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2 Kings 10 Passion for the Whole Word of God

1/30/2016

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For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God Acts 20:27
For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God Acts 20:27
2 Kings 10
Today we continue the story of Jehu, who was anointed king of Israel and then assassinated the Ahazia, King of Israel and Joram, king of Judah in obedience to The Lord. He then watched as Jezebel’s eunuchs threw her out of a window and let dogs eat her from the street. But he was not finished. God had told him, “And you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her.” (2 Kings 9:7-10).
Jehu was passionate about this mission from God. He cleverly and zealously pursued his calling. It was no small undertaking. Verses 1-3 read,
“Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the rulers of the city, to the elders, and to the guardians of the sons of Ahab, saying, 2 “Now then, as soon as this letter comes to you, seeing your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, fortified cities also, and weapons, 3 select the best and fittest of your master's sons and set him on his father's throne and fight for your master's house.” 
What Jehu told the guardians was basically, ‘I’m coming to make war on you and kill all of you, and you better hope some of those kids can be your king in battle.’ Verses 4-5 record their reply.
“But they were exceedingly afraid and said, “Behold, the two kings could not stand before him. How then can we stand?” 5 So he who was over the palace, and he who was over the city, together with the elders and the guardians, sent to Jehu, saying, “We are your servants, and we will do all that you tell us. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your eyes.”
God made sure that everyone had heard about Ahazia and Joram’s deaths. They were so filled with fear simply by his reputation that they eagerly surrendered their charges and submitted to Jehu as their king. Verses 6-8 continue the account.
“Then he wrote to them a second letter, saying, “If you are on my side, and if you are ready to obey me, take the heads of your master's sons and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow at this time.” Now the king's sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were bringing them up. 7 And as soon as the letter came to them, they took the king's sons and slaughtered them, seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets and sent them to him at Jezreel. 8 When the messenger came and told him, “They have brought the heads of the king's sons,” he said, “Lay them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until the morning.”
Jehu had only to lift a pen to continue his mission for God. He had obeyed and the Lord had grown his reputation. Now he could look at every person and show them what God had done. Verses 9-11 read,
“Then in the morning, when he went out, he stood and said to all the people, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him, but who struck down all these? 10 Know then that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the Lord, which the Lord spoke concerning the house of Ahab, for the Lord has done what he said by his servant Elijah.” 11 So Jehu struck down all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, all his great men and his close friends and his priests, until he left him none remaining.”
But the task was not yet done, there was more. Jehu was dogged in his fervor for this one command form God. He was not going to leave any part of it undone. And the more he continued the greater his reputation grew and the more he was cemented as Israel’s king. Verses 12-14 read,
“Then he set out and went to Samaria. On the way, when he was at Beth-eked of the Shepherds, 13 Jehu met the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah, and he said, “Who are you?” And they answered, “We are the relatives of Ahaziah, and we came down to visit the royal princes and the sons of the queen mother.” 14 He said, “Take them alive.” And they took them alive and slaughtered them at the pit of Beth-eked, forty-two persons, and he spared none of them.”
The people Jehu met were not blood related to Ahab, they were relatives of Ahazia. When Jehu asked them who they were they could have identified themselves as servants King Jehu, Israelites and children of God, or any number of ways. But they identified themselves as relatives of Ahazia. Because they declared themselves that way, it showed they refused to submit to Jehu as king. Their pride made them Ahabites, even when their blood did not. They took Ahazia’s name and he had taken Ahab’s name. They chose their allegiance and they chose their destiny.
Jehu then met someone else on the road. Verses 15-17 say,
“And when he departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him. And he greeted him and said to him, “Is your heart true to my heart as mine is to yours?” And Jehonadab answered, “It is.” Jehu said, “If it is, give me your hand.” So he gave him his hand. And Jehu took him up with him into the chariot. 16 And he said, “Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord.” So he had him ride in his chariot. 17 And when he came to Samaria, he struck down all who remained to Ahab in Samaria, till he had wiped them out, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke to Elijah.”
