182 - Today we are half way through the Bible.

King Hezekiah

Kathleen's thoughts

The Passover renewed. What a wonderful way to celebrate the halfway mark of God's word. Celebrating the Passover being renewed.
The reading today has been a great blessing knowing that...
2 chronicles 30: 13-22.  But Hesekiah had interceded for them, saying, May the good Lord provide atonement on behalf of whoever sets his whole heart on seeking God, the Lord God of his ancestors, even though not according to the purification rules of the sanctuary. So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 27 Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven.

Isaiah 28: 1-6 A warning

Isaiah 28: 7-13 The drunken prophets of Judah

Isaiah 2: 14-22 A cornerstone for Zion.

Isaiah 28: 23-29 God's wisdom.

Hosea 5: 1-7 A warning against idolatry

Hosea 5: 8-15 Judgment on Judah and Israel.

Hosea 6: 1-11... The people's insincere repentance...Come let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, and He will heal us; He has wounded us, and He will bind up our wounds. He will revive us after two days, and on the third day He will raise us up so we can live in His presence. Let us strive to know the Lord His appearance is as sure as the dawn.

Blessings
Kathleen.

182 - God instructs him correctly and teaches him

King Hezekiah

Chareen's Thoughts

• Isaiah brings words of warning, speaks about drunk prophets, the cornerstone of Zion and God's wisdom.
• Hosea brings a word and warning against idolatry, the judgement of Judah and Israel, their insincere repentance.
• Come and let us return to the Lord, for He has torn so that He may heal us; He has stricken so that He may bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us (quicken us, give us life); on the third day He will raise us up that we may live before Him Hosea 6:1-2 These words echo to me of Christs death and resurrection and His gift of life eternal to us.
• King Hezekiah decalares that the people must prepare for pass over.
• They wanted to celebrate the passover at a different time because they had missed out.  They did so and Hezekiah prayed: For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than Moses directed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, May the good Lord pardon everyone Who sets his heart to seek and yearn for God—the Lord, the God of his fathers—even though not complying with the purification regulations of the sanctuary. 2 Chronicles30:18-19

 Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone of sure foundation; he who believes (trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone) will not be ashamed or give way or hasten away [in sudden panic]. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plummet; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the hiding place (the shelter). Isaiah 28:16-17
[And he trains each of them correctly] for his God instructs him correctly and teaches him. Isaiah 28:26
This also comes from the Lord of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel [and] excellent in wisdom and effectual working. Isaiah 28:29

Wow Six months complete !  I really enjoyed the word today.
Blessings to you all
Chareen

181 - For it was done suddenly

Hezekiah King of Judah

Chareen's Thoughts

• Isaiah speaks about the sinful city and what she will become.
• We continue to read about Israel being plundered and the sin of her kings (Hoshea, Pekah, Ahaz, Hezekiah,
• Hezekiah trusted in, leaned on, and was confident in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that neither after him nor before him was any one of all the kings of Judah like him. For he clung and held fast to the Lord and ceased not to follow Him, but kept His commandments, as the Lord commanded Moses. 2 Kings 18:5-6
• In the first year of his reign he opened the doors of the temple cleansed and consecrated it. He then restored the worship of the Lord in the land.

Thus Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of what God had prepared for the people, for it was done suddenly. 2 Chronicles 29:36

I love how this verse points out it happened suddenly.  I get so tired of waiting that I forget that suddenly it will be.  So encouraged to read these words today.

Blessings
Chareen

181 - Hezekiah's godly reign.

Hezekiah King of Judah

Kathleen's thoughts

Isaiah 1: 21-31 The sinful city. God speaks through Isaiah and says He will restore Israel to what it once was, He will refine them and when it's done it will be called the Righteous City, a faithful City. Zion will be redeemed by justice, her repentant ones by righteousness. The sinners will be destroyed.

2 Kings 16: 10-18 2 Chronicles 2: 20 & 22-25 Jerusalem plundered. King Ahaz did what was not pleasing to God. He turned his back on the Lord and started to worship idols. He closed the Lords temple and made high places in the city of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15:30-31 Pekah killed.

2 Kings 17: 1-2 Hoshea He reigned over Israel in Samaria for 9 years

2 Kings 16: 19-20, 2 Chronicles 268: 26-27 Death of Ahaz ( he was not buried in the tomb of the kings.his son Hezekiah became king in his place.

