Tag Archive | miracles

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 325

Nov21

Day 325 – Reading – Acts 13-14

Read and believe in Jesus!

Acts 13 – 14

These two chapters tell of Paul’s first Missionary Journey.

Note the circumstances of his name change in 13:1-13.

In the Antioch church, there were five main prophets/teachers. Barnabas, Simeon (a black man), Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen (of Herod Antipas’s court), and Saul, the ex-persecutor of Christians. (Wow, what an eclectic group!)  A perfect combo to lead and grow the Gentile church at Antioch.

During one worship service, the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. The group prayed and fasted, and then laid their hands on these two men to send them off.  Barnabas took along his young cousin, John Mark, even though the Holy Spirit did not call the young man. 

The Holy Spirit leading them, the men went down to the port of Seleucia and sailed to Cyprus, Barnabas’ homeland. 

In the town of Salamis, SAUL proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the JEWS.  When the men had visited synagogues throughout the island, they came to Paphos and happened upon a certain magician or sorcerer. He is described as “a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.”  It seems he may have been an adviser to the Roman Proconsul, Sergius Paulus. 

The Proconsul summoned Barnabas and Saul, because he wanted to hear the word of God. However, the sorcerer opposed them, seeking to turn Sergius away from the faith. 

SAUL, now called by his Roman name, PAUL, looked sternly at the man and proclaimed, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?  Now, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.”

Immediately, darkness fell on the man, and he went around seeking people to lead him by the hand.

Then the Proconsul BELIEVED the message of salvation, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

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Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga.  (Did you notice that now Paul is leading the group and not Barnabas?)  Also, this “missionary business” with all the travel, and maybe especially the cursing of sorcerers, was too “heavy” for the young John Mark, and he left the team at Perga and went home to Jerusalem. 

(This could be a warning that believers are to wait for the definite calling of the Lord in their lives before starting out. Jesus had told his followers to “count the cost.”)

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From the port town of Perga, Paul and Barnabas went on to Antioch in Pisidia.  There, they attended a synagogue service. And as was the custom, after the reading of the scriptures, they were invited to give a “word of encouragement” for the people.  So Paul stood up and began … preaching.

He started with the history of Israel (like Stephan had).  The patriarchs, the time in Egypt, the wilderness wanderings, conquering the Promised Land, the time of the judges, the prophet Samuel, and the first king. He ended with King David, a man after God’s heart. THEN came the “main point.”   

“Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as He promised.”  And then, “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this savior/salvation.”

Paul goes on to describe that, although He was sinless, Pilate executed him. And this was according to the scriptures.  And how this Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, again according to the scriptures.

“And we bring you the Good News that what God promised to our fathers, this He has fulfilled to us, their children, by raising Jesus.”  “Let it be known to you, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by Him, everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses.”

Whoa, Paul!! 

But as they left the synagogue, the people begged that these things might be told them again the next Sabbath.  And after the meeting, the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas.

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The next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. BUT… when the Jews saw the crowds… they were FILLED with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul said.

Paul enraged them more by saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you FIRST.  But since you thrust it aside, you judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life.  Behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.”

At this, the Gentiles rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.  And the Word spread through the whole region. 

BUT THE JEWS incited devout WOMEN of high standing, and the leading MEN of the city, who stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out.  At the city line, the missionaries shook off the dust of the city of Antioch in Pisidia from their feet (as Jesus had instructed his apostles)  and went on to Iconium.  

And, the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

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Acts 14.

In Iconium, they again FIRST entered the synagogue and spoke “in such a way” that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

But again, the unbelieving Jews stirred them up and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

However, Paul and Barnabas stayed there a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who granted them signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 

Eventually, the unbelieving Jews stirred up some people to attempt to stone the apostles.  They learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding country. And … they continued to preach the Gospel.

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Now at Lystra, a crippled man who had NEVER walked, listened to Paul speaking, and faith was built up in him.  Paul looked at him, seeing the faith, and said aloud, “Stand upright on your feet.”  The man, crippled from birth, sprang up and began walking! 

WHOA!

When the crowds saw this miracle, they immediately thought Paul and Barnabas were the Greek gods, Zeus and Hermes, come to visit them.  The priest of Zeus brought out garlands and oxen and wanted to offer sacrifices. 

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! 

When Paul and Barnabas saw what they were about to do, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, saying. “Men, why are you doing this? WE are men like you, and have brought the Good News that you should turn from these things to THE LIVING GOD, Creator of Heaven and Earth.”