Jehonadab declared his loyalty to Jehu and so he was allowed to go with Jehu and see what he did. There was no one in Ahab’s line left, but there were still worshippers and prophets of Baal. Jehu’s vehemence for this one command was not over yet. Verses 18-27 describe Jehu’s cunning plot to destroy everything to do with Baal in Israel.
“Then Jehu assembled all the people and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much. 19 Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests. Let none be missing, for I have a great sacrifice to offer to Baal. Whoever is missing shall not live.” But Jehu did it with cunning in order to destroy the worshipers of Baal. 20 And Jehu ordered, “Sanctify a solemn assembly for Baal.” So they proclaimed it. 21 And Jehu sent throughout all Israel, and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. And they entered the house of Baal, and the house of Baal was filled from one end to the other. 22 He said to him who was in charge of the wardrobe, “Bring out the vestments for all the worshipers of Baal.” So he brought out the vestments for them. 23 Then Jehu went into the house of Baal with Jehonadab the son of Rechab, and he said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search, and see that there is no servant of the Lord here among you, but only the worshipers of Baal.” 24 Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings.
Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and said, “The man who allows any of those whom I give into your hands to escape shall forfeit his life.” 25 So as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guard and to the officers, “Go in and strike them down; let not a man escape.” So when they put them to the sword, the guard and the officers cast them out and went into the inner room of the house of Baal, 26 and they brought out the pillar that was in the house of Baal and burned it. 27 And they demolished the pillar of Baal, and demolished the house of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day.”
Jehu’s great sacrifice was every worshipper, prophet of Baal, the temple, and the pillar. He turned the idol’s worship and place of worship into a toilet. Now he had carried out his command from The Lord and he could settle onto Israel’s throne. Verses 28-36 read,
“Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel. 29 But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin—that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan. 30 And the Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.” 31 But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin.”
“In those days the Lord began to cut off parts of Israel. Hazael defeated them throughout the territory of Israel: 33 from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the Valley of the Arnon, that is, Gilead and Bashan. 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehu and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 35 So Jehu slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his place.36 The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.”
Jehu was passionate for one command God had given him. He was passionate against two groups of people Ahab’s line and Baal worshippers. He was not passionate for all of God’s Word. He chose which commands he would obey and which he would disregard. He let the false religion that Jeroboam had set up to untruly worship God stand. God honored Jehu’s partial obedience partially. His sons would reign for four generations, not seven, not one thousand, just four. God began to cut off parts of Israel and prepare them for Judgement because of Jehu’s partial worship of God.
Jehu was passionate against Ahab, not passionate for God. Don’t we sometimes do that too? We pick one or two commands that suit us and we are all about it. We wear the banner of anti-something instead of the banner of Christ. We picket against this group or that because of their blatant hate for God, but we do not remember how deeply God loves them. We pretend we hate the sin as much as God does, but we don’t love the ‘sinner’ in spirit or in truth. Picketing, slandering, and spurning are not definitions of love. Love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, this is a description of Jesus, and how we are to be as bearers of His image. It is not warm feelings or words it is action.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Like Jehu, God gave us a mission too. Matthew 28:18-20 records it.
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus gave us two commandments which He said were the crux of all the commandments of Scripture. Matthew 22:37-40 reads,
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Our mission involves teaching people to observe all Jesus commanded us to do. He commanded us to love God with our entire beings and so love people and care about them the way we care about ourselves. He then made it profoundly simple by telling us how to do that. John 13:34-35 says,
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Believer, be zealous for God, all of Him. Be passionate for His whole Word and all His people. Do that by love. Love is active and tangible. Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Choosing one part of His word or character and disregarding the rest is making a false religion and that is called idolatry.
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 2 Kings 1 God Saves the Humble, but the Haughty are Brought Low

