Read: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 18:2-3
Jehu was a zealous king for the Lord but he faded in his latter days and his son, Jehoahaz took his place. He was evil in God’s eyes so God delivered Israel into the hands of Hazael, king of Syria and Ben-hadad his son. This caused Jehoahaz to call out to God and God responded and sent them a savior. Unfortunately, there evil ways continued and they didn’t repent so God greatly reduced their army. Jehoash, his son reigned in his stead.
Elisha was about to die when Jehoash went to see him. Elisha told him to shoot an arrow of victory out the window to show that Israel would be delivered from the rule of the Arameans. Then he told him to take the rest of the arrows and strike them on the ground. The number of times he struck them determined how many times they would defeat the Arameans.
Elisha died. He had asked of Elijah a double portion of his spirit. They had both raised one man from the dead. But when a random corpse was thrown into Elisha’s grave, he popped back to life fulfilling Elisha’s double portion promise.
Finally, Judah has a good king in Joash’s son, Amaziah. He brought justice and killed the wicked leaders leaving their children to make their own choices according to God’s law. He challenged the king of Israel to a battle. The king of Israel, Jehoash told Amaziah he was a fool to challenge him because he would never win. Amaziah attacked instead and was captured. Jehoash took Jerusalem and looted the temple taking all the gold and silver back to Samaria.
Amaziah’s son was chosen to rule in his father’s place. His name was Azariah and he was 16 years old. He was able to rebuild Elath and restore it to Judah. In the meantime in Israel, Jeroboam became the new king. He was evil but he did save Israel and recover Damascus and Hamoth. His son, Zechariah ruled after him.
In Acts, Paul stayed in Antioch for a while then went to visit the other churches in that area. God sent a man to Ephesus named Apollos who was a man of the scriptures. Aquila and Priscilla welcomed him and taught him further about the Lord.
At some of Paul’s stops he asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed. They had never heard about the Holy Spirit so he explained to them about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He explained that there are many baptisms. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance and included water baptism, but the baptism in the Holy Spirit was Jesus’ baptism which included speaking in tongue. It gave the believer power to be witnesses. Speaking in tongues which is the ability to say what God is saying in a language that bypasses our understanding. That way we can pray things we don’t know to pray because we are limited to our knowledge. God’s knowledge is not limited to our understanding. Twelve men received this gift and Paul spoke boldly in the synagogue there. He received so much opposition he moved his teaching out of the synagogue to a lecture hall. He stayed there making disciples for two years.
Lord, help us to desire everything that You have given us to be victorious in this world. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit and his baptism.
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