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God’s message to me: God fulfills his promises in His time. The priests of Baal were slaughtered in the temple of Baal which was then demolished and made a trash dump. The line of David was preserved on the throne as Joash took the crown at the age of 7. Jezebel was turned into dog food. Jehoram’s remains were tossed in the field he had stolen when Jezebel conspired against it’s owner. All of the house of Ahab was killed. And so the story goes when God makes a promise, it is only a matter of time.
Promises: God keeps his promises, long term or short term they will be upheld.
Commands: Obey God, do not turn to false worship, false religion and false Gods. Jehoash made a good start in removing Baal worship but, by continuing to turn Israel to idolatry, he doomed his kingdom. Under his rule the kingdom of Israel was picked apart piece by piece by surrounding nations.
Timeless principles: Politicians tend to stick with the tried and true methods even if they are wrong. Jehoash started well. He killed off the royal line that had brought so much destruction to Israel. he avenged the prophets against Jezebel and the priest of Baal. He destroyed Baal worship in Israel. Then he continued the first sin of leading Israel to worship the golden calves so that they wouldn’t turn to the Temple in Judah. The desire to consolidate power can lead the best leaders to evil. No matter how solid the foundation it can be torn down by the quest for power. Think of that when you hear that the US Constitution is an impediment to good government.
How can I apply what I’ve learned: Stay true to God and don’t be turned by false religion. So many weak Christians are turned to a politically correct but false religiosity because they cannot fathom the truth of passages like the one we just read. Remember that one of the most common images given by God is the trial by fire. When everything seems to be going wrong God sometimes finds destruction the only path to salvation. That which is of value can only be purified by fire. When everything else is burned away, God’s chosen remnant can shine most brightly.
more to learn for in-depth study: Promises are obvious, commands should be obvious. This section is about a great slaughter. As horrifying as some of these images may be they ended in the removal of Baal worship, the end of the evil queen Jezebel and the destruction of those who turned Israel to destruction.
Are you a fan of fantasy books. JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis took their inspiration straight from the pages of the bible. The fact is, to best understand this era in Israel's history, you need to read it in large portions just like you would the Chronicles of Narnia or the Lord of the Rings. The story covers a lot of time and pieces together over large parts of scripture. Some prophecies take more than one generation to come true but, by reading it through as we are doing you can more easily see how God delivers on his promises and his curses.
tomorrow: Second Kings 12-15
Showing posts with label Jezebel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jezebel. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
First Kings 19-21
God’s message to me: Major events can get a lot of attention but that doesn’t make them signs from God. God can make Himself known in the wind, the earthquake, the fire, the flood or even in a still, small voice. It is important to see that, while God was known mostly by major events in the Old Testament, He was known more in simple words in the New Testament. We have all heard of the miracles of Christ but, the New Testament tells much more of His message and of the words He spoke to show people the way to eternal life.
God is still available for the big miracles today, but when we need to know His will we are most likely to hear it when we learn to “be still and know that [He] is God.” It is only then when we are quiet enough to hear and learn from that “still, small voice”
Promises: There is always a remnant. Israel never failed to find trouble and usually in a very short time period after getting out of trouble. No matter how much evil they did and how thoroughly they were marked for destruction, God has always preserved a remnant for Himself. Since the Day of His promise to Abraham, he has never let Israel be destroyed. Not one tribe has been reduced so far that it could not be maintained. A remnant of those loyal to God has always been kept to ensure the continuation of His people.
Commands: When God gives a command it had better be followed. Ahab repeated Saul’s mistake by sparing a king who had been marked for destruction.
Timeless principles: Regardless of how we are seeking to do God’s will, fear is something we will experience. Fear is the basic response that causes us to quickly take action which removes us from danger. In this way it is a reasonable response given by God to protect us. When we allow it to control our lives and actions and to prevent us from doing right it falls into the real of problem. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of peace. Once the immediate crises is reacted to we must set aside fear and develop a reasonable plan of action.
