Selamat datang! Добро пожаловать! Willkommen! 欢迎！Witamy! Bienvenue! Welcome!
We’ve tracked Joash’s reign over Judah all the way to his death. A little refresher and then we’ll move to Israel and see how Jehu has been faring. Remember, Jehu had killed both Joram, king of Israel, and Ahaziah, king of Judah, and had taken over the throne of Israel.
The throne of Judah had been taken over from Ahaziah, Joash’s father, by evil Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mom, who killed Ahaziah’s children – her grandchildren – so she could be queen. The infant Joash was rescued by his aunt who put him in the care of her husband, the priest Jehoiada and their sons.
Joash, who started out as good king, ended up listening to bad advisers and turning from the Lord after the death of Jehoiada; he even had Jehoiada’s son Zechariah killed. “Because of this sin, divine anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem” (II Chronicles 24:18b, NLT). The Aramean army came in and attacked Judah and “Although the Arameans attacked with only a small army, the Lord helped them conquer the much larger army of Judah” (II Chronicles 24:24a).
How’d the Arameans manage such a victory? “The Lord helped them” because “The people of Judah had abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so judgment was carried out against Joash” (II Chronicles 24:24b). God used the Arameans as His instrument to inflict punishment on the unfaithful people of Judah. Joash, already wounded, was murdered in his bed by one of his own people in retaliation for his murder of Zechariah.
Even though Jehu got off to a bloody start as a leader, he was the one chosen by God to lead Israel. And despite all the housecleaning Jehu performed, he did a job as Israel’s king, destroying “every trace of Baal worship from Israel” (II Kings 10:28).
“He did not, however, destroy the gold calves at Bethel and Dan, with which Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to 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 10:29-30).
Here’s another guy who had the opportunity to be personally blessed beyond measure and see the same blessings poured out on God’s people. All he had to do was set the right example by obeying the Lord. “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 Chronicles 10:31).
“Jehu did not obey… with all his heart.” Brothers in sisters, there’s no such thing as partial obedience – you’re either IN God’s will or AGAINST it. And the price for opposing God is a steep one.
The Lord began to deal with Jehu’s disobedience, again using the Arameans (Hazael) as His instrument. “At about that time the Lord began to cut down the size of Israel’s territory. King Hazael conquered several sections of the country east of the Jordan River, including all of Gilead, Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh. He conquered the area from the town of Aroer by the Arnon Gorge to as far north as Gilead and Bashan” (II Kings 10:32-33).
By the time of Jehu’s death, the Arameans were a constant thorn to the Israelites. Even so, Scripture says nothing about how Jehu died, so apparently his death was a natural one: “When Jehu died, he was buried in Samaria. Then his son Jehoahaz became the next king. In all, Jehu reigned over Israel from Samaria for twenty-eight years” (II Kings 10:35-36).
Things could have been so much better had the Israelites only chosen to live according to God’s instructions. Likewise for believers living today.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
Friday, January 31, 2014
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Thursday, January 30, 2014
THURSDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
The good priest Jehoiada who had kept Joash safe and brought him up in the teachings of the Lord has died and all those with another agenda have swarmed in to influence Joash. Hook, line and sinker, Joash buys their sinful plan, agreeing with these sorry advisers, “to abandon the Temple of the Lord” and choosing to worship “Asherah poles and idols instead!” (from II Chronicles 24:18a, NLT).
“Because of this sin, divine anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem. Yet the Lord sent prophets to bring them back to Him. The prophets warned them, but still the people would not listen” (II Chronicles 24:18b-19).
“Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, ‘This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the Lord, and now He has abandoned you!’” (II Chronicles 24:20).
Zechariah (not the one for whom the Old Testament book is named) faithfully delivered God’s two-pronged warning: you cannot ignore God and prosper; and He’s been patient with you people long enough. Their reaction? “Then the leaders plotted to kill Zechariah” (II Chronicles 24:21a).
Instead of falling on their faces in repentance, these evil and influential men “plotted to kill Zechariah.” Knowing this was one of the sons of Jehoiada who, alongside their father, helped to bring up the king, how did Joash react?
“King Joash ordered that they stone him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s Temple. That was how King Joash repaid Jehoiada for his loyalty – by killing his son” (II Chronicles 24:21b-22a.
“Zechariah’s last words as he died were, ‘May the Lord see what they are doing and avenge my death!’” (II Chronicles 24:22b).
