Proverbs 21

WEEK 1                                        Proverbs 21

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

"It's easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission." I don't know how often I have heard this and in the correct context it can be true, but not when it comes to the things of God. Proverbs 21:3 says "To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice" (NIV). When it comes to your boss, asking forgiveness might be better than asking permission, but with God, it's always easier just to do what is right. 

What proverb really catches your attention?

Pro 21:1-31
(1)  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
(2)  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
(3)  To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
(4)  An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
(5)  The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
(6)  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
(7)  The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
(8)  The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
(9)  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
(10)  The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
(11)  When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
(12)  The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
(13)  Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
(14)  A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
(15)  It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
(16)  The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
(17)  He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
(18)  The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
(19)  It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
(20)  There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
(21)  He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
(22)  A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
(23)  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
(24)  Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
(25)  The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
(26)  He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
(27)  The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
(28)  A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
(29)  A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
(30)  There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
(31)  The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

Hosea 5

WEEK 1                                         Hosea 5

 

TUESDAY  Reflections

 

Why are bad things going to happen to Israel and Judah? "Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment because he willingly walked after the commandment" (verse 11 KJV).  

What is God's response to their actions? " I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face: in their affliction, they will seek me early" (verse 15 KJV). God's judgment, per se, is more often than not allowing people to face the consequences of their sins on their own. Yes, often there are consequences for sin, even if someone truly repents. God may mediate it, but at least the eternal consequences are dealt with. I believe the consequences in this life are muted even when we have to face them. God, however, wants what we face if we don't repent to turn us to him.    

Hos 5:1-15
(1)  Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.
(2)  And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.
(3)  I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.
(4)  They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.
(5)  And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.
(6)  They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.
(7)  They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.
(8)  Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.
(9)  Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.
(10)  The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.
(11)  Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.
(12)  Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.
(13)  When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
(14)  For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.
(15)  I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

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2 Kings 10

WEEK 1                                             2 Kings 10

 

MONDAY  Reflections

Jehu did all that Elisha had prophesied. He destroyed all of those who served Baal. He destroyed the images and all there was concerning the ways of Baal. God even promised his children would remain on the throne of Israel for four generations. One might think this was the beginning of the reign of a good king in Israel, but it wasn't. 

Jehu rid Israel of the false gods but kept the golden calves as a way to worship God. He not only left the golden calves Jeroboam raised up but didn't walk as the law of God commanded. His obedience gave some benefit, but his disobedience left Israel open for God to begin the actions which would lead to its destruction. As has been noted before, it isn't how you start but how you finish. Jehu finished poorly.

2Ki 10:1-36
(1)  And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab's children, saying,
(2)  Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour;
(3)  Look even out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house.
(4)  But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?
(5)  And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.
(6)  Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up.
(7)  And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.
(8)  And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning.
(9)  And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?
(10)  Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah.
(11)  So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.
(12)  And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way,
(13)  Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen.
(14)  And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.
(15)  And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.
(16)  And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.
(17)  And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah.
(18)  And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.
(19)  Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.
(20)  And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it.
(21)  And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.
(22)  And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.
(23)  And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
(24)  And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.
(25)  And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.
(26)  And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.
(27)  And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.
(28)  Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
(29)  Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan.
(30)  And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.
(31)  But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.
(32)  In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;
(33)  From Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, even 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)  And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
(36)  And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.

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Jonah 4 It's about you!

WEEK    25                                               Jonah 4

FRIDAY  Reflections

The book of Jonah ends on a very unsatisfactory note. There is no clear-cut solution, no resolution, no word on the future of Nineveh since they repented, or on Jonah. Jonah realized God was a God of mercy, but he didn't want God to be merciful, at least not to Nineveh. 

The book ends with the question being turned to the readers: How would you respond? In the end, this book isn't about Jonah or Nineveh. The book asks you, how are you going to respond to God’s mercy on your enemies? 

So how are you going to respond?

Side note: They have many cattle (the way to repent according to the Law), so what are you going to do? People have Jesus today, so how are you going to respond?

Jon 4:1-11
(1)  But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
(2)  And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
(3)  Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
(4)  Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?
(5)  So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.
(6)  And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
(7)  But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
(8)  And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
(9)  And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
(10)  Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
(11)  And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Jonah 3

WEEK    25                                              Jonah 3

THURSDAY  Reflections

Jonah went this time when God told him to. He gave the message but just barely and left. He didn't preach to the whole city, try to instruct them on repenting, or tell them how to get right with God. He just said that they were going to be destroyed (turned over) in 40 days.

 

The Spirit of God had to move on these pagan people because, without instruction, they repented in sackcloth and ashes (ways to show grief and remorse). They were not going to take any chances and even clothed their animals with sackcloth and ashes. These people believed, and since the proclamation was for forty days, I assume they wore these types of clothes the whole time. If you have ever held sackcloth and felt how uncomfortable it is, you can understand that these people were serious. 

Jon 3:1-10
(1)  And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
(2)  Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
(3)  So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.
(4)  And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
(5)  So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
(6)  For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
(7)  And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
(8)  But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
(9)  Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
(10)  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

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