But even with these words, they were scarcely able to restrain the people from offering sacrifices to them!

About then, the men from Antioch and Iconium came and persuaded the roused crowds to stone Paul.  They did!!!  And they dragged him out of the city as dead.

But, when the new believers gathered about him (did they pray?), Paul rose up and entered the city again.  (FEARLESS!)  

The next day, Paul and Barnabas went on to Derbe.  They preached the Gospel there and many were made disciples. 

Then the pair circled back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, strengthening the new disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”  Paul also appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting.

Then the missionaries continued back through Pisidia, and to Pamphylia, and Perga.  There, they caught a boat back to the home church in Antioch, where they had been commissioned.

And, as missionaries do today, they gathered the church together and told them all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 

Then they rested for a while.

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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 186

Jul5

Day 186 – Reading – 2 Kings 12 – 13, and 2 Chronicles 24

Read today’s Scriptures. 

Don’t be confused by all the similar names. Try to be consistent looking for the phrases:

“He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD,”

and “He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.”

Right through here the names of the kings in Israel (north) and Judah (south) get a bit confusing for they are the same, and a few have the same or opposite “nicknames.”  Here’s the chart again. 

NOTE in Judah, after Jehoshaphat, there is Jehoram (Joram), another Ahaziah, Athaliah (the queen), Joash (Jehoash), and Amaziah.

NOTE in Israel, after Ahab, there is Ahaziah, another Joram (Jehoram), Jehu, Jehoahaz, another Jehoash (Joash).

Seriously, as you are reading, if you don’t mind marking your Bible, highlight or underline the northern king’s names in blue, and the southern kings’ names in red. (or other colors).

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2 Kings 12.

This chapter continues what we learned in 2 Chronicles 23-24.  Even though the new king in Judah is called Jehoash here, we read about him as Joash, saved from his murdering grandmother, hidden away by the priest, Jehoida, until he was seven, and then crowned the king. His wicked “nana” was also killed that day.  We also read of the reforms the boy (under the priest’s tutelage) made, including repairing the Temple.

Now we see him calling again for the three types of offering that support the temple. 

  • The 1/2 shekel per man whenever a census was taken,
  • the payments of vows,
  • and voluntary offerings.

King Joash/Jehoash called for these offering.  After some years, when they did NOT come in, he had a special “offering box” made.  It was a reminder for the people to give.  When it was full, the priest would count and bag it and GIVE IT TO WORKMEN (carpenters, builders, masons and stonecutters) who were doing the repair.  (No “hanky-panky” in changing so many hands.

He reigned 40 years. Towards the end, Hazael (whom Elisha had anointed King of Syria) came and took Gath from the Philistines.  Now Gath was a mere 20-25 miles west of Jerusalem. And when Joash saw that the Syrian king meant to attack and take Jerusalem, he took all the sacred gifts, and his own gifts, and all the gold that was found in the treasuries of the Temple and the king’s house … and sent it to Hazael. 

Pleased, Hazael “went away from Jerusalem.”  (Too bad he did not pray for help from God!!)

************** And then – sheesh – two of Joash’s servants KILLED the king.  He was buried in the city of David, and his son Amaziah reigned.

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2 Kings 13.

Meanwhile back up in the North, while Joash had been reigning, Jehoahaz (son of Jehu) began to reign. (17 years, evil)

Having left Jerusalem alone, the Syrian king, Hazael, and later his son Ben-Hadad III, continually harassed the northern kingdom, taking small bites of land/cities.  King Jehoahaz’s army was whittled down to 50 horsemen, ten chariots, and 10K foot soldiers.

BUT NOTICE!!!  This wicked king “sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for He saw how oppressed they were.”  (God is so gracious and merciful!  He gave them “a savior” so the people could escape from the hand of the Syrians, and live in their homes.)

NOTE: This “savior” whom God gave to Israel is not named. But there are three choices.

  • 1. The Assyrian king, who attacked the Syrians from behind and forced them to turn from Israel.
  • 2. Elisha, the prophet, who continued his “secret” leadership in revealing where the Syrians would strike next.
  • or 3. Jeroboam II, the man who would be king after Jehoahaz, who fought the Syrians back. 

Take your pick.

Jehoahaz died and was buried in Samaria. 

