164- Elisha's ministry begins.

Kathleen's thoughts

2 kings 1: 3-15 Elijah the Tishbite calls down fire 2 times and the third captain of 50 with his 50 men fell on his knees in front of Elijah and begged him, "Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these 50 servants of yours be precious in your sight. And the angel of the Lord said that he must not be afraid of them and he went down with him to the king.

2 Kings 1: 16-18 Ahaziah's death according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.

Elisha's ministry 868-808bc.

2 Kings 3: 1-3 Joram son of Ahab became king over Israel He too did what was evil in the Lord's sight.

2 Kings 2: 1-8
Elijah divides the Jordon...The time has come for Elijah to go home.
Elijah and Elisha were traveling  from Gilgal and Elijah said to Elisha "Stay her, the Lord is sending me on to Bethel. But Elisha said "As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you" This happened twice more the places were Jericho and then Jordon and each time Elisha was told to stay, he would not.The prophets also told Elisha "Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?"
Fifty men from the sons of the prophets came and stood facing them from a distance while the two of them stood by the Jordan.

Elijah took his mantle rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and the left. Then the two of them crossed over on dry ground. Elijah asked Elisha what I can do for  you before I am taken from you? So Elisha answered, Please let me be a double portion of your spirit on me. It will be granted to you if you see me going up into the heavens. They continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. The Elijah went up into the heaven in the whirlwind. As Elisha watched, he kept crying out "My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel"

2 Kings 2: 13-18 Elisha gains the mantle that had fallen off Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle and struck the Jordon after saying Where is the Lord God of Elijah? The waters parted and he walked over to the other side.

2 Kings 2: 19-22 The miracle of fresh water
2 Kings 2: 23-25 Children destroyed
2 Kings 3: 6-9 Jehoshaphat joins Joram
2 Kings 3: 10-20 Elisha's promise... Elisha As the Lord of Hosts lives, I stand before Him. If I did not have respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah I  would not look at you; I wouldn't take notice of you but bring me a musician. The musician played and the Lord's hand came on Elisha. Then he said "For the Lord says, You will not see wind or rain, but the wadi will be filled with water, and you will drink 0 you and your cattle and your animals. This is easy in the Lord's sight He will also hand Moab over to you. You must ruin every good piece of land with stones.
About the time for the grain offering the next morning. water suddenly came from the direction of Edom and filled the land.

I enjoyed today's reading with all the miracles that happened. Healing the water supplying the water protecting them and sending fire. 
I think it must have been the most breath taking sight to see Elijah being taken up into the heavens in the chariot. That sound of the wind and the whirlpool. I love the way everything is recorded to perfection and that God wants us to know he is a God of order and he loves us and wants the best for us.

BL\lessings
Kathleen.

164 - A Double Portion

Elijah carried away into heaven

Chareen's Thoughts

• Today's readings mark the beginning of 2 Kings.
• Elijah calls down holy fire which consumes two army officers and their platoon's of 50 men each. When the third man approaches him humbly the Lord releases him to go to the king with his message.  The king dies according to the word of the Lord.
• From here Elisha demonstrates his commitment.  He stays with Elijah and goes with him asking for a blessing as Elijah is taken to heaven.
• And when they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me. 2 Kings 2:9
• The Lord granted Elisha his request and Elijah's mantle was passed on to him.
• King Joram and King Jehoshaphat join forces against Moab.  Jehoshaphat then enquires of the Lord through Elisha. The Lord instructs the kings on what to do.

 How much more of a blessing do we live under being the children of God ?

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 - 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.