2 Kings 18: 1-3, 18: 5-6 2 Chronicles 29: 1-2  Hezekiah reigned for 29 years in Jerusalem. He did what was right in the Lords eye just as his ancestor David had done.

2 Chronicles 29: 3-19 Temple reconsecrated and cleansed

2 Chronicles 29: 20-36 Temple worship restored.
The King Hezekiah and the officials told the Levites to sing praise to the Lord in the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with rejoicing and bowed down and worshiped.

Psalm 20: 5 Let us shout for joy at your victory and lift the banner in the name of our God. May the Lord fulfill all your requests.

Blessings
Kathleen.

180 - He owns a cattle of a thousand hills...

Kathleen's thoughts

2 Kings 16: 5-6 Isaiah 7: 1-2 The conspiracy

Isaiah 7: 3-9 Israel to be broken

2 Chronicles 28: 17-19 Judah invaded

Psalm 50: 1-23 True worship...God lets us know that everything in this world is His and I love that hymn He owns a cattle of a thousand Hills..

Isaiah 8: 1-4 17: 1-14 Damascus to be judged

2 Chronicles 28: 16 & 21 2 Kings 16: 7-9 Assyria defeats Syria

2 Kings 15: 29, 1 Chronicles 5: 25-26 Eatern tribes deported

Isaiah 1: 2-20 Warning to Judah

We can see through this reading that God is telling us He is in control of everything under the sun. If you disobey Him He will pull you into line just as He did with the nations of Israel and Judah.
1 Peter 1:7 so that the genuineness of your faith - more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory, and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
We need to keep our our eyes and hearts focused on our Living Saviour and give Him all the glory. Everything we do we must do it for His glory and not ours.

Blessings

Kathleen.

180 - Thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me

Chareen's Thoughts

• Two kings conspire to wag war against Jerusalem. The Lord encourages the king that Israel will be broken. 
•  True worship. 
• Damascus is to be judged and Assyria defeats Syria. 
• The Lord warns Judah and invites them: Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.  If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;  But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it  Isaiah 1:18-20 

If you will not believe and trust and rely [on God and on the words of God’s prophet instead of Assyria], surely you will not be established nor will you remain. Isaiah 7:9
He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright [who prepares the way that I may show him], to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23

Blessings
Chareen 

179 - The coming Messiah.

Kathleen's thougths

2 Kings 16: 1-4 2 Chronicles 28: 1-4 Ahaz son of Jotham was 20 years old when he became king of Judah  and he reigned for 16 years and he did not do right in the eyes of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 28: 5-8 Pekah's victory

Isaiah 7: 10-16 Future hope...Isaiah said, "Listen, house of David! Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men? Will you also try the patience of my God? Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign; The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

Isaiah 9: 1-7 The future King...For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 7: 17-25, Isaiah 8: 5-22 Judah will be invaded...


Isaiah 9: 8-21, 10: 1-14...The coming chastisement.14 So the Lord cut off Israel's head and tail, palm branch and reed in a single day. The head is the elder, the honoured one; the tail is the prophet, the lying teacher. The leaders of the people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.


2 Chronicles 28: 9-15 Oded's intercession...


2 Peter 1:19-21  So we have the prophetic word strongly confirmed. You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dismal place...because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God'


Blessings
Kathleen.

179 - Shall call his name Immanuel [God with us]

the Prophet Isaiah.

Chareen's Thoughts

• Jotham dies. Ahaz becomes king and walked in sin.  Due to this sin the Lord handed them over to Pekah and the king of Israel. 
• The Lord declares the conception of Jesus to Ahaz through Isaiah. Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us].(A) 15 Butter and curds and wild honey shall he eat when he knows [enough] to refuse the evil and choose the good. Isaiah 7:15-16
• Isaiah speaks about the future hope and future king and Judah's invasion and comming chastisement.

How sad to read that within a nation they took oneanother captive.  Makes me think about how as Christians we hold one another captive. One of the main ways is when we expect each other to live by our own set of laws and rules. We read the word and apply a rule to ourselves and then expect everyone else to live by it.

Key:  Set others free from living by my rules of right and wrong.

Blessings
Chareen

178 - Shows Himself holy in righteousness

The Prophet Isaiah

Chareen's Thoughts

• Isaiah declares the restoration of Jerusalem. and he tells the parable of a vineyard.
• From this parable Isaiah declares six woes .
•   And the common man is bowed down, and the great man is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are humbled. But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and God, the Holy One, shows Himself holy in righteousness and through righteous judgments. Isaiah 5:15-16
•   Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent and shrewd in their own sight! Isaiah 5:20-21
• Micha (33 book in the old testament and the 11th book of prophesy) brings the word of the Lord regardind Samaria and Jerusalem.
• He declares Israels sin and the promise to gather the remnant .
• Jotham rebuilt part of the Lords temple.