His son Jehoash/Joash began to reign in ISRAEL. (Joash, king of JUDAH was still on the throne in the south.  Two kings named Joash: north & south!)

This new king “did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” 

Elisha, the prophet of God be came deathly ill.  King Jehoash/Joash went to him and wept.  HE KNEW the northern kingdom was lost without this godly prophet.  

He cried out to Elisha, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”  (Remember there were only 10 chariots and 50 horsemen!).  He was asking for military help!!

Elisha had King Jehoash/Joash shoot an arrow out the window, prophesying a victory over Syria.

Elisha then had the King strike the ground with his quiver of arrows. the king struck three times.

“Oh, no!!” said Elisha. “You should have struck 5-6 times then you would have totally defeated them.  Now it’s only three times, and they will come back and get you.

AND ELISHA DIED. They buried him, but it seems they forgot to fill in the grave. A band of Moabites came by, one of them died, and they threw him in the grave. HE BOUNCED BACK OUT ALIVE, AFTER TOUCHING ELISHA’S BONES. Elisha’s double portion of God’s power continued even after his death!

What??? 

The Syrian king, Hazael died and Ben-Hadad III reigned. Israel fought with him and took back the cities that were taken in war. THREE TIMES Israel defeated them. 

Jehoash/Joash reigned 16 years and died, and was buried in Samaria.

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Jeroboam II became king in the NORTH.

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2 Chronicles 24.

Okay…. were you curious at how quickly Judah’s king Joash was suddenly killed by two servants, after getting on with repairing the Temple??

I was!

Now, in Chronicles, we see the details.  King Joash had an about face, and TURNED AWAY FROM GOD, after his mentor and surrogate father, Jehoiada, the priest died.  Like Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, Joash then listened to the advice of the young princes of Judah.  He abandoned the Temple AND SERVED IDOLS! What?

Zechariah, the new priest and son of Jehoiada, called Joash out and said God would forsake HIM. Joash didn’t like that and commanded that the priest be STONED!!

The Syrians came again and took all those princes captive, and injured King Joash severely.  IT WAS THEN, THAT THOSE TWO SERVANTS CONSPIRED TO KILL KING JOASH – BECAUSE HE HAD THE PRIEST, ZACHARIAH STONED.

Okay then.  That makes sense.  Good for them!

Amaziah, the king’s son reigned instead in JUDAH.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 184

Jul4

Day 184 – Reading – 2 Kings 5 – 8

Read today’s Scriptures.  Do you see connections?

2 Kings 5.

The setting:

  • Syria
  • Samaria
  • the Jordan River

Characters:

  • Elisha the prophet,
  • Gehazi, Elisha’s servant,
  • Ben-Hadad II, King of Syria,
  • Naaman, supreme commander of the Syrian army, 
  • a young Jewish servant girl
  • King Jehoram/Joram, (2nd son of Ahab to rule Israel),

Naaman (meaning gracious and fair) was highly regarded by the king of Syria, DESPITE having leprosy. (Lepers didn’t seem to be shunned and isolated as they were in Israel.)  He had conducted many successful raids into Israel on behalf of Ben-Hadad II, and on one of them had brought back a young Jewish girl to be servant to his wife. 

One day, this little girl was brave enough to tell her mistress that Naaman could be healed if he went to the prophet in Samaria.  The wife told Naaman. The Syrian king gave him permission, and sent Naaman to Samaria with a letter to King Jehoram.  He also took looks of gold, silver, and fancy clothes to pay for the healing.

King Jehoram  was shocked and thought Naaman’s request was a way to quarrel with him. But Elisha heard about it and told the king of Israel to send Naaman to him, “That he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

Naaman goes, but is insulted that Elisha’s servant gives him the prescription for healing.  Not only does Elisha not come out to mee him, but he says to dip in the Jordan River seven times and he’ll be healed.

“I’m not doing that! Aren’t there better rivers in Syria?  And the guy didn’t even come out to talk to me in person. Doesn’t he know who I am?”   And Naaman gathered his company and his gifts and began to leave.  But…. one of his men asked if it wasn’t “worth a try” since they’d come all this way? 

Naaman relented and dipped in the muddy Jordan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 times … and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child. He was “clean.”

He went back and tried to pay Elisha with all the treasure, but the prophet of God refused. GOD had healed Naaman, not Elisha. He was only the messenger.  And so Naaman headed back to Syria, a changed man, praising and worshipping the God of Israel.  Until…..