How can I apply what I’ve learned: Remember not to let fear rule your life. It isn’t wrong to protect yourself but, you can’t let fear prevent you from doing what God wants you to do. Praise God for the young lady who represented California in the Miss USA contest. She battled with her desire to win and allowed faith in God to override fear of loosing. She answered the truth in faith and represented not only God but the vast majority of people in her state. The politically correct judge sought to destroy her for her speech and to punish her for her thoughts and her faith. God has lifted her in the eyes of His people to stand as a shining example of faith.
more to learn for in-depth study: Elijah was sent to anoint 3 people to do God’s work. Hazael would be king of Syria, Nimshi would be king of Israel, and Elisha would become prophet in Elijah’s place. These three would become the tools of judgment against Israel for it’s idolatry.
This passage hints at the evil of Jezebel. She led the nation in worshiping Baal and in all the evil that went with that religion. She was treacherous, a schemer, a murderess, in short, “a Jezebel”. There is a reason that name has become a curse and an insult in our society and there is a reason people don’t name their daughter’s Jezebel. Unfortunately, far to few people remember that reason in a world that claims to love their faith but never reads their bibles. When preachers refuse to teach condemnation no one can learn the need for salvation. Jezebel is a case study in condemnation. That’s probably why no one really learns about her anymore.
On the upside, she will get her “come-uppins” in the end.
tomorrow: First Kings 22
God is still available for the big miracles today, but when we need to know His will we are most likely to hear it when we learn to “be still and know that [He] is God.” It is only then when we are quiet enough to hear and learn from that “still, small voice”
Promises: There is always a remnant. Israel never failed to find trouble and usually in a very short time period after getting out of trouble. No matter how much evil they did and how thoroughly they were marked for destruction, God has always preserved a remnant for Himself. Since the Day of His promise to Abraham, he has never let Israel be destroyed. Not one tribe has been reduced so far that it could not be maintained. A remnant of those loyal to God has always been kept to ensure the continuation of His people.
Commands: When God gives a command it had better be followed. Ahab repeated Saul’s mistake by sparing a king who had been marked for destruction.
Timeless principles: Regardless of how we are seeking to do God’s will, fear is something we will experience. Fear is the basic response that causes us to quickly take action which removes us from danger. In this way it is a reasonable response given by God to protect us. When we allow it to control our lives and actions and to prevent us from doing right it falls into the real of problem. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of peace. Once the immediate crises is reacted to we must set aside fear and develop a reasonable plan of action.
How can I apply what I’ve learned: Remember not to let fear rule your life. It isn’t wrong to protect yourself but, you can’t let fear prevent you from doing what God wants you to do. Praise God for the young lady who represented California in the Miss USA contest. She battled with her desire to win and allowed faith in God to override fear of loosing. She answered the truth in faith and represented not only God but the vast majority of people in her state. The politically correct judge sought to destroy her for her speech and to punish her for her thoughts and her faith. God has lifted her in the eyes of His people to stand as a shining example of faith.
more to learn for in-depth study: Elijah was sent to anoint 3 people to do God’s work. Hazael would be king of Syria, Nimshi would be king of Israel, and Elisha would become prophet in Elijah’s place. These three would become the tools of judgment against Israel for it’s idolatry.
This passage hints at the evil of Jezebel. She led the nation in worshiping Baal and in all the evil that went with that religion. She was treacherous, a schemer, a murderess, in short, “a Jezebel”. There is a reason that name has become a curse and an insult in our society and there is a reason people don’t name their daughter’s Jezebel. Unfortunately, far to few people remember that reason in a world that claims to love their faith but never reads their bibles. When preachers refuse to teach condemnation no one can learn the need for salvation. Jezebel is a case study in condemnation. That’s probably why no one really learns about her anymore.
