“Jehoiada lived to a very old age, finally dying at 130” (II Chronicles 24:15, NLT).
From Joash’s infancy, Jehoiada the priest and his sons had kept Joash safe from his evil grandmother Athaliah and had seen to his rightful enthronement as king of Judah. Now with Jehoiada no longer in the picture, things were about to drastically change. Let’s review the hints we saw leading up to this point:
“Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest” (II Chronicles 24:2b, NLT). The first sign of trouble? “Throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada.” Had Joash’s behavior not changed after Jehoiada died, there would be no reason for this statement.
The second sign of trouble? “At one point Joash decided to repair and restore the Temple of the Lord. He summoned the priests and Levites and gave them these instructions: ‘Go to all the towns of Judah and collect the required annual offerings, so that we can repair the Temple of your God. Do not delay!’” (II Chronicles 24:1a, 4-5a).
“The Temple of your God.” Joash didn’t say “my God,” but “your God.” Joash was a young man by this time; he was old enough to have made his own decision about his beliefs.
The third sign of trouble ahead: “The burnt offerings were sacrificed continually in the Temple of the Lord during the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest” (II Chronicles 24:14c). Had the burnt offerings continued after Jehoiada’s death, this comment wouldn’t have been needed.
Which brings us to one of the all-important “buts” of the Bible: “But after Jehoiada’s death, the leaders of Judah came and bowed before King Joash and persuaded him to listen to their advice” (II Chronicles 24:17). Joash had been brought up to know Jehovah as Lord. Still, he was quite capable of making a wrong decision, and that’s exactly what he did.
Joash, along with these sorry advisors, “decided to abandon the Temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and they worshiped Asherah poles and idols instead!” (II Chronicles 24:18a).
Folks, our job is teach and live out a strong foundation of faith. Once a child grows to adulthood, he must make his own decision whether to accept or reject the faith of his upbringing. Joash, having restored the Temple and served as a good king over Judah, now turns to absolute evil. Just like many others before him, he thought he could get away with this behavior.
“Because of this sin, divine anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem” (II Chronicles 24:18b). Joash was in a high position of authority – he was the king. His influence was enormous. Which means his accountability to God was equally so.
“Yet the Lord sent prophets to bring them back to Him. The prophets warned them, but still the people would not listen” (II Chronicles 24:19).
What a patient, loving, merciful God! The Bible shows us the people of God, warts and all. They’re not perfect any more than we’re perfect. Time and time again, we turn our backs on the One who loved us enough to die for us, and yet He continues to call to us and willingly forgive us whenever we repent.
Yet even the wondrous forgiveness of our Heavenly Father does not erase the consequences of the sins we set in motion when we choose to disobey Him. Life is so much sweeter when it’s lived in harmony with the will of God.
Friday, May 31, 2013
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Thursday, May 30, 2013
THURSDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
We’ll eventually get back to Jehu who’s over the Northern Kingdom of Israel at present. Right now we’re still in the Southern Kingdom of Judah where the young man Joash has been ruling since the age of seven. The Temple of the Lord was in terrible disrepair and Joash had ordered the priests and Levites to collect the money needed to restore it.
“So now the king ordered a chest to be made and set outside the gate leading to the Temple of the Lord. Then a proclamation was sent throughout Judah and Jerusalem, telling the people to bring to the Lord the tax that Moses, the servant of God, had required of the Israelites in the wilderness. This pleased all the leaders and the people, and they gladly brought their money and filled the chest with it” (II Chronicles 24:8-10, NLT).
The people of Judah were happy to see the Temple being repaired and “gladly brought their money.” “Whenever the chest became full, the Levites would carry it to the king’s officials. Then the court secretary and an officer of the high priest would come and empty the chest and take it back to the Temple again. This went on day after day, and a large amount of money was collected” (II Chronicles 24:11). The enthusiasm of the people continued and the proof was in their continued giving.
“The king and Jehoiada gave the money to the construction supervisors, who hired masons and carpenters to restore the Temple of the Lord. They also hired metalworkers, who made articles of iron and bronze for the Lord’s Temple. The men in charge of the renovation worked hard and made steady progress. They restored the Temple of God according to its original design and strengthened it” (II Chronicles 24:12-13).
These workers didn’t merely patch things up – they made sure they followed the Temple’s “original design” and they even “strengthened” or improved the sturdiness of that. “When all the repairs were finished, they brought the remaining money to the king and Jehoiada” (II Chronicles 24:14a). Not only that, but during the entire project “No accounting of this money was required from the construction supervisors, because they were honest and trustworthy men” (II Kings 12:15).
“Honest and trustworthy men” made it possible to complete the repairs to the Temple with superior quality of workmanship and in a timely manner. Any supervisor will tell you that nothing makes his job more pleasant and a business more productive than having employees who will work as hard when he’s not present as they do when he’s looking over their shoulders.
“And the burnt offerings were sacrificed continually in the Temple of the Lord during the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest” (II Chronicles 24:14c).
Another sign of trouble: “during the lifetime of Jehoiada.” Had the burnt offerings continued after his death, this comment wouldn’t have been needed.
“Jehoiada lived to a very old age, finally dying at 130. He was buried among the kings in the City of David, because he had done so much good in Israel for God and His Temple” (II Chronicles 24:15-16).
“Because he had done so much good.” What a great way to be remembered! Let me leave you with a quote from a sermon on KeepBelieving.com: “What will the people who knew you best say about you when you’re gone? We all know that casual acquaintances can say what they want, and it doesn’t really matter because they never really knew us. But you can’t fool your children or your spouse or parents or your closest friends. They know the truth because they’ve lived with you so long and seen you in so many different circumstances. How will you be remembered?”
“So now the king ordered a chest to be made and set outside the gate leading to the Temple of the Lord. Then a proclamation was sent throughout Judah and Jerusalem, telling the people to bring to the Lord the tax that Moses, the servant of God, had required of the Israelites in the wilderness. This pleased all the leaders and the people, and they gladly brought their money and filled the chest with it” (II Chronicles 24:8-10, NLT).
The people of Judah were happy to see the Temple being repaired and “gladly brought their money.” “Whenever the chest became full, the Levites would carry it to the king’s officials. Then the court secretary and an officer of the high priest would come and empty the chest and take it back to the Temple again. This went on day after day, and a large amount of money was collected” (II Chronicles 24:11). The enthusiasm of the people continued and the proof was in their continued giving.
“The king and Jehoiada gave the money to the construction supervisors, who hired masons and carpenters to restore the Temple of the Lord. They also hired metalworkers, who made articles of iron and bronze for the Lord’s Temple. The men in charge of the renovation worked hard and made steady progress. They restored the Temple of God according to its original design and strengthened it” (II Chronicles 24:12-13).
These workers didn’t merely patch things up – they made sure they followed the Temple’s “original design” and they even “strengthened” or improved the sturdiness of that. “When all the repairs were finished, they brought the remaining money to the king and Jehoiada” (II Chronicles 24:14a). Not only that, but during the entire project “No accounting of this money was required from the construction supervisors, because they were honest and trustworthy men” (II Kings 12:15).
“Honest and trustworthy men” made it possible to complete the repairs to the Temple with superior quality of workmanship and in a timely manner. Any supervisor will tell you that nothing makes his job more pleasant and a business more productive than having employees who will work as hard when he’s not present as they do when he’s looking over their shoulders.
“And the burnt offerings were sacrificed continually in the Temple of the Lord during the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest” (II Chronicles 24:14c).
Another sign of trouble: “during the lifetime of Jehoiada.” Had the burnt offerings continued after his death, this comment wouldn’t have been needed.
“Jehoiada lived to a very old age, finally dying at 130. He was buried among the kings in the City of David, because he had done so much good in Israel for God and His Temple” (II Chronicles 24:15-16).
“Because he had done so much good.” What a great way to be remembered! Let me leave you with a quote from a sermon on KeepBelieving.com: “What will the people who knew you best say about you when you’re gone? We all know that casual acquaintances can say what they want, and it doesn’t really matter because they never really knew us. But you can’t fool your children or your spouse or parents or your closest friends. They know the truth because they’ve lived with you so long and seen you in so many different circumstances. How will you be remembered?”
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Wednesday, May 29, 2013
WEDNESDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
Over in Israel, Jehu is still on the throne, while in Judah the youngster king Joash has been crowned as the rightful heir to the throne in the lineage of David. Joash’s own grandmother Athaliah had killed all his brothers and taken over as ruler of Judah; Joash had escaped death only because his aunt Jehosheba had hidden him away in the Temple with her husband Jehoiada the priest and his sons to watch over him. At last, those loyal to the house of David had seen to Athaliah’s execution and Joash’s installment as king.
Second Kings 12 and Second Chronicles 24 both tell the story of Joash. “Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest” (II Chronicles 24:1a, 2, NLT).
The first sign of trouble? “Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.” Had things not changed after Jehoiada died, there would be no reason for this statement. Hold that thought and we’ll return to it later.
“At one point Joash decided to repair and restore the Temple of the Lord. He summoned the priests and Levites and gave them these instructions: ‘Go to all the towns of Judah and collect the required annual offerings, so that we can repair the Temple of your God. Do not delay!’ But the Levites did not act immediately” (II Chronicles 24:1a, 4-5).
The second sign of trouble? “The Temple of your God.” Joash didn’t say “my God,” but “your God.” Joash was no longer a child. He was a young man by this time and he had the power to get things done. For whatever reason, however, time rocked on without his instructions being obeyed.
The Temple had been completely neglected during the reign of Athaliah. Not only that, but “Over the years the followers of wicked Athaliah had broken into the Temple of God, and they had used all the dedicated things from the Temple of the Lord to worship the images of Baal” (II Chronicles 24:7). The Temple was in dire need of restoration.
“So the king called for Jehoiada the high priest and asked him, ‘Why haven’t you demanded that the Levites go out and collect the Temple taxes from the towns of Judah and from Jerusalem?” (II Chronicles 24:6a).
“So now the king ordered a chest to be made and set outside the gate leading to the Temple of the Lord. Then a proclamation was sent throughout Judah and Jerusalem, telling the people to bring to the Lord the tax that Moses, the servant of God, had required of the Israelites in the wilderness. This pleased all the leaders and the people, and they gladly brought their money and filled the chest with it” (II Chronicles 24:8-10).
The people of Judah were thrilled to learn that the Temple was going to be restored, so much so that “They gladly brought their money.” You’ve heard the expression: “Put your money where your mouth is.” These folks didn’t just say, “It’ll be so nice to see the Temple fixed up again.” They gave to insure that the means to accomplish the work were available.
Let me leave you with a few statistics from www.GenerousGiving.org: (A) Only one-third to one-half of U.S. church members financially support their churches; in other words, between one-half and two-thirds of church members give no money whatsoever. (B) Only seven percent of Protestant Christians in America tithe. (C) In 2007, Americans spent an estimated 40 billion dollars on their pets.
Don’t get me wrong. I love animals. But I don’t worship them. Do we have our priorities messed up or what?
Second Kings 12 and Second Chronicles 24 both tell the story of Joash. “Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest” (II Chronicles 24:1a, 2, NLT).
The first sign of trouble? “Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.” Had things not changed after Jehoiada died, there would be no reason for this statement. Hold that thought and we’ll return to it later.
“At one point Joash decided to repair and restore the Temple of the Lord. He summoned the priests and Levites and gave them these instructions: ‘Go to all the towns of Judah and collect the required annual offerings, so that we can repair the Temple of your God. Do not delay!’ But the Levites did not act immediately” (II Chronicles 24:1a, 4-5).
The second sign of trouble? “The Temple of your God.” Joash didn’t say “my God,” but “your God.” Joash was no longer a child. He was a young man by this time and he had the power to get things done. For whatever reason, however, time rocked on without his instructions being obeyed.
The Temple had been completely neglected during the reign of Athaliah. Not only that, but “Over the years the followers of wicked Athaliah had broken into the Temple of God, and they had used all the dedicated things from the Temple of the Lord to worship the images of Baal” (II Chronicles 24:7). The Temple was in dire need of restoration.
“So the king called for Jehoiada the high priest and asked him, ‘Why haven’t you demanded that the Levites go out and collect the Temple taxes from the towns of Judah and from Jerusalem?” (II Chronicles 24:6a).
