1 Kings 12

WEEK   12                                           1 Kings 12

MONDAY  Reflections

How often do people go to people to get the advice they want to hear? Too often, and this is what Rehoboam did. He got the right advice from Solomon's advisors but Rehoboam didn't like it. Rehoboam then talked to his friends which I assume were of the same mind.

 

Some might think this was predestined by God, and though it was prophesied, it didn't remove Rehoboam's responsibility in it. God knew the pride and arrogance which Solomon's heir would have. God knew Rehoboam would anger Israel (the 10 northern tribes) and they would rebel.

 

What causes Rehoboam to be this way? I can't help but think it was Solomon's influence. Yes, a child can choose a different path from their parents but it takes a great deal of will. Like Solomon, Rehoboam trusted his own plans. This split Israel into two kingdoms, the northern tribes often referred to as Israel and the southern tribes often called Judah. 

1Kings 12:1-33
(1)  And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.
(2)  And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)
(3)  That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,
(4)  Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.
(5)  And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.
(6)  And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
(7)  And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
(8)  But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
(9)  And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
(10)  And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
(11)  And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
(12)  So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
(13)  And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him;
(14)  And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
(15)  Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
(16)  So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
(17)  But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
(18)  Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
(19)  So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
(20)  And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.
(21)  And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
(22)  But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
(23)  Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
(24)  Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.
(25)  Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.
(26)  And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:
(27)  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.
(28)  Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
(29)  And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.
(30)  And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
(31)  And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
(32)  And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.
(33)  So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

Photo by Chris Chow on Unsplash

Jeremiah 48

WEEK 11                                           Jeremiah 48

SATURDAY  Reflections

Now are God's words of judgment against Moab. At the end of God's promise to destroy Moab comes an interesting promise, salvation for a remnant. The people of Moab are still related to Abraham, though enemies of Israel and also a consistent pain in their side. Lot was Abraham's nephew and was with him as he entered the promised land.

 

Scriptures say, "showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments" (Duet. 5:10). Could it be that this distant blessing is still at work and protecting Moab? I believe it is.

Jer 48:1-47
(1)  Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.
(2)  There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.
(3)  A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.
(4)  Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.
(5)  For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.
(6)  Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
(7)  For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.
(8)  And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken.
(9)  Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.
(10)  Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
(11)  Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.
(12)  Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.
(13)  And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence.
(14)  How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?
(15)  Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
(16)  The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
(17)  All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod!
(18)  Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.
(19)  O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?
(20)  Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,
(21)  And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,
(22)  And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim,
(23)  And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Bethgamul, and upon Bethmeon,
(24)  And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.
(25)  The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.
(26)  Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.
(27)  For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.
(28)  O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth.
(29)  We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
(30)  I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it.
(31)  Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.
(32)  O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
(33)  And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.
(34)  From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.
(35)  Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.
(36)  Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.
(37)  For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
(38)  There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD.
(39)  They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
(40)  For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.
(41)  Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
(42)  And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD.
(43)  Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD.
(44)  He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
(45)  They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.
(46)  Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.
(47)  Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.

Photo by Liane Metzler on Unsplash

Ecclesiastes 8

WEEK 11                                           Ecclesiastes 8

FRIDAY  Reflections

Once again, the teacher settles on the conclusion that since death comes to all we might as well eat, drink and be merry. St. Paul would agree with him except for the fact of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:32). The resurrection and eternity are what is missing in this book. There is wisdom here in Ecclesiastes, be wise, listen to authority, in this case, the king, do good, which makes life bearable but doesn't give a person hope. Enduring hope really isn't found under the sun.

Ecc 8:1-17
(1)  Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
(2)  I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
(3)  Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
(4)  Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
(5)  Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.
(6)  Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
(7)  For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
(8)  There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
(9)  All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
(10)  And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.
(11)  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
(12)  Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
(13)  But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
(14)  There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
(15)  Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
(16)  When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
(17)  Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

Photo by Christian Spies on Unsplash

Matthew 11

WEEK  11                                            Matthew 11

THURSDAY  Reflections

John the Baptist sends people to assure himself that Jesus is the promised Messiah. After which, Jesus bemoans the fact that by and large the people of his generation had seen the greatest prophet and had seen the miracles of Jesus, and yet did not repent. Many came out, but as we hear Jesus proclamations, it is clear that there was no large-scale repentance. The truth was, Jesus seems to say there was a refusal to repent.

Jesus proclaims judgment on them; not only does he proclaim judgment, but he also warns the people of these cities that the most vile offenders in the Old Testament will be in a higher standing than they would be. WHY? They had been given much, seen much, and didn’t repent.

However, after this denouncement of all those who would reject, Jesus' words turn to a call to freedom from oppression. After the hellfire of the prophet, we see not the  shepherd calling out, “Come all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

There is both judgment and compassion demonstrated here; this is an example to us to speak the truth with boldness and without compromise, but to also be filled with God’s love and compassion. Jesus had both, and we need them to.

Mat 11:1-30
(1)  And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
(2)  Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
(3)  And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
(4)  Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
(5)  The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
(6)  And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
(7)  And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
(8)  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
(9)  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
(10)  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
(11)  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
(12)  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
(13)  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
(14)  And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
(15)  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
(16)  But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
(17)  And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
(18)  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
(19)  The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
(20)  Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
(21)  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
(22)  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
(23)  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
(24)  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
(25)  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
(26)  Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
(27)  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
(28)  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
(30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Ecclesiastes 7

WEEK  11                                          Ecclesiastes 7

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

ven in a world without God, it is better to be wise than foolish. Life lived under the sun is very pitiable. Wisdom has advantages even in this world. Wisdom, as the writer says, is a defense like money, but better.

 

The end or death is better than the beginning is repeated here in this chapter. One can see some logic in this because when it is over the struggles are done, and one can rest. This, however, is too depressing for my liking, but when considering the perspective, under the sun, it is realistic.

 

My outlook is where there is life there is hope. In Christ, which is absolutely not the writer's perspective, there is always hope and even defeat finds us victorious (Romans 8:28).

Ecc 7:1-29
(1)  A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
(2)  It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
(3)  Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
(4)  The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
(5)  It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
(6)  For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
(7)  Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
(8)  Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
(9)  Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
(10)  Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
(11)  Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
(12)  For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
(13)  Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
(14)  In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
(15)  All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
(16)  Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
(17)  Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
(18)  It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
(19)  Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
(20)  For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
(21)  Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
(22)  For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
(23)  All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
(24)  That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
(25)  I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
(26)  And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
(27)  Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
(28)  Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
(29)  Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Photo by James Lee on Unsplash