Wherever He Goes

O. T. #847  "Wherever He Goes"
October 11, 2016
2 Kings 11
Stay with the king wherever he goes.  2 Kings 11:8

LET IT GLOW

We are trying to get prepared in case our sister in law has surgery this week to replace her heart valve. We are staying with the King Jesus wherever He goes. If He leads us to Nashville to a waiting room, we will follow. Love takes us wherever we are needed.

In the following chapters ahead, there are 13 different kings mentioned, with 5 from Judah and 8 from Israel. Previously, Baal worship was overthrown in Israel, and now we will see it overthrown in Judah.

Now we read of a woman named Athaliah, rising up to overthrow the throne in Judah.
What do we know about her?

• This Queen Mother is the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel.
• Her son, Ahaziah, was dead, and she was zealous to rule Judah.
• She was determined to  see the worship of Baal the official religion in Judah.
• She reigned 6 years, with the death of most male relatives, most of  the Davidic line, through which the Messiah Jesus would come, was destroyed.
• Back in 2 Samuel 7:16, God promised  the house of David would rule over Israel and Judah forever. Athaliah was bringing it to the brink of extinction. Only her grandchildren were left.

Now we turn our focus on another woman named Jeosheba. What did she do?

• She was probably the half-sister of Ahaziah, the previous king before Athaliah.
• She was married to the high priest Jehoida.
• Aunt Jeosheba saved Ahaziah's infant son, Joash, from death by taking him away from the rest of the king's children, and hiding the baby in her bedroom.
• Then for 6 years she hid Joash in the Temple of the LORD while Athaliah ruled over the land of Judah.

The bedroom was the room of beds where either the servants slept or a room in the living quarters of the temple priests. (MacArthur)

This reminds me of the story of baby Moses. His mother hid him for 3 months because the Pharaoh was trying to kill all male Hebrew babies in order to prevent them from taking over Egypt. Yet God was in control of both situations and protected both babies.

LET IT GROW

Next, there was a revolt against this ruling woman, Athaliah. How did it happen?

• It was in her seventh year reigning over Judah, that the Priest Jehoiada fetched  the captains and palace guards and had a meeting in the house of the LORD. (It took that long did it?)
• A covenant and oath was made there with those present. Joash was revealed to the men at that time.
• The priest had a plan as to where the commanders were to stand guard around Joash.
• They were to keep their weapons in their hands, kill anyone who tried to break through the guards, and stay with the king wherever he goes.
• The armed guards surrounded Joash, and the priest got the crown, the placed it upon Joash's head. Also, he presented Joash a copy of God's laws.
• Priest Jehoiada anointed Joash and proclaimed him king of Judah.
• Everyone clapped and shouted, "Long live the king!"

How faithfully are we armed with the armor of God, friends?
Are we staying with the King Jesus wherever He goes, leading us in His path?
Do we proclaim Him to be our King?


LET IT GO

Serve King Jesus faithfully doing what He says and going where He goes.
*Update on SIL Rose: She is walking now and moved from ICU to a room on the pulmonary floor. Thank the Lord for the medicines and doctors. Still praying for her enlarged heart to go down and her arteries to improve so she can have surgery. Thanks for all your prayers, dear friends.

Another Plot

O. T. #846  "Another Plot"
Oct. 10, 2016
2 Kings 10-Part 2


LET IT GLOW

So far, God has used King Jehu to avenge the lives of his servants which were killed previously by King Ahab and Jezebel by the slaying of King Joram of Israel, King Ahaziah of Judah, Queen Jazabel, and Ahab's descendants. Now one group is left to eliminate in Israel-Baal worshipers.

If Jehu remained faithful to the God of Israel, obeying the Law of the LORD, with all his heart, then his descendants would have been blessed to be kings of Israel to the fourth generation. (verse 31)
What a promise! Shall we see it occurred?

Jehu had a cunning plot in order to kill the priest of Baal, the false idol.
What did he do?

• He summoned the Baal worshipers and prophets and priest in Samaria's temple, with messengers sent throughout all Israel.
• There Jehu was going to pretend  to offer great sacrifices to Baal.
• His threat was, death to anyone who failed to come.
• Then every worshiper of Baal was given a robe to wear.
• Jehu was joined by Jehonadab in this plot.
• Not one worshiper of the LORD was to be in attendance.

Will we continue to worship only God? Will we love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength?


LET IT GROW

Inside the temple of Baal worshipers apparently did not suspect it was a plot to get them there so Jehu could have them killed. They had believed Jehu when he announced that he was going to establish Baal worship in Israel.
What happened next?