Greedy Gehazi, thought HE could use some of that loot.  On his own, he ran to Naaman, told him a lie (the master changed his mind because unexpected guests had come), was greedy and accepted two silver talents and two changes of extravagant clothing. Then Gehazi deceived his master and hid his loot from Elisha (who could see through walls and across miles) and then lied to him right to his face.  Of course Elisha confronted Gehazi about it, and in the end, the servant (and his descendants) got Naaman’s leprosy.

(UGH!  What lessons learned!!)

  • A lesson about “instant” and “far-reaching” results to greed, lying, and deception (Gehazi)!
  • A lesson about humility and obedience (Naaman). 
  • A lesson learned about boldness to speak out for the LORD, no matter where you live (the slave girl)

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2 Kings 6 and 7.

The Setting:

  • By the Jordan River
  • Syria and Samaria
  • Dothan, north of Samaria

The Characters:

  • Elisha
  • “Sons of the Prophets”
  • Ben-Hadad II, King of Syria
  • King of Israel
  • four lepers

The group of student prophets came to Elisha and wanted to build a bigger lodging place down by the Jordan.  Elisha agreed and went with them.  While chopping wood, on young man heaved a mighty blow with his “borrowed” axe, and the head came off. The piece of iron went flying right out into the Jordan River.  Oh, no!  OH, NO! cried the man. 

NOTE: The man was responsible for the axe he borrowed. Moses’ Law said that if an item was LOST, the borrower would have to make full restitution. (Exodus 22:7-15)  The poor student prophet had no money for an axe, that’s why he borrowed it. He could NOT pay the price of a new one.  .

Elisha took pity on him, asked where it had gone in, then cut off a stick and threw it into the water.  THE IRON AXEHEAD FLOATED!.  The young prophet dashed into the water to get it.  A Miracle!

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Now this is kind of funny.  Wherever the Syrian King planned to attack Israel, God gave Elisha a “heads-up” and he told the king of Israel so they could be ready, or move away.  This happened again and again until the Syrian king was pulling his hair out.  “There must be a spy among us!”

But one of his servants said, “No, m’lord. It is Elisha, the prophet in Israel. HE tells the king of Israel the words you speak in your bedroom.

The king ordered, “Go, see where he is that I may seize him.

“Behold, he’s in Dothan,”

So the Syrian army with horses and chariots surrounded the city. Elisha went out early that morning and saw them.  But his servant was terrified. “WHAT SHALL WE DO???”

“Don’t worry,” said the prophet of God. “Those who are with US are more than those who are with THEM.  And he prayed that the LORD would open the servant’s eyes. 

When the LORD did, the eyes of the young man saw, and behold, the mountain was FULL of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

When the Syrian army attacked, Elisha prayed that God would strike them with blindness.  Then Elisha went to the Captain and said, ” You are going the wrong way. Follow me and I’ll take you to the man whom you seek.”

And he led them right into the middle of Samaria.  Then he prayed that their eyes were opened, and they were.  EEK!!  And King Jehoram came out and said, “SHALL I KILL THEM ALL?”

“No,” cried Elisha.  “Set bread and water before them and then talk to their leader.”  King Jehoram went over and above. He served them a great feast.  And when they were full and drunk, he sent the away to their master.

And… (get this) “The Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.”

(That’s what comes from obey God and loving (being kind) to your enemies. HA!!  (a good lesson learned!)

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2 Kings 8.

Remember the Shunammite woman? Elisha came and restored her young son to life after he died of an illness.  Elisha had also said that she was to move away because a famine was coming for SEVEN years.  She listened to him and moved to the land of the Philistines. Now she was back after those years. She asked the king to have her land restored.  And, what do you know!  Elisha’s servant Gehazi just happened to be there talking to the king.  The king had asked to hear of some miracles of Elisha, and BEHOLD there was the woman and her son.  And so, the story told, the king restored the woman’s land to her, PLUS all the crops that had grown in the last 7 years.

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The Elisha went to Damascus the capital of Syria.  King Ben-Hadad II was sick.  The king sent Hazael, his servant, to ask Elisha if he would live or die. (He sent 40 camel-loads of goods along too.)

Hazael asked for the king, “Will he recover from this sickness?”

Well, Elisha knew the sad truth.  YES, Hazael would recover from the illness, but this messenger, Hazael, would kill him and become king in his place.  Elisha saw with grief all the horrible things that the new king Hazael would do to Elisha’s people, Israel. (Set fortresses on fire, rip open bellies of pregnant women, dash the little ones to pieces.)