On the upside, she will get her “come-uppins” in the end.
tomorrow: First Kings 22
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
First Kings 17-18
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God’s message to me: “I will provide.” That’s what God says to me. Through every problem in my life and through every time of “famine” God has provided. There have been times of plenty. As a long haul trucker I made plenty of money and had no worries. I have also had times like this when I couldn’t get work, couldn’t make ends meet and God had to provide. As a child and as an adult, even in the leanest of times, I have never gone without a roof over my head and food on the table. It wasn’t always what I wanted but it was sufficient for my needs. God is capable of prospering us greatly or of simply providing our needs. He does these things to let us know He is God.
In my time of plenty I often forgot Him, skipping church for months or even years, being a workaholic, being a bad example and so on. In my times of little God has reminded me He provides all so that when the plenty returned I remembered Him and when the little returned I trusted Him.
Promises: God can provide all our needs and “possible” has nothing to do it. When the common way of doing things is not available God can use the uncommon and even the supernatural to provide.
Commands: Do not tolerate false Gods or false teachers. The Lord will provide the proof of His truth and existence. Just as he did for Elijah He can and will do the impossible to prove himself. Burning the offering on wood and alter socked with water and an offering soaked in water with a pool of water all around was nothing for the God who can let an entire town be leveled by a tornado and leave the church untouched in the middle. You’ve seen those photo’s and you understand what I’m saying. Those who can see His miracles and still deny Him have made their choice. The rest of us can learn and turn to Him.
It was predicted that the prophets of Baal and Asherah would be sacrificed and in this story we see them all killed after their god was proven false and Jehovah proven true. Note that God didn’t ask for blind faith but provided ample evidence before asking for action.
Timeless principles: not every little disaster is a curse from God. The widow’s son became very ill and died. She saw this as judgment for her sins. God used it as an opportunity to show His unlimited power. God raised the child from the dead showing he could do much more than simply meet their needs.
How can I apply what I’ve learned: Trust God for our needs no matter how great or small. From providing the next meal to raising the dead, God has provided examples to show He is capable of all that we need.
more to learn for in-depth study: Here is an exception to the rule. Elijah is a hero of the bible who did not live the life of Donald Trump. After predicting drought and famine for the king of Israel He lived in hiding near a small stream where ravens brought him food and he drank from the stream. When the stream dried up he lived with a widow and her son. They had a little flour and a little oil and the Lord made sure it never ran out but they did not go without. they weren’t prospering. The four and oil weren’t multiplying so that they had extra and could give it or sell it. It was never used up and it was sufficient for their needs.
tomorrow: First Kings 19-21
God’s message to me: “I will provide.” That’s what God says to me. Through every problem in my life and through every time of “famine” God has provided. There have been times of plenty. As a long haul trucker I made plenty of money and had no worries. I have also had times like this when I couldn’t get work, couldn’t make ends meet and God had to provide. As a child and as an adult, even in the leanest of times, I have never gone without a roof over my head and food on the table. It wasn’t always what I wanted but it was sufficient for my needs. God is capable of prospering us greatly or of simply providing our needs. He does these things to let us know He is God.
In my time of plenty I often forgot Him, skipping church for months or even years, being a workaholic, being a bad example and so on. In my times of little God has reminded me He provides all so that when the plenty returned I remembered Him and when the little returned I trusted Him.
Promises: God can provide all our needs and “possible” has nothing to do it. When the common way of doing things is not available God can use the uncommon and even the supernatural to provide.
Commands: Do not tolerate false Gods or false teachers. The Lord will provide the proof of His truth and existence. Just as he did for Elijah He can and will do the impossible to prove himself. Burning the offering on wood and alter socked with water and an offering soaked in water with a pool of water all around was nothing for the God who can let an entire town be leveled by a tornado and leave the church untouched in the middle. You’ve seen those photo’s and you understand what I’m saying. Those who can see His miracles and still deny Him have made their choice. The rest of us can learn and turn to Him.
It was predicted that the prophets of Baal and Asherah would be sacrificed and in this story we see them all killed after their god was proven false and Jehovah proven true. Note that God didn’t ask for blind faith but provided ample evidence before asking for action.
