II Chronicles 21-22:9; II Kings 11-12

Today we get a closer look at the horrible consequences of Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab. At the center of that alliance is Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah, who leads her husband, Joram/Jehoram of Judah away from the LORD and into Baal worship. He, in turn, leads Judah astray, but that is not all: Joram proceeds to kill all his brothers and some cousins. (II Ch. 21:4)

Clearly, Joram of Judah is a vile character, and Elijah (who evidently has not yet been taken up to heaven — so much for reading things in chronological order!) sends him a letter, condemning Joram’s actions and declaring that he will suffer a most unpleasant disease. (II Ch. 21:12-15) Unrepentant, Joram does indeed eventually die of this nasty disease. And he departed with no one’s regret. (II Ch. 21:20) What a commentary on a life ill-lived!

So Joram’s son, Ahaziah, becomes king of Judah, but he learns nothing from his father’s demise. He remains under the wicked counsel of his mother, Athaliah, and continues in evil. By providence, Joram is caught in Jehu’s purge of the House of Ahab and dies after reigning only one year. (II Ch. 22:7-9)

What with Joram’s killing of his brothers and with Ahaziah’s dying young, there is a power vacuum in Judah, and Athaliah herself seizes the throne. She immediately sets to work killing off those who remain of David’s royal line. But she misses one baby boy: Joash (aka Jehoash). (We’ll consider him tomorrow…)

All this disaster arises from Jehoshaphat’s foolish alliance with Ahab. So again I urge us all to evaluate our relationships. Given that our readings lately are centered so much on political leadership, perhaps political alliances warrant a particular focus. I am not here to endorse one party over the other. (There’s plenty of bad behavior in each, and Jesus Himself isn’t generally on the ballot.) But I hope that we can each surrender whatever political biases we developed growing up, or whatever political stances we’ve held for years, and seriously submit them all afresh to the Lord. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. Are you, in fact, voting with the Lord — or against Him?

II Kings 8:16-10:36

Remember how good King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with wicked King Ahab of Israel that almost got him killed in battle? And remember how I said there were more serious consequences to come? Well, today we begin to see those consequences. The alliance between Jehoshaphat and Ahab is one of marriage, with Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah, marrying Jehoshaphat’s son, Joram/Jehoram of Judah. (Yes, confusingly, we also simultaneously have a different King Joram/Jehoram in Israel.) Surprise, surprise, Athaliah leads Joram/Jehoram of Judah to follow in the ways of Ahab, which goes to say that he worships Baal, not the LORD. (II Kings 8:18) Then their son, Ahaziah, does likewise. (II Kings 8:27) Let that be a warning to all those who think “missionary dating” is a good idea!

Meanwhile, the LORD anoints Jehu to be king over Israel. Jehu swiftly and efficiently executes God’s judgment on the House of Ahab. He eradicates the entire royal family, its friends and supporters, including Jezebel. Jehu also kills Judah’s King Ahaziah (II Kings 9:27) as well as 42 other members of Judah’s royal family who are friendly to the House of Ahab. (II Kings 10:12-14) Then Jehu wipes out the prophets of Baal and demolishes the temple of Baal, turning it into a latrine. It is all a nasty, bloody business, but make no mistake: it is all utterly necessary for Israel to recover any semblance of spiritual health.

Although the LORD commends Jehu for executing His judgment upon Ahab and promises him a four-generation dynasty, Jehu falls short of full obedience. He continues Jeroboam’s idolatry with the golden calves in Dan and Bethel. Yes, Jehu is clearly a significant improvement over Ahab and his Baal worship, but initial zeal for the LORD does not constitute total devotion.

We should take note. 51% devotion is not 100%. 80% is not 100%. 95% is not 100%. When Jesus says, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me,” (Mt. 16:24; Mk. 8:34; Lk. 9:23) He is not talking about wearing a cross necklace and being polite. He is looking for total commitment. When He says, “Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me,” (Mt. 10:37) He is looking for total commitment. Jesus gives 100% for us. We owe 100% in return.