“WHAT?” cried Hazael.  “Am I but a dog to do such a thing??”

“The LORD has shown me.”

Back in the king’s chamber, Hazael told Ben-Hadad he would recover … then suffocated him to death. He then became king of Syria.

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Next, we see a repeat of the story in Judah (2 Chronicles 21:4-20). Jehoshaphat dies and Jehoram his son becomes king in Judah (south).  He was evil like Ahab (Jehoram’s wife was the daughter of Ahab), but God did not destroy him for the David’s sake and the “promised Lamp” to come.

He died and Ahaziah his son reigns for one year. His mother was the wicked Athaliah. He got sick and died.

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The history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah is so discouraging. Israel has only wicked kings, but because of the intermarriage with the house of Ahab, the evil invades Judah too, until the wicked Athaliah is killed (Chapter 11).

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 183

Jul2

Day 183 – Reading – 2 Kings 1 – 4

Read today’s Scriptures.  Elijah/Elisha, how do they encourage you?

2 Kings 1.

We are backing up a little in time, and peering at the northern kingdom (Israel) and catch up with the southern kingdom, whose king was the boy, Joash. (Refer to the “kings” chart.

After Ahab died, his equally wicked son Ahaziah became king.  (Moab is going to rebel against Israel as Verse 1 says, but not until the NEXT king comes along. (chapter 3) First, God deals with this wicked king/son of Ahab.)

King Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber and lay sick (injured internally?).  He sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub (prince Baal), the god of Ekron (Philistine). 

*** (I guess his father, Ahab, never told Ahaziah about how Elijah’s true God had defeated 400 of this god’s priests on Mt. Carmel, who had called on, inquired of, and pleaded desperately with … and NONE had evoked a response from that dead god.) 

WE might ask, the same question Elijah asks when he heard what the king was doing.  “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron???

When the men returned to King Ahaziah, he was furious with Elijah.  He sent a captain with 50 men to bring the prophet back to Samaria.  Elijah’s signature “fire from heaven (from God)” took care of them.

Ahaziah sent another captain with 50.  Same thing.

Ahaziah sent a third captain with 50.  This man was scared-smart.  He fell to his knees and pleaded with Elijah to spare his life and that of his men. This was a sign from God that it was safe for Elijah to see the king.

Elijah tells king Ahaziah, “You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.”

And he died.

Ahaziah had no sons, so Jehoram, his brother (another son of the wicked King Ahab), began to reign. 

NOTE:  (DON’T GET CONFUSED.  In the south, in Judah, another Jehoram, Jehoshaphat’s son, reigned there when that king died.  Two Jehoram kings! (Must have been a popular name.)  However, the passage beginning in 8:16, refers to the northern king as a shortened “Joram,” so that helps.)

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In chapters 2-4 today (and then in 5-8 tomorrow), we take a little side trail to see Elijah “pass the mantle” (literally) to his protegee, Elisha, and then some of Elisha’s “double-spirit” ministry.

“Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal in the area of Ephraim.” 

(It seems that the LORD informed both prophets that this was about to happen, and Elisha was hyper-vigilant.  WHY?  Remember, Elijah told the other man that if he SAW HIM DEPART, he would get the request of a double-ministry.  Elisha was NOT leaving Elijah’s side, even though the older man “tested” him three times.)

On their way from Gilgal to Bethel (7 miles), Elijah told Elisha to STAY THERE.  Nope, said his apprentice. “As the LORD lives, and as you live, I will not leave you.”

At Bethel some prophets told Elisha that the LORD would take Elijah that day. I know, he said.  Elijah again told Elisha to “STAY THERE” while Elijah went on fourteen miles to Jericho, but again the younger man refused.

At Jericho, again some prophets told Elisha that the LORD would take Elijah soon.  I know, he said. Keep quiet.

For a third time, Elijah told Elisha to STAY THERE while he went to the Jordan River.  Nope, Elisha said.

The 50 prophets followed the two to the river an witnessed the event.  Elijah took off his cloak, struck the river water, and it split so the two men could cross.  On the other side Elijah again asked what Elisha wanted. “A double portion of your spirit on me,” came the answer.

As they began to walk … CHARIOTS OF FIRE AND HORSES separated them.  Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

“My father, my father!  The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”   And he saw Elijah no more.

