Wed’s Devo - The Kings of Israel

Read: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 18:2-3 Jehoahaz, Jehu’s son began to reign over Israel but he was evil. God allowed King Hazael to defeat them over and over. Finally, Jehoahaz called out to the Lord for help and God sent some help. But, Israel continued in the idolatry that Jeroboam had introduced (the golden calves). Jeroboam had started a counterfeit religion with unLevite priests and a perversion to God’s ways. *** When Jehoahaz died after reigning for 17 years, his son Jehoash reigned over Israel. He ruled for 16 years. During his reign he went to visit Elisha because he was ill. Elisha told him to shoot an arrow out of the eastern window. This represented his defeat over the Arameans at Aphek. Then he told him to take the rest of the arrow and strike them against the ground. He struck them three times and Elisha said that he would only defeat the Arameans three times. In verse 25 we see that this was fulfilled. Elisha died after that visit. *** A dead man was hastily thrown in Elisha’s grave and instantly came back to life thus fulfilling Elisha’s desire for double Elijah’s anointing. He had now raised twice the persons from the dead as Elijah. Our legacy lives beyond the grave. *** Meanwhile in Judah, Amaziah became king after his father Joash. He executed the officials who had murdered his father but let their children live. He was a good king only he didn’t take down the pagan shrines and the people still worshipped idols at those shrines. *** He fought Edom and recovered a city named Sela. *** Feeling strong after his win over Edom, Amaziah challenged Israel to a battle. Jehoash told him to be content with his victory over Edom, but to mess with Israel would be a mistake. He was right. Amaziah was captured and 600 feet of Jerusalem’s wall was torn down. Many sacred objects as well as silver and gold was stolen. Amaziah was later assassinated and his 16 year old son was made king. His name was Uzziah. *** In Israel, Jeroboam II became king. He was rightly named because he continued in the sins of Jeroboam I. He did recover Damascus and Hamath which had belonged to Judah. God used Jeroboam II to save Israel by force because God remembered his covenant with Israel. *** In Acts, Paul went back and encouraged many of the churches he had began. In Ephesus the people had heard about John’s baptism but not Jesus’. Paul and Priscilla and Aquila were able to tell them about the Holy Spirit and his baptism. They received it and spoke in tongues and prophesied. *** Paul preached in the synagogue but they refused to accept his message so he moved his discussions to the hall of Tyrannus and where he taught daily for the next two years. Many heard and believed. God did many miracles through Paul and people were healed and delivered from demons. *** Paul said that he didn’t just come with words but a demonstration of power. He proved his message with the miracles he performed by the Holy Spirit. *** Lord, may we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and demonstrate your power. May your people be saved, healed, and delivered. Let your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.