I want to be very clear here. We can do nothing to earn our salvation, but the result of our salvation is a relationship with God in which we respond to what He says and does. That response should reflect an ever-deepening devotion to Him. So, again, look at Jehu. The LORD initiates the relationship. The LORD anoints Jehu. Jehu does nothing to earn that anointing. The LORD empowers Jehu, enabling him to carry out the (preordained) judgment on the House of Ahab and on Baalism. But Jehu is not just a robot, nor is he passive. He has choices to make, and he chooses to zealously do everything it takes to establish himself as king. And then he chooses to stop short. We likewise receive the life of Christ as a free gift that we do not earn. And the Lord empowers our life in Christ by His Holy Spirit. Yet in this life we have choices to make. We can press into our relationship with Christ in total devotion. Or we can stop short. What will it be?

II Kings 5-8:15

When the Syrian siege of Samaria results in such severe famine that mothers resort to eating their own children, what does the king of Israel do? Does he turn to the LORD, pleading for mercy? Does he lead the people in a prayer of confession and repentance for their decades of sin since the days of Jeroboam? Does he seek godly advice from the LORD’s prophet, Elisha? Nope. Instead he blames Elisha and seeks to murder him. (II Kings 6:30-31)

Blame shifting: what a well-worn path! Adam blames Eve (or even God — “The woman whom You gave to be with me…” — Gen. 3:12). Eve blames the serpent (“The serpent deceived me…” — Gen. 3:13). Ahab blames Elijah (“Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” — I Kings 18:17). Here Joram/Jehoram of Israel blames Elisha. But God knows better. The LORD sees through it all — both then and now.

II Kings 2-4

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.

II Kings 2:9-12

With Elijah’s being taken up to heaven and Elisha’s receiving of a “double portion” of his spirit, it seems to me that we have here a foreshadowing of Jesus’ Ascension and the subsequent pouring out of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. And lo and behold, today is Pentecost Sunday. How appropriate!

May we, like Elisha, ask for the Holy Spirit. May we willingly and gladly receive the Holy Spirit. May we be filled with the Holy Spirit. May we submit to the Holy Spirit. May we never grieve the Holy Spirit. May we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. May we share in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. May we enjoy and employ the gifts of the Holy Spirit. May we bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. May we, indeed, live each and every day in the Holy Spirit.

I Kings 22:51-53; II Kings 1

It’s a short reading today, so if you are a bit behind, now’s your chance to catch up. But I have to admit that I am a bit puzzled (not to mention irritated) that the schedule provided by The Chronological Study Bible would zing us through the entire book of Song of Songs in one day last week and then give us only 21 verses today. Oh well, be that as it may…

Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus says the LORD, “You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.”

II Kings 1:3b,4a

That is the message Elijah sends to Ahaziah. When Ahaziah recognizes Elijah’s description, he knows full well that this is a true message from the LORD, but, like his father before him, he does not want to hear the truth. Rather than humbling himself in repentance he sends troops to arrest Elijah. Like their king, the first two captains and their troops show no fear of the LORD. It is only after they are all consumed by fire from heaven that the third captain finally acknowledges the LORD’s power and Elijah’s position as a man of God..

Let’s not be so slow. Let’s not require such fireworks from God before we pay attention. Yet look around — and look within. Where is our society headed? And where are you headed? Do you recognize the false gods that our culture pursues? Do you recognize the idols in your own life?

Is it because there is no God [here] that you are going to inquire of [anything else]?

II Chronicles 17-20

Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!

What a contrast there is between Jehoshaphat of Judah and Ahab of Israel! Whereas Ahab actively pursues policies opposing the LORD, Jehoshaphat runs toward the LORD. He continues Asa’s efforts to eliminate idolatry in Judah. Further, he sends a number of preachers throughout Judah to instruct the people in the Law of the LORD. (II Ch. 17:7-9) And the result? Jehoshaphat and Judah receive the LORD’s blessing.