Therefore My people go into captivity [to their enemies] without knowing it and because they have no knowledge [of God]. And their honorable men [their glory] are famished, and their common people are parched with thirst. Isaiah 5:13
and God, the Holy One, shows Himself holy in righteousness and through righteous judgments. Isaiah 5:15-16

We are blessed by our knowledge of God.

Blessings

178 - Micah's message.

Kathleen's thoughts

Isaiah 4: 1-6 Restoration of Jerusalem

Isaiah 5: 1-7 vineyard

Isaiah 5: 8-30 Six woes

2 Chronicles 27: 306 Jotham's strength
2 Kings 15:3l7 Rezin joins Pekah
2 Kings 15:36, 2 Chronicles 27: 7 & 9 Jotham's death.


Micah 1: 1-16, 2: 1-13 I read this on a other site and found it most interesting

Micah’s name

Micah’s name means ‘Who is like Yahweh (God)?’ Yahweh is a *Hebrew name for God. And the answer to this question is that nobody is like God. Nobody is as wonderful as God is. Micah’s parents gave him that name. The name describes God’s wonderful character. In the end, God forgave his people. The end of Micah’s book describes this. The people sang a song to praise God (Micah 7:18). In *Hebrew, the song starts with the words ‘Who is like God?’ God is wonderful. There is nobody else like him. He is the God who has forgiven his guilty people. So Micah uses a form of his own name here. His name describes God’s goodness. God pities his people. He is kind to them. He forgives their *sins.

Samaria

This city is 30 miles north from Jerusalem. It is on a hill that has steep sides. The hill also has a long flat top, which was difficult to reach then. King Omri chose that hill as the place where he intended to build a city. The city would be the capital of the nation called *Israel. Omri bought the hill from a man called Shemer. Omri paid two pieces of silver for it. He built a city on the hill. He named the city Samaria. That name came from the name of the previous owner, Shemer (1 Kings 16:23, 24). This happened in 925 *BC. The hill was called the hill of Samaria. The city called Samaria became the capital for the 10 northern families. And people also gave the same name to that northern nation.

The structure of Micah’s book

The book consists of *prophecy. We can divide it into 3 sections:

Section 1       chapters 1-2

Section 2       chapters 3-5

Section 3       chapters 6-7.

Each section begins with the command ‘hear’ or ‘listen’. It starts with blame. It starts with things about which Micah warned. Each section then continues from judgement to hope. And it ends with a promise.

The first section has a magnificent start. It describes God’s punishment. God declares that he will punish *Israel and Judah because of their *sins. He will punish them because they *worship idols (verses 2-4). (An idol is something that people *worship instead of the one real God. It may be the sun, the moon, or any object or animal.) Then Micah describes how God will punish Samaria (verses 5-9). Its people will be slaves in another country (Micah 2:10). But immediately afterwards there is a promise about success and about a wonderful return (Micah 2:12-13).

The second section is especially for the rulers and leaders of the people. Their *sins are these: They have evil desire and they steal from other people. God blames them with strong words. First he *curses the people. Then he *blesses them. Then there is a promise that one day they will return to their country.

The last section is in chapters 6 and 7. God calls his people to a meeting with him. He argues with them. He speaks to them about urgent matters. His actions are right for his people. He has good reasons for his actions. His reasons are right and proper.

The book ends with a grand song that expresses happiness. God will rescue his people. A long time ago, God brought his people out of Egypt. It will be like that again. Everyone will agree with God. They will know that he is a kind God. He is a loyal God. He has done what he promised to do (Micah 7:16-20). The last verse is similar to what Zacharias the *priest later sang (Luke 1:72-73). Micah’s *prophecies are distinct and clear. He says that the Ruler (the *Messiah) will come. The Ruler will come from the town called Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Micah writes like Hosea and Isaiah. The words that he writes are strong and firm.

The messages in this book were especially for Samaria. This was the capital of *Israel. The messages were also for Jerusalem. This was the capital of Judah. God chose rulers to lead their nations. God intended that the rulers should *worship him. And they should obey him. Instead they led their people badly. They taught their people to *worship other gods. This was true about both nations. The rulers also cheated people. They robbed the poor people. God therefore had to punish *Israel and Judah.

