The Verdict Came

O. T. #809  "The Verdict Came"
August 10, 2016
1 Kings 21-Part 2
Give him this message This is what the LORD says: Wasn't it enough that you killed Naboth? Must you rob him, too? Because you have done this, dogs will lick your blood at the very place where they licked the blood of Naboth? 1 Kings 21:10 NLT


LET IT GLOW

Naboth knew the dangers of disobeying a ruthless king, but refused to violate God's law and courageously refused Ahab's request for his ancestral land. Israelites were not to sell their land permanently, for the Promised Land belonged to God (Lev. 25:23). To acquire Naboth's vineyard for her husband, Queen Jezebel  committed several cries: forgery, hypocrisy (using the religious ritual of fasting to cover up the scheme), perjury, and murder. She even had Naboth's sons killed (2 Kings 9:26).
(David Jeremiah)

But God knew all that happened. He sent Elijah to settle the matter with the king:

• Ahab called Elijah his enemy in the NLT version.
• Elijah told that he came because Ahab sold himself to what is evil in the LORD's sight.
• The Lord's message to Ahab was that He was going to bring disaster on him and consume him.
• God would destroy Ahab's descendants, slave and free alike, anywhere in Israel!
• God was going to destroy Ahab's family as He did the family of Jeroboam and Baasha for he led Israel into sin and made God very angry. Those dying in the city would be eaten by dogs and those dying in the field would be eaten by vultures.
• Jezebel's body would be eaten by dogs on the plot of land Ahab got from Naboth.

Verse 25 says, No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the LORD's sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel.

His worse outrage was worshiping idols just as the Amorites had done.

Good news is found here-When Ahab heard this message he went into deep mourning, tearing his clothing, dressing in burlap, and fasting.
If you are like me, you wonder if it was all a show, a put on, like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
However, God sees into the heart. He asked Elijah if he saw how Ahab humbled himself before God. Because of that, God changed His time of executing judgment, not during Ahab's lifetime, but his sons and dynasty would be destroyed.

Numbers 32:23 states, Be sure your sins will find you out.

Do we confront those who do wrong and warn them of God's discipline? Are we praying for them to come to repentance?

LET IT GROW

Elijah announced doom to the household of Ahab, and in a short time his prophecies came true (2 Kings 9-10). Ahab himself had "sold himself to do wickedness" and therefore he had to accept the wages he had earned. the king humbled himself before the Lord (whether sincerely or hypocritically, we do not know), so the Lord postponed the punishment. (Wiersbe)

We must accept God's sovereignty on those occasions when He seems harsh by our standards, and also when He seems too merciful by our judgment. (Holman Illustrated Bible Commentary)

God took notice and reduced Ahab's punishment. The same Lord who was merciful to Ahab wants to be merciful to you. No mater how evil you have been it is never too late to humble yourself, turn to God, and ask for forgiveness. (Life Application Study Bible)


LET IT GO

                              ... and let God handle those doing wrong when I have done all I can do.
                              ... and stay faithful to God so I am not among those who do wrong.

Persistence

O. L. #808  "Persistence"
August 9, 2016
1 Kings 21
I'll get you Naboth's vineyard.  1 Kings 21:7c

LET IT GLOW

I have been having a night visitor on my front porch for a while now. It eats up the leftover cat food and digs in my flowers there. So in an attempt to discourage it, I remove the cat food nightly and placed some good sized rocks among the flowers. However, my scheme has not been successful. What a persistent dude!  It does not realize that it is not welcome here. And stop destroying my flowers! What kind of wild animal is so persistent? I had my ideas of the possibilities, but they were incorrect. Care to take a guess?

So, one night, at midnight to be exact, I was up late waiting on my antivirus to run its protection and heard a noise on the porch. The intruder was scooting the empty cat bowl. Awe ha! The mystery was about to be solved. I ran to get a flashlight and spotlighted it. A huge raccoon was the critter.  But what good does it to "know" what is stealing my cat food? I can't shoot a gun. So the saga continues. I wonder who I can get to eliminate my problem.
Today's focus is on a man named Naboth who is bothered by the king that is persist, not taking "no" for an answer, in an attempt to get his vineyard. Like my raccoon, he keeps coming back. Let's see what happens.