Elisha tore his own clothes in grief.  Then he picked up Elijah’s cloak, walked to the Jordan, and struck the water.

It parted. 

He walked across.

Of course, the 50 prophets wanted to search for Elijah, thinking maybe God dropped him somewhere in the valley.  Elijah said no at first (he’d seen Elijah disappear INTO HEAVEN), but after they pleaded, he said okay.  After an intensive search, Elijah (or his body) could not be found, and Elisha gave them that “I told you so!” look.

Then, the first proof of prophethood.  A town had water that made the people sick.  God used Elisha (and a bowl of salt) to cure it.

When Elisha returned to Bethel, some nasty pagan boys (actually young men) came out to make fun of his bald head. (Usually, prophets of God kept the Nazarite vow and never cut their hair. Now, here was a prophet of God WITH NO HAIR.)

Elisha cursed the taunting boys, and some bears came out and ate them. All 42 of them.  Seriously?  To ridicule God’s prophet was to ridicule God, Himself.  This was God’s warning to all who attempted to interfere with the newly invested prophet’s ministry. 

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Okay, back to Jehoram/Joram, king of Israel (north). He reigned 12 years and was evil in God’s sight, though not as bad as Ahab and Jezebel.

During Jehoram’s reign, the king of Moab, who had been paying tribute to Ahab, decided to stop now that Ahab’s second son was king. This made Jehoram mad, and he called Jehoshaphat (remember they had a marriage alliance) for help. Somehow, he also managed to get the King of Edom to help. They marched around the south end of the Dead Sea, planning to attack Moab. But they ran out of water. The animals (for food) and the army were desperate for a drink.

We need a prophet! Is there a prophet around here?  There’s Elisha, who took over for Elijah.

Elisha would not help King Jehoram or the King of Edom, but … he had regard for the “good” King Jehoshaphat, so he helped them and Moab retreated.

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Chapter 4 tells of Elisha and the widow of one of the prophets. She was poor, and a creditor was coming to take her son into slavery to pay what she owed.  Elisha told her to go beg and borrow all the vessels she could from her neighbors. She did, and then she began to pour the bit of remaining oil she had into all the vessels and jars.  She kept pouring until every last one was FULL!  Then she sold the oil and the money paid for her debts and left some for her and her son to live on. 

Another woman, a wealthy Shunammite, offered Elisha food and a place to stay whenever he was in the area.  Elisha wondered how he could repay her. When he learned that she and her old husband were childless, he prophesied that she would have a son at that time the following year. And she did. 

A few years later, the boy got sick and died. IN FAITH, she went and got the prophet. Elisha came, prayed for the boy, and he was resurrected to life. 

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While Elisha was visiting the prophets in Gilgal, a famine was in the land. The men gathered wild herbs for a stew and put them in a pot to cook. One man unknowingly gathered poisonous gourds and put them in the pot too.  The prophets got sick while eating and cried out to Elisha.

Elisha called for some flour and threw it into the pot.  Now they ate without harm. 

Then a man came with some loaves of barley bread and some fresh ears of grain as an offering for Elisha.  The prophet told the man to give it to all the men so they could eat.

“How can I set this before a hundred men?”

“Give it to them,” answered Elisha. “For the LORD says they shall eat and have some left.”  And it was so.  

And so God used Elisha in these many ways to provide for His people in need.

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(Oh, for faith to believe and act on the Word of God as these people did.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 182 & 183

Jul1

    Day 182 & 183—We are NOW in the seventh month of Bible reading and HALF WAY through the year!  Hopefully, we have established a good habit that will continue to December 31st and beyond!

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

    Day 182 – Obadiah, Psalm 82 – 83. (Judgment on the enemies of God and Judah)

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. The prophet speaks against Edom (the people of Esau, twin brother of Jacob) for attacking what is basically their family.

Jehoshaphat successfully defeated one attack when God told him to go to battle against Edom with singers!!  Edom rebelled under Jehoram’s reign but was conquered again in Amaziah’s reign.

Their part in Judah’s exile to Babylon was most grievous. The Edomites caught any runaways and gave them to their captors.  Obadiah prophesies against the nation.

“Will I not on that day, declares the LORD, destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of Mount Esau? And your mighty men shall be dismayed, O Teman, so that every man from Mount Esau will be cut off by slaughter.  Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.”

And in the future kingdom age, “The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble, they shall burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau, for the LORD has spoken.”    