However, God promised that things would change. The people in *Israel and in Judah would start to *worship him again. His people would live in safety and peace (Micah 4:3-4).

Sections in the Book of Micah

	1:1-2	Brief description of the book
Section 1	1:3-2:13	Punishment and Rescue
	1:2-16	God will punish the people in Samaria and Judah
	2:1-11	Evil leaders and false *prophets will suffer
	2:12-13	God will bring a *remnant back to Zion (another name for Jerusalem)

Blessings 
Kathleen.

177 - Your sin is completely atoned for

Isaiah
James Tissot 1896

Chareen's Thoughts

• Kings we meet today: Pekahiah, Jotham,
• It is during this time that we meet Isaiah.  Isaiah has a beautiful vision of the Holy of Holies and asks the Lord to cleanse his lips.
• The Lord gave Isaiah a vision and a promise concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
• He speaks about chastisement before blessings.
• The proud looks of man shall be brought low, and the haughtiness of men shall be humbled; and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. Isaiah 2:11

The vision of Isaiah and the song born from this vision is one of my favourites.  I love the power in the words.

And with it he touched my mouth and said, Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity and guilt are taken away, and your sin is completely atoned for and forgiven. Isaiah 6:7

177 - The beginning of Isaiah.

Kathleen's thoughts


2 Kings 15: 25-26 Pekahiah killed

2 Kings 15: 27-28 Pekah Son of Remaliah became king over Israel in Samaria.


2 Kings 15: 6-7 2 Chronicles 26: 22-23 Uzziah's death. Azariah rested with his fathers, adn he was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His son Jotham became king in his place.
The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz wrote about the rest of the events of Uzziah's reign, from beginning to end. He rested with his fathers,  and he was buried with his fathers in the buriel ground of the kings' cemetery, for they said, He has a skin disease His son Jotham became king in his place.


Isaiah 1-13 Isaiah sees the Lord. Imagine seeing the Lord like Isaiah had. The Lord sitting on the throne with Seraphim's on either side of Him with their wings covering his face, feet. The sound of them singing Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts His glory fill the whole earth. The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke.
Isaiah saying he was a man of unclean lips and then the angel flies towards him with hot coals touches his lips and says' "your wickedness is removed and your sin is atoned for.

2 Chornicles 27: 1-2 & 8 2 Kings 18: 32 -35 Jotham. he was 25 years old when he became king and he reigned for 16 years in Jerusalem. He did what was right in the Lords eyes as his father Uzziah. It was Jotham who built the Upper Gate of the Lord's temple.


Isaiah 2: 1-5 The promise. In the last days the mountain of the Lord's houe will be established at the top of the mountain.
House of Jacob, come and let us walk in the Lord's light.

Isaiah 2: 6-22, 3: 1-26 Chastisement before blessing. 12 - For a day belonging to the Lord of Hosts is coming against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up - it will be humbled.
Important So human pride will be brought low, and the loftiness of men will humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted on that day. The idols will vanish completely.
3...5 The people will oppress one another man against man, neighbour against neighbour; the youth will act arrogantly toward the elder, and the worthless toward the honourable.
3...12 Youths oppress My people, and woman rule over them. My people your leaders mislead you; they confuse the direction of your paths.

This is exactly what is happening in the world today. 


Blessings
Kathleen.

176 - withdrawing themselves from subjection to their God

Chareen's Thoughts

• The Lord shows Amos visions and declares the end.  Amos speaks about Israel's doom..
• The Lord declares His judgements to Amos.
• Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy (a pleading contention) with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness, love, pity and mercy, or knowledge of God [from personal experience with Him] in the land. There is nothing but [false] swearing and breaking faith and killing and stealing and committing adultery; they break out [into violence], one [deed of] bloodshed following close on another. Therefore shall the land [continually] mourn, and all who dwell in it shall languish, together with the wild beasts of the open country and the birds of the heavens; yes, the fishes of the sea also shall [perish because of the drought] be collected and taken away. Hosea 4:1-3
• The Lord's accusation and worship condemned.
• ... For the spirit of harlotry has led them astray and they have played the harlot, withdrawing themselves from subjection to their God. Hosea 4:12
• Jeroboam dies and Zechariah becomes king after he dies Shallum, Menahem become king.
• Uzziah grew strong and arrogant entered the Lord's house to offer incense.  He is rebuked by the priests. 
• As a consequence the Lord afflicted him with a skin disease till he died.
• Menahem died, Pekahiah took his place and walked in sin.

