162 - our God loves mercy

King Jehoshaphat cir 1700
Photo taken by David Castor

Chareen's Thoughts

• Jehoshaphat insists on asking a prophet of Yahweh regardless of what King Ahab and his prophets say.  
• The prophet Micaiah is brought before the kings and brings some positive and some negative words from the Lord.  
• King Ahab pitches a fit and has him put in jail and fed bread and water.
• King Ahab disguises himself and joins Jehoshaphat in battle.
• In battle King Ahab is wounded and dies.  He is buried in Samaria and his chariot is washed out there where the prophecy of the Lord is fulfilled.
• On his way back to Jerusalem the Lord rebukes Jehoshaphat for standing and supporting an evil king.
• The Lord shows him mercy for taking down the Asherah poles from the land.
• Jehoshaphat then appoints judges in all the fortified cities and encourages them to do right and blesses them with the terror of the Lord.  He reminds them that there is no injustice or partiality or taking bribes with the LORD their God.
• He returned to Jerusalem and restored order in the House of the Lord and appointed Levites and priests.

 It is so encouraging reading how our God loves mercy and does justly to His people.
Blessings
Chareen

161 - Recognize by experience that I am the Lord

Jezabel and Ahab Meeting Elijah in Naboth's Vineyard
Print by Sir Frank Dicksee

Chareen's Thoughts

• A man of God came and said to the king of Israel, Thus says the Lord: Because the Syrians have said, The Lord is God of the hills but He is not God of the valleys, therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hands, and you shall know and recognize by experience that I am the Lord 1 Kings 20:28
• The Syrians rose up against Israel and the Lord handed them over to Ahab.
• Ahab then makes peace with Ben-hadad.
• The Lord then sentences Ahab to death.
• Ahab then coveted Naboth's vinyard and sulked when Naboth did not give it to him.  Jezabel then had Naboth murdered in the Kings name and Ahab took over the vinyard.
• The Lord then passes sentance on Ahab for this sin via Elijah.
• Ahab humbles himself and repents.  The Lord softens his sentence and says it will take place after Ahab's death.
• Jehoshaphat joins Ahab and asks that they enquire of the Lord.  Ahab's prophets keep saying the Lord says go.  But Jehoshaphat asks again where is the prophet of Yahweh ?

As I read I see time and time again His heart is that :  you shall know and recognize by experience that I am the Lord 1 Kings 20:28

Blessings
Chareen

160 - Elijah and his ministry and how God cares for him.-

Elijah and King Ahab

Kathleen's thoughts

1 Kings 18: 17-46, 19:21, 20: 1-21

In Kings 18 Ahab sees Elijah, and says "You destroyer of Israel" Eiljah replies "I have not destroyed Israel but you and your father's house have, because you have abandoned the Lord's commandments and folled the Baals. Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table.
So Ahab did this.
Elijah proves to Israel that there is only one God through the lighting of the fire and placing a bull on the wood. So Israel called to their gods and nothing happened and then Elijah said to all the people. "Come near me" So all the people approached him.  The he repaired the Lord's altar that had been torn down; Elijah took 12 stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, and hebuilt an altar with the stones in the name of Yhweh. He also made a trench around it wo hold 4 gallons.. Next he arranged the wood cut up the bull and place it on the wood.  He got them to fill 4 pots of water and poured in on the offering to be burned and on the wood. and they did this 3 times.
Take note of the significance of the 3 times 
At the time for the offering in the evening Elijah approached the altar and said "Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that at Your word I have done all these things. Answer me Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that You, Yahweh, are God and that You have turned their hearts back."
Then Yahweh's fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood stones and the dust and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
when the people saw this happen they fell face down and said "Yahweh, He is God!

Then Elijah ordered them to seize the prophets of Baal and brought them down to Wadi Kishon and slaughtered them there.
Elijah then prays for rain.

Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and killed all their prophets of Baal with the sword.
So Jezebel threatens Elijah and Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life.  He journey into the wilderness and sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He cried out to the Lord saying he had had enough. God cares for Elijah by sending a angel  and told him to get up and eat so he ate and drank and lay down again then the angel of the Lord returned a second time and touche him and said get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you. so Elijah got up and ate and drank then from the strength of the food he waked 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb the mountain of God. He spent the night in the cave. I find interesting the 40 days and nights just like Noah and the floods.Then the Lord spoke to Elijah "What are you doing here" Elijah tells him about what happened to the altars and the prophets and now they trying to kill him. This happens twice and then God tells Elijah to make Hazzael king over Aram and anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-mehlah as prophet i your place.
Elisha joins Elijah
Ben-hadad besieges Samaria then Ben-hadads is defeated.

When you serve the Lord wonderful marvelous things happen in our lives. His promises are true and just and when you cry out to Him He will hear your cries.

Matt 25:23 Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your Masters joy.

Blessings
Kathleen.

160 - Elisha called

Elijah Window

Chareen's Thoughts

1 Kings 18,

• Talk about the lack of responsibility. First thing Ahab says when he speaks to Elijah is: Are you he who troubles Israel?
• Elijah then challenges Ahab to a duel on Mount Carmel. He challenged the 450 prophets of Baal to pray and get Baal to burn their sacrifice.  He then has his alter and sacrifice drenched in water before he prays to the LORD who consumes his sacrifice.
• Through this action the people know and acknowledge that the Lord is Yahweh, He is God!
• Elijah commands that the prophets of Baal are to be destroyed.
• It's at this point that Elijah prays and asks for rain.
• When Ahab tells Jezebel who becomes angry with Elijah and threatens to come after him at this point Elijah runs away and the angels feed him.
• Elijah walked for 40 days and nights and arrives at a cave in Horeb on the Mountain of God.  Here the Lord asks him what are you doing here ?  It is here the Lord tells him what to do next.
• Only 7 000 remain who had not bowed to Baal.
• Elijah finds Elisha.  After saying goodbye Elisha joins Elijah and serves him.
• The Lord handed Ben-hadad over to Ahab so that Israel would know the LORD.  

 Elijah finds Elisha.  After saying goodbye Elisha joins Elijah and serves him. I enjoy reading about the way that Elisha goes back says goodbye and as a sign of his commitment he slaughters his oxen and uses the wood from his plough to sacrifice them.  I love the picture of how it symbolises how things are being left in the past and he is moving forward into a new future wholeheartedly.
I am amazed as I read how the Lord hands over Ben-hadad to show Himself strong to Ahab even after all of Ahab's unfaithfulness.

Blessings
Chareen

159 - Asa Dies and Elijah's early ministry

The Prophet Elijah Receiving Bread and Water from an Angel
1625 Peter Paul Rubens

Kathleen's thoughts

1 Kings 15: 24,16: 34, 18,3,4, 22:41-43,46, 17: 1-24, 18: 1-3a
2 Chronicles 16: 13-14, 20: 31-33,17: 1-19, 18:1


Asa died in the 41st year of his reign and rested with his fathers. He was buried in his own tomb that he had hewn out for himself in the city of David. They laid him out in a coffin that was full of spices and various mixtures of prepared ointments; then they made a great fire in his honour.
During his reign Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho.

Obadiah was a man who greatly feared the Lord and he took 100 prophets and hid them 50 men to a cave and provided them with food and water when Jezebel slaughtered the Lord's prophets

Jehoshaphat son of Asa  became king over Judah. He was 35 years old when he became king and he reigned 25 years in Jerusalem.  He walked in the way of Asa his father; he did not turn away from it.

Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel. The Lord was with him so He established the kingdom in his hand. Then all Judah brought him tribute, and he had riches and honour in abundance.

Now Elijah the Tishbite, from the Gilead settlers told Ahab that there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command.

Then a revelation came to Elijah from the Lord to leave and turn eastward and hide yourself at the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordon. and the ravens will provide for you there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him and go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there.
The Lord had commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.
When he arrived at the city gate  the widow was gathering wood. Elijah called to her and said please bring me a little water in a cup and let me drink she did this and the he told her to bring him a piece of bread that was in her hand.
 She told Elijah that she had only enough for her and her son that day and was gathering wood to cook  for her and her son so we can eat it and then die. Elijah reassured her not to be afraid and told her to prepare a loaf for him  and then after that make for yourself and your son  for this is what the Lord God of Israel says "The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.

