah said to them, “I’m the only one of the Lord’s prophets left. But Baal has 450
prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves. Let them cut it
into pieces. Then let them put it on the wood. But don’t let them set fire to it. I’ll prepare the
other bull. I’ll put it on the wood. But I won’t set fire to it. 24 Then you pray to your god. And
I’ll pray to the Lord. The god who answers by sending fire down is the one and only God.”
Then all the people said, “What you are saying is good.”

25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls. There are many of you. So
prepare your bull first. Pray to your god. But don’t light the fire.” 26 So they prepared the bull
they had been given.

They prayed to Baal from morning until noon. “Baal! Answer us!” they shouted. But there
wasn’t any reply. No one answered. Then they danced around the altar they had made.

27 At noon Elijah began to tease them. “Shout louder!” he said. “I’m sure Baal is a god!
Perhaps he has too much to think about. Or maybe he has gone to the toilet. Or perhaps he’s
away on a trip. Maybe he’s sleeping. You might have to wake him up.” 28 So they shouted
louder. They cut themselves with swords and spears until their blood flowed. That’s what they
usually did when things really looked hopeless. 29 It was now past noon. The prophets of Baal
continued to prophesy with all their might. They did it until the time came to offer the evening
sacrifice. But there wasn’t any reply. No one answered. No one paid any attention.

30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” So they went to him. He rebuilt the
altar of the Lord. It had been torn down. 31 Elijah got 12 stones. There was one for each tribe in
the family line of Jacob. The Lord’s message had come to Jacob. It had said, “Your name will
be Israel.” 32 Elijah used the stones to build an altar to honor the Lord. He dug a ditch around it.
The ditch was large enough to hold 24 pounds of seeds. 33 He arranged the wood for the fire. He
cut the bull into pieces. He placed the pieces on the wood. Then he said to some of the people,
“Fill four large jars with water. Pour it on the offering and the wood.” So they did.

34 “Do it again,” he said. So they did it again.

“Do it a third time,” he ordered. And they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around
the altar. It even filled the ditch.

36 When it was time to offer the evening sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward. He prayed,
“Lord, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. Today let everyone know that you are God
in Israel. Let them know I’m your servant. Let them know I’ve done all these things because
you commanded me to. 37 Answer me. Lord, answer me. Then these people will know that you
are the one and only God. They’ll know that you are turning their hearts back to you again.”

38 The fire of the Lord came down. It burned up the sacrifice. It burned up the wood and the
stones and the soil. It even dried up the water in the ditch.

39 All the people saw it. Then they fell down flat with their faces toward the ground. They cried
out, “The Lord is the one and only God! The Lord is the one and only God!”

40 Then Elijah commanded them, “Grab the prophets of Baal. Don’t let a single one of them
get away!” So they grabbed them. Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley. There he
had them put to death.

41 Elijah said to Ahab, “Go. Eat and drink. I can hear the sound of a heavy rain.” 42 So Ahab
went off to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel. He bent down toward
the ground. Then he put his face between his knees.

43 “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. So he went up and looked.

“I don’t see anything there,” he said.

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

44 The seventh time the servant said, “I see a cloud. It’s as small as a man’s hand. It’s
coming up over the sea.”

Elijah said, “Go to Ahab. Tell him, ‘Tie your chariot to your horse. Go down to Jezreel before
the rain stops you.’ ”

45 Black clouds filled the sky. The wind came up, and a heavy rain began to fall. Ahab rode off to
Jezreel. 46 The power of the Lord came on Elijah. He tucked his coat into his belt. And he ran
ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.