Hear this, O you who would swallow up and trample down the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail and come to an end, Saying, When will the New Moon festival be past that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath that we may offer wheat for sale, making the ephah [measure] small and the shekel [measure] great and falsifying the scales by deceit, That we may buy [into slavery] the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals; yes, and sell the refuse of the wheat [as if it were good grade]? Amos 8:4-6. I found these words interesting.  It speaks so clearly about the attitude of the heart

blessings
Chareen

176 - Evil Kings.

Kathleen's thoughts

Amos 8: 1-3 Another vision

Amos 8: 4-14 Israel's doom.

Amos 9: 1-10 The Lord's judgement

2 Kings 14" 28-29 Jeroboam's death

Hosea 4: 1-11 The Lord's accusation. One of my favourite verses here is verse 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Then the other one is verse 11 Promiscuity, wine, and new wine take away one's understanding.

Hosea 4: 12-19 Pagan worship condemned.

2 Kings 15: 8-12 Zechariah Shallum son of Jabesh conspried against Zechariah. He struck him down publicly killed him and became king in his place.

2 Kings 15: 13-15 Shallum He did what was evil in the Lord's eyes.

2 Kings 15: 16-18 Menahem He reigned 10 years over Israel he did what was evil in the Lords eyes.

2 Kings 15: 19-20 Assyrian invasion

2 Chronicles 26: 16-18 Uzziah's intrusion. When he became strong he became arrogant and it led to his own destruction by going into the Lords temple to burn incense and the priests went in with him and told him he had no right to do what he was doing so...

2 Chronicles 26: 19-21 2 Kings 15:5 Uzziah's leprosy. The Lord afflicted Uzziah with a skin disease until the day of his death.

2 Kings 15: 21-22 Menahem's death. He rested with his fathers and his son became king over Israel

2 Kings 15: 23-24 Pekahiah son of Menahem He became king over Israel and reigned for 2 years during the fiftieth year of Judah's king Azariah.


Blessings
Kathleen.

175 - Amos

Prophet Amos by Gustave Dore

Kathleen's thoughts

Amos 4: 1-5 Israel is reproved
Amos 4: 6-13 Israel's impenitance shown
Amos 5: 1-6 The call to seek the Lord.
Amos 5: 7-17 Exhortations to repentance
Amos 5: 18-27 Warnings of judgment
Amos 6: 1-7 The danger of luxury
Amos 6: 8-14 Punishments for sins
Amos 7: 1-9 Amos's visions
Amos 7: 10-17 Amos and Amaziah
\

Amos I went onto the web about Amos and thought I would share this what I found. It's a simplar version of the study.

Amos

by Wayne Blank

Amos was one of the so-called "minor prophets" of The Bible (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi), not because their ministries were somehow less important, but because their written accounts in the Scriptures are much shorter than the "major prophets" (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and Jeremiah).

Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa, a town in Judea between Bethlehem and Hebron. In describing his calling, he said, "I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and The Lord took me from following the flock, and The Lord said to me, 'Go, prophesy to My people Israel.'" (Amos 7:14-15 RSV)

Amos was a prophet of the southern kingdom of Judah with a prophetic message that moreover included the northern kingdom of Israel (see Jews At War With Israel). He was active during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam II of Israel (see Kings of Israel and Judah), around the same time as the prophets Isaiah and Hosea.

Under Jeroboam II the kingdom of Israel reached its peak of power and wealth, but as has always been the case with great nations and empires through human history (see also Daniel's Statue), all of whom eventually were either conquered by foreign invaders (e.g. Nazi Germany during the Second World War), or collapsed into chaos from within (e.g. the Soviet Union, a former world "superpower"), their human-centered arrogant pride and self-perceived greatness that ignored the God that made it all possible, made them a very violent, idolatrous and immoral society, to which God said, "I abhor the pride of Jacob, and hate his strongholds; and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it." (Amos 6:8 RSV)

Amos was sent by God to warn them to repent before it was too late. They didn't listen.

The Book of Amos consists of three parts:

• The judgment of Israel's neighbors for their sin: Damascus (Syria today), Gaza (the "Palestinians" today), Tyre (Lebanon today), Ammon and Moab (Jordan today) (Amos 1-2)
• The spiritual corruption of Judah and Israel (Amos 2-6)
• Five prophetic visions:
• The first two of locusts and fire (Amos 7:1-6).
• The next two (Amos 7:7-9 and 8:1-3) warn of impending catastrophe against the sinful nation.
• The fifth describes the overthrow and ruin of Israel (Amos 9:1-10) which was eventually completed by the Assyrians (see Ancient Empires - Assyria), but it also promises a future restoration of Israel (not just Judah) after the coming of the Messiah (Amos 9:11-15).