“So now the king ordered a chest to be made and set outside the gate leading to the Temple of the Lord. Then a proclamation was sent throughout Judah and Jerusalem, telling the people to bring to the Lord the tax that Moses, the servant of God, had required of the Israelites in the wilderness. This pleased all the leaders and the people, and they gladly brought their money and filled the chest with it” (II Chronicles 24:8-10).
The people of Judah were thrilled to learn that the Temple was going to be restored, so much so that “They gladly brought their money.” You’ve heard the expression: “Put your money where your mouth is.” These folks didn’t just say, “It’ll be so nice to see the Temple fixed up again.” They gave to insure that the means to accomplish the work were available.
Let me leave you with a few statistics from www.GenerousGiving.org: (A) Only one-third to one-half of U.S. church members financially support their churches; in other words, between one-half and two-thirds of church members give no money whatsoever. (B) Only seven percent of Protestant Christians in America tithe. (C) In 2007, Americans spent an estimated 40 billion dollars on their pets.
Don’t get me wrong. I love animals. But I don’t worship them. Do we have our priorities messed up or what?
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Tuesday, May 28, 2013
TUESDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
Jehu continues to rule in Israel while Athaliah, the mother of the former king Ahaziah (who was killed by Jehu), is ruling in Judah after killing off her own family members, including Ahaziah’s children – her grandchildren – to secure her seat of power. However, Ahaziah’s sister, Jehosheba managed to grab the infant Joash, Ahaziah’s son, before he was killed along with his siblings.
After being hidden in the Temple under the care of Jehosheba’s husband, the priest Jehoiada, and their sons until “the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign,” (II Chronicles 23:1a, NLT), at last “Jehoiada and his sons brought out Joash, the king’s son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with a copy of God’s laws. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone shouted, ‘Long live the king!’” (II Chronicles 23:11).
Having stationed men loyal to the young Joash (of the lineage of David) everywhere, Jehoiada was ready for what he knew would come next. “When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and the shouts of praise to the king, she hurried to the Lord’s Temple to see what was happening. When she arrived, she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar at the Temple entrance. The commanders and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Singers with musical instruments were leading the people in a great celebration. When Athaliah saw all this, she tore her clothes in despair and shouted, ‘Treason! Treason!’
Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders who were in charge of the troops, ‘Take her to the soldiers in front of the Temple, and kill anyone who tries to rescue her.’ For the priest had said, ‘She must not be killed in the Temple of the Lord.’ So they seized her and led her out to the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds, and they killed her there.
Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people. And all the people went over to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They demolished the altars and smashed the idols, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.
Jehoiada now put the priests and Levites in charge of the Temple of the Lord, following all the directions given by David. He also commanded them to present burnt offerings to the Lord, as prescribed by the Law of Moses, and to sing and rejoice as David had instructed. He also stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the Lord’s Temple to keep out those who for any reason were ceremonially unclean.
Then the commanders, nobles, rulers, and all the people of the land escorted the king from the Temple of the Lord. They went through the upper gate and into the palace, and they seated the king on the royal throne. So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was peaceful because Athaliah had been killed” (II Chronicles 23:12:12-21).
With Athaliah out of the way, the temple of Baal was destroyed and the Temple of the Lord was cleansed and put to use as the Lord intended. He put the priests and Levites back in their proper positions at the Temple and “commanded them to present burnt offerings to the Lord… and to sing and rejoice.” First and foremost, “Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people.”
A person can hit the church doors until they fall off the hinges; get his name on the church role; and carry the biggest Bible in the entire congregation; and not one or all of those things makes him one of “the Lord’s people.” Out of all the nations on earth, God chose the Israelites to be His; even so, it was up to each one of those Israelites to choose Him as Lord.
Do you know in the very depths of your being that you’ve chosen Jesus Christ as your Lord and your Savior? The proof is in the living. A new creation can no more live his old life than a butterfly can once again become a caterpillar.
After being hidden in the Temple under the care of Jehosheba’s husband, the priest Jehoiada, and their sons until “the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign,” (II Chronicles 23:1a, NLT), at last “Jehoiada and his sons brought out Joash, the king’s son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with a copy of God’s laws. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone shouted, ‘Long live the king!’” (II Chronicles 23:11).
Having stationed men loyal to the young Joash (of the lineage of David) everywhere, Jehoiada was ready for what he knew would come next. “When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and the shouts of praise to the king, she hurried to the Lord’s Temple to see what was happening. When she arrived, she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar at the Temple entrance. The commanders and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Singers with musical instruments were leading the people in a great celebration. When Athaliah saw all this, she tore her clothes in despair and shouted, ‘Treason! Treason!’
Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders who were in charge of the troops, ‘Take her to the soldiers in front of the Temple, and kill anyone who tries to rescue her.’ For the priest had said, ‘She must not be killed in the Temple of the Lord.’ So they seized her and led her out to the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds, and they killed her there.
Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people. And all the people went over to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They demolished the altars and smashed the idols, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.
Jehoiada now put the priests and Levites in charge of the Temple of the Lord, following all the directions given by David. He also commanded them to present burnt offerings to the Lord, as prescribed by the Law of Moses, and to sing and rejoice as David had instructed. He also stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the Lord’s Temple to keep out those who for any reason were ceremonially unclean.
Then the commanders, nobles, rulers, and all the people of the land escorted the king from the Temple of the Lord. They went through the upper gate and into the palace, and they seated the king on the royal throne. So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was peaceful because Athaliah had been killed” (II Chronicles 23:12:12-21).
With Athaliah out of the way, the temple of Baal was destroyed and the Temple of the Lord was cleansed and put to use as the Lord intended. He put the priests and Levites back in their proper positions at the Temple and “commanded them to present burnt offerings to the Lord… and to sing and rejoice.” First and foremost, “Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people.”
A person can hit the church doors until they fall off the hinges; get his name on the church role; and carry the biggest Bible in the entire congregation; and not one or all of those things makes him one of “the Lord’s people.” Out of all the nations on earth, God chose the Israelites to be His; even so, it was up to each one of those Israelites to choose Him as Lord.
Do you know in the very depths of your being that you’ve chosen Jesus Christ as your Lord and your Savior? The proof is in the living. A new creation can no more live his old life than a butterfly can once again become a caterpillar.
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Monday, May 27, 2013
MONDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
Jehu is ruling in Israel while Athaliah, the mother of the former king Ahaziah (who was killed by Jehu), has taken over the throne in Judah and tried to kill off her own family members, including Ahaziah’s children – her grandchildren – to secure her seat of power. This daughter of Ahab and Jezebel knows no bounds when it comes to evil.
Unbeknownst to Athaliah, however, “Ahaziah’s sister Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s infant son, Joash, and stole him away from among the rest of the king’s children, who were about to be killed. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom. In this way, Jehosheba, wife of Jehoiada the priest and sister of Ahaziah, hid the child so that Athaliah could not murder him. Joash remained hidden in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land” (II Chronicles 22:11-12, NLT). But the power struggle wasn’t over.
“In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign, Jehoiada the priest decided to act. He summoned his courage and made a pact with five army commanders: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zicri. These men traveled secretly throughout Judah and summoned the Levites and clan leaders in all the towns to come to Jerusalem. They all gathered at the Temple of God, where they made a solemn pact with Joash, the young king.
Jehoiada said to them, ‘Here is the king’s son! The time has come for him to reign! The Lord has promised that a descendant of David will be our king. This is what you must do. When you priests and Levites come on duty on the Sabbath, a third of you will serve as gatekeepers. Another third will go over to the royal palace, and the final third will be at the Foundation Gate. Everyone else should stay in the courtyards of the Lord’s Temple. Remember, only the priests and Levites on duty may enter the Temple of the Lord, for they are set apart as holy. The rest of the people must obey the Lord’s instructions and stay outside. You Levites, form a bodyguard around the king and keep your weapons in hand. Kill anyone who tries to enter the Temple. Stay with the king wherever he goes.
So the Levites and all the people of Judah did everything as Jehoiada the priest ordered. The commanders took charge of the men reporting for duty that Sabbath, as well as those who were going off duty. Jehoiada the priest did not let anyone go home after their shift ended. Then Jehoiada supplied the commanders with the spears and the large and small shields that had once belonged to King David and were stored in the Temple of God. He stationed all the people around the king, with their weapons ready. They formed a line from the south side of the Temple around to the north side and all around the altar.
Then Jehoiada and his sons brought out Joash, the king’s son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with a copy of God’s laws. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone shouted, ‘Long live the king!’” (II Chronicles 23:1-11).
People of God, don’t miss the important significance of Joash’s upbringing. At great personal risk, Jehosheba rescued Joash, the infant son of her brother before Athaliah could have him murdered. Joash was then hidden in the Temple where he was raised and taught by Jehosheba’s husband, the priest Jehoiada and his sons. No doubt Jehosheba also did whatever she could for little Joash.
At last Jehoiada was sure it was time to anoint the rightful king and heir to David’s throne. Jehoiada and his sons crowned the young king and immediately placed in his hands “a copy of God’s laws,” the words of which little Joash had been taught from the moment Jehoiada began to take care of him.
Most experts believe a child’s basic personality is formed by the age of six. From infancy Joash was taught to love God’s Word. And this would prove to be a blessing for all of Judah.
Unbeknownst to Athaliah, however, “Ahaziah’s sister Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s infant son, Joash, and stole him away from among the rest of the king’s children, who were about to be killed. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom. In this way, Jehosheba, wife of Jehoiada the priest and sister of Ahaziah, hid the child so that Athaliah could not murder him. Joash remained hidden in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land” (II Chronicles 22:11-12, NLT). But the power struggle wasn’t over.
“In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign, Jehoiada the priest decided to act. He summoned his courage and made a pact with five army commanders: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zicri. These men traveled secretly throughout Judah and summoned the Levites and clan leaders in all the towns to come to Jerusalem. They all gathered at the Temple of God, where they made a solemn pact with Joash, the young king.
Jehoiada said to them, ‘Here is the king’s son! The time has come for him to reign! The Lord has promised that a descendant of David will be our king. This is what you must do. When you priests and Levites come on duty on the Sabbath, a third of you will serve as gatekeepers. Another third will go over to the royal palace, and the final third will be at the Foundation Gate. Everyone else should stay in the courtyards of the Lord’s Temple. Remember, only the priests and Levites on duty may enter the Temple of the Lord, for they are set apart as holy. The rest of the people must obey the Lord’s instructions and stay outside. You Levites, form a bodyguard around the king and keep your weapons in hand. Kill anyone who tries to enter the Temple. Stay with the king wherever he goes.
So the Levites and all the people of Judah did everything as Jehoiada the priest ordered. The commanders took charge of the men reporting for duty that Sabbath, as well as those who were going off duty. Jehoiada the priest did not let anyone go home after their shift ended. Then Jehoiada supplied the commanders with the spears and the large and small shields that had once belonged to King David and were stored in the Temple of God. He stationed all the people around the king, with their weapons ready. They formed a line from the south side of the Temple around to the north side and all around the altar.
Then Jehoiada and his sons brought out Joash, the king’s son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with a copy of God’s laws. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone shouted, ‘Long live the king!’” (II Chronicles 23:1-11).
People of God, don’t miss the important significance of Joash’s upbringing. At great personal risk, Jehosheba rescued Joash, the infant son of her brother before Athaliah could have him murdered. Joash was then hidden in the Temple where he was raised and taught by Jehosheba’s husband, the priest Jehoiada and his sons. No doubt Jehosheba also did whatever she could for little Joash.
At last Jehoiada was sure it was time to anoint the rightful king and heir to David’s throne. Jehoiada and his sons crowned the young king and immediately placed in his hands “a copy of God’s laws,” the words of which little Joash had been taught from the moment Jehoiada began to take care of him.
Most experts believe a child’s basic personality is formed by the age of six. From infancy Joash was taught to love God’s Word. And this would prove to be a blessing for all of Judah.
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Sunday, May 26, 2013
SUNDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
At this point Jehu has wiped out “all who were left of Ahab’s relatives living in Jezreel and all his important officials, his personal friends, and his priests. So Ahab was left without a single survivor” (II Kings 10:11, NLT). Then he headed for Israel’s capital city. “When Jehu arrived in Samaria, he killed everyone who was left there from Ahab’s family, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah” (II Kings 10:17).
