2 Kings 8

WEEK  23                                         2 Kings 8

MONDAY  Reflections

Jehoshaphat was a good king, but he spent a lot of time with the disobedient kings of the northern tribes. It was probably on one of these trips that he picked up a wife for his son from the daughters of Ahab, Israel’s most wicked king. This may have been a diplomatic move, but whether it was Jehoshaphat’s choice or Jehoram’s it was a horrible choice.

 

Scriptures tell us in verse 18 of chapter 8 that Jehoram followed in the way of Ahab because his wife was one of Ahab’s daughters. It is said that a good woman can make a man, and it can be true, however, a bad spouse can bring down a man or a woman. If a person isn’t careful a spouse who is against God can be their downfall. I am not advocating that a person gets a divorce if their spouse isn’t saved. Scripture clearly teaches that if the unsaved spouse is willing to live peaceably then to stay with them (1 Corinthians 7:12-13) and Jesus is very clear on his dislike of divorce (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:8-9).

 

What is the warning?

 

First, if you’re married then to guard your heart, keep it centered on Christ. Secondly, if you’re not married don’t get married to a non-believer. Obey scripture and marry a believer. Where an unbelieving spouse may lead you could be disastrous for you and your family.

2Ki 8:1-29
(1)  Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
(2)  And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.
(3)  And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land.
(4)  And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.
(5)  And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
(6)  And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.
(7)  And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.
(8)  And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
(9)  So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
(10)  And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.
(11)  And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.
(12)  And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.
(13)  And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
(14)  So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover.
(15)  And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
(16)  And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.
(17)  Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
(18)  And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
(19)  Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children.
(20)  In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.
(21)  So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents.
(22)  Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.
(23)  And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
(24)  And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
(25)  In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign.
(26)  Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.
(27)  And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the house of Ahab.
(28)  And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
(29)  And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.

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Ezekiel 3

WEEK  22                                                Ezekiel 3

SATURDAY  Reflections

The calling of Ezekiel is very different from others. God moves differently with different people in their different cultures and experiences. Ezekiel's call is given with supernatural words, but speaking to them is Ezekiel's responsibility. Unlike Jeremiah, who couldn't help but speak for the burning in his insides, Ezekiel is told to preach or have their blood on your hands. Ezekiel is the watchman (Hebrew for bishop) who is guilty if he doesn't preach. If he does and no one listens, the only thing he has is the knowledge that God isn't going to hold him responsible.

 

Personally, I hate Ezekiel's call. Isaiah's was bad, one vision and then the order to preach, and when he's done, only 10% will be saved, and the nation he loved will be destroyed. Ezekiel's call is all on him, preach or be condemned, but ultimately, he can't change anything.

 

Some have preached that Ezekiel's call to be a watchman is everyone's call. Every Christian is a watchman, and the blood of everyone who doesn't come to Christ is on our hands. I disagree. Yes, in one way, every prophet was a watchman, but not everyone had that call. This is the reason I do not believe that all of Christianity is called to be a watchman. Yes, we are all called to share, and there is a responsibility, but not like Ezekiel's. I do believe that God may still call some into ministry like this, but just because it may be for some doesn’t mean it is for all. God deals with us where we are, knowing who we are and what we face. I don't know how God is calling you, but I do know we all are called to be His witnesses. 

Eze 3:1-27
(1)  Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.
(2)  So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll.
(3)  And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.
(4)  And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.
(5)  For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel;
(6)  Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee.
(7)  But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted.
(8)  Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.
(9)  As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
(10)  Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.
(11)  And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
(12)  Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place.
(13)  I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.
(14)  So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.
(15)  Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
(16)  And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
(17)  Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
(18)  When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
(19)  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
(20)  Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
(21)  Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
(22)  And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee.
(23)  Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face.
(24)  Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house.
(25)  But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:
(26)  And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house.
(27)  But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.

