May 10, 2024

Many prophets were drawn to Elisha, and the more that came to seek his counsel, prayer, and education, the less room they had. So, they decided to go to Jordan to get wood and build a new place there, and Elisha was encouraged to come with them. While cutting the timbers, one of the prophets lost the head of his axe in the river and was distraught because he had borrowed it. These men were God's vessels but were not afraid to work, though most probably didn't have a shed full of tools. So Elisha asked him where it fell, placed a stick in the water near it, and it floated to the surface. Incredible! 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, but can I make an axe head float? Do we need those kinds of miracles today? It would be exciting to see, but we have the account of our resurrected Savior, Jesus, and all his miracles to read about. The miracle that we must be content with is salvation and our slate wiped clean of all our sins, affording the ability to live peacefully with Jesus forever. I wouldn't mind seeing something miraculous happen today, but I'm not placing all my hope in such things. My hope lies with Jesus and him alone.

And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. 2 Kings 6:6

May 9, 2024

Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man, but he had leprosy. His wife had a young servant girl who was captured out of Israel on one of their raids. She mentioned to Naaman’s wife that a prophet of God in Samaria could heal his leprosy. So Naaman sent a letter to the king of Israel, along with silver, gold, and clothing, asking him to allow the prophet to heal him. The king was frightened that Naaman might want to start a war if Elisha couldn’t heal him and tore his clothes. However, Elisha heard about Naaman and told the king to send him so he would know there was a prophet in Israel. Naaman came to the door of Elisha’s house, and Elisha sent him a message to go to the Jordan and wash seven times. It irritated Naaman that Elisha didn’t come to the door and pronounce his healing, only to tell him to go and wash. He left there aggravated, but one of his servants reminded him that he would have done it if he had told him to do something more grand. So Naaman gave in, went to the Jordan River, dipped in it seven times, and came up clean and healed. He then went to Elisha, trying to pay him, but Elisha refused. However, after Naaman left, Gehazi, Elisha’s helper, decided to go after him and tell him Elisha changed his mind and asked him for silver and clothing. Elisha, being a prophet, knew what he had done and pronounced that he and his children would take on Naaman’s leprosy. Gehazi walked away white with the disease. 

What a lesson! Should we get paid for what God has done? Elisha gave Naaman God’s instructions; he was a vessel that God used to prove His might. God collects the payment and takes all the credit for His mercy. Be cautious when trying to profit off God—shame on those who derive fame and fortune from God’s goodness and mercy. 

And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? 2 Kings 5:26

May 8, 2024

During a famine, Elisha visited a school of prophets in Gilgal. He was probably doing some training. They prepared a meal for about one hundred men. However, whoever was responsible for gathering the herbs and other food for the pot had picked something poisonous. Remember, these men were mostly known for their knowledge of God but probably didn't know much about plants. Someone took one bite of the stew and immediately knew it was terrible. Elisha threw a little meal into the pot, and it became edible. Then another man brought twenty loaves of barley bread and full ears of corn, and all one hundred of them ate and were satisfied. Doesn't that sound familiar? Remember Jesus with the loaves and fish? When God provides for you, he blesses and provides enough to satisfy you. In the middle of a famine, God's children ate. I imagine the stew became delicious after Elisha miraculously corrected it. I'm sure the bread and corn were perfect because it was an offering that the Levites were allowed to eat. 

And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD. 2 Kings 4:43-44

May 7, 2024

When the Shunemite’s son was older, he went to his dad in the field with the reapers; he cried, telling him he had a severe headache. He had a young man take him back to his mother. She held him in her lap, and he died. She laid him in Elisha’s bed and sent for a donkey so she could go and get Elisha to come to her home. There’s no mention that she told her husband of his death. Her faith was so strong that she knew with Elisha’s help, he would live again. When the woman got near to Elisha at Mount Carmel, he saw her in the distance and sent Gehazi to find out if everything was okay with her family. What I found interesting is that she told him that all was well. However, when she got to Elisha, she broke down. Elisha was surprised that God hadn’t revealed to him the condition of her son. Elisha sent Gehazi ahead to lay his staff upon the child, but that didn’t work. So Elisha went through a similar routine as Elijah did when he raised a child from the dead, laying on him to warm him with his body. Life returned to the boy, and he sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. 

This woman had impeccable strength and faith, knowing God would raise her son from the dead. Undoubtedly, she had heard the story about Elijah raising a woman’s son from the dead, which gave her confidence that He would do the same for her. We must share our testimony of the grace and mercy that God has shown us. Your story will make a difference, so share it as often as possible.

Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 2 Kings 4:35

May 6, 2024

Elisha must have passed through Shunem quite often for the Shunemite woman to notice. She asked her husband if they could make accommodations for him so he would have his own space when passing through their town. He agreed, so they made him a room upstairs with a bed, a table, and a chair. Elisha was grateful for their kindness and wanted to do something nice for them. He asked Gehazi, his servant, what he could do for them, and he reminded him that her husband was old and they didn’t have a son. So, Elisha told the woman that at the same time next year, she would have a son. God fulfilled his prophecy, and she had a son.

This woman’s hospitality to Elisha opened the door for a blessing from God. She didn’t ask for it, but being barren in those days was considered a curse. It also shows that we cannot outgive God. She offered kindness to Elisha, and God returned to her a blessing that only God could give. We can count on God to bless us beyond measure, even when we don’t ask. 

And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. 2 Kings 4:17

May 5, 2024

The widow of a prophet came to Elisha for help; her husband had died and owed debts, and his lenders would soon come to collect her sons to be their bond servants for seven years. He was a good man and was likely one of the seven thousand who hadn't bowed down to Baal. Being a prophet living during the time of Jezebel couldn't have been easy, which is most likely why he had debt. Elisha told the woman to go and borrow containers from her neighbors, close the door behind her and her sons, and pour what little oil she had into those containers. Every vessel was filled with oil, giving her an abundance to sell and pay off her husband's debt and provide a living for her and her sons. She had likely sold everything she had to pay off the debt, giving a reason she needed to borrow the containers. Pay attention to what happened; she didn't just sit back and watch Elisha fill those jars with oil. No, she and her sons were actively involved and grew a business with what little God had given them. They worked. Not only did they fill the jars, but they also had to find a way to sell the oil, just like any business today. Don't expect God to bless you while sitting around doing nothing; he expects our participation in whatever capacity we have. 

A spiritual comparison is the filling of the Holy Spirit, often presented Biblically as oil. When we accepted Christ as our Savior, we were an empty vessel, and God filled us with his Spirit to overflow. He anoints our heads with oil, and our cup overflows. 

And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. 2 Kings 4:6-7

May 4, 2024

Jehoram, the son of Ahab, became king after his death. He was not as evil as Ahab. However, he started a war with Moab and enlisted the help of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah and the king of Edom. Together, they sought after Elisha so he could enquire of God about going to war with Moab. I found it interesting that when Elisha called on the Lord, he used a musical instrument, just as some of today’s prophets use. I’m sure this scripture is where that came from.

But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. 2 Kings 3:15

There was no water for their people or cattle in Moab, so Elisha told them that no rain would come, but water would come up from the ground. They followed all Elisha’s instructions from God and overcame Moab. The death toll was so bad that the king of Moab offered his son, the next in line for the throne, as a burnt offering to their god, Chemosh, to obtain his favor. Chemosh is nothing more than the devil himself, who delights in blood sacrifices. Look at the United States' trouble because of the prenatal sacrifices. The devil is fighting hard against us because true Christians want to do what’s right in the eyes of the Lord. 

May 3, 2024

When you eat of the scriptures of God, the belly gets full. The story in 2 Kings 2 is a tasty morsel that is delightful and delicious, like honey to the lips. In this chapter, Elijah is taken to heaven by God in a whirlwind and transported in a chariot of fire. However, before that mighty miracle happened, Elijah tried to shake Elisha by encouraging him to stay rather than follow him. Knowing that God intended to take Elijah that day, Elisha was determined to stick with him like glue to see him taken up. After visiting the prophets in the different cities, Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him, and in Godly fashion, he asked for a double portion of his spirit. Elijah told him that if he saw him translated, his request would be granted. God took Elijah up, and his mantle dropped. Elisha, being heartbroken, tore his clothes in mourning. And just as promised, he was given a double portion. As confirmation, he was able to part the waters of the Jordan with the touch of the mantle, just as Elijah had done earlier that day. 

As one of his first miracles, Elisha healed the waters of Jericho by pouring salt into the spring. In those days, the people of the towns hated the prophets, probably because they pointed out their sins, and when they would come into town, they would mock them. That happened to Elisha when he was on the way to Bethel, and it didn’t end very well for those people. The children playing in the streets began jeering and making fun of Elisha’s baldness, which wasn’t a great idea when the man was full of God’s powerful spirit. Elisha cursed them, and two bears came out of the forest and killed forty children. It seems sad, but I’ll bet those parents learned a lesson about making fun of a man's appearance! 

