Wed.’s Devo - The End of Ahab’s Dynasty

2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21; Romans 11:13-36; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 20:7 Jehoshaphat died and his son, Jehoram became the next king. He had six younger brothers who had been made rulers over some of Judah’s towns. When Jehoram became established as the king, he had all his brothers and other leaders killed. He was as wicked as Ahab, king of Israel and married one of Ahab’s daughters. The Edomites who had been subject to Judah, rebelled and crowned their own king. Judah couldn’t get them back. Libnah also rebelled. All of this happened because Jehoram rebelled against the Lord. God struck Jehoram with an intestinal disease that got worse and worse until it took his life. God also stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs against him. When Jehoram died, no one was sorry that he died nor did they honor him. The people made his youngest son, Ahaziah the king. The older sons had been killed by marauding bands of Arabs. He only ruled one year. His mother Athalia encouraged him to sin. She was from Ahab’s desendents. She talked him into joining Israel to get Ramoth-gilead from King Hazael of Aram. Joram, king of Israel was wounded in this war. Ahaziah went to visit him and was introduced to Jehu, Nimshi’s grandson. God had appointed Jehu to destroy the dynasty of Ahab. Jehu killed Ahaziah and all of his officials and relatives traveling with him. When Athaliah heard of her son’s death, she began killing all the relatives that would be put as king so she would be the queen. Ahaziah’s sister hid his infant son, Joash in the Temple of God for six years while Athalia reigned. He was raised by Jehoiada the high priest. In the seventh year, Jehoiada decided to bring Joash out and present him to the world. He made a pact with five army commanders who traveled secretly thought Judah and gathered the support of the Levites and clan leaders to come to Jerusalem. They gathered at the Temple where they promised to support Joash. They surrounded Joash with armed guards and placed the crown on his head and presented him with a copy of God’s laws and anointed him king. Everyone rejoiced. Athalia heard the celebration and ran to the Temple. When she saw what was happening, she cried “Treason? The priest ordered her to be killed outside of the Temple. The people recommitted their lives to serve the Lord and tore down the temple of Baal. The priests offered sacrifices to the Lord and reestablished God as their God. They seated Joash on the throne and the land rejoiced because Athaliah had been killed. In Romans, Paul explained that he was called to the Gentiles to provoke the jealousy of the Jews so that they would return to their God. Abraham was the root of the Jewish line, but his branches were evil and had to be broken off. Gentile branches from a wild tree were grafted into Abraham’s root but they too can be broken off and the original branches grafted back in. There is a set time for the Gentiles and then there will be a set time for the Jews again. Lord, your plan is perfect. Thank you for grafting us into your root and giving us the gift of salvation. May we carry your glory so that others would want it also.