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Hosea 1

WEEK  22                                                Hosea 1

FRIDAY  Reflections

Of all the things God asked anyone to do, what he asked Hosea to do has to be the hardest. This wasn't just doing something humiliating or life-threatening; this had to do with Hosea's heart, his love. Many scholars believe God placed a supernatural love in Hosea for Gomer, but this love couldn't protect him from shame or pain. It wasn't just that Gomer was going to be a prostitute, but that he couldn't be sure some of the children were his. The whole marriage would be an example to Israel of the way they treated God, what God was feeling (in the naming of their children), and what God planned to do.

 

Hosea knows, as he enters the marriage, the kind of woman he is going to marry. He knows his future. Yet he loves her and has children with her. This is what God did. God took a people filled with wrong ideas and a questionable history (they were pagan slaves after all) and made them His bride, as it were, His beloved. What came of that union was a people who didn't acknowledge Him as God and would go away into captivity.

 

This is just chapter one. As much as Ecclesiastes isn't my favorite book because of its despairing overtones, Hosea comes close behind. The heartbreak Hosea is going to face pulls at my heart, yet I am reminded how I have, at times, lived like Gomer. Perhaps it is guilt that causes me to dislike this book?

Hosea 1:1-11
(1)  The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
(2)  The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
(3)  So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.
(4)  And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
(5)  And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.
(6)  And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
(7)  But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.
(8)  Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.
(9)  Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.
(10)  Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
(11)  Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.

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Matthew 22

WEEK   22                                           Matthew 22

THURSDAY  Reflections

Some may wonder why a father can't call a son/descendant Lord if they are a king. In Jesus day the understanding was that the oldest was always the senior to the younger. The child no matter how great can't exist without the older so the older is always superior. The descendant of David should always be his inferior, yet scripture records David referring to his son/descendant as his superior. By all normal standards, it is impossible. Naturally speaking, Jesus could claim rightfully that he was David's son, but never his Lord. Again this is only if we follow the natural law.

 

The only way that David could call his son Lord would be if he was his father, the creator of his family line. Yet this is exactly what the gospels claim Jesus is. The gospels teach that Jesus wasn't just born in the human lineage, but he was more, he was God. Jesus is God, therefore the creator of David's and all family lines. Supernaturally, Jesus could be both son and Lord to David. Yet this possibility couldn't even be imagined by the religious leaders. Jesus here was proclaiming he was God and they never even saw it. That is okay, I didn't see this particular hint for years either and I'm a Christian. 

Mat 22:1-46
(1)  And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
(2)  The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
(3)  And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
(4)  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
(5)  But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
(6)  And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
(7)  But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
(8)  Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
(9)  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
(10)  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
(11)  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
(12)  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
(13)  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(14)  For many are called, but few are chosen.
(15)  Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
(16)  And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
(17)  Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
(18)  But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
(19)  Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
(20)  And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
(21)  They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
(22)  When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
(23)  The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
(24)  Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
(25)  Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
(26)  Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
(27)  And last of all the woman died also.
(28)  Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
(29)  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
(30)  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
(31)  But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
(32)  I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
(33)  And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
(34)  But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
(35)  Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
(36)  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
(37)  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
(38)  This is the first and great commandment.
(39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
(41)  While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
(42)  Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
(43)  He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
(44)  The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
(45)  If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
(46)  And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

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Proverbs 20

WEEK   22                                          Proverbs 20

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." This is just one reason why I do not drink. I am not deceived, for me to drink would be for me to become an alcoholic. Too often, people like to believe that they can handle it. I'm not drunk, I just get buzzed. Jesus drank wine. Wine is good for you (in limited amounts, but that is often forgotten). Yes, you might disagree with my ideas on complete abstinence from alcohol, but be very careful you aren't deceiving yourself with your own drinking. The consequences of being wrong could be fatal.

 

This isn't the only piece of wisdom in this chapter. What other verse gets your attention or pricks your conscience?

Pro 20:1-30
(1)  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
(2)  The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
(3)  It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
(4)  The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
(5)  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
(6)  Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
(7)  The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
(8)  A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
(9)  Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
(10)  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
(11)  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
(12)  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
(13)  Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
(14)  It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
(15)  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
(16)  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
(17)  Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
(18)  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
(19)  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
(20)  Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
(21)  An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
(22)  Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
(23)  Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
(24)  Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
(25)  It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
(26)  A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
(27)  The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
(28)  Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
(29)  The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
(30)  The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

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