I Have a Few Things Against You, That You Allow the Woman Jezebel
Meaning and spiritual symbol of “Jezebel”
His Holiness Pope Shenouda explains that Jezebel is a symbol of evil and temptation — representing every person or idea that brings corruption into the community. Just as Queen Jezebel led King Ahab and Israel into idolatry, she symbolizes anyone who misleads others or spreads false teaching.
Responsibility of leaders and caregivers
God holds not only individuals accountable for their sins but also those in authority who remain silent toward wrongdoing. As written in Ezekiel, “If you do not warn the wicked, his blood I will require at your hand.” Every leader, parent, or servant is responsible for those under their care.
The concept of negligence (Taseeb)
Negligence means lack of discipline and seriousness in spiritual life — living by one’s own desires without boundaries or order. Where there is no guidance, chaos prevails. Negligence begins in the heart, then appears in behavior, worship, and thought.
Types of negligence
Pope Shenouda explains that negligence appears in many areas:
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Spiritual life: inconsistency in prayer, fasting, or repentance.
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Family and parenting: parents who let their children live without correction.
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Service and rituals: clergy or servants who act without adherence to church order.
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Teaching and faith: those who teach their own ideas instead of the Church’s doctrine.
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Moral and social life: carelessness in dress, words, and daily behavior.
The danger of negligence in teaching
The gravest negligence is in church teaching, for it leads to division and confusion of faith. The Church has always been firm, as seen in its rejection of Origen and Arius who departed from sound doctrine. Unity of faith is preserved only by fidelity to the apostolic teaching.
Spiritual remedy
The remedy is commitment — to values, commandments, and sound teaching. The Church established laws and traditions to protect unity and prevent error. True discipline is not through force but through persuasion, instruction, and living example. As the Didascalia says: “Erase sin by teaching.”
A call to repentance
God gives time to repent — “I gave her time to repent, but she did not.” Yet this time will not last forever. The Pope urges believers to self-examination and self-control, especially during Lent, to live with spiritual balance — neither rigid nor negligent.
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