Interesting read.

Blessings

Kathleen.

175 - Hate the evil and love the good

Amos by James Tissot

Chareen's Thoughts

• From Jonah we move to the book of Amos.  It's the 30th book of the Old Testament and eighth book of prophecy.
• The word of the Lord came to Amos in judgement of the nations,  Israel and Judah.
• The Lord speaks about His hand on them and how they still did not return to Him. He calls them to seek Him. To turn and repent. He warns them of the impending judgement.
• He declared the anger of the Lord over those in luxury who did not concern themselves with the plite of Joseph.
• He speaks of the punishment of sin and gives Amos visions. Through these visions we see the Lords justice and compassion working hand in hand.  He speaks of a plumb line
• Amaziah tries to banish Amos because of his prophesies.

  Therefore he who is prudent will keep silence in such a time, for it is an evil time.  Seek (inquire for and require) good and not evil that you may live, and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said.  Hate the evil and love the good and establish justice in the [court of the city’s] gate. It may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph [the northern kingdom]. Amos 5:13-15 Our God is an Awesome God.

Blessings
Chareen

174 - Jonah

The Prophet Jonah

Kathleen's thoughts

Jonah's 1: 1-11 Jonah's disobedience The Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai to get up and go to the city of Nineveh and preach against it because of their wickedness  but instead he disobeyed the Lord and fled to Tarshish from the Lord's presence. He went to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish and paid the fare. The ship came into difficulties from the high winds and the sailors were afraid. Jonah was in the lowest part of the vessel and stretched himself out and had fallen into a deep sleep. The captain of the ship went down and found Jonah and told him to call to his God and maybe they won't perish. Meanwhile the sailors had cast lots then they will know who is to blame for this and the lots singled out Jonah.  Jonah told them he was Hebrew and he worships Yahweh, the God of the heavens  So the men were even more afraid.


Jonah 1: 12-17 Jonah in the fish. So Jonah told them to throw him over board then the seas might just quieten down for them, for I know I am to blame for these high winds as he had disobeyed the Lords commands to go to Nineveh The moment the sailors threw him over board the seas' became calm. The Lord had appointed a big fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 2: 1-9 Jonah's prayer As my life was fading away, I remembered the Lord. My prayer came to You, to Your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forsake faithful love, but as for me, I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving. I will full fill what I have vowed. SALVATION IS FROM THE LORD!

Jonah 2:10 Jonah's deliverance The the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Jonah 3: 1-10 Jonah at Nineveh Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time. "Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach  the message that I tell you So Jonah got up and went to Nineveh according to the Lord's command.

Jonah 4: 1-11 His strange reaction


Amos 1: 1-15 2: 1-3 Judgment's against nations...The Lord roars from Zion and raises His voice from Jerusalem..
I will not relent from punishing... Damascus, Aram, Gaza Ashdod, Ashkelon, Tyre, Edom, Teman, Gelead, Rabbah, Moab, Kerioth.


Amos 2: 4-16, 3: 1-15 Judgment's against Israel and Judah. The Lord says; I will not relent from punishing Judah & Israel

What I have learnt from this reading is that when the Lord tell you to go out and preach the gospel you need to listen and do it. The Lord is with you where ever you go. He is your provider. The sad thing is many of us think our way is far greater but we soon learn the wrath of God. To prosper is to walk in God's statues and to keep on bended knees.

Blessings
Kathleen.

174 - Should I not spare Nineveh ?

The Prophet Jonah

Chareen's Thoughts

•  Today we read the story of Jonah. Nineveh must have been a city with a huge reputation for a prophet to choose to try and run away from God's command to go there.
• Jonah fell into a deep sleep while a storm raged! (Jesus did the same with his disciples)
• The men of the ship asked what they should do and Jonah said to throw him into the sea at which things instantly calmed down.  The Lord had sent a great fish to swallow Jonah. 
• Jonah was in the fish three days and 3 nights. (Jesus was dead for three days and three nights)
• Then Jonah prayed.  It was only after he prayed that the Lord commanded the fish to release him.
• The Lord commanded and Jonah obeyed.  He preached the word of the LORD in the city.
• The whole city mourned and repented and the Lord took pity on them and did not destroy them.
• And he prayed to the Lord and said, I pray You, O Lord, is not this just what I said when I was still in my country? That is why I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and [when sinners turn to You and meet Your conditions] You revoke the [sentence of] evil against them. Jonah 4:2
• Jonah was a little unhappy with the outcome.
• 10 Then said the Lord, You have had pity on the gourd, for which you have not labored nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons not [yet old enough to] know their right hand from their left, and also many cattle [not accountable for sin]? Jonah 4:10-11 I love how the Lord took time to teach Jonah and explain.