“In the spring of the year the Aramean army marched against Joash. They invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the nation. Then they sent all the plunder back to their king in Damascus. Although the Arameans attacked with only a small army, the Lord helped them conquer the much larger army of Judah. The people of Judah had abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so judgment was carried out against Joash” (II Chronicles 24:23-24).
“The Lord helped them conquer… Judah.” God used the Arameans as His instrument to inflict punishment on the unfaithful people of Judah. Joash would certainly be among the casualties, but not by the hands of the Arameans.
“The Arameans withdrew, leaving Joash severely wounded. But his own officials plotted to kill him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest. They assassinated him as he lay in bed. Then he was buried in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery. His son Amaziah became the next king” (II Chronicles 24:25-26, 27b).
Over and over we see people of the Bible reaping what they’ve sown. Joash, who started out as a good king, turned from God and even murdered the son of the very man who had protected him when he was an orphaned infant. Joash’s life which had started out in honor ended in disgrace, with his body not even being buried in the royal cemetery. We’ll see how his son Amaziah fares next.
We need not think the United States or any other can turn away from God without horrible consequences. “Anyone who isn’t with Me opposes Me, and anyone who isn’t working with Me is actually working against Me” (Jesus speaking, Matthew 12:30).
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
“Because of this sin, divine anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem. Yet the Lord sent prophets to bring them back to Him. The prophets warned them, but still the people would not listen” (II Chronicles 24:18b-19).
“Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, ‘This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the Lord, and now He has abandoned you!’” (II Chronicles 24:20).
Zechariah (not the one for whom the Old Testament book is named) faithfully delivered God’s two-pronged warning: you cannot ignore God and prosper; and He’s been patient with you people long enough. Their reaction? “Then the leaders plotted to kill Zechariah” (II Chronicles 24:21a).
Instead of falling on their faces in repentance, these evil and influential men “plotted to kill Zechariah.” Knowing this was one of the sons of Jehoiada who, alongside their father, helped to bring up the king, how did Joash react?
“King Joash ordered that they stone him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s Temple. That was how King Joash repaid Jehoiada for his loyalty – by killing his son” (II Chronicles 24:21b-22a.
“Zechariah’s last words as he died were, ‘May the Lord see what they are doing and avenge my death!’” (II Chronicles 24:22b).
“In the spring of the year the Aramean army marched against Joash. They invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the nation. Then they sent all the plunder back to their king in Damascus. Although the Arameans attacked with only a small army, the Lord helped them conquer the much larger army of Judah. The people of Judah had abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so judgment was carried out against Joash” (II Chronicles 24:23-24).
“The Lord helped them conquer… Judah.” God used the Arameans as His instrument to inflict punishment on the unfaithful people of Judah. Joash would certainly be among the casualties, but not by the hands of the Arameans.
“The Arameans withdrew, leaving Joash severely wounded. But his own officials plotted to kill him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest. They assassinated him as he lay in bed. Then he was buried in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery. His son Amaziah became the next king” (II Chronicles 24:25-26, 27b).
Over and over we see people of the Bible reaping what they’ve sown. Joash, who started out as a good king, turned from God and even murdered the son of the very man who had protected him when he was an orphaned infant. Joash’s life which had started out in honor ended in disgrace, with his body not even being buried in the royal cemetery. We’ll see how his son Amaziah fares next.
We need not think the United States or any other can turn away from God without horrible consequences. “Anyone who isn’t with Me opposes Me, and anyone who isn’t working with Me is actually working against Me” (Jesus speaking, Matthew 12:30).
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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Wednesday, January 29, 2014
WEDNESDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
Selamat datang! Добро пожаловать! Willkommen! 欢迎！Witamy! Bienvenue! Welcome!
“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 advisers, “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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
“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 advisers, “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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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Tuesday, January 28, 2014
TUESDAY'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?”
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
“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?”
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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Monday, January 27, 2014
MONDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
Selamat datang! Добро пожаловать! Willkommen! 欢迎！Witamy! Bienvenue! Welcome!
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?
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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Sunday, January 26, 2014
SUNDAY'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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
Saturday, January 25, 2014
SATURDAY'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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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Friday, January 24, 2014
FRIDAY'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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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Thursday, January 23, 2014
THURSDAY'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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
“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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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Wednesday, January 22, 2014
WEDNESDAY'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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
“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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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Tuesday, January 21, 2014
TUESDAY'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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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.
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
BARGAINS OF THE DAY!
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Monday, January 20, 2014
MONDAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE
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)
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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)
Copyright © 2013
Judy Woodward Bates
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