As children of God, he is on our side. Let no man of evil try to touch us; God will not stand for it and will punish them. Do not take part in such things.

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2 Kings 2:11

May 2, 2024

Ahaziah, the king of Israel, fell through the lattice on the second story of his house and was critically hurt. He sent a messenger to the god of Ekron, Baalzebub, to find out if he would live. Elijah intercepted him and told him Ahaziah was going to die. Ahaziah, thinking he could control Elijah, sent a captain and fifty men to bring him to see him, but Elijah wasn’t having it and called fire down from heaven and killed them all! Ahaziah sent another captain and fifty men, and Elijah did the same to them. Ahaziah sent a third captain and fifty men, but this captain asked Elijah to spare his life and the lives of the fifty, and an angel of the Lord told Elijah not to be afraid to go with him. Elijah told Ahaziah the same thing he had told the messenger, and Ahaziah died shortly after.

And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. 2 Kings 1:16

Can you imagine if God gave us the kind of power he gave Elijah? There would be dead people all over the place, especially when driving in heavy traffic. While reading this, I wondered about having this kind of power because we have the same Holy Spirit as Elijah. God answered my question quickly and reminded me that we live under the new covenant of grace. Do you remember when James and John, Jesus’s disciples, wanted to call down fire from heaven like Elijah? They were mad that the Samaritans rejected Jesus. Here is how he answered them:

But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. Luke 9:55-56

May 1, 2024

Ahab, king of Israel, got together with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to go and fight against Syria to regain control over Ramoth-Gilead. Before they ventured off to war, Jehoshaphat wanted to ask the Lord to ensure it was the right thing to do. So Ahab called all his “prophets” together, who always told him what his itchy ears wanted to hear, and they said to him to go up to Ramoth-Gilead and prosper. Knowing they were not prophets of the Lord, Jehoshaphat asked him if there were any of the Lord’s prophets to enquire of. Jehoshaphat told him there was one, but he always prophesied against him. So they called for Micaiah, and he came. Michaiah told them to go to Ramoth-Gilead and prosper, but the king knew he was lying. So, Michaiah told him the truth and shared his vision. In his vision, he saw all the people of Israel scattered about with no leader. He continued saying that he saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the hosts of heaven on his right and left, and the Lord said, “Who shall persuade Ahab that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead?” And a lying spirit came forward and said he could do it. Michaiah told the king that the Lord had put a lying spirit in these prophets. Zedekiah, one of the “prophets,” smacked him on the cheek, and the king had Michaiah sent to prison.  There is so much more to this story, but Ahab ended up getting injured, bleeding all over his chariot, and dying in battle. When they brought him back to Samaria in his chariot, the dogs licked up his blood while they were cleaning it. All the prophecies of the Lord came true. 

What struck me the most about this scripture is the lying spirit that came before the throne of God, volunteering to enter into the “prophets” to cause Ahab to believe them. Then God tells him the truth through Michaiah, and he assaults him and throws him in jail. They didn’t want to hear the truth back then, much like today. The people telling the truth get called conspiracy theorists and get abused by everyone. You must learn how God works and listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit so you don’t die on the battlefield like Ahab. The only absolute truth you will hear is the Word of God. Pay close attention. 

And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. 1 Kings 22:20-21

April 30, 2024

Naboth had a vineyard and garden next to King Ahab’s house in Samaria, and Ahab wanted Naboth to either sell it to him or exchange it for another one somewhere else. However, he didn’t want to break the law by selling his inheritance. Ahab left his meeting with Naboth depressed, and Jezebel asked him about his sadness, so he told her about Nabath turning him down about the vineyard. Jezebel, being wicked, used the law and some unscrupulous people to wrongfully accuse him and had him killed so she could take his vineyard and give it to Ahab. When Ahab went to claim his vineyard, Elijah met him there to admonish him for having Naboth killed and told him the dogs would lick his blood there and that Jezebel would die and the dogs would eat her by the wall in Jezreel. Ahab repented, tore his clothes, and begged forgiveness. God, being the loving God he is, put off his death sentence and had mercy upon him for the time being.

We wonder why wicked people get away with murder and other crimes and then seem to prosper more than others; it’s likely because they sometimes have remorse for their sins, and God gives them another chance like he did Ahab. Ahab has been reprieved from justice for now because of his repentance. I read ahead to the next chapter, and it seems God served Ahab the justice he deserved, and every word of Elijah’s prophecy about Ahab was fulfilled. God doesn’t let evil go unpunished. If you have been wronged, wait for it; justice will be served, and God will make it happen. 