Then Jehu went to work on the Baal worshipers in the land. Under the pretense of holding a gathering to honor Baal, he ordered every Baal worshiper in Israel to show up and then used his military forces to eradicate all of them and then destroy Baal’s temple.
Jehu had a shot at starting Israel over with a clean slate. “Jehu destroyed every trace of Baal worship from Israel. He did not, however, destroy the gold calves at Bethel and Dan, with which Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to sin” (II Kings 28-29).
“He did not, however destroy the gold calves.” How often do we as believers in Jesus Christ come under conviction about the “pet sins” in our lives only to repent of one and hang onto another? Jehu apparently had his own pet sin.
“Nonetheless the Lord said to Jehu, ‘You have done well in following My instructions to destroy the family of Ahab. Therefore, your descendants will be kings of Israel down to the fourth generation’” (II Kings 10:30).
“But Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit” (II Kings 10:31).
What sins had “Jeroboam led Israel to commit?” The worship of “the gold calves.” Jehu cleansed the land of all evil – except for the part he wanted to keep. Like leaving the one bad apple in the basket.
Meanwhile back in Judah, what was happening? Jehu had also killed their king, Ahaziah. Remember, there was an Ahaziah in Israel who ruled prior to his brother Joram whom Jehu killed. There was an Ahaziah ruling in Judah at the same time Joram was ruling Israel. He’s the other king Jehu killed. So now who was running the country? Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah.
“When Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, learned that her son was dead, she began to destroy the rest of Judah’s royal family” (II Chronicles 22:10).
Athaliah was wicked and ambitious. She not only wanted to rule Judah, but she wanted to be certain she had no competition, even from her own family.
“But Ahaziah’s sister Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s infant son, Joash, and stole him away from among the rest of the king’s children, who were about to be killed. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom. In this way, Jehosheba, wife of Jehoiada the priest and sister of Ahaziah, hid the child so that Athaliah could not murder him. Joash remained hidden in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land” (II Chronicles 22:11-12).
Athaliah was Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter. She wasn’t of the lineage of David. But Joash was. And nothing and no one was going to interfere with God’s plan for the house of David. Athaliah’s reign was going to be short and with an unpleasant ending.
Folks, we can’t outsmart the One who created the brains we have to work with. The will of God will always prevail. Far better to be in it than in its way.
Then Jehu went to work on the Baal worshipers in the land. Under the pretense of holding a gathering to honor Baal, he ordered every Baal worshiper in Israel to show up and then used his military forces to eradicate all of them and then destroy Baal’s temple.
Jehu had a shot at starting Israel over with a clean slate. “Jehu destroyed every trace of Baal worship from Israel. He did not, however, destroy the gold calves at Bethel and Dan, with which Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to sin” (II Kings 28-29).
“He did not, however destroy the gold calves.” How often do we as believers in Jesus Christ come under conviction about the “pet sins” in our lives only to repent of one and hang onto another? Jehu apparently had his own pet sin.
“Nonetheless the Lord said to Jehu, ‘You have done well in following My instructions to destroy the family of Ahab. Therefore, your descendants will be kings of Israel down to the fourth generation’” (II Kings 10:30).
“But Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit” (II Kings 10:31).
What sins had “Jeroboam led Israel to commit?” The worship of “the gold calves.” Jehu cleansed the land of all evil – except for the part he wanted to keep. Like leaving the one bad apple in the basket.
Meanwhile back in Judah, what was happening? Jehu had also killed their king, Ahaziah. Remember, there was an Ahaziah in Israel who ruled prior to his brother Joram whom Jehu killed. There was an Ahaziah ruling in Judah at the same time Joram was ruling Israel. He’s the other king Jehu killed. So now who was running the country? Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah.
“When Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, learned that her son was dead, she began to destroy the rest of Judah’s royal family” (II Chronicles 22:10).
Athaliah was wicked and ambitious. She not only wanted to rule Judah, but she wanted to be certain she had no competition, even from her own family.
“But Ahaziah’s sister Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s infant son, Joash, and stole him away from among the rest of the king’s children, who were about to be killed. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom. In this way, Jehosheba, wife of Jehoiada the priest and sister of Ahaziah, hid the child so that Athaliah could not murder him. Joash remained hidden in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land” (II Chronicles 22:11-12).
Athaliah was Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter. She wasn’t of the lineage of David. But Joash was. And nothing and no one was going to interfere with God’s plan for the house of David. Athaliah’s reign was going to be short and with an unpleasant ending.
Folks, we can’t outsmart the One who created the brains we have to work with. The will of God will always prevail. Far better to be in it than in its way.
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Saturday, May 25, 2013
SATURDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
Jehu has been anointed as Israel’s new king and he had swept in with a vengeance, killing Joram, the king of Israel, and Ahaziah, the king of Judah, along with many of their relatives. Remember, at Ahab’s death, his son Ahaziah had become king and upon his death, his brother Joram became king since Ahaziah had no sons. The slaughter is nowhere near over, though.
“Ahab had seventy sons living in the city of Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the elders and officials of the city, and to the guardians of King Ahab’s sons. He said, ‘The king’s sons are with you, and you have at your disposal chariots, horses, a fortified city, and weapons. As soon as you receive this letter, select the best qualified of your master’s sons to be your king, and prepare to fight for Ahab’s dynasty’" (II Kings 10:1-3, NLT).
“Prepare to fight for Ahab’s dynasty.” Jehu had been leading Israel’s army and obviously had their backing as he set about his coup. Now he sends a letter to a bunch of “elders and officials,” men who aren’t warriors, and tells them in essence, “Give it your best shot because we’re coming after you.” The effect was exactly what Jehu anticipated.
“They were paralyzed with fear and said, ‘We’ve seen that two kings couldn’t stand against this man! What can we do?’ So the palace and city administrators, together with the elders and the guardians of the king’s sons, sent this message to Jehu: ‘We are your servants and will do anything you tell us. We will not make anyone king; do whatever you think is best.’
Jehu responded with a second letter: ‘If you are on my side and are going to obey me, bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.’ When the letter arrived, the leaders killed all seventy of the king’s sons. They placed their heads in baskets and presented them to Jehu at Jezreel” (II Kings 10:4-6a, 7).
The next morning Jehu addressed the people: “‘You can be sure that the message of the Lord that was spoken concerning Ahab’s family will not fail. The Lord declared through his servant Elijah that this would happen.’ Then Jehu killed all who were left of Ahab’s relatives living in Jezreel and all his important officials, his personal friends, and his priests. So Ahab was left without a single survivor” (II Kings 10:10-11).
“Then Jehu set out for Samaria. When Jehu arrived in Samaria, he killed everyone who was left there from Ahab’s family, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah” (II Kings 10:12a, 17).
“Then Jehu called a meeting of all the people of the city and said to them, ‘Ahab’s worship of Baal was nothing compared to the way I will worship him! Therefore, summon all the prophets and worshipers of Baal, and call together all his priests. See to it that every one of them comes, for I am going to offer a great sacrifice to Baal. Anyone who fails to come will be put to death.’ But Jehu’s cunning plan was to destroy all the worshipers of Baal.
Then Jehu ordered, ‘Prepare a solemn assembly to worship Baal!’ So they did. He sent messengers throughout all Israel summoning those who worshiped Baal. They all came – not a single one remained behind – and they filled the temple of Baal from one end to the other. He commanded his guards and officers, ‘Go in and kill all of them. Don’t let a single one escape!’
So they killed them all with their swords, and the guards and officers dragged their bodies outside. Then Jehu’s men went into the innermost fortress of the temple of Baal. They dragged out the sacred pillar used in the worship of Baal and burned it. They smashed the sacred pillar and wrecked the temple of Baal, converting it into a public toilet, as it remains to this day” (II Kings 10:18-21, 25b-27).
“Converting it into a public toilet.” If that doesn’t make a statement, I don’t know what does! Jehu got serious about tearing down the mess Ahab’s dynasty had built up in Israel. Maybe at last Israel would have a king who would honor the Lord.
“Ahab had seventy sons living in the city of Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the elders and officials of the city, and to the guardians of King Ahab’s sons. He said, ‘The king’s sons are with you, and you have at your disposal chariots, horses, a fortified city, and weapons. As soon as you receive this letter, select the best qualified of your master’s sons to be your king, and prepare to fight for Ahab’s dynasty’" (II Kings 10:1-3, NLT).
“Prepare to fight for Ahab’s dynasty.” Jehu had been leading Israel’s army and obviously had their backing as he set about his coup. Now he sends a letter to a bunch of “elders and officials,” men who aren’t warriors, and tells them in essence, “Give it your best shot because we’re coming after you.” The effect was exactly what Jehu anticipated.
“They were paralyzed with fear and said, ‘We’ve seen that two kings couldn’t stand against this man! What can we do?’ So the palace and city administrators, together with the elders and the guardians of the king’s sons, sent this message to Jehu: ‘We are your servants and will do anything you tell us. We will not make anyone king; do whatever you think is best.’
Jehu responded with a second letter: ‘If you are on my side and are going to obey me, bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.’ When the letter arrived, the leaders killed all seventy of the king’s sons. They placed their heads in baskets and presented them to Jehu at Jezreel” (II Kings 10:4-6a, 7).
The next morning Jehu addressed the people: “‘You can be sure that the message of the Lord that was spoken concerning Ahab’s family will not fail. The Lord declared through his servant Elijah that this would happen.’ Then Jehu killed all who were left of Ahab’s relatives living in Jezreel and all his important officials, his personal friends, and his priests. So Ahab was left without a single survivor” (II Kings 10:10-11).
“Then Jehu set out for Samaria. When Jehu arrived in Samaria, he killed everyone who was left there from Ahab’s family, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah” (II Kings 10:12a, 17).
“Then Jehu called a meeting of all the people of the city and said to them, ‘Ahab’s worship of Baal was nothing compared to the way I will worship him! Therefore, summon all the prophets and worshipers of Baal, and call together all his priests. See to it that every one of them comes, for I am going to offer a great sacrifice to Baal. Anyone who fails to come will be put to death.’ But Jehu’s cunning plan was to destroy all the worshipers of Baal.
Then Jehu ordered, ‘Prepare a solemn assembly to worship Baal!’ So they did. He sent messengers throughout all Israel summoning those who worshiped Baal. They all came – not a single one remained behind – and they filled the temple of Baal from one end to the other. He commanded his guards and officers, ‘Go in and kill all of them. Don’t let a single one escape!’
So they killed them all with their swords, and the guards and officers dragged their bodies outside. Then Jehu’s men went into the innermost fortress of the temple of Baal. They dragged out the sacred pillar used in the worship of Baal and burned it. They smashed the sacred pillar and wrecked the temple of Baal, converting it into a public toilet, as it remains to this day” (II Kings 10:18-21, 25b-27).
“Converting it into a public toilet.” If that doesn’t make a statement, I don’t know what does! Jehu got serious about tearing down the mess Ahab’s dynasty had built up in Israel. Maybe at last Israel would have a king who would honor the Lord.
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Friday, May 24, 2013
BARGAINS OF THE DAY!
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FRIDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
Jehu and many of Israel’s troops rode into Jezreel where Joram, king of Israel, had been recuperating from injuries sustained in battle. Judah’s king, Ahaziah, was also there, having gone to visit Joram.
“Treason, Ahaziah!” (II Kings 9:23b, NLT). Joram barely cries out the warning before Jehu draws an arrow and shoots and kills Joram.
Then “Jehu said to Bidkar, his officer, ‘Throw him into the plot of land that belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. Do you remember when you and I were riding along behind his father, Ahab? The Lord pronounced this message against him: ‘I solemnly swear that I will repay him here on this plot of land, says the Lord, for the murder of Naboth and his sons that I saw yesterday.’ So throw him out on Naboth’s property, just as the Lord said’” (II Kings 9:20-26).
Ahab had coveted Naboth’s vineyard and Jezebel had seen that he got it, even though it meant having Naboth murdered – see First Kings 21. However, when Ahab heard God’s message concerning what the evil king and queen had done, Ahab “tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, and fasted. He even slept in burlap and went about in deep mourning” (I Kings 21:27b).