This widow had such faith and carried out what Elijah told her do do After this, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. His illness became very severe until no breath remained in him She said to Elijah. Man of God what do we have in common? Have you come to remind me of my guilt and to kill my son?" \
Elijah said to her give me your son so he took him from her arms and brought him up to the upper room where he was staying and laid him on his own bed. The he cried out to the Lord and he stretched himself out over the boy three times He cried out to the Lord and said " My Lord God, please let this boys' life return to him!
The Lord listened to him and healed the boy and Elijah said Look your son is alive
Then the woman said "Now I know you a man of God and the Lord's word in your mouth is the truth.
This part reminds me of Jesus, He arose on the third day and here Elijah laid over him 3 times calling out to the Lord and the child arose.
I love the flour jar being filled enough to feed her and her son.
God's promise that we do not need to worry about our future if we trust, lean and have faith in God. He will supply our needs pressed down to overflowing.

Blessings
Kathleen.

159 - the LORD listened to Elijah's voice

Elijah restoring the Widow's Son
1886 by Ford Madow Brown.

Chareen's Thoughts

Today's Readings 1 Kings 15, 16, 17, 18, 22 & 2 Chronicles 17,18

• King Asa has died and his son Jehoshaphat has become king.
• Jezebel the wife of Ahab slaughtered the Lord's prophets but Obadiah a man who loved and feared the Lord took and hid 100 of the Lord's prophets.  He not only hid them but provided for them.
• Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he became king.  He did what was right in the LORD's sight. However the high places were not taken away.
• 3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father [David]. He did not seek the Baals 4 But sought and yearned with all his desire for the Lord, the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not after the ways of Israel. 2 Chronicles 17:3-4
• It was during the reign of Ahab and Jehoshaphat that the Lord called Elijah the Tishbite from Gilead.  Elijah went before Ahab and declared that there would be no rain until he commands it. From this point the Lord cares for Elijah first in the desert and then when he lives with the widow.  
• During his stay with the widow her son dies.  Elijah asks the Lord to restore her son and He does.
• After three years the Lord tells Elijah to return to Ahab.

During my readings of these kings I find it interresting that whenever a new king is introduced we are told wether he is good or evil and then we are told who his mother or grandmother was.

Blessings
Chareen

158 - Asa the king of Judah and the kings of Israel.

Asa destroys the idols and forbids worship in local shrines
Author: Unknown Date 1372

Kathleen's thoughts Asa destroys the idols and forbids worship in local shrines
Author: Unknown Date 1372

Chronicles 15,16
Kings 15,16

The kings of Israel were walking in sin and did not serve the Lord.
King Baasha.. The word of the Lord also came against Baasha and against his house because of all the evil he had done in the Lord's sight. provoking Him with the work of his hands and being like the house of Jeroboam, and because Baasha had struck down the house of Jeroboam
So Baasha rested with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah. His son
Elah became king. he reigned for 2 years.
His servant Zimri who was the commander of half his chariots conspired against him and while Elah was in Tirzah drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza Zimri went and struck Elah down and became king.
Zinri struck down the whole house of Baasha
Zimri was king for 7 days.
Israel made Omri king of Israel and when Zimri saw that be went into the royal palace and burned it down with himself in it.
Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria for 22 years
Omri's son Ahab did what was evil in the Lord's sight more than all who were before him.
He married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians and then proceeded to serve Baal and worship him. Jezebel incited him and he committed the most detestable acts by going after idols as the Amorites.

Asa king of Judah the rest of all the events of Asa's reign along with all his might, all his accomplishments and the cities he built. are written about in the Historical record of Judah's kings. But in his old age he developed a disease in his feet. this happened in his 39th year of reign.

The Lord is with you when you seek Him He will be found by you, but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you.

Because of the Egyptian king taking the treasuries out the temple I note in 2 Chronicles 15: 17 that Asa brings his own gold, silver and the utensils into the temple.

One of the interesting things here is how God lets us know that all the accomplishments and might are written about in the Historical Record of Israel's kings. This is repeated all the time.

Scripture for the day Exodus 15:26 If you will carefully obey the Lord your God, do what is right in His eyes, pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, I will not inflict any illness on you I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.

Blessings
Kathleen.