Unfortunately, Jehoshaphat hits a snag: he enters into an alliance with Ahab, which proves nearly fatal in the battle against Syria over Ramoth-gilead (and which has much more serious consequences in following generations). Regarding this alliance, the prophet Jehu confronts Jehoshaphat, asking, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?”

Hmmm. Good question — one that we should continually ask ourselves. Take a good look at your own relationships: friendships, business associates, political parties, social clubs, etc. Which of those show devotion to the LORD? Which demonstrate opposition to the LORD? Which might constitute questionable alliances or partnerships? Which draw you closer to the LORD? Which pull you away from the LORD or push you to compromise the truth?

Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat! Choose your friends wisely!

I Kings 20-22:50

There is plenty to think about in today’s reading, but three things in particular stick out for me.

First, in Ahab’s victories over Ben-Hadad, it should be abundantly clear that the LORD grants these victories for His own name’s sake. These victories are not a reward for Ahab’s (or Israel’s) good behavior. Far from it! Ahab has done nothing to earn the LORD’s favor, and everything to earn His condemnation. Rather, the LORD declares that He fights for Israel in order that Ahab might “know that I am the LORD.” (I Kings 20:13,28)

Second, in I Kings 21:27-29, when Ahab shows some semblance of repentance, the LORD is quick to show him mercy. That is entirely consistent with His character, as revealed throughout Scripture, but it is in marked contrast to the caricature of the harsh “God of the Old Testament” that we see all over our culture — and even within the church.

Third, Ahab prefers to listen to 400 false prophets who tell him what he wants to hear rather than to Micaiah, the one true prophet who speaks the truth. Why? Simply because, “he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.” (I Kings 22:8) Well, maybe there is a reason for that, Ahab!

Sadly, we see Ahab’s preference for hearing “favorable” lies instead of the truth all throughout our society. But now the false “prophets” are on TV reporting the “news” on mainstream media. Or they are on social media platforms where we sit in our echo chambers that reinforce our own opinions. Anyone who dares to speak the truth is likely to be canceled — with devastating personal consequences.

How about you? Do you hear only what you want to hear? Are you willing to face reality? Do you really seek the truth, even when it hurts? Are you willing to speak the truth, like Micaiah, even if it means being rejected?

I Kings 16:21-19:21

Today we meet wicked King Ahab and his adorable wife, Jezebel. Together they strongly institute Baal worship in Israel, furthering Israel’s descent into idolatry.

We also meet Elijah, who appears quite suddenly, with no backstory, no build up to establish who he is or what authority he might have. Elijah just appears on the scene and confronts Ahab saying, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before Whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” (I Kings 17:1) Like the plagues on Egypt during the Exodus, this drought serves to demonstrate the LORD’s superiority over Baal. Who controls the weather, anyway? Hint: It’s not Baal!

The showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel proves the same point, and the people there get the message, proclaiming, “The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God.” (I Kings 18:39) But Ahab and Jezebel remain unmoved. Jezebel instead issues a death warrant for Elijah, who flees for his life.

Feeling utterly alone and exhausted, Elijah prays to die (I Kings 19:4), but the LORD instead feeds him and leads him on to Mount Horeb (aka Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments). There at Horeb, the LORD asks him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Elijah complains that he has stood strong for the LORD but that he is alone, and all his efforts have only earned him a death sentence. So the LORD gives Elijah an object lesson, sending a strong wind, a powerful earthquake, and fire. But the LORD is not in any of these awesome displays of power. The LORD is instead in a still, small voice, a whisper of silence.

The LORD again asks, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah responds with the same words as before, but I think his attitude is now much different. His response is less of a complaint about his own trials, and more just a statement of perceived fact. (At least, that’s how I see it.) The LORD then sends Elijah on his way with a fresh assignment to anoint new leadership. And in the process He corrects Elijah’s perception: Elijah is not, in fact, alone; the LORD still has 7,000 faithful followers in Israel.