“Then another message from the Lord came to Elijah: ‘Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime. It will happen to his sons; I will destroy his dynasty” (I Kings 21:28-29). Like Ahab, Joram could have repented of his evil ways. But he didn’t, and suffered the consequences.
“When King Ahaziah of Judah saw what was happening, he fled along the road to Beth-haggan. Jehu rode after him, shouting, ‘Shoot him, too!’ So they shot Ahaziah in his chariot at the Ascent of Gur, near Ibleam” (II Kings 9:27a).
Both kings murdered. And Jehu was just getting started.
“When Jezebel, the queen mother, heard that Jehu had come to Jezreel, she painted her eyelids and fixed her hair and sat at a window. Jehu looked up and saw her at the window and shouted, ‘Who is on my side?’ And two or three eunuchs looked out at him. ‘Throw her down!’ Jehu yelled. So they threw her out the window, and her blood spattered against the wall and on the horses. And Jehu trampled her body under his horses’ hooves.
Then Jehu went into the palace and ate and drank. Afterward he said, ‘Someone go and bury this cursed woman, for she is the daughter of a king.’ But when they went out to bury her, they found only her skull, her feet, and her hands.
When they returned and told Jehu, he stated, ‘This fulfills the message from the Lord, which he spoke through his servant Elijah from Tishbe: ‘At the plot of land in Jezreel, dogs will eat Jezebel’s body. Her remains will be scattered like dung on the plot of land in Jezreel, so that no one will be able to recognize her’” (II Kings 9:30, 32-37).
“While Jehu was executing judgment against the family of Ahab, he happened to meet some of Judah’s officials and Ahaziah’s relatives who were traveling with Ahaziah. So Jehu killed them all” (II Chronicles 22:8).
And Jehu’s housecleaning is still not finished. Jezebel, like many of the others who’d lived years after hearing Elijah’s pronouncement from the Lord, thought that they had literally gotten away with murder and anything else they had chosen to do. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Jehu had been used as God’s hand of judgment.
“Treason, Ahaziah!” (II Kings 9:23b, NLT). Joram barely cries out the warning before Jehu draws an arrow and shoots and kills Joram.
Then “Jehu said to Bidkar, his officer, ‘Throw him into the plot of land that belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. Do you remember when you and I were riding along behind his father, Ahab? The Lord pronounced this message against him: ‘I solemnly swear that I will repay him here on this plot of land, says the Lord, for the murder of Naboth and his sons that I saw yesterday.’ So throw him out on Naboth’s property, just as the Lord said’” (II Kings 9:20-26).
Ahab had coveted Naboth’s vineyard and Jezebel had seen that he got it, even though it meant having Naboth murdered – see First Kings 21. However, when Ahab heard God’s message concerning what the evil king and queen had done, Ahab “tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, and fasted. He even slept in burlap and went about in deep mourning” (I Kings 21:27b).
“Then another message from the Lord came to Elijah: ‘Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime. It will happen to his sons; I will destroy his dynasty” (I Kings 21:28-29). Like Ahab, Joram could have repented of his evil ways. But he didn’t, and suffered the consequences.
“When King Ahaziah of Judah saw what was happening, he fled along the road to Beth-haggan. Jehu rode after him, shouting, ‘Shoot him, too!’ So they shot Ahaziah in his chariot at the Ascent of Gur, near Ibleam” (II Kings 9:27a).
Both kings murdered. And Jehu was just getting started.
“When Jezebel, the queen mother, heard that Jehu had come to Jezreel, she painted her eyelids and fixed her hair and sat at a window. Jehu looked up and saw her at the window and shouted, ‘Who is on my side?’ And two or three eunuchs looked out at him. ‘Throw her down!’ Jehu yelled. So they threw her out the window, and her blood spattered against the wall and on the horses. And Jehu trampled her body under his horses’ hooves.
Then Jehu went into the palace and ate and drank. Afterward he said, ‘Someone go and bury this cursed woman, for she is the daughter of a king.’ But when they went out to bury her, they found only her skull, her feet, and her hands.
When they returned and told Jehu, he stated, ‘This fulfills the message from the Lord, which he spoke through his servant Elijah from Tishbe: ‘At the plot of land in Jezreel, dogs will eat Jezebel’s body. Her remains will be scattered like dung on the plot of land in Jezreel, so that no one will be able to recognize her’” (II Kings 9:30, 32-37).
“While Jehu was executing judgment against the family of Ahab, he happened to meet some of Judah’s officials and Ahaziah’s relatives who were traveling with Ahaziah. So Jehu killed them all” (II Chronicles 22:8).
And Jehu’s housecleaning is still not finished. Jezebel, like many of the others who’d lived years after hearing Elijah’s pronouncement from the Lord, thought that they had literally gotten away with murder and anything else they had chosen to do. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Jehu had been used as God’s hand of judgment.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
THURSDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
PLEASE NOTE: I GOT TODAY'S & WEDNESDAY'S PASSAGES BACKWARD, SO PLEASE BACK UP AND RE-READ WHAT I POSTED FOR WEDNESDAY AFTER YOU READ THIS ONE.
While Jehoshaphat was still king in Judah, Ahab, king of Israel, was killed in battle and his son Ahaziah took over. First Kings 22:51 tells us: “Ahaziah son of Ahab began to rule over Israel in the seventeenth year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria two years” (NLT). You may recall Ahaziah, after consulting Baal rather than the Lord, died from injuries sustained in a fall – you can read the entire account in Second Kings 1.
Second Kings 3:1 brings us to the next king of Israel: “Ahab’s son Joram began to rule over Israel in the eighteenth year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria twelve years.” Ahaziah didn’t have a son, which is why his brother ended up succeeding him.
We see Jehoshaphat ruling Judah during the time of Ahaziah’s kingship of Israel as well as the first years of Joram’s reign. Upon Jehoshaphat’s death, his no-good son Jehoram came into power and ruled eight years, leaving behind such a terrible legacy that “No one was sorry when he died” (II Chronicles 21:30b).
Jehoram is followed by his son Ahaziah, not to be confused with the other Ahaziah, ruler of Israel. We’ll get back to Joram and Israel, but for the moment, let’s stick with Judah.
“Ahaziah son of Jehoram began to rule over Judah in the twelfth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel. Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother was Athaliah, a granddaughter of King Omri of Israel.
Ahaziah followed the evil example of King Ahab’s family. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as Ahab’s family had done, for he was related by marriage to the family of Ahab” (II Kings 8:25-27). Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and one of whom it could truly be said, “Like mother, like daughter.”
In Israel, we have the bad king Joram in power; in Judah, we have another bad king, Ahaziah, on the throne. The two joined forces and set up a scenario that was going to rock both kingdoms.
“Ahaziah joined Joram son of Ahab, the king of Israel, in his war against King Hazael of Aram at Ramoth-gilead. When the Arameans wounded King Joram in the battle, he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had received at Ramoth. Because Joram was wounded, King Ahaziah of Judah went to Jezreel to visit him” (II Kings 8:28-29).
While Ahaziah is visiting Joram, Elisha (Elijah has already been taken into heaven – see Second Kings 2:1-18) obeys God’s instructions and tells a young prophet to go “to Ramoth-gilead, and find Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. Call him into a private room away from his friends, and pour the oil over his head. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you to be the king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run for your life!” (II Kings 9:1b-3). Which is exactly what the young man did.
And you just thought things were getting confusing! Now a “son of Jehoshaphat,” former king of Judah, has been anointed “king over Israel.”
While Elijah was hiding out in a cave, terrified of Jezebel, the Lord commanded him to “anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet” (I Kings 19:16). Elisha, carrying on God’s work, sent a prophet to repeat the anointing of Jehu and to let him know that his time had finally come.
Would Jehu have made it to the throne had he not waited on the right time? I don’t think so. What are you waiting on? And meanwhile, what are you doing for the Kingdom?
“Day: a period of twenty-four hours, mostly misspent.” (Ambrose Bierce)
While Jehoshaphat was still king in Judah, Ahab, king of Israel, was killed in battle and his son Ahaziah took over. First Kings 22:51 tells us: “Ahaziah son of Ahab began to rule over Israel in the seventeenth year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria two years” (NLT). You may recall Ahaziah, after consulting Baal rather than the Lord, died from injuries sustained in a fall – you can read the entire account in Second Kings 1.
Second Kings 3:1 brings us to the next king of Israel: “Ahab’s son Joram began to rule over Israel in the eighteenth year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria twelve years.” Ahaziah didn’t have a son, which is why his brother ended up succeeding him.
We see Jehoshaphat ruling Judah during the time of Ahaziah’s kingship of Israel as well as the first years of Joram’s reign. Upon Jehoshaphat’s death, his no-good son Jehoram came into power and ruled eight years, leaving behind such a terrible legacy that “No one was sorry when he died” (II Chronicles 21:30b).
Jehoram is followed by his son Ahaziah, not to be confused with the other Ahaziah, ruler of Israel. We’ll get back to Joram and Israel, but for the moment, let’s stick with Judah.
“Ahaziah son of Jehoram began to rule over Judah in the twelfth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel. Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother was Athaliah, a granddaughter of King Omri of Israel.
Ahaziah followed the evil example of King Ahab’s family. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as Ahab’s family had done, for he was related by marriage to the family of Ahab” (II Kings 8:25-27). Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and one of whom it could truly be said, “Like mother, like daughter.”
In Israel, we have the bad king Joram in power; in Judah, we have another bad king, Ahaziah, on the throne. The two joined forces and set up a scenario that was going to rock both kingdoms.
“Ahaziah joined Joram son of Ahab, the king of Israel, in his war against King Hazael of Aram at Ramoth-gilead. When the Arameans wounded King Joram in the battle, he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had received at Ramoth. Because Joram was wounded, King Ahaziah of Judah went to Jezreel to visit him” (II Kings 8:28-29).
While Ahaziah is visiting Joram, Elisha (Elijah has already been taken into heaven – see Second Kings 2:1-18) obeys God’s instructions and tells a young prophet to go “to Ramoth-gilead, and find Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. Call him into a private room away from his friends, and pour the oil over his head. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you to be the king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run for your life!” (II Kings 9:1b-3). Which is exactly what the young man did.
And you just thought things were getting confusing! Now a “son of Jehoshaphat,” former king of Judah, has been anointed “king over Israel.”
While Elijah was hiding out in a cave, terrified of Jezebel, the Lord commanded him to “anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet” (I Kings 19:16). Elisha, carrying on God’s work, sent a prophet to repeat the anointing of Jehu and to let him know that his time had finally come.
Would Jehu have made it to the throne had he not waited on the right time? I don’t think so. What are you waiting on? And meanwhile, what are you doing for the Kingdom?
“Day: a period of twenty-four hours, mostly misspent.” (Ambrose Bierce)
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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
WEDNESDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
While Joram, king of Israel, was recuperating from injuries sustained in battle, Elisha the prophet was instructed to have Jehu anointed king over Israel. Judah’s king, Ahaziah, had gone to visit Joram. Neither king had any idea what was about to take place.
Jehu served as a commander of the Israelite army and was therefore in a position to earn the respect of the military. Taking advantage of this, he rallied the troops to accompany him to Jezreel where Joram and Ahaziah were staying.
“The watchman on the tower of Jezreel saw Jehu and his company approaching, so he shouted to Joram, ‘I see a company of troops coming!’
‘Send out a rider to ask if they are coming in peace,’ King Joram ordered.
So a horseman went out to meet Jehu and said, ‘The king wants to know if you are coming in peace.’
Jehu replied, ‘What do you know about peace? Fall in behind me!’
The watchman called out to the king, ‘The messenger has met them, but he’s not returning.’
So the king sent out a second horseman. He rode up to them and said, ‘The king wants to know if you come in peace.’
Again Jehu answered, ‘What do you know about peace? Fall in behind me!’” (II Kings 9:17-19).
Seeing his own men coming into Jezreel likely roused more curiosity than concern to begin with. But as Joram sent representative after representative out to meet the troops, only to have no one come back, an icy terror began to grip the wounded Joram.
“The watchman exclaimed, ‘The messenger has met them, but he isn’t returning either! It must be Jehu son of Nimshi, for he’s driving like a madman.’
