The Lord of the Flies and the Prince of Devils
Among the many false gods that plagued ancient Israel, Baal-zebub stands out as a particularly intriguing and sinister deity. His name, meaning “Lord of the Flies,” might at first seem bizarre for a powerful god, but it hints at a deeper, more repulsive aspect of pagan worship and later, a chilling connection to the realm of demonic power. Though only explicitly mentioned once in the Old Testament, his shadow stretches into the New Testament, where he is revealed as a title for none other than the “prince of the devils.”
The Philistine Oracle of Ekron
Baal-zebub was the chief god of the Philistine city of Ekron. He was likely invoked for matters concerning disease, plagues (especially those carried by flies, which were a major health hazard), and for divination—the seeking of supernatural knowledge. The one explicit mention of him in the Old Testament comes during a moment of profound spiritual failure in Israel.
King Ahaziah, son of Ahab and Jezebel (who had so ardently promoted Baal worship), fell through a lattice in his upper chamber and was severely injured. Instead of seeking the LORD God of Israel, he sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if he would recover.
2 Kings 1:2-3 (KJV): “And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease. But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?”
This act of seeking a pagan oracle rather than the living God brought swift condemnation from the prophet Elijah, confirming the severe consequences of spiritual apostasy. Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD.
From “Lord of Flies” to “Prince of Devils”
The true significance of Baal-zebub unfolds in the New Testament. During Jesus’ ministry, when He cast out devils, the Pharisees, in their hardened unbelief, accused Him of performing these miracles by the power of Baal-zebub.
Matthew 12:24 (KJV): “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.”
And again, in Mark and Luke:
Mark 3:22 (KJV): “And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.”
Luke 11:15 (KJV): “But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.”
Here, “Beelzebub” (a slight variation of Baal-zebub, possibly a deliberate derogatory alteration meaning “lord of dung” or “lord of the high house”) is directly identified as the “prince of the devils” or the “chief of the devils.” This is a critical revelation: an ancient pagan deity, once worshipped as a local god of healing and divination, is unmasked by Christ Himself as a title for Satan, the very head of the demonic realm.
The Defence of Discernment
The story of Baal-zebub provides a profound lesson for all who stand for the “Defence of the Truth” and eagerly await the Lord’s Return. It underscores:
- The Reality of Demonic Power: Evil spirits are real, organized, and have a “prince.”
- The Deception of Idolatry: What appears to be a mere cultural god or a superstitious practice is, in fact, often a direct channel for demonic influence and worship.
- The Authority of Christ: Jesus, by casting out devils, proved His ultimate authority over Satan and all his principalities and powers. His victory over the “prince of the devils” guarantees His triumph at His glorious Return.
In a world increasingly open to various forms of spiritualism and alternative deities, the exposure of Baal-zebub by Christ serves as an eternal warning. There is no neutral ground in spiritual matters; what is not of God is often of the “prince of the devils.” Our allegiance must be exclusively to the true LORD, Jesus Christ, who alone has the power to deliver us from all evil.