158 - If you seek Him He will be found by you

Year 17th Centuary Artist unknown

Chareen's Thoughts
Todays Readings: 2 Chronicles 15,16 & 1 Kings 15, 16, 21

• And he went out to meet Asa and said to him, Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him, craving Him as your soul’s first necessity], He will be found by you; but if you [become indifferent and] forsake Him, He will forsake you. 2 Chronicles 15:2
• But as for you, be strong; don't be discouraged, for your work has a reward. 2 Chronicles 15:7
• And when Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage and put away the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim; and he repaired the altar [of burnt offering] of the Lord which was in front of the porch or vestibule [of the house] of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 15:8
•  Asa was wholehearted his entire life and brought consecrated gifts before the Lord.
• He renewed the covenant to seek the Lord with their whole hearts and Judah rejoiced and the LORD gave them rest on every side.
• The Lord gave Jehu a prophesy regarding Baasha who had risen against Asa and said He would sweep away his house and make it like the house of Jeroboam.
• Now king Baasha went to war against Asa. Instead of Asa crying out to the Lord he withdrew all the gold and silver from the Lords treasury and sent it bribe his enemy to deny support to Baasha.
• As a result of this choice the Lord sends Hanani to warn Asa:  Because you relied on the king of Syria and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. 8 Were not the Ethiopians and Libyans a huge host with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied then on the Lord, He gave them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him. You have done foolishly in this; therefore, from now on you shall have wars.
• Baasha dies and his son Elah became king.  Two years later Zimri takes over and kills the entire household of Baasha and thus the Lords prophesy is fulfilled. After Zimri there were more evil kings in Israel.
• After Omri Ahab became king of Israel and did what was evil in the sight of the LORD more than all who were before him.
• 25 For there was no one who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord as did Ahab, incited by his wife Jezebel. 26 He did very abominably in going after idols, as had the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the Israelites. 1 Kings 21:25-26
• 2 Chronicles 16:11-12  11 The acts of Asa, from first to last, are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet—until his disease became very severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but relied on the physicians. How interesting that this king who had spent his life seeking the Lord and therefore living in His blessings suddenly turns his heart away.  I realise that it is not a sin to seek help from a doctor but his sin was in trusting only the Dr and not seeking the Lord.

I have really enjoyed today's readings.  There have been some great gems hidden in reading about the kings of Israel. 
If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him, craving Him as your soul’s first necessity], He will be found by you; but if you [become indifferent and] forsake Him, He will forsake you. 2 Chronicles 15:2
  9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him.
 
Blessings
Chareen

157 - Because they relied upon the LORD

Asa destroys the idols and forbids worship in local shrines
Author: Unknown Date 1372

Chareen's Thoughts
Today's readings: 1 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 13,14, Psalm 77

• After the death of Rehoboam, Abijah became King of over Judah.  As was with his father before him there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
• Thus the Israelites were brought low at that time, and the people of Judah prevailed because they relied upon the Lord, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 13:18
• Abijah walked in the sin of his father before him.  The reason he was given a place in Jerusalem is because of King David.  
• When Abijah died his son Asa became king in his place.
• Asa reigned as king in Jerusalem for 41 years.   And Asa did right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father [forefather]. vs 11
• And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. 3 He took away the foreign altars and high places and broke down the idol pillars or obelisks and cut down the Asherim [symbols of the goddess Asherah] 4 And commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers [to inquire of and for Him and crave Him as a vital necessity], and to obey the law and the commandment. 5 Also Asa took out of all the cities of Judah the idolatrous high places and the incense altars. And the kingdom had rest under his reign. 2 Chronicles 14:2-5
• During Asa's reign the LORD struck Jeroboam and he died.
• Baasha became king of Israel and reigned 24 years and he did what was evil in the LORD's sight.
• The Cushites came against Judah but the Lord fought for them because Asa cried out to the Lord for them and Judah triumphed over the Cushites.
• 13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary [in holiness, away from sin and guilt]. Who is a great God like our God? 14 You are the God Who does wonders; You have demonstrated Your power among the peoples. 15 You have with Your [mighty] arm redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalms 77:13-15