‘Quick! Get my chariot ready!’ King Joram commanded.
Then King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah rode out in their chariots to meet Jehu. They met him at the plot of land that had belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. King Joram demanded, ‘Do you come in peace, Jehu?’
Jehu replied, ‘How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?’
Then King Joram turned the horses around and fled, shouting to King Ahaziah, ‘Treason, Ahaziah!’ But Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he sank down dead in his chariot.
Jehu said to Bidkar, his officer, ‘Throw him into the plot of land that belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. Do you remember when you and I were riding along behind his father, Ahab? The Lord pronounced this message against him: ‘I solemnly swear that I will repay him here on this plot of land, says the Lord, for the murder of Naboth and his sons that I saw yesterday.’ So throw him out on Naboth’s property, just as the Lord said’” (II Kings 9:20-26).
The housecleaning was just getting started.
Jehu served as a commander of the Israelite army and was therefore in a position to earn the respect of the military. Taking advantage of this, he rallied the troops to accompany him to Jezreel where Joram and Ahaziah were staying.
“The watchman on the tower of Jezreel saw Jehu and his company approaching, so he shouted to Joram, ‘I see a company of troops coming!’
‘Send out a rider to ask if they are coming in peace,’ King Joram ordered.
So a horseman went out to meet Jehu and said, ‘The king wants to know if you are coming in peace.’
Jehu replied, ‘What do you know about peace? Fall in behind me!’
The watchman called out to the king, ‘The messenger has met them, but he’s not returning.’
So the king sent out a second horseman. He rode up to them and said, ‘The king wants to know if you come in peace.’
Again Jehu answered, ‘What do you know about peace? Fall in behind me!’” (II Kings 9:17-19).
Seeing his own men coming into Jezreel likely roused more curiosity than concern to begin with. But as Joram sent representative after representative out to meet the troops, only to have no one come back, an icy terror began to grip the wounded Joram.
“The watchman exclaimed, ‘The messenger has met them, but he isn’t returning either! It must be Jehu son of Nimshi, for he’s driving like a madman.’
‘Quick! Get my chariot ready!’ King Joram commanded.
Then King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah rode out in their chariots to meet Jehu. They met him at the plot of land that had belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. King Joram demanded, ‘Do you come in peace, Jehu?’
Jehu replied, ‘How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?’
Then King Joram turned the horses around and fled, shouting to King Ahaziah, ‘Treason, Ahaziah!’ But Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he sank down dead in his chariot.
Jehu said to Bidkar, his officer, ‘Throw him into the plot of land that belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. Do you remember when you and I were riding along behind his father, Ahab? The Lord pronounced this message against him: ‘I solemnly swear that I will repay him here on this plot of land, says the Lord, for the murder of Naboth and his sons that I saw yesterday.’ So throw him out on Naboth’s property, just as the Lord said’” (II Kings 9:20-26).
The housecleaning was just getting started.
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Tuesday, May 21, 2013
TUESDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
To help us stay on track, let’s do another recap of the kings we’ve covered so far: David ruled an undivided kingdom of Israel and passed this rule on to his son Solomon. Solomon’s son Rehoboam followed the foolish advice of his peers and ended up losing the biggest portion of the kingdom, ruling only over Judah, which consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
In Judah, Rehoboam’s throne was inherited by his son Abijah, who was followed by his son Asa. Asa had a long stretch as king and was then succeeded by his son Jehoshaphat who was succeeded by his son Jehoram.
In rapid succession, kings came and went in Israel – some related to each other and others with zero connections: Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri (who only lasted seven days), Omri and Ahab. Ahab’s son Ahaziah followed next and then Ahaziah’s brother Joram.
Only in Judah did the kingly lineage continue directly from the house of David. Why was this? Because God “had made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would continue to rule, shining like a lamp forever” (II Chronicles 21:7b).
Before we tackle Israel and Joram, let’s take a look at the terrible king Jehoram: “Jehoram son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah began to rule over Judah in the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel” (II Kings 8:16). Remember, “when Jehoram had become solidly established as king, he killed all his brothers and some of the other leaders of Judah” (II Chronicles 21:4, NLT).
Angered by Jehoram’s abandonment of the righteous ways of his predecessors Jehoshaphat and Asa, the Lord prompted the prophet Elijah to write Jehoram this letter:
“This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: You have not followed the good example of your father, Jehoshaphat, or your grandfather King Asa of Judah. Instead, you have been as evil as the kings of Israel. You have led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship idols, just as King Ahab did in Israel. And you have even killed your own brothers, men who were better than you. So now the Lord is about to strike you, your people, your children, your wives, and all that is yours with a heavy blow. You yourself will suffer with a severe intestinal disease that will get worse each day until your bowels come out” (II Chronicles 21:12b-15).
Ewww! Not exactly good news, huh? But with such a warning in place, Jehoram assuredly had time to mend his ways. He simply chose not to.
So what happened next? Having already gone through major problems with the Edomites, Jehoram was in for more trouble. “The Lord stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs, who lived near the Ethiopians, to attack Jehoram. They marched against Judah, broke down its defenses, and carried away everything of value in the royal palace, including the king’s sons and his wives. Only his youngest son, Ahaziah, was spared” (II Chronicles 21:16-17). (Note: don’t confuse this Ahaziah with the Ahaziah who was ruler of Israel.)
Just as the Lord had forewarned, Jehoram lost “everything of value… Only his youngest son, Ahaziah, was spared.” But that was only part of what God had told him would happen.
“After all this, the Lord struck Jehoram with the severe intestinal disease. The disease grew worse and worse, and at the end of two years it caused his bowels to come out, and he died in agony” (II Chronicles 21:18-19a).
Second Chronicles 21 closes with a sad final commentary about Jehoram’s life: “No one was sorry when he died” (verse 30b). Mean, nasty Jehoram had no mourners at his funeral.
While there is time, make an impact in this world with the love of Jesus. “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” (Pericles)
In Judah, Rehoboam’s throne was inherited by his son Abijah, who was followed by his son Asa. Asa had a long stretch as king and was then succeeded by his son Jehoshaphat who was succeeded by his son Jehoram.
In rapid succession, kings came and went in Israel – some related to each other and others with zero connections: Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri (who only lasted seven days), Omri and Ahab. Ahab’s son Ahaziah followed next and then Ahaziah’s brother Joram.
Only in Judah did the kingly lineage continue directly from the house of David. Why was this? Because God “had made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would continue to rule, shining like a lamp forever” (II Chronicles 21:7b).
Before we tackle Israel and Joram, let’s take a look at the terrible king Jehoram: “Jehoram son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah began to rule over Judah in the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel” (II Kings 8:16). Remember, “when Jehoram had become solidly established as king, he killed all his brothers and some of the other leaders of Judah” (II Chronicles 21:4, NLT).
Angered by Jehoram’s abandonment of the righteous ways of his predecessors Jehoshaphat and Asa, the Lord prompted the prophet Elijah to write Jehoram this letter:
“This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: You have not followed the good example of your father, Jehoshaphat, or your grandfather King Asa of Judah. Instead, you have been as evil as the kings of Israel. You have led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship idols, just as King Ahab did in Israel. And you have even killed your own brothers, men who were better than you. So now the Lord is about to strike you, your people, your children, your wives, and all that is yours with a heavy blow. You yourself will suffer with a severe intestinal disease that will get worse each day until your bowels come out” (II Chronicles 21:12b-15).
Ewww! Not exactly good news, huh? But with such a warning in place, Jehoram assuredly had time to mend his ways. He simply chose not to.
So what happened next? Having already gone through major problems with the Edomites, Jehoram was in for more trouble. “The Lord stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs, who lived near the Ethiopians, to attack Jehoram. They marched against Judah, broke down its defenses, and carried away everything of value in the royal palace, including the king’s sons and his wives. Only his youngest son, Ahaziah, was spared” (II Chronicles 21:16-17). (Note: don’t confuse this Ahaziah with the Ahaziah who was ruler of Israel.)
Just as the Lord had forewarned, Jehoram lost “everything of value… Only his youngest son, Ahaziah, was spared.” But that was only part of what God had told him would happen.
“After all this, the Lord struck Jehoram with the severe intestinal disease. The disease grew worse and worse, and at the end of two years it caused his bowels to come out, and he died in agony” (II Chronicles 21:18-19a).
Second Chronicles 21 closes with a sad final commentary about Jehoram’s life: “No one was sorry when he died” (verse 30b). Mean, nasty Jehoram had no mourners at his funeral.
While there is time, make an impact in this world with the love of Jesus. “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” (Pericles)
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Monday, May 20, 2013
MONDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
Ahaziah has sent for Elijah, angry that Elijah has said he was going to die because he consulted Baal-zebub rather than the One True God. Two groups of soldiers have been killed by fire from heaven as they attempted to bring Elijah down from his hilltop perch. The third group was led by a man who was smart enough to show respect for Elijah and, therefore, the God Elijah represented. He pleaded with Elijah, "O man of God, please spare my life and the lives of these, your fifty servants” (II Kings 1:14a, NLT).
As a result, the men were unharmed and the “the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go down with him, and don’t be afraid of him.’ So Elijah got up and went with him to the king.
“And Elijah said to the king, ‘This is what the Lord says: Why did you send messengers to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether you will recover? Is there no God in Israel to answer your question? Therefore, because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.’
So Ahaziah died, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. Since Ahaziah did not have a son to succeed him, his brother Joram became the next king. This took place in the second year of the reign of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah” (II Kings 1:15).
Ahab, Ahaziah’s father, died during a battle in which he and Jehoshaphat’s armies joined forces to fight the Arameans. Through the prophet Micaiah, the Lord told Ahab that he would be killed if he chose to go to war, but Ahab listened to the hundreds of false prophets he kept around him rather than listening to the true prophet of God. So upon Ahab’s death when his son Ahaziah began to reign in Israel, Jehoshaphat was still on the throne in Judah.
Then Jehoshaphat died and “his son Jehoram became the next king” (I Kings 22:50b) in Judah. Meanwhile, we have Ahab’s son Ahaziah dying off without a male heir and Ahaziah’s brother Joram becoming king in Israel.
Back in Judah, “Jehoram’s brothers – the other sons of Jehoshaphat – were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Their father had given each of them valuable gifts of silver, gold, and costly items, and also some of Judah’s fortified towns. However, he designated Jehoram as the next king because he was the oldest. But when Jehoram had become solidly established as king, he killed all his brothers and some of the other leaders of Judah” (II Chronicles 21:1-4).
Unlike his father before him, Jehoram was an evil king. He “was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years” (II Chronicles 21:5). While the rulers of Israel came from different families, the family lineage of Judah’s kings remained consistent, whether they were good or evil. Why?
Because “the Lord did not want to destroy David’s dynasty, for He had made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would continue to rule, shining like a lamp forever” (II Chronicles 21:7).
Remember, when Solomon’s son Rehoboam, the newly appointed king after Solomon’s death, foolishly threatened the people of Israel with harder labor and heavier taxes, they rebelled against him and he ended up ruling only a remnant of the people, namely the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, collectively known as Judah. The rest of the tribes remained together as Israel.
Good or bad, the Lord allowed someone from David’s lineage to sit on the throne. Each of these men had an opportunity to shine “like a lamp,” but not all chose to do so.
Choices, folks. I keep saying it. Each of us has the chance to shine for God’s glory. We’re all going to be remembered for something. I pray it’s for shining the light and love of Jesus.
As a result, the men were unharmed and the “the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go down with him, and don’t be afraid of him.’ So Elijah got up and went with him to the king.
“And Elijah said to the king, ‘This is what the Lord says: Why did you send messengers to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether you will recover? Is there no God in Israel to answer your question? Therefore, because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.’
So Ahaziah died, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. Since Ahaziah did not have a son to succeed him, his brother Joram became the next king. This took place in the second year of the reign of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah” (II Kings 1:15).
Ahab, Ahaziah’s father, died during a battle in which he and Jehoshaphat’s armies joined forces to fight the Arameans. Through the prophet Micaiah, the Lord told Ahab that he would be killed if he chose to go to war, but Ahab listened to the hundreds of false prophets he kept around him rather than listening to the true prophet of God. So upon Ahab’s death when his son Ahaziah began to reign in Israel, Jehoshaphat was still on the throne in Judah.