1/14/2016

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For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. Psalm 18:27
For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. Psalm 18:27
2 Kings 1
After the death of Ahab, his son Ahaziah ruled. He ruled two years and did evil in the sight of the Lord (1 Kings 22:51-53). Verses 1-2 begin his story.
“After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel.
2 Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.”
Accidents happen. Bad things happen. When they do, we have choices of how to respond. We can respond by leaning on ourselves, the world, our idols, or on God. We can answer by fear or faith, pity or compassion, love or anger. Our response is our choice. Proverbs 3:5-8 says,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
    and refreshment to your bones.”

Ahaziah was hurt really badly. He responded by leaning on the world, on the idols he served. He served Baal like mother Jezebel and that is what he turned to for answers and hope. How many times have we turned to money to solve our problems instead of The Lord? How many times is prayer our last resort after we have exhausted every other resource? But we forget that God is the source of every resource. He is The LORD. He is able.
So Ahaziah’s messenger left to inquire of Baal-zebub. Baal-zebub means lord of flies and Ahaziah thought that this god could heal his injuries or at least tell him how long it would be before he recovered, since he credited it with sending his injuries as well. But even though Ahaziah completely disregarded God, God still knew what was happening with the King of Israel. Verses 3-8 read,
“But the angel of the Lordsaid to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? 4 Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah went.
5 The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?” 6 And they said to him, “There came a man to meet us, and said to us, ‘Go back to the king who sent you, and say to him, Thus says the Lord, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” 7 He said to them, “What kind of man was he who came to meet you and told you these things?” 8 They answered him, “He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”
God confronted Ahaziah with his blatant disbelief when He asked the king, “Is it because there is not God in Israel…?” He asked him why he had not just asked Him instead of turning to an idol. But Ahaziah was so proud that he completely ignored the God who had given him his throne. Had he called on God things would have ended differently. God could have saved him. God does not help those who help themselves. He helps those who need Him. Ahaziah refused to need God. Psalm 72:12-13 says,
“For he delivers the needy when he calls,
    the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
    and saves the lives of the needy.”

Even at this point Ahaziah could have listened to the words delivered by Elijah and humbled himself. He chose instead to react in anger and haughtiness. Verses 9-10 record his reaction.
“Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty men with his fifty. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” 10 But Elijah answered the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.”
The king was so angry at Elijah’s message he sent fifty men and their captain to apprehend him. When we overreact to such an extent, it is usually because we are trying to protect a lie. Ahaziah was trying to protect the lie that God was not The One True Living God, The LORD.
Fifty one men sent to apprehend one man is a bit much, but it could have been 501 men. They would have been no more successful. They depended on the king. Elijah depended on the King of kings who created the universe. How did Ahaziah respond? Did he humble himself and admit that The LORD is the Almighty? Nope. Verses 11-12 read,
“Again the king sent to him another captain of fifty men with his fifty. And he answered and said to him, “O man of God, this is the king's order, ‘Come down quickly!’” 12 But Elijah answered them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.”
Ahaziah did exactly the same thing and it had exactly the same results. What did he do next? Well, if the definition of insanity is ‘doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’, then Ahaziah was insane because he sent a third captain and his men to bring Elijah in. But the captain was not crazy. Verses 13-15 read,
“Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. 14 Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight.” 15 Then the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king. “
Even though the king refused to submit himself to The LORD, his representative was smart enough to recognize God’s power in Elijah and humble himself. And he got a different result, The Lord told Elijah to go with the captain and his troops. The captain’s humility saved his life and gave him what he asked for. Verses 16-18 continue the story.
“and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word?—therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’”
17 So he died according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken. Jehoram became king in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, because Ahaziah had no son. 18 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?”
God’s message had not changed. Ahaziah had not changed and he refused to acknowledge the LORD or be contrite for his idolatry. So he died. He was king for a mere two years and his brother became king in his stead because he didn’t have a son. His line ended with him because he was too proud to ask the Lord for help. He died because he was too haughty to think soundly and recognize the greatness of the Lord and the love, healing, and salvation He offered.
What about you? Have you turned to your idols, money, power, business, intelligence, charm, recreation, or something else to help you instead of turning to the Lord? Have you sought answers from these things instead of asking the Lord? Do you believe He is who He says He is? The way to strengthen your faith is to exercise it. In Matthew 7:7-11 Jesus said,
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
​
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1 Kings 22:1-40 Do not Despise Prophecies

1/13/2016

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Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10b
Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10b
1 Kings 22:1-40
Prophecy is truly a wonderful gift from God. He speaks to us through the Scriptures, into our hearts and spirits, through signs and by His voice. But not every Word we receive is what we want to hear. Sometimes He must rebuke or reprove us. There are times when He warns us. And there are times when His answer is just not what we want to hear.
This was the case with King Ahab; he didn’t like hearing bad news. All but one of the prophets who served him gave into his fears. Verses 1-6 begin the narrative.
“For three years Syria and Israel continued without war.2 But in the third year Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 3 And the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we keep quiet and do not take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?” 4 And he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
5 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord.” 6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”
Four hundred prophets all gave Ahab and Jehoshaphat good news.  But God also spoke to Jehoshaphat and impressed on him that there was another prophet who Ahab had not included in the gathering. Verses 7-9 read,
“But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?”8 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 9 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.”
Because Micaiah prophesied truthfully to Ahab, Ahab said he hated the prophet. Jehoshaphat was quick to gently rebuke the king. Micaiah was a prophet, a servant of the Most High, and a vessel for the Word of God. Hating him was sinful. Hating a servant of God is akin to hating God. 1 John 2:9-11 says,
“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
Ahab was still acting like a spoiled child hating discipline and bad news. He was afraid of bad news. The faithful have no reason to be afraid of any prophetic word, good or bad news. The faithful has no reason to fear anything. God is the LORD, He is I Am Who I Am. He is with us and will remain with us. He is our power, authority, and shield. Psalm 112:6-9 encourages us this way,
“For the righteous will never be moved;
    he will be remembered forever.
7 He is not afraid of bad news;
    his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
    until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever;
    his horn is exalted in honor.”