So how about us? Are we looking for dramatic victories? Are we frustrated that the world continues in unbelief despite clear demonstrations of truth? Do we feel all alone against the world? Do we feel sorry for ourselves and mope about our trials?

Perhaps we should ask ourselves, What are you doing here?

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One more thing…

In I Kings 16:24 we learn that King Omri builds a new city, Samaria. This city becomes the capital of the northern kingdom, Israel. As the capital, Samaria is often used as a synonym for the entire northern kingdom of Israel, just as we today speak of Washington, Beijing, or Moscow in place of the U.S.A., China, or Russia, respectively.

II Chronicles 12-16

Chronicles gives us some details that we do not get in Kings. We see some positive features of both Rehoboam and Abijah, and shortcomings in Asa. Asa is still clearly the most godly of these first three kings of Judah, as he works to eradicate idolatry. But late in his reign, after years of walking in the ways of the LORD and enjoying His blessings, Asa slips. For whatever reason, he turns from faith in the LORD toward human solutions. And when he is rebuked, he refuses to listen. (II Chronicles 16:7-10) Asa starts so well, but ends poorly. How sad!

May we all take Asa’s story to heart. May we always continue in faith, but if we slip, may we quickly turn back to the Lord, and not refuse His grace and mercy. Let’s not rest on past performance. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. Let’s finish the race, and finish well. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

I Kings 14:21-16:20; II Chronicles 10-11

We now have a divided kingdom. As I mentioned yesterday, Chronicles focuses on the southern kingdom of Judah and mostly ignores the northern kingdom of Israel. But Chronicles cannot ignore Israel entirely because what happens there often affects Judah, too. We see that today in II Chronicles 11:13-17, where we learn that Jeroboam not only allows non-Levites to be (false) priests (I Kings 12:31), but he actively casts out the Levites from being priests. As a result, all the Levites leave their cities scattered across the territory of Israel and move to Judah. Furthermore, those from all the other tribes who desire to remain faithful to the LORD likewise come to Jerusalem to sacrifice. (Whether they permanently relocate or simply visit Jerusalem to sacrifice is unclear to me, but I lean toward permanent relocation.) All those faithful people help Rehoboam go the right direction for a few years. (II Chr. 11:17)

Unfortunately, that is not enough, and Rehoboam falls away from the LORD, as we see in our reading in Kings. Like his father Solomon (and like Jeroboam), Rehoboam turns to idolatry, building high places and pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree, practicing cult prostitution, and acting according to all the abominations of the nations that the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. (I Kings 14:23-24) In short order, Rehoboam loses the wealth that Solomon had amassed and is forced to substitute bronze for gold. (I Kings 14:25-27) His son, Abijam (or Abijah), continues in sin, but Abijam’s son, Asa, turns things around. We’ll see more of Asa tomorrow.

Meanwhile, back in Israel, Jeroboam reigns for 22 years and is followed by his son, Nadab, who reigns for only 2 years. Then, Baasha rises up and kills Nadab and the rest of Jeroboam’s descendants in accordance with the LORD’s judgment against Jeroboam. (I Kings 15:27-30) One would hope that Baasha might then point Israel back to the LORD, but he does not; he continues Jeroboam’s idolatry. So the LORD pronounces the same judgment against Baasha that He spoke against Jeroboam. (I Kings 16:1-4) After Baasha reigns 24 years, followed by his son, Elah, for 2 years, Zimri fulfills the LORD’s judgment against Baasha, striking down his entire house. (I Kings 16:8-13) But he reigns for only seven days and is replaced by Omri. Will he do better? Well, let’s just say that we should get used to this pattern.

Are we paying attention? Do we remember that the LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness? (Ex. 34:6) Do we see that the LORD is giving Israel plenty of time and opportunity to repent? Do we see the horrendous natural consequences of turning away from Him? Do we see that bronze might be a bit shiny, but it is no real substitute for gold?

Let’s learn from the history of Judah and Israel. Let’s not follow the world. Let’s humble ourselves, bow down before the LORD, and follow the One True King.