Then Jehoshaphat died and “his son Jehoram became the next king” (I Kings 22:50b) in Judah. Meanwhile, we have Ahab’s son Ahaziah dying off without a male heir and Ahaziah’s brother Joram becoming king in Israel.
Back in Judah, “Jehoram’s brothers – the other sons of Jehoshaphat – were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Their father had given each of them valuable gifts of silver, gold, and costly items, and also some of Judah’s fortified towns. However, he designated Jehoram as the next king because he was the oldest. But when Jehoram had become solidly established as king, he killed all his brothers and some of the other leaders of Judah” (II Chronicles 21:1-4).
Unlike his father before him, Jehoram was an evil king. He “was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years” (II Chronicles 21:5). While the rulers of Israel came from different families, the family lineage of Judah’s kings remained consistent, whether they were good or evil. Why?
Because “the Lord did not want to destroy David’s dynasty, for He had made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would continue to rule, shining like a lamp forever” (II Chronicles 21:7).
Remember, when Solomon’s son Rehoboam, the newly appointed king after Solomon’s death, foolishly threatened the people of Israel with harder labor and heavier taxes, they rebelled against him and he ended up ruling only a remnant of the people, namely the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, collectively known as Judah. The rest of the tribes remained together as Israel.
Good or bad, the Lord allowed someone from David’s lineage to sit on the throne. Each of these men had an opportunity to shine “like a lamp,” but not all chose to do so.
Choices, folks. I keep saying it. Each of us has the chance to shine for God’s glory. We’re all going to be remembered for something. I pray it’s for shining the light and love of Jesus.
BARGAINS OF THE DAY!
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Sunday, May 19, 2013
SUNDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
Ahaziah didn’t last long as Israel’s king. After a fall “through the latticework of an upper room at his palace in Samaria” (II Kings 1:2a, NLT), Ahaziah “sent messengers to the temple of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether he would recover” (II Kings 1:2b).
What Ahaziah got, instead, was a message from the Lord, delivered by the prophet Elijah: “Is there no God in Israel? Why are you going to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether the king will recover? Now, therefore, this is what the Lord says: You will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die” (II Kings 1:3b-4a).
Elijah had delivered the Lord’s message to the messengers Ahaziah had sent to consult Baal-zebub. Instead of continuing on to the temple of the false god, they returned to the city of Samaria, Israel’s capital and told the king about the man who had approached them and given them the message that the king would die.
“’What sort of man was he?’ the king demanded. ‘What did he look like?’
“They replied, ‘He was a hairy man, and he wore a leather belt around his waist.’
‘Elijah from Tishbe!’ the king exclaimed.
Then he sent an army captain with fifty soldiers to arrest him. They found him sitting on top of a hill. The captain said to him, ‘Man of God, the king has commanded you to come down with us’" (II Kings 2:7-9).
Clearly, Elijah was known to the king – Ahaziah identified him as soon as the men described him. It’s also clear that the king was scared of Elijah. Why else would he send fifty soldiers to arrest one little ol’ prophet?
And note how the captain of Ahaziah’s troops address Elijah: “Man of God.” Elijah had a reputation as exactly that. Each of us, my brothers and sisters, has a reputation, too. My prayer is that every single one of us is first and foremost known as a man or woman of God.
Elijah wasn’t concerned about Ahaziah’s show of power; he knew he had a far greater power on his own side. So “Elijah replied to the captain, ‘If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and destroy you and your fifty men!’ Then fire fell from heaven and killed them all” (II Kings 1:10).
You’d think that would have been enough to get Ahaziah to back off, but no, he “sent another captain with fifty men. The captain said to him, ‘Man of God, the king demands that you come down at once’” (II Kings 1:11). And that’s exactly what happened to these soldiers.
“Once more the king sent a third captain with fifty men. But this time the captain went up the hill and fell to his knees before Elijah. He pleaded with him, ‘O man of God, please spare my life and the lives of these, your fifty servants’” (II Kings 1:14a).
By showing Elijah respect instead of demanding of him, the captain of these troops showed respect for the One Elijah represented. The result was an entirely different response.
Contrary to what some nutty televangelists and others would have us believe, we have zero right to demand of God. If He’s saved you, He’s already given you the greatest gift you could ever be given; and if He never did another thing for you as long as you live, He’s done enough.
Do you spend more time asking of God or thanking Him for what He’s already done?
What Ahaziah got, instead, was a message from the Lord, delivered by the prophet Elijah: “Is there no God in Israel? Why are you going to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether the king will recover? Now, therefore, this is what the Lord says: You will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die” (II Kings 1:3b-4a).
Elijah had delivered the Lord’s message to the messengers Ahaziah had sent to consult Baal-zebub. Instead of continuing on to the temple of the false god, they returned to the city of Samaria, Israel’s capital and told the king about the man who had approached them and given them the message that the king would die.
“’What sort of man was he?’ the king demanded. ‘What did he look like?’
“They replied, ‘He was a hairy man, and he wore a leather belt around his waist.’
‘Elijah from Tishbe!’ the king exclaimed.
Then he sent an army captain with fifty soldiers to arrest him. They found him sitting on top of a hill. The captain said to him, ‘Man of God, the king has commanded you to come down with us’" (II Kings 2:7-9).
Clearly, Elijah was known to the king – Ahaziah identified him as soon as the men described him. It’s also clear that the king was scared of Elijah. Why else would he send fifty soldiers to arrest one little ol’ prophet?
And note how the captain of Ahaziah’s troops address Elijah: “Man of God.” Elijah had a reputation as exactly that. Each of us, my brothers and sisters, has a reputation, too. My prayer is that every single one of us is first and foremost known as a man or woman of God.
Elijah wasn’t concerned about Ahaziah’s show of power; he knew he had a far greater power on his own side. So “Elijah replied to the captain, ‘If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and destroy you and your fifty men!’ Then fire fell from heaven and killed them all” (II Kings 1:10).
You’d think that would have been enough to get Ahaziah to back off, but no, he “sent another captain with fifty men. The captain said to him, ‘Man of God, the king demands that you come down at once’” (II Kings 1:11). And that’s exactly what happened to these soldiers.
“Once more the king sent a third captain with fifty men. But this time the captain went up the hill and fell to his knees before Elijah. He pleaded with him, ‘O man of God, please spare my life and the lives of these, your fifty servants’” (II Kings 1:14a).
By showing Elijah respect instead of demanding of him, the captain of these troops showed respect for the One Elijah represented. The result was an entirely different response.
Contrary to what some nutty televangelists and others would have us believe, we have zero right to demand of God. If He’s saved you, He’s already given you the greatest gift you could ever be given; and if He never did another thing for you as long as you live, He’s done enough.
Do you spend more time asking of God or thanking Him for what He’s already done?
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Saturday, May 18, 2013
BARGAINS OF THE DAY!
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SATURDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
A quick recap of all the kings we’ve covered thus far: David ruled an undivided kingdom of Israel and passed this rule on to his son Solomon. Solomon’s son Rehoboam followed the foolish advice of his peers and ended up losing the biggest portion of the kingdom, ruling only over Judah, which consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Jeroboam became king over Israel.
Meanwhile, back in Judah, Rehoboam’s throne was then inherited by his son Abijah, who was followed by his son Asa. Asa had a long stretch as king and was then succeeded by his son Jehoshaphat.
Now to Israel. Jeroboam was followed by Nadab. Next came Baasha, then Elah, then Zimri (who only lasted seven days). Then along came Omri who was followed by Ahab. While rulers came and went in Israel, Asa ruled Judah during the reigns of Israel’s kings from Baasha to Ahab.
Now Ahab has been killed in battle after listening to the bad advice of his phony prophets: “So the king died, and his body was taken to Samaria and buried there. Then his chariot was washed beside the pool of Samaria, and dogs came and licked his blood at the place where the prostitutes bathed, just as the Lord had promised” (I Kings 22:37, NLT). Ahab’s evil wife Jezebel met no peaceful end, either, but we’ll get to that much later.
Jehoshaphat, like his father Asa before him, was a good ruler in Judah. “He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. When Jehoshaphat died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Then his son Jehoram became the next king" (I Kings 22:43b, 50).
After Ahab’s death, “Ahaziah son of Ahab began to rule over Israel in the seventeenth year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria two years. But he did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, following the example of his father and mother and the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel to sin. He served Baal and worshiped him, provoking the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father had done” (I Kings 22:51-53).
Ahaziah, however, had a short-lived run as king. “One day Israel’s new king, Ahaziah, fell through the latticework of an upper room at his palace in Samaria and was seriously injured. So he sent messengers to the temple of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether he would recover” (II Kings 1:2).
Ever wondered where we get the word “Beelzebub” when referring to the devil? There you have it. This is a corruption of the name of the false god Ahaziah chose to consult rather than seeking the One True God. God was going to deal with Ahaziah’s idolatry.
“The angel of the Lord told Elijah, who was from Tishbe, ‘Go and confront the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is there no God in Israel? Why are you going to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether the king will recover? Now, therefore, this is what the Lord says: You will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.’’ So Elijah went to deliver the message” (II Kings 1:3-4).
Don’t these people ever learn? Look what happened to Ahab after he failed to listen to Micaiah, the true prophet of God. Time and time again, they’d seen the blessings of God poured out when the people of God were living in accordance to His commands. Time and time again, they’d seen the terrible consequences of their disobedience. And yet they continued to disobey.
God should never be our last resort. He should always be the One we turn to first.
“We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there’s nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.” (Oswald Chambers)
Meanwhile, back in Judah, Rehoboam’s throne was then inherited by his son Abijah, who was followed by his son Asa. Asa had a long stretch as king and was then succeeded by his son Jehoshaphat.
Now to Israel. Jeroboam was followed by Nadab. Next came Baasha, then Elah, then Zimri (who only lasted seven days). Then along came Omri who was followed by Ahab. While rulers came and went in Israel, Asa ruled Judah during the reigns of Israel’s kings from Baasha to Ahab.
Now Ahab has been killed in battle after listening to the bad advice of his phony prophets: “So the king died, and his body was taken to Samaria and buried there. Then his chariot was washed beside the pool of Samaria, and dogs came and licked his blood at the place where the prostitutes bathed, just as the Lord had promised” (I Kings 22:37, NLT). Ahab’s evil wife Jezebel met no peaceful end, either, but we’ll get to that much later.
Jehoshaphat, like his father Asa before him, was a good ruler in Judah. “He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. When Jehoshaphat died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Then his son Jehoram became the next king" (I Kings 22:43b, 50).
After Ahab’s death, “Ahaziah son of Ahab began to rule over Israel in the seventeenth year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria two years. But he did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, following the example of his father and mother and the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel to sin. He served Baal and worshiped him, provoking the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father had done” (I Kings 22:51-53).
Ahaziah, however, had a short-lived run as king. “One day Israel’s new king, Ahaziah, fell through the latticework of an upper room at his palace in Samaria and was seriously injured. So he sent messengers to the temple of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether he would recover” (II Kings 1:2).
Ever wondered where we get the word “Beelzebub” when referring to the devil? There you have it. This is a corruption of the name of the false god Ahaziah chose to consult rather than seeking the One True God. God was going to deal with Ahaziah’s idolatry.
“The angel of the Lord told Elijah, who was from Tishbe, ‘Go and confront the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is there no God in Israel? Why are you going to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether the king will recover? Now, therefore, this is what the Lord says: You will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.’’ So Elijah went to deliver the message” (II Kings 1:3-4).
Don’t these people ever learn? Look what happened to Ahab after he failed to listen to Micaiah, the true prophet of God. Time and time again, they’d seen the blessings of God poured out when the people of God were living in accordance to His commands. Time and time again, they’d seen the terrible consequences of their disobedience. And yet they continued to disobey.
God should never be our last resort. He should always be the One we turn to first.
“We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there’s nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.” (Oswald Chambers)
Friday, May 17, 2013
BARGAINS OF THE DAY!
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FRIDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
Ahab had been severely wounded. “The battle raged all that day, and the king remained propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran down to the floor of his chariot, and as evening arrived he died. Just as the sun was setting, the cry ran through his troops: ‘We’re done for! Run for your lives!’” (I Kings 22:36, NLT).
