[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]
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“And he lifted up his face to the
window and said, "Who is on my side? Who?" Two or three eunuchs
looked out at him."”
This chapter recorded many powerful
questions of Jehu. He is winsome, fearsome, and successful!
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"Then Jehu gathered all the
people and said to them, "Ahab served Baal a little; Jehu will serve him
much. Now, summon all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his
priests; let no one be missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal; whoever
is missing shall not live." But Jehu did it in ππ¦πππππ,
so that he might destroy the worshipers of Baal."
Still, Jehu, being Jehu, the
trickster. He is a master in battle strategy; gathering armies for himself, attacking
decisively, killing two kings, executing the children of two kings, and now,
the worshipers of Baal!
Something to learn from Jehu! π
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"When Athaliah the mother of
Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she rose and destroyed all the royal
offspring."
Look out that you do not marry a
woman who will dominate you and your family like this woman Athaliah! It's a sin.
She is stupid. And You too will be proven to be a stupid man, and there will be
chaos everywhere she is.
The character of godliness and
gentleness is for everyone. She might have a Ph.D. but without those characteristics,
she is like a poison. A poor ugly looking woman with them [godliness and gentleness] is an excellent
woman.
Think! Maybe those girls with a Ph.D.
look attractive just because of make-up! π Perhaps, those poor ladies with
make-up and given an opportunity to study will be more beautiful and brilliant
than those girls with Ph.D.! π
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"Moreover, they did not
require an accounting from the men into whose hand they gave the money to pay
to those who did the work, for they dealt faithfully."
Wow! Faithful people. Has anybody
trusted you like that? How many people or friends do you have that can have
your trust?
This passage should stir us to be
faithful (especially in managing money and funds etc.)
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"He did evil in the sight of
the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he
made Israel sin; he did not turn from them."
How many times have we seen the
name of Jeroboam mentioned in the history of the Kings? He is used as an example
of a wicked king.
Would we want to be used as an
example for sin, evil, wicked things? Of course, not!
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“Jehoash king of Israel sent to
Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent
to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son in
marriage.' But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trampled
the thorn bush."”
Nice parable indeed! Nice one, for
the proud and haughty!
May we not boast like that!
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"Then Menahem struck Tiphsah
and all who were in it and its borders from Tirzah, because they did not open
to him; therefore he struck it and ripped up all its women who were with
child."
I had a neighbour who was named
after Menahem. But how bad is this king! Why would people name after him!?
Don't give a biblical name to your kids without studying its content!
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“So Ahaz sent messengers to
Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son;
come up and deliver me from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of
the king of Israel, who are rising up against me."”
If he would humble before God than
before the king of Assyria; If he would ask God for help than the help of
Tiglath-Pileser; he didn't. The prophets were still there. But yes, it's not a
week event. It's a compressed story of generations.
There are times or seasons when we
don't seek God like King Ahaz. We would say Ahaz is foolish and wicked, but
perhaps we are more so.
When was the last time you humbled
yourself before God and begged for help? We love the help, recommendations, and
favor of men, nah!?
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"Yet the LORD warned Israel
and Judah through all His prophets and every seer, saying, "Turn from your
evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes according to all the law which
I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you through My servants the prophets."
God remains faithful! He did every
possible way for the Israelites to repent, yet they did all ways to run away
from God. Don’t we see ourselves?