• Outside the building, Jehu stationed 80 of his men, warning them that if anyone escaped, they would pay for it with their own life.
• Jehu did not participate in worshiping of the false idol inside the building.
• All who were inside the Baal temple was killed with the sword, and dragged outside.
• Then Jehu's men went into the innermost part of the temple and drug out the sacred pillar used in worship of Baal and burned it.
• They smashed it and wrecked the temple of Baal and burned it, converting it into a public toilet.

These were the methods which Jehu used to destroy every trace of Baal worship from Israel.
However, he did not destroy the gold calves at Bethel and Dan, with which Jeroboam had caused Israel to sin. (In Revelation 7, we see where the tribes of Dan and Ephriam are omitted.)

Jehu had been anointed by God, and  Jehu torn down the pillars to Baal, he did not completely walk in God's ways.  His was a bloody legacy.

Since Jehu did not obey the Law of the LORD with all his heart, and he refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit-idol calf shrines.
Because of sin in both kingdoms, God used Hazael, king of Syria, to seize all Hebrew territories east of the Jordan River.


LET IT GO

Stay faithful to Jesus, the Savior which God has provided for us.

In spite of what others d, remain faithful to worship only God.

Overstepping Boundaries

O. T. #845  "Overstepping Boundaries"
Oct. 6, 2016
2 Kings 10
When Jehu arrived in Samaria, he killed everyone who was left there from Ahab's family, just as the LORD had promised through Elijah.  2 Kings 10:17

LET IT GLOW

The killing of Ahab's family was sanctioned by King Jehu. So far he killed 2 kings, Joram of Israel and Ahazia of Judah, and 1 queen, Jezebel. It would be expected that this would happen because back in 1 Kings Prophet Elijah predicted it. Today, we rad of the fourth group killed-Ahab's family.
If you have not been previously following along with us in this study, let me bring you up to date as to why this killing occurred. King Ahab of Israel was married to Jezebel, who worshiped an idol called Baal, which resulted in the country following along, leaving God. They killed several of God's priests and an innocent man named Naboth, who refused to sell his land to the king, so Jezebel had him killed. God promised revenge upon them, and we read of it here.

Jehu overthrew the king of Israel, Joram, and we pick up the events there. Ahab had 70 sons living in Samaria. What did Jehu do?

• He sent two letters to the officials of the city.
• The first one challenged the Ahab's sons to prepare to fight for Ahab's dynasty.
• The second letter instructed the leaders of the city to kill those 70.
• That is just what happened-The placed the 70 heads in baskets and took them to the city gate at Jezreel. This horrible sight would discourage a revolt.
• Jehu told the crowd they were not to blame, for he conspired against Ahab's family.

Sometimes we consider things like this as such a crewel thing. However, it was God's way of taking revenge for the lives of His servants. He knows who will not repent and surrender to Him. We leave His judgment in His hands.

LET IT GROW

Some say Jehu was overstepping the bounds of God's judgment when he killed Ahab's officials, personal friends, and his priests. It is said that Jehu used his God-given power to meet his own selfish desires. It may very well be according to verse 31.
Then there were the relatives of King Ahaziah, going to visit the 70 sons of Ahab and Jezebel who were killed. Jehu had all 42 of them killed. Could be that Jehu was trying to wipe out any potential heir of the house of Ahab since they were related to Ahaziah.

Hosea 1:4-5  later announce punishment upon Jehu's dynasty for this senseless slaughter. Many times in history, "religious" people have mixed faith with personal ambition, power, or cruelty, without God's consent or blessing. (Life Application Study Bible)

Have we experienced folks who have overstepped their boundaries? They go a little too far. And it's not a good thing.  As Christians, we need to seek Go's leadership in situations before we get wrapped up in a cause.


LET IT GO

Seek the Lord Jesus' will before overstepping mine.

Look What the Dogs Ate

O. T. #844  "Look What the Dogs Ate"
October 6, 2016
2 Kings 9-Part 3


LET IT GLOW

*Update on my SIL: Tonight we will find out the plans by her doctors. Please pray for their wisdom and guidance.

I have seen evidence that coyotes have eaten dead cows. Bones are all that are left. It wasn't a pretty sight. Gruesome, too. Today, we will look what the dogs ate. And it isn't a pretty sight. No need for her to paint up her eyes and fix up her hair. She wasn't leaving a pretty corps that day.