And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house. 1 Kings 21:28-29

April 29, 2024

Benhadad, the king of Syria, went up against Samaria and then sent word to Ahab that he was going to take all his gold and silver and his wives and children. Ahab agreed, but when it came time to hand them over, he changed his mind. While drunk, Benhadad told his men to set themselves against the city. A brave prophet of the Lord came to Ahab and said to him that he would successfully defeat Benhadad with only a few young men, 232. Ahab, being a Baal worshipper, wanted to know who sent him. 

And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. 1 Kings 20:13

At the hand of the Lord, Syria was defeated, but they promised they would be back, but this time on flat ground instead of the mountains because they didn’t think God would be there. God, wanting to show them who he was, used Israel to defeat them there, too. Even in Israel’s sin, God was able to show his power. Ahab, being an idiot, made nice with Benhadad, calling him his brother, meaning the brotherhood of kings, and let him go. God was none too happy about that.

And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people. 1 Kings 20:42

This passage of scripture shows that obedience to God is an essential part of our life as believers and the key to victory against our enemies and necessary for peace with God. 

April 28, 2024

Jezebel sent word to Elijah that she was going to kill him, so he fled in fear. He gave up and wanted to die, but God wasn’t having it and sent an angel to watch over him and feed him. He ended up hiding in a cave at Horeb, the mountain of God, the same place that God hid Moses in the cleft of the rock as he passed by. This story of Elijah is one of my favorites because it taught me to listen for the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. 

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; butthe LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:11-12

Then God spoke to him, admonishing him for running away by asking him what he was doing there. God told him to go and anoint Hazael, king of Syria, Jehu, king of Israel, and anoint Elisha as prophet. He left the mountain and found Elisha, who was plowing his field, with him being the twelfth plow. Elijah threw his mantle/robe upon him. He left his oxen and ran after Elijah, explaining that he wanted to tell his parents goodbye before he left them. Elisha slaughtered his oxen and fed the people. He then went after Elijah and ministered to him. 

Even though Elijah may not have wanted to do everything God called him to, God knew he was capable and created a pathway to keep him alive to finish the job. The last meal the angel fed him kept him satiated for forty days! When God calls you to serve, He will provide a way. Don’t neglect God’s calling on your life. Oh, and make sure you listen to that still, small voice within you; that’s the Holy Spirit!

April 27, 2024

Three years had passed with no rain. God told Elijah to meet with King Ahab of Israel, and He would make it rain. Obadiah, the governor of Ahab's house, was sent to find grass for the cows and horses. Obadiah ran into Elijah on his way and freaked out because they had all sworn they couldn't find him. He was afraid that if he went to tell Ahab that Elijah was alive, Ahab would kill him if he didn't show his face. Elijah promised to show himself. Obadiah told Ahab, and he went to meet Elijah. When Ahab saw Elijah, he accused him of troubling Israel.

And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. 1 Kings 18:18-19

Elijah challenged Ahab to a showdown between the prophets of Baal, the prophets of the grove, and God. The Baal prophets butchered their bull and began praying for Baal to consume it with fire. They  prayed from morning to noon with no results. Elijah began taunting them. When it came time for the evening sacrifice, Elijah butchered his bull, set up twelve stones for each of the tribes of Israel, dug a trench, and had water poured on the sacrifice three times, and the water filled the trench. Elijah began to pray. 

Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. 1 Kings 18:38-39

There's nothing like a miracle to show people who the one true God is. Elijah then took all the Baal prophets to the brook Kishon and killed them. After that, Elijah began praying for rain, and the rain came. 

The common thread is that Elijah prayed. We must make it a point to pray, talk to God about our issues, and leave them to him to solve. Elijah didn't have the power; God had the power. Remember, only God has power, but we pray for his intervention, just like Elijah. 

April 26, 2024

Elijah suddenly comes on the scene and speaks to Ahab, the king of Israel, and warns him of a three-and-a-half-year drought. Ahab and his wife Jezebel were Baal and grove worshippers and led Israel further into idolatry. God sent Elijah into hiding beside a brook where he was fed by ravens meat and bread twice a day until the brook dried up. Then, the word of the Lord came to Elijah and told him to seek a woman from Sidon in Zarephath who would help sustain him. I found it interesting that this woman was not an Israelite but was of the same people as Jezebel. God knew she would help him. I also found it interesting that Israel wasn't the only country affected by the drought. When Elijah saw the woman God sent him to, she was preparing her and her son's last meal with what little oil and grain she had. Elijah asked her to stop what she was doing and get him some water, so she did. Then he wanted her to use what was left of the grain and oil to make him a cornbread cake, with the promise that she wouldn't run out of either of them. She did what he said; they had food for the entire drought. 