Micaiah came into the throne room and watched another prophet prophesy. Verses 10-14 say,
“Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.’” 12 And all the prophets prophesied so and said, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”
13 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 14 But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I will speak.”
Zedekiah prophesied victory for Judah and Israel in a dramatic way with horns (symbols of power) made of iron (symbols of strength). But was he leaving something out? Every one of the approximately 400 hundred prophets said the same thing. But Jehoshaphat still wanted to hear form Micaiah. Micaiah was a true prophet who made an oath that he would only speak what The LORD said, even when he was warned of the danger of including the bad news that the rest of the prophets knew, but omitted. Verses 14-24 read,
“But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I will speak.”15 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he answered him, “Go up and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” 16 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” 17 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’” 18 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” 19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; 20 and the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’22 And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 23 Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.”
At first Micaiah withheld the entire message and told the kings only the good news. But Ahab knew he had more. Although he didn’t want to hear it, it irked him that Micaiah would prove him wrong in front of Jehoshaphat by waiting to finish his message. God wanted Ahab to ask for the truth and receive it. So Micaiah gave him the rest of the news. King Ahab was not governing Israel well, the people were lost and scattered and so the plan to take back Ramoth-gilead was put into him by the Lord so that he would go into battle and be killed in order to give Israel the king they needed.
The bad news upset more than just Ahab. Zedekiah realized if Ahab died his cushy time of “prophesying” what the king wanted to hear would end too. He also realized that he could be punished for not speaking the true words of God. His rash reaction and King Ahab’s reaction are recorded in verses 24-28.
“Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?” 25 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 26 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, 27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, until I come in peace.”’” 28 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”
Zedekiah hit Micaiah in the face! And Ahab threw the prophet in prison until he returned safely. Micaiah promised the king that he would remain in prison because God had promised Ahab not return safely. Ahab wanted to battle but decided he could outwit God and live. Verses 29-41 read,
“So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. 31 Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel.” 32 And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is surely the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out.33 And when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.34 But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” 35 And the battle continued that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians, until at evening he died. And the blood of the wound flowed into the bottom of the chariot. 36 And about sunset a cry went through the army, “Every man to his city, and every man to his country!”
37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. 38 And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes washed themselves in it, according to the word of the Lord that he had spoken. 39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did, and the ivory house that he built and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 40 So Ahab slept with his fathers, and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.”
Ahab couldn’t hide from God. A ‘random’ arrow directed by The LORD just happened to hit Ahab in the tiny space in his armor. Ahab didn’t die quickly. He watched the battle and slowly bled to death. Did he use the time to repent? Did he use the time to curse the Lord? We do not know. He had time to do either. We do know Ahab had despised prophecy and so had not let God’s Word teach him, help him grow, or allow him to know God on a deeper level.  He was still the childish and selfish king he was on the day he had repented for his evil with Elijah (1 Kings 21:27-29).
Had Ahab listened to the true and complete prophesies of Micaiah, he would have grown, he would have come to know and love the Lord more and more. God would not have been moved to remove him from the throne. Not every word we hear from God is sunshine and roses. Not every promise He gives us is lollipops and rainbow. But every word from God is wrapped in love with a purpose that is good for us. Every word He speaks is gold and precious. Proverbs 3:11-12 reminds us,
“My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
    or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
    as a father the son in whom he delights.”

Prophecy has a purpose. It builds up the church.  It causes the church to grow become stronger. It encourages the church, it emboldens and inspires action. It comforts through times of suffering and develops character in the believer. 1 Corinthians 14:3-5 says,
“On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.”
Believer, we are in a time with more and more prophecy being given and fulfilled. The testimony of Jesus is spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10). We do not have to be afraid of any word God gives us. He loves us. But we do have to know God well enough to discern His word from a lie. Even Ahab knew the prophets were withholding the truth from him. In our time, heeding prophecy and prophesying are a significant part of a faithful life of following Jesus. Paul said it this way in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-25,
“Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us.”
​
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1 Kings 21 Ahab and Naboth’s Vineyard