Against God’s warning, Ahab, king of Israel, went into battle alongside Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to fight the Arameans. Precisely as the prophet Micaiah had warned, Ahab was killed and the combined troops of Israel and Judah sounded defeated.
“So the king died, and his body was taken to Samaria and buried there. Then his chariot was washed beside the pool of Samaria, and dogs came and licked his blood at the place where the prostitutes bathed, just as the Lord had promised” (I Kings 22:37).
“Just as the Lord had promised.” What’s this talking about? Let’s look at a little background to find the answer.
In First Kings 20 we read about the time when Ben-hadad, king of Aram, attacked Israel and the Lord gave the Israelites victory. Afterwards, Ahab foolishly made a new treaty with Ben-hadad and set him free in exchange for the peaceful return of some of the towns Ben-hadad’s father had previously taken from Israel – see First Kings 20:34.
This angered the Lord and He sent an unnamed prophet to confront Ahab: “The prophet said to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: ‘Because you have spared the man I said must be destroyed, now you must die in his place, and your people will die instead of his people’’” (I Kings 20:42).
What was Ahab’s reaction to this news? He “went home to Samaria angry and sullen” (I Kings 20:43b). Just as we saw when Micaiah didn’t go along with the other prophets promising him victory, Ahab sulked like a two-year-old. Maturity was definitely not his strong point.
Fast forward to First Kings 21 and we see Ahab at it once again. He’d approached a man named Naboth, wanting to buy his vineyard to make himself a vegetable garden. Naboth declined to sell, stating, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance that was passed down by my ancestors” (I Kings 21:3). Naboth’s land was family land and he had no intention of parting with it.
Ahab’s reaction? By now, I’m sure you know it: He “went home angry and sullen” (I Kings 21:4a).
The chapter goes on to detail how Ahab’s rotten-to-the-core wife, Jezebel, cooked up a scheme to get rid of Naboth. She had two liars testify falsely that he had cursed God and the king, for which Naboth was taken outside the city gates and stoned to death. Ahab, thrilled at his wife’s ingenuity, promptly took Naboth’s vineyard land as his own.
However, God wasn’t going to let him get away with it. “The Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He will be at Naboth’s vineyard in Jezreel, claiming it for himself. Give him this message: ‘This is what the Lord says: Wasn’t it enough that you killed Naboth? Must you rob him, too? Because you have done this, dogs will lick your blood at the very place where they licked the blood of Naboth!’” (I Kings 21:17-19).
And that’s precisely what happened. When Ahab’s “chariot was washed beside the pool of Samaria, …dogs came and licked his blood at the place where the prostitutes bathed, just as the Lord had promised.”
Never mistake God’s patience for inaction. “I am the Lord that exercise mercy, and judgment, and justice in the earth” (Jeremiah 9:24b, Douay-Rheims Bible).
Against God’s warning, Ahab, king of Israel, went into battle alongside Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to fight the Arameans. Precisely as the prophet Micaiah had warned, Ahab was killed and the combined troops of Israel and Judah sounded defeated.
“So the king died, and his body was taken to Samaria and buried there. Then his chariot was washed beside the pool of Samaria, and dogs came and licked his blood at the place where the prostitutes bathed, just as the Lord had promised” (I Kings 22:37).
“Just as the Lord had promised.” What’s this talking about? Let’s look at a little background to find the answer.
In First Kings 20 we read about the time when Ben-hadad, king of Aram, attacked Israel and the Lord gave the Israelites victory. Afterwards, Ahab foolishly made a new treaty with Ben-hadad and set him free in exchange for the peaceful return of some of the towns Ben-hadad’s father had previously taken from Israel – see First Kings 20:34.
This angered the Lord and He sent an unnamed prophet to confront Ahab: “The prophet said to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: ‘Because you have spared the man I said must be destroyed, now you must die in his place, and your people will die instead of his people’’” (I Kings 20:42).
What was Ahab’s reaction to this news? He “went home to Samaria angry and sullen” (I Kings 20:43b). Just as we saw when Micaiah didn’t go along with the other prophets promising him victory, Ahab sulked like a two-year-old. Maturity was definitely not his strong point.
Fast forward to First Kings 21 and we see Ahab at it once again. He’d approached a man named Naboth, wanting to buy his vineyard to make himself a vegetable garden. Naboth declined to sell, stating, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance that was passed down by my ancestors” (I Kings 21:3). Naboth’s land was family land and he had no intention of parting with it.
Ahab’s reaction? By now, I’m sure you know it: He “went home angry and sullen” (I Kings 21:4a).
The chapter goes on to detail how Ahab’s rotten-to-the-core wife, Jezebel, cooked up a scheme to get rid of Naboth. She had two liars testify falsely that he had cursed God and the king, for which Naboth was taken outside the city gates and stoned to death. Ahab, thrilled at his wife’s ingenuity, promptly took Naboth’s vineyard land as his own.
However, God wasn’t going to let him get away with it. “The Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He will be at Naboth’s vineyard in Jezreel, claiming it for himself. Give him this message: ‘This is what the Lord says: Wasn’t it enough that you killed Naboth? Must you rob him, too? Because you have done this, dogs will lick your blood at the very place where they licked the blood of Naboth!’” (I Kings 21:17-19).
And that’s precisely what happened. When Ahab’s “chariot was washed beside the pool of Samaria, …dogs came and licked his blood at the place where the prostitutes bathed, just as the Lord had promised.”
Never mistake God’s patience for inaction. “I am the Lord that exercise mercy, and judgment, and justice in the earth” (Jeremiah 9:24b, Douay-Rheims Bible).
Thursday, May 16, 2013
THURSDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
When asked if Israel and Judah should go to war against the Arameans, Micaiah, a true prophet of God, told Israel’s king, Ahab: “The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all your prophets. For the Lord has pronounced your doom” (I Kings 22:23, NLT).
And how was Micaiah rewarded for telling Ahab the truth? Zedekiah, the biggest baloney salesman among the false prophets, “walked up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face” (I Kings 22:24a). And if that wasn’t enough humiliation for poor Micaiah, Ahab then ordered him arrested: “Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return safely from the battle!” (I Kings 22:27b).
To which Micaiah responded: “If you return safely, it will mean that the Lord has not spoken through me!” (I Kings 22:28a).
“So King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led their armies against Ramoth-gilead. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘As we go into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you wear your royal robes.’ So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle” (I Kings 22:29-30).
To say the least, it’s difficult to understand why Jehoshaphat would agree to go into battle with Ahab after hearing Micaiah’s prophecy, but go he did. And he even agreed to make himself the proverbial sitting duck by wearing what would clearly identify him as a king while Ahab wore a disguise, most likely the same garments as the other warriors.
“Meanwhile, the king of Aram had issued these orders to his thirty-two chariot commanders: ‘Attack only the king of Israel. Don’t bother with anyone else!’ So when the Aramean chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. ‘There is the king of Israel!’ they shouted. But when Jehoshaphat called out, the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, and they stopped chasing him” (I Kings 22:31-33).
“Attack only the king of Israel.” Ahab might have been disguised so that the Arameans couldn’t recognize him, but he had no way at all of hiding from God. No one does. So when God determines a person’s time is up, it’s up, period. As was Ahab’s.
“An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. ‘Turn the horses and get me out of here!’ Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. ‘I’m badly wounded!’” (I Kings 22:34).
That Aramean soldier may have thought that arrow was “randomly shot,” but God knew exactly where it was headed. Even in full armor, Ahab wasn’t protected from it. The arrow went straight into the unprotected area “between the joints of his armor.”
“The battle raged all that day, and the king remained propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran down to the floor of his chariot, and as evening arrived he died. Just as the sun was setting, the cry ran through his troops: ‘We’re done for! Run for your lives!’” (I Kings 22:36).
Sin never affects merely the individual. It affects and infects people all around it. Ahab’s foolish decision to go into battle against the Lord’s warning through the prophet Micaiah cost his own life and undoubtedly the lives of many soldiers.
Don’t ever think you can hide from God – it can’t be done. But if you’re His child, what you can do is run to Him. There’s nothing in your past or present that He doesn’t already know; and He’s ready to forgive and forget anything you’re willing to confess to Him.
And how was Micaiah rewarded for telling Ahab the truth? Zedekiah, the biggest baloney salesman among the false prophets, “walked up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face” (I Kings 22:24a). And if that wasn’t enough humiliation for poor Micaiah, Ahab then ordered him arrested: “Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return safely from the battle!” (I Kings 22:27b).
To which Micaiah responded: “If you return safely, it will mean that the Lord has not spoken through me!” (I Kings 22:28a).
“So King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led their armies against Ramoth-gilead. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘As we go into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you wear your royal robes.’ So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle” (I Kings 22:29-30).
To say the least, it’s difficult to understand why Jehoshaphat would agree to go into battle with Ahab after hearing Micaiah’s prophecy, but go he did. And he even agreed to make himself the proverbial sitting duck by wearing what would clearly identify him as a king while Ahab wore a disguise, most likely the same garments as the other warriors.
“Meanwhile, the king of Aram had issued these orders to his thirty-two chariot commanders: ‘Attack only the king of Israel. Don’t bother with anyone else!’ So when the Aramean chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. ‘There is the king of Israel!’ they shouted. But when Jehoshaphat called out, the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, and they stopped chasing him” (I Kings 22:31-33).
“Attack only the king of Israel.” Ahab might have been disguised so that the Arameans couldn’t recognize him, but he had no way at all of hiding from God. No one does. So when God determines a person’s time is up, it’s up, period. As was Ahab’s.
“An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. ‘Turn the horses and get me out of here!’ Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. ‘I’m badly wounded!’” (I Kings 22:34).
That Aramean soldier may have thought that arrow was “randomly shot,” but God knew exactly where it was headed. Even in full armor, Ahab wasn’t protected from it. The arrow went straight into the unprotected area “between the joints of his armor.”
“The battle raged all that day, and the king remained propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran down to the floor of his chariot, and as evening arrived he died. Just as the sun was setting, the cry ran through his troops: ‘We’re done for! Run for your lives!’” (I Kings 22:36).
Sin never affects merely the individual. It affects and infects people all around it. Ahab’s foolish decision to go into battle against the Lord’s warning through the prophet Micaiah cost his own life and undoubtedly the lives of many soldiers.
Don’t ever think you can hide from God – it can’t be done. But if you’re His child, what you can do is run to Him. There’s nothing in your past or present that He doesn’t already know; and He’s ready to forgive and forget anything you’re willing to confess to Him.
BARGAINS OF THE DAY!
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Wednesday, May 15, 2013
WEDNESDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
When Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, told Ahab, king of Israel, that they should consult a real prophet of God before going to war against the Arameans rather than taking the word of the bunch of phony prophet suck-ups Ahab had brought in, Ahab acted like the overgrown spoiled adult he was, saying: “There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah” (I Kings 22:8a, NLT).
Enter Micaiah. While all the other prophets promised great victory against the Arameans, Micaiah only said: “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say” (I Kings 22:14).
“Ahab asked him, ‘Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we hold back?’” (I Kings 22:15b).
“Micaiah told him, ‘In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’’”
‘Didn’t I tell you?’ the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. ‘He never prophesies anything but trouble for me.’
Then Micaiah continued, ‘Listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on His throne with all the armies of heaven around Him, on His right and on His left. And the Lord said, ‘Who can entice Ahab to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?’
‘There were many suggestions, and finally a spirit approached the Lord and said, ‘I can do it!’
“‘How will you do this?’ the Lord asked.
And the spirit replied, ‘I will go out and inspire all of Ahab’s prophets to speak lies.’
“‘You will succeed,’ said the Lord. ‘Go ahead and do it.’
So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all your prophets. For the Lord has pronounced your doom” (I Kings 22:17-23).
“Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah walked up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face. ‘Since when did the Spirit of the Lord leave me to speak to you?’ he demanded.
And Micaiah replied, ‘You will find out soon enough when you are trying to hide in some secret room!’” (I Kings 22:24-25).
Who was this Zedekiah who had the gall to slap Micaiah? One of the phony prophets, the very one who had “made some iron horns and proclaimed, ‘This is what the Lord says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!’” (I Kings 22:11b).