Timeless principles: not every little disaster is a curse from God. The widow’s son became very ill and died. She saw this as judgment for her sins. God used it as an opportunity to show His unlimited power. God raised the child from the dead showing he could do much more than simply meet their needs.
How can I apply what I’ve learned: Trust God for our needs no matter how great or small. From providing the next meal to raising the dead, God has provided examples to show He is capable of all that we need.
more to learn for in-depth study: Here is an exception to the rule. Elijah is a hero of the bible who did not live the life of Donald Trump. After predicting drought and famine for the king of Israel He lived in hiding near a small stream where ravens brought him food and he drank from the stream. When the stream dried up he lived with a widow and her son. They had a little flour and a little oil and the Lord made sure it never ran out but they did not go without. they weren’t prospering. The four and oil weren’t multiplying so that they had extra and could give it or sell it. It was never used up and it was sufficient for their needs.
tomorrow: First Kings 19-21
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
First Kings 14-16
God’s message to me: Prophecies are fulfilled literally even if it takes a long time. It was over 650 years after Joshua made the prophecy about Jericho that someone tried to rebuild the city and the prophecy was fulfilled exactly as it had been given.
Promises: God keeps his promises. He promised David that his family would keep the throne and they did because he had followed God throughout his life. Due to the sins of these ruler some had exceptionally short careers as king but the family did continue to rule. King Asa was one who had a long career. Because he walked in the ways of the Lord and even removed his Grandmother from being queen mother because of her Idolatry, God allowed him to rule 41 years in Jerusalem and lead his people in the ways of the Lord.
Commands: Do not turn from God and do not lead others away from Him. How many kings of Israel and Judah do you need to see destroyed for this sin before you know the consequence. Asa led the people back to God and reigned 41 years. David and Solomon ruled 40 years each so at this point Asa was setting a record for time on the throne.
Timeless principles: OK, this one should be obvious. Don’t make God angry. You won’t like Him much when He is angry at you.
How can I apply what I’ve learned: When reading prophecy, take it literally. When God speaks figuratively he always provides a literal translation or explains that the things described could not be understood in earthly terms. There are no exceptions to this rule in the bible. The Bible is filled with prophecies and over 2/3 of the are already fulfilled. Each one was fulfilled literally as it was written. Those who claim the prophecies are open to interpretation are LYING TO YOU.
more to learn for in-depth study: The books of the chronicles of the kings of Israel and the chronicles of the kings of Judah are more books that are not found in the bible. The books of first and second Chronicles cover a lot of that history as well but the history books referred to here are just that, history books. They aren’t scripture so they aren’t found in the bible.
Jeroboam reigned 22 years. Because he led Israel into worshiping idols and false gods, god promised to remove his family like trash and send the Israelites out of the land. God had given him most of Israel to rule because of Solomon’s idolatry and he didn’t learn from the previous king’s mistake. As predicted, his son Nadab was murdered by Baasha and Baasha took over the throne of Israel. Then he killed everyone in the house of Jeroboam.
God also promised that all these things would only be for a time. Other prophecies found elsewhere in the bible predict the reuniting of Israel, the birth and ruler ship of Jesus from the house of David, and the perpetual kingdom of Israel which will never be removed.
Jeroboam’s son Nadab took the throne after him. In the meantime Rehoboam is doing an equally bad job of leading Judah by setting up worship of false Gods. He rules only 17 years and is replaced by his son Abijam who reigned only 3 years and was replaced by his son Asa.
Baasha would only last 24 years and continue the sins of the house of Jeroboam. God made the same promise of destruction to him and after he died his son Elah took over and was murdered and replaced 2 years later by the commander of his Chariots, Zimri. Zimri then killed off all his family and friends.