1/12/2016

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You save a humble people,     but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down. 2 Samuel 22:28   Photo by Denise Hogan
You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down. 2 Samuel 22:28 Photo by Denise Hogan
​1 Kings 21
Ahab was greedy, selfish, and egocentric. Jezebel was manipulative, cunning, and narcissistic. Together the evil they perpetrated was worse than any king before Ahab and worse than any person on the face of the earth before him. (1 Kings 21:25). That is not a title any of us might want for ourselves. The bible tells of some really horrible acts but Ahab and Jezebel outdid them all. Although Ahab was king and had wealth beyond what most of us will ever experience, he was not content. How many of the filthy rich are? How many of us are? Verses 1-4 read,
“Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” 3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” 4 And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.”
Did Ahab need that vineyard? Could he have found a place for a vegetable garden somewhere else? He didn’t need it, he wanted it. Naboth’s inheritance was well cared for and precious because of it. our inheritance, our eternal life when well-tended is priceless to us and should be desired by the world. But Ahab couldn’t have Naboth’s vineyard because it was not his to inherit.
Ahab thought he could use his position and wealth to gain whatever he wanted but Naboth obeyed the Lord before he obeyed his king. I can’t imagine it was easy to tell the king no, but the Lord commanded it. And Ahab reacted like a brooding brat and sulked on his bed, even refusing to eat as if he were mourning a death instead of hearing “no.”
Ahab’s other half would have none of it. Her power rested with her husband. If he looked weak, she looked weak. So she devised a plan. Verses 5-10 read,
“But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” 6 And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” 7 And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city.9 And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. 10 And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
Let’s look at this story through prophetic eyes of the Holy Spirit. Naboth is a type of Christ (a foreshadowing and representation of Jesus Christ), his vineyard is salvation. Ahab represents the Roman government and Jezebel the chief priests and Jewish council. As we read let’s keep this in mind.
Ahab was morose and pouting but he didn’t see what action he could take. Jezebel though hated the idea of anyone having more power than her husband, which meant they had more power than her. She loved the power she held as queen. She was not only going to have Naboth killed, but she was going to do it by having him accused and sentenced for blasphemy. Blasphemy was the most grievous crime one could be accused of and worthy of capital punishment.
The chief priests and the Jewish council loved the cushy relationship and power they held in the Roman government. Although the Roman’s completely discounted the Lord God, the priests didn’t regard God either, they regarded the Law and the politics of their religion. They didn’t want Jesus usurping the Roman government and forcing them to get in bed with a new king.
Jezebel carried out her plan. Verses 11-16 say,
“And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, 12 they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. 13 And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. 14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.”
15 As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” 16 And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.”
Ahab didn’t kill Naboth directly but he was responsible for his murder and he was thrilled because that meant that Naboth’s inheritance was now his to take. But God didn’t let him just take it and not face his sin. Verses 17-24 describe what happened.
“Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 18 “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. 19 And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.”’
20 Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. 21 Behold, I will bring disaster upon you. I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. 22 And I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the anger to which you have provoked me, and because you have made Israel to sin. 23 And of Jezebel the Lord also said, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.’ 24 Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat.”
Elijah confronted Ahab with his sin and told him what the consequences would be. Ahab considered Elijah is enemy because the Lord spoke through His prophet and consistently made Ahab see his actions were not right. Ahab was an evil man. He is described in verses 25-26.
“(There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. 26 He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.)”
What would Ahab do now? Here was Elijah telling him he knew Ahab had murdered Naboth in order to steal his vineyard. Would he murder Elijah? Would he throw him in prison? Would he torture him? Verse 27 records Ahab’s response.
“And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly.”
This wicked man was contrite? What? This man who was more dedicated to evil than anyone before him was repentant? So how did God respond? Did He say, “Well sorry isn’t good enough” or did he give Ahab a list of requirements so that he could be saved from his own death sentence? Verses 28-29 record the Lord’s answer.
“And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”
Ahab humbled himself and the Lord forgave him. The man who had committed himself to self-promotion, malevolence, and power had humbled himself before The LORD. God accepted his remorseful attitude and forgave him. He delivered Ahab from his death sentence, but promised that his sons (those who followed in his evil) would still pay.
Ahab, like the gentiles received the Lord’s inheritance because he accepted God’s word, recognized his sin and repented. There is nothing you could do that would be so bad God would not forgive you. If God could forgive Ahab, don’t you think He could forgive you? I have believed the enemy’s lie that I was the most evil person in the entire world, but Ahab actually was! God forgave him when he humbled himself. God forgave me when I humbled myself. He can and will forgive you too.
No one is beyond redemption. God sent Elijah to Ahab and He sends us to the world. We cannot assume that someone is outside of God’s reach. He has no bounds. Nothing is impossible for Him.
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1 Kings 19 God Disciplines His Children, He Doesn’t Punish Us.