Both Psalms 82 and 83 speak about God’s judgment on behalf of the weak and needy and on those who oppress them. “They say, Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!  For they conspire with one accord; against You, they make a covenant – the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites…”   “Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.”

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    Day 183 – 2 Kings 1 – 4 (Northern kings, Elijah/Elisha)

Chapter 1. King Ahaziah, Ahab’s son, is now reigning in Israel, and he was evil in God’s sight like his father, Ahab.  One day, he fell through the lattice of his upper chamber and lay ill.  And, being raised in a house where 400 evil prophets were fed by his mother, he immediately sent someone to ask Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron (Philistines), whether he would recover or not. 

But Elijah met the messengers and asked in astonishment, “IS IT BECAUSE THERE IS NOT GOD IN ISRAEL THAT YOU INQUIRE OF BAAL-ZEBUB??? Tell the king he will not get well but DIE.”

King Ahaziah did not like this and asked about the man. Sure enough, he knew Elijah from all his mother and father’s tales and sent men to bring him back.  But the captain and 50 men received fire from heaven after they demanded Elijah to come to the king. Another set was sent with the same results. When the third captain arrived with his 50 men, he knelt before Elijah and humbly begged the prophet to go to the king.  Elijah did – with the same message – and soon after, Ahaziah died.  

And Ahaziah’s brother Jehoram reigned. (Ahaziah had no sons. This was another son of Ahab.) (Don’t be confused. Jehoram was the name of both the king of Israel and the king of Judah after Jehoshaphat died. Some Bible translations call this northern king “Joram.”)

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Chapter 2. Now that Elijah had finished the tasks God had given him, it was time for the LORD to “take him up to heaven by a whirlwind.” Elisha sensed this and refused to leave his mentor, desiring the “double portion” of the Spirit he was promised. Elijah tested his resolve three times, but Elisha stayed close by. 

At one point, Elijah crossed the Jordan River by rolling up his cloak and striking the water to make it part.  Soon, “chariots of fire and horses” separated them, and Elijah went up in a whirlwind. “My father!” Elisha cried twice and saw him no more. Then he picked up the cloak that fell from Elijah and returned to the Jordan River. When he struck it, the water parted for him.

The group of prophets who had been following him saw this happen and knew that the spirit of Elijah was now on Elisha. The men of a nearby city also learned this truth, for when they told Elisha that the water was bad, Elisha took a bowl of salt, threw it into the water, and healed it. 

On his way to Bethel next, some little boys of the city mocked him. As a prophet, Elisha should have been a Nazarite and not have cut his hair. But it seems that Elisha was bald. (Hair loss, not a razor). “Hey, bald head!” the jeered.  Elisha turned around and cursed them (for mocking a prophet, not just him).  And a couple of mama bears came out of the woods and ate those 42 rude boys. WOW!!

Elisha then visited Mt. Carmel – perhaps to see the site of the great contest between his mentor’s God and the priests of Baal.  Then he went down to Samaria, where the kings of Israel lived.

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Chapter 3. Moab had been paying tribute to Israel after their last big defeat. But after King Ahab died, he rebelled. King Jehoram with his army went to King Jehoshaphat and said fight Moab with me. They also went to Edom and got that king to join them around the bottom of the dead sea. By the time they got to Moab, they were dying of thirst.

How to solve this problem: Ask a prophet. A servant of Jehoram suggested Elisha, so the three kings went to him. However, Elisha was not willing to help them until he saw the godly King Jehoshaphat with them.

After a musician played, the spirit of the LORD came on Elisha and he told them that the LORD would make streams and pools of fresh water for them and their livestock. He would also help them beat Moab and take all their cities. The next morning, water came up from the south (how weird!) and filled every the country.

The Moabites heard this, suited up for war, youngest to oldest, and went out at dawn. The morning sun shining on the massive lake of water looked like blood to them, and they thought the three kings had massacred each other, so they charged. But, when they came to the camp, Israel struck them till they fled.

They chased them, taking cities as they went. When King Mesha saw this, he took his crown prince and sacrificed him as a burnt offering on the wall for luck. He then took 700 of his best soldiers and charged.

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Chapter 4 describes a few more instances of God using Elisha. The first concerns the widow of one of the prophets who was being hounded by creditors. A loan shark was coming to take her two children; she only had a single jar of oil. Elisha told her to borrow as many jars and vessels as she could. Then she was to close the door and began filling all of them from her one jar. She did, and the oil never ran out until ALL the borrowed vessels were full. She used that oil to pay her debts and to live on the rest.