Two kings are kill, Joram and Ahaziah. Who is next for God to avenge? Why it is a queen name Jezebel. Though she had lived 15 years longer than her husband.

Queen Mother still exercised a great deal of power in Israel, but her hour of judgment had arrived and nothing could protect her. (Wiersbe)

When she heard the new king Jehu was coming to her city of Jezereel, Jezebel got all togged up, as my dad used to say. She painted her eyelids and fixed her hair, then sat at the window.
MacArthur says that eyelids were painted with a black powder mixed with oil and applied with a brush. This darkened them to give an enlarged effect.

When Jezebel saw Jehu at the palace gate, she called down to him, asking if he came in peace. Then she called him a murderer. (It was her son Joram that he killed with an arrow.) accusing to be just like Zimri who murdered his master (1 Kings 16). She sarcastically mentioned a king who only lived 7 days as a king, implying the same fate for Jehu. Did she suspect why he was coming-to kill her?


LET IT GROW

What happened next?

• Jehu asked the 2 or 3 eunuchs who looked down on him, "Who is on my side?"
• Throw Jezebel down was his directions, and they threw her out of the window.
• Her blood spattered against the wall and the horses.
• Jehu trampled her body under his horses' hooves.
• Jehu went into the palace and ate and drank.
• Then he ordered someone to go bury that cursed woman, for she was a daughter of a king.
• As they went to get her body, all that was left of it was her skull, feet, and hands.
• When Jehu was told, he said, This fulfills the message from the LORD, which he spoke through His servant Elijah from Tisbe: 'At the plot of land in Jezreel, dogs will eat Jezebel's body. Her remains will be scattered like dung on the plot of land in Jezreel, so that no one will be able to recognize her.

In the end, her life of luxury and treachery amounted to nothing. Power, health, and wealth may make you feel as if you can live forever. But death strips everyone of all external security. The time to set your life's course is now, while you still have time and before your heart becomes hardened. the end will come soon enough.  (Life Application Study Bible)

Knowing and trusting Jesus as one's Savior is our only eternal security when we die. Friend, have you asked Him to forgive you of your sins? He loves you so much that He died for you.

LET IT GO

Place my trust in Jesus throughout the day.

Driving Like a Madman

O. T. #843  "Driving Like a Madman"
October 5, 2016
2 Kings 9-Part 2
verse??

LET IT GLOW

There has been a few times that I rode with a man who drove like a madman. Wow! I have not desired that experience since. So you know anyone who has that reputation? Today, our hero is known for driving like a madman. He was identified a ways off because of it. Let's find out who it is.

We last read of Jehu being anointed the new king of Israel, secretly, that is. Elisha sent a prophet to do so in a private room. Now we pick up on the overthrow of Baal (pagan idol) worship in Israel, in 9:14-10:36.
There are 5 slayings here:

1. King Joram
2. King Ahaziah
3. Queen Jezebel
4. King Ahab's descendants
5. Baal worshipers.

Jehu (the good guy) led a conspiracy against King Joram first, since he was currently reigning. Joram had been wounded in a battle against King Hazael of Syria, and returned to the city of Jezreel to recover. So Jehu told his men, all captains in Israel's army, to not let anyone leave town and go to Jezreel to report what was taking place, if they wanted him to be king.

Jehu goes to visit King Joram in his chariot, and found King Ahaziah of Judah there visiting. Before Jehu actually reaches Joram, the watchman on the tower of Jezreel announces a company of troops was approaching, a long way off. Two different times a horseman was sent by the king to inquire if Jehu and his troops came in peace. Jehu told both men to fall in behind him. (There would be no peace as long as Israel worshiped idols, for it came from God.) So neither messengers returned to Joram, and it was deducted that the troops must  be Jehu's, for he was driving like a madman.
(I find this funny, that even back in the days of chariots, men drove crazy.) Jehu must have been known for his furious driving.

I think the two kings figured out what was happening, because they personally went out to meet Jehu. "Do you come in peace, Jehu?" they asked. In other words, is all well in my kingdom?
Jehu replied, How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?

God hates those two things, as well as others.
In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, the Lord warned the Levites, There shall not be found among you... a witch...a wizard... are an abomination to the Lord.
1 Samuel 15:23 says For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
In Proverbs 16, we read of 6 things God hates (sane, pronounced saw-nay', in Hebrew, means to hate personally, an enemy, foe):

1. a proud look,
2. a lying tongue,
3. hands that shed innocent blood,
4. feet swift in running to mischief,
5. a false witness that spreads lies,
6. and he that sows discord among the brethren.

