Bible Reading Reflection from 2Kings 1-8

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙:𝟙𝟙-𝟙𝟚

"So he again sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he said to him, "O man of God, thus says the king, 'Come down quickly.'" Elijah replied to them, "If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty." Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty."

The king didn't mind killing another group of 50. Elijah did ask God to consume them. And God killed them.

The king didn't change his mind. Elijah won't compromise either. And definitely, God won't.

Satan will not change his mind. The government will remain secular. The servants of government– employees, bureaucrats, officers, policemen, etc. may need to do like the third group!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚:𝟙𝟠

“They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?"”

Many times, people come up with stupid ideas, plans, and even adventures for vain things! This is a verse to remember when it happens again next time.

BTW, some people are looking for salvation in their devotion, good works, and religious activities; it's vanity. It's only in Christ.

Some people are looking for God's will in dreams, visioners, and luck; it's vanity. Read your Bible, Obey, And Pray; That's All!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟛:𝟙𝟜

"Elisha said, ‘As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you.’"

Elisha regarded some men more than some people!

The king of Judah was far godlier than the king of Israel!

One righteous man's presence brings favor to the whole armies!

May we be that man.

BTW, Jesus's act of sacrifice saves many wretched sinners!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟜:𝟛𝟘

"The mother of the lad said, "As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." And he arose and followed her."

The woman was importunate that Elisha had to go with her.

In the New Testament, another woman was so importunate that Jesus healed her daughter.

The Lord teaches us to be importunate in prayer. It involves trust, persistence, never ceasing, and never giving up. No deadline but until!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟝:𝟙𝟛

“Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, "My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?"”

Man [people] reject Christ, not because they think Christ is difficult to follow but because they think Christ is not worth their time to follow.

It's not because they are incompetent to think (intellectually) but because they are depraved to reason (morally); it's a moral problem.

Gospel is a moral issue, not an intellectual issue. Illiterate, uneducated, and less intelligent people can perfectly follow Christ as much as the intellectuals. Please note, that the intellectuals must believe and follow exactly like the rest.

Namaan was ready and hoping for something great but he was told something so simple and ridiculous, and only then he would be cleansed. It's faith in Yahweh that delivers us, not what we do or who we are, or where we come from.

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟞:𝟚𝟠-𝟚𝟡

“And the king said to her, "What is the matter with you?" And she answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give your son that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.'  So we boiled my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, 'Give your son, that we may eat him'; but she has hidden her son."”

God allowed such evil among His people. No surprise Indians are killing one another because of cows or politics or anything! And the world goes on. One day there will be judgment btw! Until then, life goes on!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟟:𝟟

"So they fled away in the twilight and abandoned their tents, their horses, and their donkeys, leaving the camp as it was, and fled for their lives."

God is above and beyond our understanding! He let those women eat their own babies in poverty and the next day in prosperity they sold many things for just a small amount!

God did so in an amazing way by scaring the mighty Assyrians. God can do anything and will do anything to fulfil what He has said.

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟠:𝟙𝟘

“And Elisha said to him, "Go, say to him, 'You shall certainly recover,' but the LORD has shown me that he shall certainly die."”

Elisha knew what a wicked thing Hazael will do. But he didn't warn the king nor try to stop Hazael.

It's God who will allow it to happen. And Elisha could only weep. The weeping of Elisha couldn't change the heart of Hazael. Rather, he went and killed the king confirming the beginning of his wicked deeds.

Bible Reading Reflection from 1Kings 12-22

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟚:𝟚𝟞-𝟚𝟟

"Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will return to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah."

To retain power, Jeroboam chose to apostatize. Watch out for politicians, DC, police, etc. who do the same thing!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟛:𝟛𝟘-𝟛𝟙

"He laid his body in his own grave, and they mourned over him, saying, "Alas, my brother!"  After he had buried him, he spoke to his sons, saying, "When I die, bury me in the grave in which the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones."

The old prophet killed him with his lies. Why did he lie? Because he didn't believe his prophecy? Because he wanted to build some reputation for himself? Whatever, it is clear that he was a deceiver.

However, he wept and confirmed that the prophecy will surely happen. Indeed, two signs authenticating the certainty of this prophecy against apostasy. God is really angry to the point of killing his prophet to make a point.

And if God killed His prophet for a lack of discernment, what hope was there for the Israelites who deliberately sinned against God?

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟜:𝟙𝟛

"All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam's family will come to the grave, because in him something good was found toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam."

Wow, the only good one in the family of Jeroboam was this child, Abijah, and God chose to take him away (kill him).

Death could be sometimes a judgment or blessing to others. In this case, it's a judgment for the family, and the blessing for Abijah! That he wouldn't see the wickedness and the sufferings of his family dynasty.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟝:𝟝

"Because David did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite."

David is the most perfect human ruler ever. That's why Messiah is called the Son of David, the Davidic King. Well, David is not a perfect guy. But God is kinder than man. God is more forgiving than man. Once, David himself preferred to suffer in the hands of God than in the hands of a man! Yahweh is a forgiving God, Satan is an accusing Devil. Satan is malevolent, God is benevolent.

That's what God sees of us too. He is more forgiving, more merciful, kinder, gentler than man. What an amazing God! He evaluates our life!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟞:𝟛𝟙

"It came about, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went to serve Baal and worshiped him."

Some people dared to sin shamelessly, proudly, and publicly as if it was a virtue.

When sin is not dealt with, it multiplies and sears the conscience of many!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟚

"But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die."

About to die of starvation both herself and her child. The last meal, yet she gave it to Elijah because of the God of Elijah! It turned out to be trading the last meal for a never-ending supply.

The Gospel's offer is the same:  Trading our short life in this corrupt world for the eternal life in the celestial city!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟠:𝟜𝟛

"He said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked and said, "There is nothing." And he said, "Go back" seven times."