10/11/2015

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​1 Kings 19
Elijah’s job was difficult. He was a prophet of The Lord to Israel, a nation who had gone astray under Jeroboam and kept getting worse under each successive king. But he did it and he did it faithfully. He had just proved the futility of following Baal to all of Israel, killed the idol’s 450 prophets and ended a three year drought. I imagine he was on a spiritual high, feeling good, living in power and with authority of The Lord. As often happens when we are having a “mountain top” experience, the enemy attacked. Ahab told Jezebel everything that had transpired between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Jezebel didn’t take the news well. She was a vicious woman who had completely supported the 450 prophets. It was because of her that the religion prospered in The Northern Kingdom.  (1 Kings 18:19).
In verse 2 Jezebel made an oath to Elijah which she delivered by messenger. She said, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Verses 3-4 read,
“Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
He was frightened. He knew who Jezebel was and what she was capable of. His fear drove him into the wilderness. His despair led him to lay down, give up and die. His fear and his despair vanquished his faith. But God was not finished with Elijah yet. God remained faithful. Verses 5-8 say,
“And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.”
He walked in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights. Israel had wandered in the wilderness forty years while The Lord taught them who they were as His people.  Later, Jesus would go to the wilderness and fast for forty days before beginning His ministry. Elijah was fasting during this forty day journey but he was miraculously kept strong, the Lord’s provision had been all he needed during the trek. But Elijah was running away from his problems. He might have changed his mind about wanting to die, but he was finished dealing with people. He ran from his problems and straight to God, even if he didn’t realize it. He arrived to Horeb, where Moses had received the Law from The Lord. He found a cave and made himself at home. The Lord asked him “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Elijah, the great prophet of The Lord answered like a whiny little boy. Verse 10 reads,
“He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”
A month and half before, Elijah had been on a spiritual high but now he thought everything he had done for God had been for nothing. God said, “Go outside before The Lord.” Just like a dad saying, “Elijah, come here.” I think Elijah was ready for his punishment. I imagine him taking a deep breath and like a little boy submitting to whatever punishment his Father had for him, ready to go outside, trembling wondering what would happen. Verses 11-13 read,
“And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper, 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 
Imagine that roaring wind, like a tornado breaking rocks into pieces. But God wasn’t in that unforgiving destructive wind. Then an earthquake. It must have been terrifying to be in the cave opening with the earth shaking under him. But The Lord wasn’t in the devastating earthquake. And then came a fire. And God wasn’t in that dreadful fire either. He did not yell at Elijah, He did not spank, beat, or even chastise him. God came in a low whisper, a quiet voice. I hear it as a gentle soft voice, a loving Father to his scared son, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” I wonder if Elijah cried. I wonder if his relief that God loved him too much to punish him with harsh cruelty made him cry. But he stilled whined his answer to The Lord. Verses 14-18 read,
“He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
God said, I’m not finished with you yet, I still have work for you. He didn’t say, “Don’t worry about Jezebel.” He simply instructed him about all the things He wanted the prophet to do for him still. If The Lord tells you to do a job for Him, it is a pretty sure thing, He will let you live to do the job, provide the way and give you what you need to do it. Furthermore, The Lord told Elijah not to worry about whether the evil people would be punished, they would be. Hazael was going to slaughter Israel. (2 Kings 9:7-15).  But He also encouraged him by letting him know that not everyone in Israel was an idol worshipper, 7,000 people would remain loyal to The Lord, and it was likely that Elijah’s ministry was the reason.
Elijah was expecting at least a reprimand, but The Lord, although He is a God of Justice who punishes the wicked is a God of Love who builds up His children and has great purposes for us. He disciplines us with love.  He doesn’t send fire and brimstone down on His sons and daughters. Proverbs 3:12 reads,
“for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
    as a father the son in whom he delights.”

And Romans 8:1-4 says,
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Believer, God does discipline us, but discipline and punishment are not the same thing. Jesus took our punishment. We do not have to face God with fear as if He’s holding a belt and ready to beat us. We don’t have to walk in fear that He will strike us with lightening. He is our Awesome and Fearsome God of angel armies, He is Almighty. We need to remember He is Holy All-powerful God. But He forgave us. He is not holding punishment over our heads anymore. He delights in us. Believer, He delights in you!
 