That was great and all, but then her son dies suddenly, causing her to wonder why this happened after all she did for Elijah and his God. Elijah, who had probably grown attached to the child, scooped him up and took him into his chambers and cried out to God for help, laying upon his body three times and asking God to put his soul back in his body for the sake of the woman who was helping sustain him. God answered his prayer, and Elijah returned the child to his mother. 

There are many lessons in this seventeenth chapter of 1 Kings:

1. When God gives you a mission, do as he says. Going to Ahab was probably intimidating.
2. If God tells you to remove yourself from a situation, you best trust Him to provide for you.
3. God can use any means necessary to help you, including animals and other nations, like the Sidonian woman. 
4. If God wants you to spend your last dollar on Him, trust that he will give you more than you could ever hope for or imagine. Look at the unending grain and oil that He provided. It reminds me of tithing.
5. Don't stop praying. We may not have Elijah's power, but we have God's heart, and He hears us when we cry out to Him.

They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. Psalms 37:19

And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth. 1 Kings 17:24

April 25, 2024

Baasha did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so God sent word by Jehu that if he dies in the city, the dogs will eat him, but if he dies in the field, the birds will eat him. He ended up being buried in Tirzah. After his death, Elah, his son, became king of Israel. Elah reigned for two years in Tirzah and then died at the hand of Zimri, the captain of half of his chariots, when he was drunk. Zimri killed Elah and the rest of Baasha’s family and friends so there were none left. Zimri took over the kingdom but only lasted seven days. When the people found out about his treason, they went after him, but he went into the palace and set it on fire, killing himself. 

Israel had two kings for a short time. However, the people who followed Omri prevailed against the people who followed Tibrni, and Omri became king over all the people. An interesting note about Omri is that he built the city of Samaria. It was named after the man he bought the land from. However, it seems that was the only good he did. He was worse than all the other kings. After reigning for twenty-two years, he died and was buried in Samaria. 

During all these years of the different kings of Israel, Asa still reigned in Judah. 

Finally, we are moving on to a well-known king, but not for the good he did, but because he was more evil than any of the previous kings: Ahab! He married Jezebel, a Baal worshipper, and things went downhill from there, as we will find out in the coming chapters.

God installs kings and removes them, so don’t be too discouraged about the current situation in the United States. I’m sure that the person reigning over us right now will be looked upon as being more evil than any of the previous “kings.” Things are rough financially for a lot of people. Hang in there; it’s got to get better soon. Keep praying for God to intervene. 

And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. 1 Kings 16:33

April 24, 2024

Chapter 15 of 1 Kings begins to get a little sticky because of several different kings being included. It covers Abijam, king of Judah, who was Abijah; his name was changed because he did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so "Jah," the name of God, was taken away to disgrace him (not to be confused with the prophet Ahijah.) His mother, Maachah, was Absolom's daughter. Then there was Asa, Abijam's son, who did right in the eyes of God and began dismantling the worship of the fake gods, even going as far as to take away his grandmother Maachah's idols and burning them by the Kidron brook in public shaming. The only thing he didn't do was remove the high places, which were for burnt offerings. He had replaced some of the finer treasures of gold and silver in the Lord's house and the king's house; however, during a war against Israel, he offered the Syrian king those particular things to help him with that war. Here is where things get confusing: Baasha, king of Israel during that time, had started building Ramah, a city to stop his people from going up to Jerusalem to worship God. However, Asa began dismantling it and used the materials to create different cities, Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah. There was another king of Israel before Baasha, Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, but Baasha conspired to take him out and did! God promised to remove all of Jeroboam's family, and Baasha fulfilled that promise.

Kings of Judah: Abijam, and Asa

Kings of Israel: Nadab, and Baasha

An interesting lesson is that God will only allow the enemy to go so far in keeping his people from their worship of Him before he makes way for their destruction, which is good news for us if there ever came a time when an unreasonable government might try to prohibit our worship of God. 

And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 1 Kings 15:17

Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah. 1 Kings 15:22

April 23, 2024

Jeroboam’s son was very sick, so he sent his wife in disguise to visit the prophet Ahijah in Shiloh to find out if he would live. Incredibly, he thought he could have her hide her identity from a prophet of God and yet get information about the son from him. Ahijah told her he would die as soon as she stepped foot into the city. Ahijah also said to her that he was the only child of Jeroboam, whom dogs or birds would not eat because he honored God. God took the crown away from the family of Jeroboam because he caused Israel to sin. Shortly after the son died, Jeroboam died. 