King Ahab is not satisfied with ruling over 83% of the Promised Land (10 out of 12 tribal inheritances) His empty idolatry is not satisfying. Thus, this king of Israel is constantly lusting after things, as the heart of the wicked does.
What does Ahab covet? His neighbor's vineyard that he wants to make into a vegetable garden. Really? Why not just buy Naboth's grapes? Or use another plot for your garden and leave the poor hard-working man alone.
The problem is, Naboth does not want to trade nor sell this plot of land. Besides, the man feels like he would be violating, disobeying the Word of God (Lev. 25:23 and Num. 36:7).  The Israelites' land was to not be sold, ever.

What do we do when evil keeps persistently challenging us? Do we give in or stand firm? Are we going to let the devil rob us of our joy today?

LET IT GROW

Ahab, a mighty warrior pouts at home, before his wicked wife Jezebel, because a farmer refused his offer. Who can feel sorry for the man?
Leave to me, honey, I'll take care of it. You deserve having everything you want, after all, you are king.
Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament explains: 
Queen Jezebel schemes again:

• She brings in false witnesses against Naboth;
• she forges letters in her husband's name;
• she hides the entire undertaking under the disguise of a religious fast.

The innocent man Naboth was stoned to death just to satisfy the lust of King Ahab and his Baal-worshiping wife. Jezebel resolved Ahab's unhappiness with a scheme that involved perverting the law, perjury, and murder.
In 2 Kings 9, we find out that Naboth's male heirs are also killed so there were no surviving heirs to the land belonging to his family. And those kind of people are running the nation of Israel?
Anyone twisting the law to get what they want is guilty of sin.
We need to aware here in our nation of what kind of leaders we have or are potential? Are they law twisters?

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?
 (Jeremiah 17:9)

Do we go to extremes to get our way? Hopefully not, but do we know women like this Jezebel?

LET IT GO


Leave revenge to God.

Stay faithful to His Word.

Burlap and Rope

O. T. #807  "Burlap and Rope"
August 8, 2016
1 Kings 20-Part 3
So they put on burlap and ropes, and they went to the king of Israel and begged...
1 Kings 20:31

LET IT GLOW


I find it funny that burlap has become a popular material in decorations, even at weddings. Why, when I was a kid, feed for the hogs and cows came in bagged in burlap, which was a humble means. It was considered anything but decorative back then. It is used in today's story in order to deceive the king.

After being defeated by Israel's God, the Syrians planned another invasion the nest spring, as a prophet warned King Ahab. Due to the defeat, the Syrians thought Israel's God could win in the hills, but not win in the valleys or plains. So that was their strategy, which failed. God gave a second victory to Israel as they killed 100,000 Arameans and a wall fell upon 27,000 killing them, also.

Benhadad's officers suggested to the Syrian king that they put burlap around their waists and rope on their heads, pretending to repent and humble themselves before proud Ahab. Their scheme worked, for Ahab was led into a wicked compromise with the enemy, as Satan does often. so the two kings made a covenant of peace, allowing Benhadad to live, which was in direct disobedience to the Word of God. Ahab is later killed on the battlefield in 22:35.

Are we easily deceived? Do we compromise God's Word?


LET IT GROW

An anonymous prophet met King Ahab, with a drama portraying  a story of a soldier who allowed a  prisoner to escape. The prophet was able to get King Ahab to confess his own guilt and pass his own sentence, as the soldier. (Like Nathan did with David). Ahab would die along with many of his people because he refused to follow God's directions.
Hazael's words came true at the right time (19:15-17). God had given Ahab time to repent, showing mercy. Since Ahab spared Benhadad, his own life was required.

Do we know what God's Word says?
Micah 6:8 tells us what the Lord requires: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.

In our everyday dealings, do we do justly?
Are we showing mercy?
Daily, do we walk humbly before our God?

LET IT GO

                               ... of pride and walk humbly before my God.

                               ... of self profit and do justly my business dealings.

                               ... of revenge and show mercy.

Counting Chickens Before They Hatch

O. T. #806 "Counting Chickens Before They Hatch"
August 5, 2016
1 Kings 20-Part 2


LET IT GLOW


When I was little, we had a few hens and roasters in the garage. If we didn't eat up all the eggs, the settin' hens  would remain on their nest of eggs to keep them warm so their chicks would hatch. It was hard to predict how many chicks would actually hatch out. That was because we had an old hound dog that liked to eat eggs. Ahab's enemy sent a threat of his victory over Israel, but Ahab told him, in not so many words, to not count his chickens before they hatched.