The first commandment in Exodus 20:3 is Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

There we have it folks. There is no peace of God when we are surrounded by idolatry and witchcraft.
Sadly, young folks are enticed to dabble in both. Are we warning them and teaching them as children what displeases God?

LET IT GROW

Back to Jehu. The kings Joram and Ahaziah fled due to treason of Jehu. As Joram's chariot fled away, Jehu shot the king in the back and through his heart with an arrow. This happened on the very land which Ahab had taken from Naboth and his sons. God's revenge was done (1 Kings 21).
Jehu's men shot King Ahaziah of Judah.

With the Lord's help, anyone can break a generational cycle, such as was in Israel during that time.

LET IT GO

Help me Lord Jesus to love others, tell the truth, and be humble.

Let me warn others of effects of evil practices.

*Update on my sister in law Rose: She has a disease called Pulmonary Hypertension, which is basically high pressure in the lungs. Her heart is now very enlarged, making it difficult to breath. They flew her to Nashville where her specialists in that field are and her doctors. She is stable now, since they are giving her a new medicine through an IV.  Thanks for your prayers. Please put her on your church prayer list, if you would. The Lord is blessing and providing each day our needs.

Please pray for my sister in law, Rose. She is having some very serious health problems. They flew her to Nashville Monday night where her specialist doctors are located. We know she is in good hands and God is taking care of everything.
Also, I am having a CT done this morning, so we will continue our study tomorrow.
Have a blessed day everyone.
In His Love,
Linda

Behind Closed Doors

O. T. #842  "Behind Closed Doors"
October 3, 2016
2 Kings 9
Call him into a private room away from his friends and pour the oil over his head. 2 Kings 9:2

LET IT GLOW

Some say it doesn't matter what goes on behind closed doors, yet God sees all.

The next two chapters deal with history of both Israel and Judah, violence which occurs due to the Lord's executing His wrath on those who despised and disobeyed His Word. We will see how the long effect of the idol worship of Baal continued in the family of King Ahab and Jezebel.

First, let's look at the kingship of Israel, and the time they reigned according to The MacArthur Bible Commentary:

• Omri in 885-874 BC 
• Ahab in 874-853 BC (Jezebel was his wife)
• Ahaziah in 853-852 BC
• Joram (also called Jehoram) in 852-841BC
• Jehu in 841-814.

God had not abandoned Israel, though Israel had abandoned God. He chose their kings to either bless Israel's obedience or curse a disobedient nation according to His covenant with them.
In verses 4-10, Jehu is anointed king by an unnamed prophet which Elisha sent to perform the task. Although, the anointing was done privately, behind closed doors, it was so at the right time his revolt would be a surprise against Jehoram, who would not have time to prepare for it. Jehu was the only king in the Northern king of Israel to be anointed after Saul ad David were anointed by Samuel. He had previously been a commander in King Ahab's army.

God's message to Jehu was:

• Jehu was to destroy the entire family of Ahab, a method of God avenging the murder of His prophets and servants by Jezebel, who lived 15 years after her husband Ahab; (1 Kings 21)
• Every male descendant, slave and free, would be destroyed.
• Dogs, considered scavengers, would eat Jezebel at the plot of land in Jezreel which she obtained for her whinny husband Ahab and killing innocent people, including Naboth, God's servant. She was not buried as a queen, indicating her disgrace.
• The young messenger opened the door and ran. It was a dangerous assignment, a prophet being in the midst of Jehoram's army officers.

The officers suspected something going on behind closed doors so they inquired of Jehu. His head would have been drenched with oil, obviously seen. At first, he told then, "You know how a man like that babbles on."

There are times that God speaks to us behind closed doors, in private. Do we get alone with God and listen for Him to speak? We are admonished to pray privately in our closet, so to speak.

LET IT GROW

What happened next would determine Jehu's success. These officers in King Jehoram's army could reveal what was going on to the king could stop a revolt from happening or they could support Jehu as their king.
Not believing his statement, they insisted Jehu tell them what he was hiding. So he revealed what went on behind the closed door-the Lord anointed Jehu to be king over Israel. The men proclaimed Jehu as king in Israel, demonstrating their support by spreading their cloak on the ground, and the blowing a trumpet. The word was out now.

Next, we will see how it all comes down and if Jehu is successful. However, if we think about it, what God says He will do, He does.

LET IT GO

Trust God to keep His Word.

Keep praying in private.