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1 Kings 18 Elijah Had a Reputation as a Man of God and a Troublemaker

10/10/2015

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​1 Kings 18
Do people know your stance on God? Do they know you are zealous for Jesus Christ, filled with The Spirit, and obedient to The Father? Do you have a reputation?
Elijah had a reputation as The Lord’s prophet. Both people who loved God and those who rejected Him and followed idols knew about Elijah. Ahab hated Elijah since Elijah had delivered the Word of The Lord against him and announced a terrible drought. There had been no rain in The Northern Kingdom for three years. At God’s direction, Elijah had lived near a brook until it dried up and after that with a widow for whom The Lord had provided miraculous flour and oil. Ahab had searched everywhere for the hated prophet with no luck. Then The Lord told Elijah it was time to go talk to the evil king.  Verses 1-6 read,
“After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, 4 and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) 5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.” 6 So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.”
Obadiah had a precarious position. He was head of Ahab’s household, yet he feared God. Ahab was the most evil king to have ruled Israel in its history, his queen Jezebel was just as evil, if not more so than her husband. They hated anything of God and sought to kill all the prophets. Obadiah did a great and courageous act for 100 prophets in his position over the royal household. Now he was searching for any sign of growth in Ahab’s effort to save his horses. But on his search, Obadiah ran into Elijah. Verse 8 reads,
“And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?”
He was thrilled since he knew Elijah’s reputation. He was so happy he fell down on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” But he didn’t stay thrilled for long. Elijah told him, “Go tell Ahab I’m here.” Obadiah said, “Dude! What have I done to you? If I do that Ahab will kill me! He’s been searching for you for a long time. I’ll tell him you’re here, he’ll come to kill you, God’s Spirit will protect you and whisk you away and he’ll kill me when he doesn’t find you.” But Elijah promised he would be there when Ahab arrived. So Obadiah went and told Ahab.
Elijah’s reputation was so great that Obadiah had no doubt that The Lord would miraculously protect him. He knew Ahab was bent on destroying the prophet and he knew His God would not let that happen. Elijah lived a supernatural life naturally. Obadiah fully expected a great miracle.
Ahab arrived and said, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” Ahab knew Elijah’s reputation as well, but to him, he was not someone to be respected with the title of lord. Elijah’s attempts to speak the Word of The Lord and change Ahab’s wicked course unsettled the king. He couldn’t take responsibility for Israel’s drought, so he blamed Elijah. Elijah didn’t take the bait. He had a challenge to show Ahab and Israel how great and awesome the Lord was. Verses 19-24 read,
“Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.”
20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.”
The people thought, “450 men against one? No problem!” So they chose a bull and prepared it and from morning ‘til noon they made a show of calling on their god. They carried on so long that they were limping around the altar. Elijah had a good ol’ time watching the show. Verses 27-29 read,
“And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.”
Elijah’s reputation was not based on an imaginary god. Baal’s prophets made a big show and there was nothing and no one to answer them. Elijah didn’t have to go crazy all day, crying out to a make-believe idol. Verses 30-35 read,
“Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” 32 and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” 34 And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. 35 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.”
Elijah was very careful as he rebuilt the altar. He used it as a time to gently remind the people of Israel who they were and where they had come from. He knew that they would remember their history and recall that they were God’s people and He was their God, not Baal. Perhaps every day at this time they offered their sacrifices to Baal, but tonight, the sacrifice would be for The Lord and so it would be done properly. He prepared the burnt offering and then had the people pour water over everything. There would be no way anyone could say it was the heat of the day, the sun, or any other natural happening. Elijah didn’t stop expressing The Lord there, when He prayed, not with pomp and circumstance but sincerity, he continued to glorify God. Verses 36-40 say,
“And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” 40 And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.”
Elijah lived up to his reputation, he did it by furthering The Lord’s reputation. Every chance he got, he obeyed, he did great works in the name of the Lord. He withheld rain from Israel, he was fed by ravens, because of Elijah the Lord provided supernatural food to a widow and her son, he prayed and the Lord brought a child back to life, and he asked and The Lord burned his sacrifice including the wood and the altar. Elijah’s reputation was so great because He knew how truly great God was. He had faith. Now it was time to end the drought. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It had not rained in three years. Verses 41-46 read,
“And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went toJezreel. 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”
Although there was no rain and no cloud in the sky, Elijah told Ahab to go ahead and eat and drink, celebrate because he could hear the sound of rain. That is faith. Elijah himself went to pray because the drought would end with his request. He had to ask seven times for rain. He didn’t give up when he asked and noting happened, he just asked again. He prayed seven times and then he saw the tiny hand shaped cloud. With that little cloud, God told Elijah, “You better hurry and you better tell Ahab to hurry cause it is gonna rain and it is gonna rain hard!” Sure enough soon the sky was black with heavy clouds and Elijah ran. He ran supernaturally fast and past Ahab who had left well before him.
Elijah had his reputation because he trusted the Lord’s reputation. That faith allowed him to live a supernatural life in which he consistently exalted God. His reputation and favor flourished and because of that God’s reputation flourished.
I encourage you today to remember who God is and who you are in Christ. Trust Him and choose to express Jesus in everything you do. Let Him grow you, your ministry, and your reputation.
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1 Kings 17 What Faith Can Do is Great!