Anyone need a victory today? How about a little grace, too? Ahab need both, for a huge army was coming against them.
King Ahab of Israel had armies from 33 kings come against him, to take over his kingdom. Ahab gave his wealth and his family, but refused to give up the possessions of his palace. Now we see the conquest. God stepped in to save the king and his people, but not that they deserved it. No, God had a cause against Syria and the time of her judgment had arrived. He showed grace to Israel.
Ben-hadad sent a message to Ahab threatening him. Ahab sent a message meaning that one should not count their chickens before they hatched. It may not turn out like expect.

Then an unnamed prophet gave Ahab a message from God:
Do you see all these enemy forces? Today I will hand them all over to you. Then you will know that I am the LORD. He would use the troops of the provincial commanders to do it. (verse 13, 14)

Do we seek the Lord for victory over our enemies? He is El Shaddah, the LORD Almighty. Grace is available.

LET IT GROW


So Ahab mustered up the troops of the 232 provincial commanders, as well as 7,000 men from his army. While the Aramean army's 32 kings were relaxing with their drinks in their tents as a premature celebration, Israel approached, ready to fight. As the Israelite soldiers began killing their enemies, it put the Aramean army into a panic and they fled. Ahab destroyed the horses, chariots, and slaughtered a great any Arameans (except King Ben-dad and a few of his charioteers escaped on horses).
This was the first victory. Ahab was told by another prophet to prepare for another battle, for Aram would return in the spring.
Do we prepare for spiritual battle before we leave our house in the morning by putting o the whole armor of God?

LET IT GO

Seek God's grace.

Trust Him for victory today.

Valuables

O. T. #805  "Valuables"
August 4, 2015
1 Kings 20
They will take away everything you consider valuable! 1 Kings 20:6b

LET IT GLOW


If we had an invasion, which would we willingly give up-wealth, family, house, valuables, land, Bible, car, jewelry? What do we consider valuable?  Ahab faced such a dilemma.

The northern kingdom of Israel had 8 evil kings in succession. King Ahab went down in history as the most wicked king that Israel ever had. His wife Jezebel ruled him behind the scenes and got Baal worship as the official religion in the land. Ahab sold himself to work evil, as 21:20 and 25 inform us. Elijah had been the instrument which God used to demonstrate that His is the only powerful, living God. Yet, Ahab did not have enough faith to follow God.

God allowed other nations to gain strength and become Israel and Judah's enemies. During the next two centuries, three enemies threatened both of them-Aram, Assyria, and Babylon.

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament  shows us Ahab's defense:  

1. The challenge (verses 1-12)
2. The conquest (verses 13-30)
3. The compromise (verse 31-43).

When we are surrounded at work or in our family by those who choose to not honor nor serve God, are we remaining faithful to God? Will we lift up Jesus instead of lowering our standards to their level?

LET IT GROW

The challenge Ahab faced was with the king of Syria and his vast army, assisted by 32 other kings,  threatened Samaria. His messengers asked for King Ahab's wealth and family, to which he agreed to obey. What!! You sorry king! You gave up your family without a fight? You experienced the mighty power God at Mt. Carmel, so why not pray to Him to give you victory?

When the invaders asked for the privilege of looting his palace, Ahab refused. Looks like we know what is most important to this codger. If only Ahab had been walking with the Lord, then he could have turned his problem over to Him, but Baal was unable to deliver the king.

What is our priority? Is God's Word and His ways, or our own? Are we so deep in debt that w have to spend al time working with no time spent worshiping?

LET IT GO

Stand up for Jesus.

Defend His Truth.
 

Go Back To Go Forward

O. T. #804  "Go Back To Go Forward"
August 2, 2016
1 Kings 19-Part 6
Go back the same way you came... (verse 15)
Go on back, but think about what I have done to you. (verse 20c) 

LET IT GLOW

Go back the same way you came. Elijah had to travel back to the wilderness of Damascus. He had a new assignment-anoint two kings and a prophet. God was not finished with Elijah yet, he was still breathing and walking and talking. And so it is with us, friends. It's when we sit down under our juniper tree and have a pity party, like Elijah had done, when we stay in a cave of despair, that we loose our focus-God. Sometimes we have to go back in our mind and spirit and let Him work through all those hurt emotions and hate. I have to forgive those who hurt me and allow Jesus to heal me.

The purpose of Elijah anointing these three was for them to be commissioned to destroy Baal worship in Israel. Later in 2 Kings we will read of their success in achieving it through God's help. Actually, Elijah was not the one directly involved in commissioning the two kings, but Elisha was. In the process, Elijah was renewed a he immediately obeyed God.