“‘Arrest him!’ the king of Israel ordered. ‘Take him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to my son Joash. Give them this order from the king: ‘Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return safely from the battle!’’” (I Kings 22:26-27).
“But Micaiah replied, ‘If you return safely, it will mean that the Lord has not spoken through me!’ Then he added to those standing around, ‘Everyone mark my words!’” (I Kings 22:28).
Micaiah knew the Lord had spoken to him and that going up against the Arameans would mean disaster. In the face of hundreds of opponents, he spoke the truth and endured physical abuse for having done so. Whenever you face opposition, remember Micaiah’s courage and trust the Lord to bring you through to victory.
Enter Micaiah. While all the other prophets promised great victory against the Arameans, Micaiah only said: “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say” (I Kings 22:14).
“Ahab asked him, ‘Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we hold back?’” (I Kings 22:15b).
“Micaiah told him, ‘In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’’”
‘Didn’t I tell you?’ the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. ‘He never prophesies anything but trouble for me.’
Then Micaiah continued, ‘Listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on His throne with all the armies of heaven around Him, on His right and on His left. And the Lord said, ‘Who can entice Ahab to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?’
‘There were many suggestions, and finally a spirit approached the Lord and said, ‘I can do it!’
“‘How will you do this?’ the Lord asked.
And the spirit replied, ‘I will go out and inspire all of Ahab’s prophets to speak lies.’
“‘You will succeed,’ said the Lord. ‘Go ahead and do it.’
So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all your prophets. For the Lord has pronounced your doom” (I Kings 22:17-23).
“Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah walked up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face. ‘Since when did the Spirit of the Lord leave me to speak to you?’ he demanded.
And Micaiah replied, ‘You will find out soon enough when you are trying to hide in some secret room!’” (I Kings 22:24-25).
Who was this Zedekiah who had the gall to slap Micaiah? One of the phony prophets, the very one who had “made some iron horns and proclaimed, ‘This is what the Lord says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!’” (I Kings 22:11b).
“‘Arrest him!’ the king of Israel ordered. ‘Take him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to my son Joash. Give them this order from the king: ‘Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return safely from the battle!’’” (I Kings 22:26-27).
“But Micaiah replied, ‘If you return safely, it will mean that the Lord has not spoken through me!’ Then he added to those standing around, ‘Everyone mark my words!’” (I Kings 22:28).
Micaiah knew the Lord had spoken to him and that going up against the Arameans would mean disaster. In the face of hundreds of opponents, he spoke the truth and endured physical abuse for having done so. Whenever you face opposition, remember Micaiah’s courage and trust the Lord to bring you through to victory.
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Tuesday, May 14, 2013
TUESDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
We’ve yet to answer yesterday’s question: how was Ahab finally removed from the throne of Israel? Let’s do a quick recap and then we’ll move a little closer to finding out.
While Ahab was ruling Israel, Asa’s life ended and the rule of Judah went to his son Jehoshaphat, who “did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight” (I Kings 22:43a, NLT).
After three years with no conflict between Israel and Judah, Jehoshaphat paid a visit to Ahab and Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to join him in battle to recover Ramoth-gilead from the king of Aram. Jehoshaphat agreed to help, but wisely included a prerequisite: “But first let’s find out what the Lord says” (I Kings 22:5).
Ahab summoned about 400 of his so-called prophets who immediately told him to go to war and take Ramoth-gilead, assuring Ahab that “The Lord will give the king victory” (I Kings 22:6b).
“But Jehoshaphat asked, ‘Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question’” (I Kings 22:7).
Ahab reluctantly admitted to Jehoshaphat that there was one “prophet of the Lord” that he knew of: “There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.’
Jehoshaphat replied, ‘That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say’” (I Kings 22:8).
“I hate him.” Ahab hated hearing the truth because he knew he was living his life completely opposed to the will of God. Micaiah may have prophesied nothing “but trouble for” Ahab, but he did so because Ahab always positioned himself to be in trouble! Positioning, folks. I’ve said it time and again: God cannot and will not bless disobedience. We must align ourselves with His will if we are to receive His blessings.
“King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of Samaria. All of Ahab’s prophets were prophesying there in front of them. One of them, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, made some iron horns and proclaimed, ‘This is what the Lord says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!’ All the other prophets agreed. ‘Yes,’ they said, ‘go up to Ramoth-gilead and be victorious, for the Lord will give the king victory!’” (I Kings 22:10-12).
“Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, ‘Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success’” (I Kings 22:13).
Talk about being put under pressure! Every self-proclaimed prophet in Israel was putting on a show for the king, assuring him that victory was a sure thing when he went up against the Arameans. With the power of life and death in Ahab’s hands, what was Micaiah to do? The only thing a true man of God can do: tell the truth even if it goes against the “in” crowd.
And that’s precisely what Micaiah said: “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say” (I Kings 22:14).
Oftentimes we’re tempted to “go along to get along.” Micaiah was urged to do that very thing. Many times so are we. Stick with God, not the immoral majority. Our Heavenly Father is always on the winning side.
“A string of opinions no more constitutes faith, than a string of beads constitutes holiness.” (John Wesley)
While Ahab was ruling Israel, Asa’s life ended and the rule of Judah went to his son Jehoshaphat, who “did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight” (I Kings 22:43a, NLT).
After three years with no conflict between Israel and Judah, Jehoshaphat paid a visit to Ahab and Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to join him in battle to recover Ramoth-gilead from the king of Aram. Jehoshaphat agreed to help, but wisely included a prerequisite: “But first let’s find out what the Lord says” (I Kings 22:5).
Ahab summoned about 400 of his so-called prophets who immediately told him to go to war and take Ramoth-gilead, assuring Ahab that “The Lord will give the king victory” (I Kings 22:6b).
“But Jehoshaphat asked, ‘Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question’” (I Kings 22:7).
Ahab reluctantly admitted to Jehoshaphat that there was one “prophet of the Lord” that he knew of: “There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.’
Jehoshaphat replied, ‘That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say’” (I Kings 22:8).
“I hate him.” Ahab hated hearing the truth because he knew he was living his life completely opposed to the will of God. Micaiah may have prophesied nothing “but trouble for” Ahab, but he did so because Ahab always positioned himself to be in trouble! Positioning, folks. I’ve said it time and again: God cannot and will not bless disobedience. We must align ourselves with His will if we are to receive His blessings.
“King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of Samaria. All of Ahab’s prophets were prophesying there in front of them. One of them, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, made some iron horns and proclaimed, ‘This is what the Lord says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!’ All the other prophets agreed. ‘Yes,’ they said, ‘go up to Ramoth-gilead and be victorious, for the Lord will give the king victory!’” (I Kings 22:10-12).
“Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, ‘Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success’” (I Kings 22:13).
Talk about being put under pressure! Every self-proclaimed prophet in Israel was putting on a show for the king, assuring him that victory was a sure thing when he went up against the Arameans. With the power of life and death in Ahab’s hands, what was Micaiah to do? The only thing a true man of God can do: tell the truth even if it goes against the “in” crowd.
And that’s precisely what Micaiah said: “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say” (I Kings 22:14).
Oftentimes we’re tempted to “go along to get along.” Micaiah was urged to do that very thing. Many times so are we. Stick with God, not the immoral majority. Our Heavenly Father is always on the winning side.
“A string of opinions no more constitutes faith, than a string of beads constitutes holiness.” (John Wesley)
BARGAINS OF THE DAY!
Gorgeous pet feeders on sale at www.TheBellaCottage.com:
$59 COTTAGE CHIC FRENCH DOUBLE-SWAG PET FEEDER - $19.95; brown finish; includes a 16-oz. stainless steel bowl. Also in black, white & pink.
$45 COTTAGE CHIC FRENCH STYLE WHITE PET FEEDER ON LEGS - $19.95; choose 4" high or 7" high. Also in chocolate, pink & black.
Monday, May 13, 2013
BARGAINS OF THE DAY!
Some nice buys on www.Orvis.com today during their big Tent Sale - while supplies last:$89 GATE FOR SLIDING DOOR - $23.40; 30.25"Wx24"Hx1"thick.
$14.95-$15.95 BRAIDED NYLON LEADER w/BIMINI TIPPETS - $5.40 in your choice of 4 products.
$295 WOMEN'S SILVER LABEL ROLL-DOWN STOCKING FOOT WADERS - $117; only in size small.
$129 HELLE NYING SCANDINAVIAN KNIFE - $53.40; stainless steel blade; curly birch handle; leather sheath.
MONDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
God has told Elijah that Ahab and Jezebel’s days were numbered. He’s also given him Elisha as an assistant and prophet-in-training. Meanwhile, Ahab is still king over Israel and Asa is ruling in Judah.
After a long stretch as king over Judah, Asa “died in the forty-first year of his reign. He was buried in the tomb he had carved out for himself in the City of David. He was laid on a bed perfumed with sweet spices and fragrant ointments, and the people built a huge funeral fire in his honor” (II Chronicles 16:13-14, NLT).
“Then Jehoshaphat, Asa’s son, became the next king” (II Chronicles 17:1a). “Jehoshaphat son of Asa began to rule over Judah in the fourth year of King Ahab’s reign in Israel. Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the example of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight” (I Kings 22:41-43a).
So how was Ahab finally removed from the throne of Israel? “For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. Then during the third year, King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit King Ahab of Israel. During the visit, the king of Israel said to his officials, ‘Do you realize that the town of Ramoth-gilead belongs to us? And yet we’ve done nothing to recapture it from the king of Aram!’
Then he turned to Jehoshaphat and asked, ‘Will you join me in battle to recover Ramoth-gilead?’
Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, ‘Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses.’ Then Jehoshaphat added, ‘But first let’s find out what the Lord says.’
So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, about 400 of them, and asked them, ‘Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?’
They all replied, ‘Yes, go right ahead! The Lord will give the king victory.’
But Jehoshaphat asked, ‘Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question’” (I Kings 22:1-7).
Jehoshaphat had no confidence in the words of the 400 prophets Ahab brought before them. Wisely, he insisted on a consulting a true man of God.
Folks, I hope you’re seeing the pattern here. Being in what looks like the majority doesn’t make it so and doesn’t make it right. Jehoshaphat wanted Jehovah on their side when they went into battle. Ahab had already made up his mind to go to war and merely wanted the others to back his decision.
“We are either in the process of resisting God's truth or in the process of being shaped and molded by His truth.” (Charles Stanley)
Ahab was resisting; and it was going to cost him.
After a long stretch as king over Judah, Asa “died in the forty-first year of his reign. He was buried in the tomb he had carved out for himself in the City of David. He was laid on a bed perfumed with sweet spices and fragrant ointments, and the people built a huge funeral fire in his honor” (II Chronicles 16:13-14, NLT).
“Then Jehoshaphat, Asa’s son, became the next king” (II Chronicles 17:1a). “Jehoshaphat son of Asa began to rule over Judah in the fourth year of King Ahab’s reign in Israel. Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the example of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight” (I Kings 22:41-43a).
So how was Ahab finally removed from the throne of Israel? “For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. Then during the third year, King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit King Ahab of Israel. During the visit, the king of Israel said to his officials, ‘Do you realize that the town of Ramoth-gilead belongs to us? And yet we’ve done nothing to recapture it from the king of Aram!’
Then he turned to Jehoshaphat and asked, ‘Will you join me in battle to recover Ramoth-gilead?’
Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, ‘Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses.’ Then Jehoshaphat added, ‘But first let’s find out what the Lord says.’
So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, about 400 of them, and asked them, ‘Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?’
They all replied, ‘Yes, go right ahead! The Lord will give the king victory.’
But Jehoshaphat asked, ‘Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question’” (I Kings 22:1-7).
Jehoshaphat had no confidence in the words of the 400 prophets Ahab brought before them. Wisely, he insisted on a consulting a true man of God.
Folks, I hope you’re seeing the pattern here. Being in what looks like the majority doesn’t make it so and doesn’t make it right. Jehoshaphat wanted Jehovah on their side when they went into battle. Ahab had already made up his mind to go to war and merely wanted the others to back his decision.
“We are either in the process of resisting God's truth or in the process of being shaped and molded by His truth.” (Charles Stanley)
Ahab was resisting; and it was going to cost him.
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