Key for me here is knowing that I can come to Him and He will teach me.  He is a God full of compassion and mercy.

Blessings
Chareen

173 - Faithfulness and forgiveness. Hosea's message.

source

Kathleen's thoughts

2 Kings 14: 23-27 Jeoboam he reigned in Samaria for 41 years

2 Kings 14: 1-20 2 Chronicles 25: 26-28 Amaziah's death

2 Kings 14: 21-22, 15:1-4 2 chronicles 26:2 Uzziah (Azariah) becomes sole ruler.

2 Chronicles 26: 6-15 Uzziah's success

Amos 9: 11-15 Israel's restoration. In that day I will restore the fallen booth of David: I will repair its gaps restore it's ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old.
I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel.

Hosea 1: 1-2: 5 Israel rebuked. The word of the Lord that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel.

he was told by the Lord to marry a promiscuous wife and have children for the whole land has been promiscuous by abandoning the Lord.
He did this and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son and Named him Jezreel, for in a little while I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu and put an end the  the kingdom of the house of Israel.
She conceived again and gave birth to a daughter and the Lord said to him call her No compassion for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel.
When she had finished weaning the daughter she gave birth to a son. Then the Lord said. Name him Not my People for you are not My people and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted And in the place where they were told; You are not My people, they will be called Sons of the living God.
For the day of Jezreel will be great.

Hosea 2: 6-13 God's judgement.
Hosea 2: 14-23 God's promises.
Hosea 3: 1-5 Israel restored.


I Love this... Then the Lord said to me,"Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the Israelites thought they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.
So I bought her for 15 shekels of silver and five bushels of barley. I said to her, You must live with me many days. Don't be promiscuous or belong to any man, and I will act the same way toward you:
For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, and without ephod or household idols. Afterwards, the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come with awe to the Lord and to His goodness in the last days.

For thought and contemplation. ..Love is patient; love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited;... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends...: 1 Cor. 13: 4,7-8

Blessings
Kathleen.

173 - Hosea a minor prophet with a majour message.

Chareen's Thoughts

Blogging your way through the bible is so much harder than I thought it would be.  Sometimes the repetitive historical nature of the good and bad kings can be long and drawn out.  Some days it's easy to read other days it's not so easy.  I find as I read that I am always learning some lessons are profound others are yes I do know that.

Benefits of blogging my way through my daily readings are accountability and the fact that I need to slow down and think.

Source

Today ...

•  More evil kings reign in Israel and Judah.  Jeroboam,  Amaziah, 
• Good kings Uzziah (Azariah) he did what was right, ,
• Because Ussiah did what was right (although he did not remove the high places) the Lord helped him to overcome his enemies.  He built marvelous machines to help in war and he became famous.
• Hosea was a prophet during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah the kings of Judah.
• The Lord told Hosea to marry a promiscuous wife.  They had three children, two sons and a daughter whom the Lord named Jezreel, No Compassion and Not my People.
• The Lord passed judgement and the His Promise.
• Then said the Lord to me, Go again, love [the same] woman [Gomer] who is beloved of a paramour and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins [used in the sacrificial feasts in idol worship]. Hosea 3:1

What an amazing man Hosea must have been for the Lord to entrust him with living the kind of love the Lord has for His people ?

4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy ([a]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]. 1 Corinthians 13:4, 7-8

 Blessings
Chareen

172 - Elisha goes home to be with the Lord. Judah and Israel.

Kathleen's thoughts

2 Kings 13: 12-25, 14: 1-17
2 Chronicles 25: 1-24

Jehoash visits Elisha - Elisha becomes ill and Jehoash visits him and cries over him saying "My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel" Elisha prophesies over Jehoash.