Elijah was in front of an angry king. Ahab was furious with Elijah for withholding rain. Then God promised rain, and Elijah prayed. His prayer, still, was not realized. What a terrible situation that must have been?

Ahab, Elijah, and the servant waiting for the sign of rain. His servant walking up and down seven times. Not 2 times or 3.

#Patience. #Learn to wait. #Importune prayer. #Trust.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟡:𝟜

"But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers."

Elijah wanted to die and prayed for it. God made him livelier and more energetic than ever seen before. He ate only a bread cake and was able to walk forty days and night journey!

God has a way of surprising His saints!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟘:𝟛𝟚-𝟛𝟛

"So they girded sackcloth on their loins and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel and said, "Your servant Ben-hadad says, 'Please let me live.'" And he said, "Is he still alive? He is my brother." Now the men took this as an omen, and quickly catching his word said, "Your brother Ben-hadad." Then he said, "Go, bring him." Then Ben-hadad came out to him, and he took him up into the chariot."

Trying to be kinder, gentler, more loving, and [more] ‘good’ than God; and you shall perish!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟙:𝟙𝟡

"You shall speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "Have you murdered and also taken possession?"' And you shall speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth the dogs will lick up your blood, even yours."'"

What Ahab did was similar to what David did. God sent a prophet to confront them. And God relented from bringing utter destruction in their lifetime seeing them humbling before God.

Let's humble before God. Oh, how often are we covetous of others' success or possession!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟚:𝟠

"The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." But Jehoshaphat said, ‘Let not the king say so.’"

People do wrong things not because they don't know the right things but because they don't want to do the right things in the right ways!

In doing so, they condemn themselves that they are guilty.

Another plain example. Everyone knows that if we work hard, we will get a good result in any exam; but we don't want to work hard, and try to get by other means –cheating, bribery, stealing, depending on luck, etc...

Bible Reading Reflection from 1Kings 1-11

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day] 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙:𝟚𝟛

"They told the king, saying, "Here is Nathan the prophet." And when he came in before the king, he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground."

Nathan, a prophet of God, bowing down before the King!

Daniel served Nebuchadnezzar very well! Joseph served Pharaoh very well!

Man of God respects, honors, and obeys the rulers. Men of God are humble people. They respect everyone! They behave kindly, gently, and humbly in all situations with all people!

Oh! How we ought to be known for our respect and regard for one another!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚:𝟜𝟞

"So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and fell upon him so that he died. Thus the kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon."

What a political strategy! Killing every potential rebel in chapter 2. David instructed him, and so, it was done!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟛:𝟚𝟠

"When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice."

Wisdom is feared, respected, adored, admired, and loved by people. You may be young or even poor, if you are wise, you are better than great!

Wisdom is not just the intellectual reasoning capacity, but also the capacity to apply it in a real-life situation.

Wisdom, righteousness, integrity, and character, all belong to the same family, in the biblical understanding!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟜:𝟛𝟜

"Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom."

He asked for wisdom, God granted him wisdom; everyone wants to listen to him.

Notice, they didn't ask for wisdom (they should have), they just came to him [Solomon the Wise].

James tells us to ask God for wisdom!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟝:𝟙𝟚

"The LORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant."

Wisdom builds one's relationship. Wisdom builds one's house. Wisdom builds one's community. Wisdom builds peace. Wisdom prospers.

Wisdom builds, while folly destroys!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟞:𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟛

"Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father. I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel."

Who wants to live with lazy people? We don't enjoy those who keep procrastinating, telling lies, are disobedient, and are wicked in their deeds.

Certainly, you don't want to share your bed with a filthy, smelly, dirty guy. Why would God want to dwell with us when we are disobedient?

However, God's Spirit lives in us permanently. Oh, how often have we grieved Him! When we live in our own way, we are restraining the blessings of the Spirit in our life!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟟:𝟜𝟟

"Solomon left all the utensils unweighed, because they were too many; the weight of the bronze could not be ascertained."

How rich was Solomon! He never asked for it. God blessed upon those who pleased Him. May we live to please God, not for blessing, because blessing will follow after it. And even if it doesn't follow, that's alright because we aren't after blessing but to please Him who made us and redeemed us!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟠:𝟜𝟞

"When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near;"

A long prayer but a good one. Theology [doctrine] of man and sin is revealed in this verse: that everyone is a sinner! 👍

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟡:𝟠

"And this house will become a heap of ruins; everyone who passes by will be astonished and hiss and say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?'"

And so, the Israelites disobeyed God, and the temple was destroyed; they were taken into captivity. If God was strict towards His chosen people whom He had delivered with wondrous work from Egypt, why do the Gentiles expect leniency from Him?

Jesus repeated the [demand of] seriousness of being a follower of God: to enter the narrow gate, even after that is to walk the narrow way. Furthermore, He said “only a few” find it, forget about walking, even finding – only a few find it.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟘:𝟠-𝟡

"How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom.  Blessed be the LORD your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel; because the LORD loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."

Here, two groups are blessed because of a wise man. Those who are around him, and the God of heaven who gives wisdom upon him.

BTW, the Hebrew has different words for “blessed,” the first one means the people around him were fortunate to have a wise king; and then the second one means God is to be spoken well of, to be praised for raising up a wise king.

That's what will happen if we are wise! Let's be wise. It's good for yourself, for people around you, for your visitors, and for the fame of God's name!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟙:𝟚

"Solomon clung to these in love."

One of the saddest lines in the Bible. What a tragedy! The wisest king couldn't walk out of them. Consequently, the anger of God was upon him. Followed by the rebellion in the land. Then the kingdom got divided. And he also died in this chapter!

What are we clinging to which God forbids us?