These two verses spoke to me today. I have been struggling with a lack of peace and the world around me seems to be in turmoil. As I read these two verses I felt that my little kingdom would be in more peace if I rely on and seek Him more.
 Judah prevailed because they relied upon the Lord, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 13:18
... And the kingdom had rest under his reign. 2 Chronicles 14:2-5

May your kingdoms be blessed with peace as you seek and rely upon Him
Blessings
Chareen

157 - The evil and good kings

Kathleen's thoughts

1 Kings 15: 1-34
2 Chronicles 13: 1-22, 14: 1-15
Psalm77: 1-20

Asa of Judah

Today's reading one can see that when you walk with the Lord he is our rock and our salvation. He protected and fought for the kings of Judah, protected them and brought down the kings of Israel who served idols.
Now the Kings who served God were Abijah king of Judah. The rest of the events of Abijah reign along with all his accomplishments, are written about in the Historical Record of Judah['s kings. Abijam rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Asa became king in his place.
He reigned 41 years in Jerusalem. Asa also did what was right in the Lords eyes, as his ancestor David had done.  And during his reign he shattered their sacred pillars and chopped down their Asherah poles He removed the pagan altars and the high places. and he told the people to seek the Lord God of their ancestors and to carry out the instructions and commands. Asa had 10 years of peace.

The evil king.. Jeroboam no longer retained his power during Abijah's reign ultimately, the Lord struck him and he died. He reigned 22 years and he rested with his fathers, and his son Nadab became king in his place and he too carried out the evil ways of his father. But Asha son of Ahijah conspired against Nadab and struck him down and killed him
Baasha son of Ahijah became king over all Israel and he reigned 24 years and  he followed the example of Jeroboam and the sin he had caused Israel to commit.
Now when he became king he struck down the entire house of Jeroboam.

The Psalm today is a comfort of distress.

Psalm 25: 5-6 Guide me in Your truth and teach me for You are the God of my salvation. I wait for You all day long. Remember Lord, Your compassion and Your faithful love, for they have existed from antiquity.

Blessings
Kathleen.

156 - Set your heart to seek His desire.

Hello All :o)

I am back from my merry travels over in South Africa and looking forward to blogging my way through the word with my Mom again!  I don't want to flood you notices with over sixty entries so I have decided from next week to post my daily post and one from my trip study.

Hope you are all well and living in His light and seeing His hand in your world.

The Arrogance of Rehoboam
by Hans Holbein the Younger 1530

Chareen's Thoughts today:

• And after them out of all the tribes of Israel there came to Jerusalem those who set their hearts to seek and inquire of the Lord, the God of Israel, to sacrifice to the Lord, the God of their fathers. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and upheld Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years; for they walked in the ways of David and Solomon for three years. 2 Chronicles 11:16-17
• 1 Kings 13:11-32 The cost of disobedience is very high.  For this prophet of the LORD it cost him his life. The LORD instructed him not to eat bread or drink water but he listened to another prophet and reasoned to himself instead of obeying the LORD!
• Gosh Rehoboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines! After the Lord had established him he abandoned the law of the LORD - and all of Israel with him.
• 2 Chronicles 12:14 And he did evil because he did not set his heart to seek (inquire of, yearn for) the Lord with all his desire. To not enquire of the Lord with our whole heart is considered doing evil.
• 1 Kings 14:22-24 And Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, Whom they provoked to jealousy with the sins they committed, above all that their fathers had done.
• Because of their unfaithfulness to the LORD, the King of Egypt went to war against them and captured the fortified cities of Judah as far as Jerusalem.
• Due to the sin of being unrepentant and worshiping idols the LORD wiped out and annihilated the house of Jeroboam.
• The Lord prophesied the death and destruction of the house of Jeroboam to his wife.
• There was war between Jeroboam and Rehoboam throughout their reigns.
• Rehoboam died and was buried in the city of David and his son Abijah became king in his place.

2 Chronicles 12:14 And he did evil because he did not set his heart to seek (inquire of, yearn for) the Lord with all his desire. To not enquire of the Lord with our whole heart is considered doing evil. those who set their hearts to seek and inquire of the Lord, the God of Israel, to sacrifice to the Lord, the God of their fathers. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah  2 Chronicles 11:16-17 
  I found these two verses spoke to me today.   It's about seeking Him and enquiring of Him His will, this will strengthen us.

Blessings
Chareen