Elisha dies and buried. A Marauding bands ( It means to raid a territory or a town in order to gain plunder. In other words, a group of soldiers are marauding if they go into a town for the purpose of ...)of Moabites. The Israelites were burying a man and when they saw the bands of Moabites they threw the corpse into Elisha's tomb and as it hit Elisha's body the man's life was revived and he stood up!


Jerusalem plundered. 
Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and broke down 200 yards of Jerusalem's wall from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate. HE TOOK ALL THE GOLD AND SILVER AND ALL THE UTENSILS FOUND IN THE LORD'S TEMPLE AND IN THE TREASURIES OF THE KING'S PALACE, AND THE HOSTAGES, THEN HE RETURNED TO SAMARIA. 
So once again we see the evasion into the Holy Temple and the treasuries are taken.


Then Uzziah at the age of 16 becomes king of Jerusalem and he reigned for 52 years in Jerusalem His mother's name was Jecoliah and she was from Jerusalem.  He did what was right in the Lord's sight as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God throughout his lifetime of Zechariah, the teacher of the fear of God. During the time that he sought the Lord, God gave him success. 
Here it show one that when you seek the Lord He shall be found and the rewards are great pressed down to overflowing. 


We read in today's word about the kings of Israel Judah etc it was a constant fight between the various places and all because of their choice to allow the high places in their land. God constantly reminds us through his word DO NOT DO IT! Today we look around the gardens of people and in their homes, one walks in shops they displayed... their are idols and temples being erected everywhere you go today. The prophecy of Joel with the earth shaking and we wonder why. As the word says My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

This is food for thought have a wonderful blessed day.
Kathleen.

172 - So much more with His Spirit

The Miracle at the Grave of Elisha by Jan Nagel 1602

Chareen's Thoughts

• Jehoash visited Elisha on his death bed.  Elisha tells him to shoot the arrow of deliverance.  
• Elisha died and was buried. Once a man was thrown into Elisha's tomb and when he touched Elisha's bones the man revived and stood up.
• But he did not slay their children; he did as it is written in the Law, in the Book of Moses, where the Lord commanded, The fathers shall not die for the children, or the children die for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin. 2 Chronicles 25:4
• More good and bad kings for Israel and Judah. History repeating itself. Jehoahaz, Hazael, Amaziah, Uzziah(Azariah), Jeroboam,

Amazing to think that the power of God was so strong upon Elisha that even after his death people were raised from the death.  How much more do we have being anointed with the Holy Spirit?  And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. Romans 8:11

Blessings
Chareen

171 - Joel's Prophecy

The Prophet Zehariah

Kathleen's thoughts

Joel 2: 1-32, 3: 1-21 Joel's prophecy.

2 Chronicles 24: 15-24
2 Kings 12: 17-18, 13: 8-11These are Jehoiada's death, Prices backslide, Joash bribes Hazael, Jehoahaz's death, Jehoash's evil life, Zechariah slain, Judah defeated, Joash slain.


I so enjoyed today's reading...It was about the prophecy of judgment, exhortation to repent, results of repentance, the great promise, Nations judged & Judah's restoration. 
I will refer to some of the scriptures here from

Joel 2: 28 I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophecy, your old men will have dreasms and your young men will see visions.

Joel 3: 1. Yes, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem. I will gather all the nations and take them to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. I will enter into judgment with them there because of My people, My inheritance Israel. The nations have scattered the Israelites in foreign countries and divided up My land.12 Let the nations be roused and come to the valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit down to judge all the surrounding nations.
This tells me don't harm Israel they my chosen people, Nations, you will be judged accordingly to God's word and promise.


Joel 3: 16 The Lord will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem, heaven and earth will shake But the Lord will be a refuge for His people. a stronghold for the Israelites.

Refer back to 2 Kings 14: 25-28 & 2 Chronicles 12: 9
So King Shishak of Egypt went to war against Jerusalem. He seized the treasuries of the Lord's temple and the treasuries of the Royal palace. He took everything. He took the gold shields that Solomon had made.
 Now in Joel's prophecy it says this about the treasuries from the Holy temple.
Joel 3:4-5 And also; Tyre, Sidon, and all the territories of Philistia - what are you to Me? Are you paying Me back or trying to get even with Me? I will quickly bring retribution on your heads. For you took My silver and gold and carried My finest treasures to your temples.


This is proof God does not sleep - revenge is mine sayeth the Lord.


Joel 2: 12 Then everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved, for there will be an escape for those on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem as the Lord Promised among the survivors the Lord calls.


Have a blessed day friends
Kathleen.