The army wasn’t to happy with Zimri killing the king so they appointe Omri king and began another civil war within a civil war. Israel and Judah had been at war since Solomon’s death and now Israel was fighting amongst itself as well. The fight began only a week after Zimri took over and he burned the kings house down with himself in it when he lost the fight. Half the people wanted to make Tibni king and the other half were following Omri. Omri prevailed and Tibni died so that Omri became king of Israel. Omri built the city of Samaria and was followed by his son Ahab who ruled from that city and each was worse than the previous in continuing to provoke God.
Ahab married Jezebel the daughter of the king of Sidonia. He worshiped Baal and Ashorah. In his time the prophecy spoken through Joshua was fulfilled when Hiel of Bethel built Jericho laying its foundations with the life of his first born and setting up it’s gates with the life of his youngest.
tomorrow: First Kings 17-18
Promises: God keeps his promises. He promised David that his family would keep the throne and they did because he had followed God throughout his life. Due to the sins of these ruler some had exceptionally short careers as king but the family did continue to rule. King Asa was one who had a long career. Because he walked in the ways of the Lord and even removed his Grandmother from being queen mother because of her Idolatry, God allowed him to rule 41 years in Jerusalem and lead his people in the ways of the Lord.
Commands: Do not turn from God and do not lead others away from Him. How many kings of Israel and Judah do you need to see destroyed for this sin before you know the consequence. Asa led the people back to God and reigned 41 years. David and Solomon ruled 40 years each so at this point Asa was setting a record for time on the throne.
Timeless principles: OK, this one should be obvious. Don’t make God angry. You won’t like Him much when He is angry at you.
How can I apply what I’ve learned: When reading prophecy, take it literally. When God speaks figuratively he always provides a literal translation or explains that the things described could not be understood in earthly terms. There are no exceptions to this rule in the bible. The Bible is filled with prophecies and over 2/3 of the are already fulfilled. Each one was fulfilled literally as it was written. Those who claim the prophecies are open to interpretation are LYING TO YOU.
more to learn for in-depth study: The books of the chronicles of the kings of Israel and the chronicles of the kings of Judah are more books that are not found in the bible. The books of first and second Chronicles cover a lot of that history as well but the history books referred to here are just that, history books. They aren’t scripture so they aren’t found in the bible.
Jeroboam reigned 22 years. Because he led Israel into worshiping idols and false gods, god promised to remove his family like trash and send the Israelites out of the land. God had given him most of Israel to rule because of Solomon’s idolatry and he didn’t learn from the previous king’s mistake. As predicted, his son Nadab was murdered by Baasha and Baasha took over the throne of Israel. Then he killed everyone in the house of Jeroboam.
God also promised that all these things would only be for a time. Other prophecies found elsewhere in the bible predict the reuniting of Israel, the birth and ruler ship of Jesus from the house of David, and the perpetual kingdom of Israel which will never be removed.
Jeroboam’s son Nadab took the throne after him. In the meantime Rehoboam is doing an equally bad job of leading Judah by setting up worship of false Gods. He rules only 17 years and is replaced by his son Abijam who reigned only 3 years and was replaced by his son Asa.
Baasha would only last 24 years and continue the sins of the house of Jeroboam. God made the same promise of destruction to him and after he died his son Elah took over and was murdered and replaced 2 years later by the commander of his Chariots, Zimri. Zimri then killed off all his family and friends.
The army wasn’t to happy with Zimri killing the king so they appointe Omri king and began another civil war within a civil war. Israel and Judah had been at war since Solomon’s death and now Israel was fighting amongst itself as well. The fight began only a week after Zimri took over and he burned the kings house down with himself in it when he lost the fight. Half the people wanted to make Tibni king and the other half were following Omri. Omri prevailed and Tibni died so that Omri became king of Israel. Omri built the city of Samaria and was followed by his son Ahab who ruled from that city and each was worse than the previous in continuing to provoke God.
Ahab married Jezebel the daughter of the king of Sidonia. He worshiped Baal and Ashorah. In his time the prophecy spoken through Joshua was fulfilled when Hiel of Bethel built Jericho laying its foundations with the life of his first born and setting up it’s gates with the life of his youngest.
tomorrow: First Kings 17-18
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