Jezebel's Powder Room

The Harris Poll recently discovered that when American's are asked to name their favorite book, the Bible is their overwhelming first choice. Researchers were surprised to find that #2 varies from one demographic group to another and includes favorites like Gone with the Wind or The Lord of the Rings. But across all demographic groups- political party, race, sex, educational level, etc- the Bible is far and away #1. The Harris people explain that in no other area can one find such universal consensus among Americans!

It's no wonder, of course. The Bible points us to our Creator God. It meets our deepest needs. It informs our decisions and it comforts us when we are in despair. And unlike any other "inspirational" book, it just has the ring of truth!

Here's a great example: quirky but true. After years of instigating violence and corruption, King Ahab's wicked wife Jezebel was finally called on the carpet. Her influence was fading, her defenders were melting away, and she learned that Jehu, the leader of the rebel forces, was just arriving in town. At this point, 2 Kings 9:30 comments, "When Jezebel heard this, she painted her eyes, arranged her hair, and looked out of a window." Two verses later she was thrown to her death on the pavement below.

Four years ago, a Harvard University team of archaeologists announced they had discovered the ruins of Ahab's royal palace in Samaria. Not surprisingly, they found evidence of a lavish lifestyle. The walls of one chamber were apparently covered in ivory. And there among the rooms and corridors once haunted by the evil queen, the team actually found her make up kit. Among the pottery shards and objects from everyday life were tiny containers lined with coal dust for black accents, turquoise for green, and ochre for red. There were even tiny holes in the lid for use in mixing the colors. The Bible's characterization was spot on- exactly right!

That's just one tiny example of the Truth we constantly experience when we read God's Word. It's a book for the ages, but it's also a book for today. Wise people read it every day.