The second instance was when Elisha visited a wealthy woman of Shunem. She fed him, and her husband prepared a spare room for him to stay when he passed. He was so pleased that he asked her what he could pray about her. She desired a son. Elisha prophesied she would have a son the following year. One day, many years afterward, word came to Elisha that the woman’s son was dead. She hurried to him and begged him to return to her house. He did and prayed for the young man. He returned to life!

The third instance was when Elisha stayed with some prophets during a famine. Some poison herbs were accidentally cooked into the stew, and they got sick. “There’s death in that pot!” they cried. But when Elisha threw a little flour into the pot, it became harmless.

Lastly, a man came and donated twenty small loaves of barley bread and some grain to the prophets. But they asked how this little could feed 100 men. Elisha, foreshadowing an incident with Jesus, said to give it to them to eat and there would be some left. He did; they ate, and there were leftovers, according to the word of the Lord.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 31

Jan31

    Day 31 —  Won’t you read the Bible with me this year?   It only takes a few minutes.  (You can also listen to an audio recording.)

   Day 31 – Exodus 4 – 6  (Moses, God, Aaron, Pharoah & Israel)

Chapter 4 continues the amazing conversation between the LORD and Moses at the burning bush at Sinai. God has just told him that HE will bring out His people from Egypt, and they will plunder that country in the process. Oh wow!

But (yes, that is Moses’s first word). But… they won’t believe me!  I can almost hear God sigh. Okay… here’s a couple minor miracles that you can show them. And when Moses obediently throws down his shepherd’s staff, it turns into a SNAKE!!  Yikes!  Moses runs from it, but God says to catch it by the tail. Seriously???  But Moses obeys and voila! it is a staff again. (By the way, the snake is one of the symbols of authority in Egypt.)

Then God does the leprosy (yikes again!) miracle – first appearing when Moses pulls out his hand from his robe, and disappearing when he puts it back inside. (I imagine Moses is really shook up by now, but God offers a third miracle that he will do when he gets to Egypt. Get a pitcher of water from the “holy-to-Egyptians” Nile River, and when you pour it out… it will be BLOOD!

It’s settled then, right? No!

Moses’s next word again was, “But…”  This time he says he can’t talk eloquently, in fact he has a stutter. (Perhaps from only talking to sheep for 40 years and hearing their “baa-baa-ba.”)

God is losing patience with His man. Who gave you that mouth, Buddy?  Me.  If I made it, I can make it talk for me!  But…alas… I’ve summoned your bro Aaron. He can talk. He will talk for you…for me.

Moses can’t find another excuse so he goes home and explains to his father-in-law that God has called him to set the Hebrew people free from slavery in Egypt.  Surprisingly, this priest of Midian sees God’s hand in it all and sends him off “in peace.”

Chapter 5 finds the brothers before Pharaoh in Egypt. “The God of Israel says ‘Let My People go so they can hold a feast to Me in the desert.”

WHAT???, says Pharoah. “Who is the LORD that I should obey his voice.  I WILL NOT!”

Moses & Aaron resort to, “Please let us go to sacrifice to the LORD our God, lest…… a pestilence fall on us.”

“NO!! NO WAY! GET OUT OF HERE!”

And Pharaoh doubles the load on the already super-burdened Hebrew slaves. And they ask Moses why he ever came. They aren’t delivered. Their situation is WORSE.  And of course, Moses goes to God and accuses Him of the same thing. YOU HAVE NOT DELIVERED YOUR PEOPLE … AT ALL!

In chapter 6, you can almost see God rubbing his hands together. “NOW you will see what I shall do to Pharoah.” Then he preaches a mini-sermon to Moses, recalling His promises to the Patriarchs.

“I have heard the groaning…”

“I have remembered my covenant…”

“I am the LORD and I will bring you out…”

“I will deliver you from slavery…”

“I will redeem you…”

“I will take you to be my people…

“I will be your God…”

“I will bring you into the land I promised your forefathers and give it to you for a possession…”

“I AM THE LORD.”

Then follows a brief genealogy of Moses and Aaron (the tribe of Levi), beginning with their faithful parents Amram and Jochebed.

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(And then the contest begins. You’ll be sorry, Pharaoh, that you messed with the Living God.)