10/9/2015

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Matthew 17:20
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
​1 Kings 17
Faith can do great things. Your faith to obey God is a testimony to the world to God’s goodness and greatness.
Elijah was a powerful prophet of great faith. His faith allowed him to obey The Lord regardless of the troubles which surrounded him. King Ahab was the most evil king of Israel yet, and The Lord sent the prophet to the king.  Verse 1 reads,
“Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 
The Lord then sent Elijah to live east of Jordan by a brook Cherith. He provided for Elijah in an amazing way, he drank from the brook and ravens brought him bread and meat every morning and evening. But eventually the brook dried up. Elijah could have lost hope. He could have called for rain, but instead he chose to trust God. And God sent him to a widow in Zarapeth who would feed him. Elijah arrived to find the woman gathering sticks. He didn’t know it but he had arrived just in time. He asked the widow to bring him some water. As she left to get it for him, he asked her to bring him a little bread as well. She told Elijah just how desperate her situation was. Verses 12-16 read,
“And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.”
This woman was ready to eat her last meal and then die of starvation with her son. Elijah knew God had sent him to this woman and I would guess that he must have wanted to help her very much. She was not merely hungry but close to death due to famine caused by the drought. Once again, Elijah could end the drought by commanding rain, but instead He chose to trust God and let Him provide. He told the woman that God was going to provide for her in a miraculous way and so He did. Until it rained, she would have all the oil and flour she needed and so Elijah, the widow, and her son would eat.
The Lord was being so good to her and on top of that she was given the honor of hosting the prophet, a man of God. But then the enemy attacked and suddenly her only son became very ill and died. She was, of course devastated. She had been given hope, they were not going to die of starvation and now her child was dead. Verse 18 reads,
“And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!”
She reacted as many of us might, first she blamed Elijah. But then she blamed herself. Which of her sins had caused her to be punished by losing her son? What had she done to deserve such a horrible thing? She thought God wanted her to suffer. But her sins were not the reason for her child’s illness or his death. Her reaction was similar to the Disciples in John 9 when they met a blind man and asked Jesus whether his parents or he had sinned and caused his blindness. John 9:3-7 says,
“Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.”
This was the case for the widow’s son, his death was so that God could be glorified. It gave Elijah an opportunity to show the widow how truly great God was. Elijah knew God didn’t want the woman to suffer. He had been feeding her, but he loved her so much that He now He would show her something really great. Verses 19-23 read,
“And he said to her, “Give me your son.” And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. 20 And he cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” 21 Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again.” 22 And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives.”
Not long before this her son had been so malnourished that he had been close to death. Then he had died suddenly of a serious illness, but now he was alive. He was alive because Elijah had faith in God. He was alive because Elijah knew how much God loved the boy and his mother. Elijah asked the Lord, not once but three times. He cried out to God and God listened. He gave the child his life again. Elijah’s obedience to God was a great testimony to The Lord. Verse 24 says,
“And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”
Elijah could have stopped what The Lord was doing over Israel and called rain and any time, but He trusted God with his provision, and obeyed.  He could have called rain to help the starving widow, but he had faith in God’s will and let God provide for him, the widow and her child. And God used him in a way that many of us might never know.
Do you trust God like that? Do you know His will is better than yours? It is faith and obedience like that which give hope to the hopeless and life to the dying. Go ahead, try it, and see what faith can do.
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    As I read the Bible every day, I take what God teaches me, what He says, and write it out. I then share that with you. It gives me a deeper understanding of the Word and I hope that it will encourage you as it does me, to put your love and faith into action.

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