Solomon’s son Rehoboam reigned in Judah, but he was just as guilty of sin because he built height places, images, and groves on every high hill and under every green tree to worship idols, but there were also sodomites in the land. Because of their sins, God allowed Shishak, king of Egypt, to come up against Jerusalem and took all the treasures from the Temple and the king’s house. Rehoboam died and was buried in the city of David. 

Some of the lessons in this portion of scripture are: 

1. Sometimes, God removes good people early, like Jeroboam’s son, because God knew he loved him, and God wanted to keep him from dealing with the sins of his family. God often takes those soonest whom he loves best. 
2. If there is a sickness, you might want to ask God if there is a sin within your family that needs to be repented and overcome. 
3. God will take away your most precious things when you dishonor him with your sinful behavior as he did to Rehoboam. I’ll guarantee you he was devastated when he lost all the things God had given to his father, Solomon, and grandfather, David.

Jeroboam:

And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin. 1 Kings 14:16

Rehoboam:

And he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he even took away all: and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made. 1 Kings 14:26

April 22, 2024

God sent a prophet from Judah to Jeroboam in Bethel, Israel, to warn him about his altar of incense. The prophet spoke directly to the altar and predicted the rise of Josiah, who would destroy all the altars in Israel. Josiah wouldn’t come into power for more than 356 years. God gave an immediate sign that what the prophet was saying was true; the altar fell apart and spilled all the ashes. Jeroboam reached out to assault the prophet, but his hand dried up. He then asked the prophet to pray for him, and God restored his hand. Both of these things proved that what he was saying was true and that they came from God. Jeroboam invited him to have dinner at his house, but the prophet refused because God had told him not to eat, drink, or return by the way he came. Then, another prophet in town heard what had happened and went to invite him to his home; however, he lied to him, telling the prophet that God told him it was okay for him to eat and drink with him. When the prophet left to go home, a lion killed him but didn’t harm the donkey. God had told him that would happen because he disobeyed him. The other prophet buried him and told his sons to bury him with this prophet when he died. 

This portion of scripture is full of lessons:

1. Never fear doing the work of the Lord because if God sends you, he will protect you. Jeroboam couldn’t harm the prophet because his hand dried up.
2. Many people will ask for prayer but won’t seek forgiveness for their sins, like Jeroboam, who only wanted healing.
3. Even a prophet of God will not go unpunished for his disobedience.
4. The old prophet who lied to the other prophet likely feared the recompense of God for what he did to the sincere prophet. I’m sure he was riddled with guilt. 

The overall lesson is to stand firm in obedience to God and never let anyone sway you in a different direction.

And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase. 1 Kings 13:23-24

April 21, 2024

The kingdom of Israel became divided when Solomon's son, Rehoboam, consulted the old men who counseled David after some people came to him to get him to reduce the taxes. The old men told him that if he treated them kindly, the people would serve him forever. However, Rehoboam decided to consult his friends closer to his age; he was 40 years old then. His friends told him to give the people a heavier burden than they had been under during Solomon's reign. So when he told them his answer, they got angry and left to their tents. Then Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the taxes, to the people, and they stoned him to death, and Rehoboam hurried back to Jerusalem, where he reigned over Judah. When he returned, he gathered an army to fight against the people, but God sent him a message through Shemaiah telling him not to fight against your brothers, the children of Israel. They listened.

Jeroboam, who became king over the other ten tribes, Israel, was concerned about the people worshipping God and wanting to go to Jerusalem to make their sacrifices, where Rehoboam reigned as king. He devised a plan to change the direction of the people, made two golden calves for them to worship and make sacrifices to, and placed them in the cities of Bethel and Dan. Then, he held festivals during the same times as Judah. This caused the people to sin. 

What were these people thinking? How were they so easily swayed to turn away from God? It certainly couldn't have been all the people. Much like today, we live in a country considered a Christian nation and full of the spirit of God, yet a great number of people have rejected Jesus to go their own way. Now, many have turned away from God, yet there are those of us who still follow Jesus and are not worshiping the "Golden Calf." Hold on to Jesus with every ounce of your being! The ride will only get harder as more and more people fall under the enemy's spell. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and never turn to the right or the left!

And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. 1 Kings 12:26-27