Walking the second mile probably will not be on an easy, smooth road. Elijah needed a purpose to walk on, to continue walking by faith. God gave him one. It may be more than we can handle, but God wipes away the tears and gives us strength to go uphill when it is required. Let's not hammer in the peg and say that is as far as I am going. If we do, then it is us who misses out on the blessings.

LET IT GROW

What happens when Elijah finds Elisha?

• Elisha plowing in a field with 12 yoke of oxen. Apparently Elisha's family was wealthy to have such a team of oxen in that day.
• The name Elisha means my God is salvation.
• As Elisha passed by Elijah during his work, Elijah threw his mantle upon him.
• A mantle or cloak was the most important article of clothing a person owned. It was used a protection against the weather, as bedding, as a place to sit, and as luggage. t could be given as a pledge for a debt or torn into pieces to show grief. Elijah put his mantle upon Elisha's shoulders to show he would become Elijah's successor. (Life Application Study Bible)
• Elisha asked Elijah permission to return to his parents to say good bye and then return to follow Elijah. Elijah agreed to allow Elisha to go back, but asked Elisha to think about what he had done to Elisha.
• Elisha returned and killed his team of oxen as a symbol of his strong commitment to follow Elijah. The wood of the plow was used to build a fire to roast the meat. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate.
• Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.

Elijah did not allow any earthly affection, such as parents, to detain him from obedience. Elisha recognized his call, and wished to make that call known to his family an friends by a farewell feast. Then he assumed his new role as a prophet-in-training.

What sacrifices are we willing to make that Jesus may require in order to follow Him? Do we put stipulations on our obedience? Only if it doesn't hurt, require my moving away, if it is something I enjoy doing, nor isn't humiliating? I ask myself those questions in  my spiritual assessment.

Deny yourself, Linda, by taking up your cross, and following Me wherever and through whatever. There it is: So I have to go back and walk through those valleys of pain in order to get healed; to die to my hurts and jealous and pride and desires and take up those  which Jesus has for me as He throws the mantle across my shoulders.
What about you, dear one? Are you willing to join us as we go back so we can go forward? Brokenness become healed.

LET IT GO

Go back...
Deny...
Take up....
Follow Jesus...

A New Perspective Seven Thousand Times Better

O. T. #803 "A New Perspective Seven Thousand Times Better"
August 1, 2016
1 Kings 19-Part 5
Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed to Baal or kissed him!
1 Kings 19:18

LET IT GLOW

When I look at my situation from my perspective and not God's perspective, the view gets out of whack, out of focus, and I don't see through eyes of faith. I don't see what really is true, what it can become, nor reality. I have been in the cave of discouragement far too long with Elijah. It is time to get up. Time for us to go stand on the mountain of the Lord where we can see through the eyes of hope, and get a new perspective that is 7,000 times better than mine is.

Elijah had to get out of his cave of discouragement and stand on the mountain before he experienced Gods three phenomenal acts using nature-windstorm, earthquake, and fire. Then God spoke using a soft, whispering voice. He asked Elijah what he was doing there in a cave, twice even. Now it seems to me, if He has to ask twice what a person is doing "there," then perhaps they are in the wrong place, not where God wants them to be.
Is God asking us what we are doing in our cave?

 What were the instructions that Elijah received from God?

• Go back the same way he came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus.
• Anoint Hazael king of Aram, Syria, who was Israel's enemy on her northern border.
• Anoint Jehu, a captain in Ahab's army, as king of Israel.
• Anoint Elisha to replace him as the  prophet of God.
• Anyone who escapes Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will killed by Elisha.
• God tells Elijah that He preserved 7,000 others in Israel who never bowed down to Baal or kissed him (showed loyalty)!

God was still controlling the events. The spiritual situation in Israel was 7,000 times better than Elijah had thought. Elijah received hope. He would see his situation from God's perspective.


LET IT GROW

Those three were commissioned to destroy Baal worshipers-Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha were used to complete what Elijah had begun. Success was coming.

By the time the last of these men died (2 Kings 13:24), Baalism would be officially barred from Israel. (MacArthur)

We are all in the kingdom work together, so there should not be jealousy. Elijah had more work to do before he was through.
When we have wondered off the right path, hide in a cave or sit under our juniper tree, so to speak, we need to listen for God's still small voice reassuring us that we are not alone, and giving us His next assignment. Then get up and go, obeying. After all, there are at least 7,000 faithful followers of Jesus out there looking for us!


LET IT GO

Let God heal my wounds.

Leave fear, discouragement, and loneliness behind.

Focus on God, not the seemingly failures. Be an overcomer.

Walk faithfully on the path He has prepared for His purposes.