Read: 1 Kings 15:25-17:24; Acts 10:23B-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11
Judah had a good king, Asa who followed the Lord while Israel had bad king after bad king, each getting worse than the last. They are always compared with Jeroboam since he was the one who started idol worship in Israel when he set up the golden calves.
Baasha was a wicked king of Israel that reigned for 24 years. He was so bad that God sent him a message that, like Jeroboam’s family, Baasha’s family would be eaten by birds and dogs. His son, Elah became the next king but only reigned two years. While he was drunk, Zimri, one of his own officials came in and killed him to become king. As soon as he took the throne, he had all of Baasha’s family killed just like the prophet had prophesied. When the army found out that Zimri had killed Baasha and appointed himself the king, they took their commander, Omri and proclaimed him king. Israel was split. Omri and his men attacked the city of Tirza where Zimri lived. They surrounded the city and when it was obvious they would take the city, Zimri went into the royal palace and set it on fire so he would die in the fire.
Tibni took over after Zimri and the kingdom was still split. Omni’s side was stronger so Tibni died and Omni became king. He bought a hill in Samaria and called the city Samaria. Omni was a bad king who worshipped idols and continued to lead the people into sin. When he died, his son, Ahab became king. Ahab married a woman named Jezebel who led him into the worship of Baal. Ahab built a temple for Baal in Samaria. He also began the worship of Asherah in Israel. He was the worse king yet in worshipping idols.
During Ahab’s day, Hiel financed the rebuilding of Jericho. He lost his firstborn son when he laid the foundation and his youngest son when he set up its gates just as Joshua had said when he cursed the city in Joshua 6:36. That curse still stands. In our day, a man wanted to rebuild Jericho, but his firstborn son died when he poured the foundation. His youngest son begged him to stop and he did.
Sin brings lack, so God raised up Elijah as a prophet and sent him to Ahab to tell him that it would not rain until God said so through him. Then God told Elijah to go hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. There he would drink from the brook and the ravens were ordered to feed him. When the brook dried up, God sent Ahab to a widows house. She was preparing her last meal for her and her son, then they would die. Ahab told her to add him in on the last meal and it would not be her last meal. God said that her flour would not run out or her oil.
Some time later, her son became fatally ill and died. She ran to Elijah for answers. He came and prayed that the boy’s life would be returned to him. It was and Elijah was able to give her son back to her.
In Acts, Peter went to Cornelius’ house even though it was unlawful for a Jew to associate with a Gentle. He had had three visions to help him over this hurdle. Cornelius shared with Peter his vision and how the angel had given him Peter’s name to meet with. Peter realized what God was doing and shared with Cornielius and his household about Jesus. While he was sharing Peter and his disciples witnessed these Gentiles being filled with the Holy Spirit. They spoke with tongues and praised God. Then Peter thought they should be baptized with water also. God was revealing his plan to save the whole world to his disciples and it still stands today.
Lord, help us not to judge as the world judges but to see every soul as a potential brother in Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment