Consistent Partnership with Unbelivers

Consistent Partnership With Unbelivers 

II Kings 3:4-5, 7 NKJV

[4] Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheepbreeder, and he regularly paid the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and the wool of one hundred thousand rams. [5] But it happened, when Ahab died, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel....[7] Then he went and sent to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” And he said, “I will go up; I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” 

God is very consistent in His dislike of alliances and partnerships between a believer and a non believer. From an old testament concept of two unequal animals tied together for ploughing, God insists that there must be "separation", between a Christian believer and a non believer. Here's how passionate Derby Gibson is on this matter. " The New Testament concept of an unequal yoke (2 Cor 6.14-18) found its origins in the Mosaic ban on ploughing "with an ox [clean animal] and an ass [unclean beast] together" (Deut 22.10). Because believers and unbelievers are also of completely different natures it is vitally important for Christians to avoid close associations with the ungodly. In practical terms, this principle applies to three main areas: business, marriage, and religion". 

    Jehoshaphat had alliances with Ahab, even though he was a godly king. William Higgins explains the different accomplishments of Jehoshaphat. " Jehoshaphat the faithful. He walked in God’s ways – “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. . . . (He) sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments. . . His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord” – 2 Chronicles 17:3-6.

   Not only was he faithful – he was a reformer. He led the people to be faithful as well (like his father Asa).

v. 6 – he took away the high places and Asherim, vs. 7-9 – he began a program that taught the people the Law of God. Next we see portrayed . . .

2) Jehoshaphat the blessed.

17:5 – He had great wealth". 

   The tragedy were all in his association with Ahab's family. He made a marriage alliance with Ahab He gave his son in marriage to Ahab’s daughter. Then he went to fight at Ramoth-gilead with Ahab, and nearly lost his life. In today's read, the son has invited him to come and help fight the king of Moab. 

   We don't have all the space in this vignette. Be sure that God does not support close alliance with unbelivers. Note how Jehoshaphat always wants to consult God? Yet he may not do the will of God. What about you? How often do you respond to God's directions? Good morning.

The Kingdom Standard

The Kingdom Standard 

II Kings 3:1-3 NKJV

[1] Now Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel at Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years. [2] And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like his father and mother; for he put away the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had made. [3] Nevertheless he persisted in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin; he did not depart from them.

When we were very young, we went to watch a cinema. At that time , television had not come into our country. We enjoyed the screening of emulsion films. The gate fee was set for three pence. I had two pence. Two of my friends had a penny each. We begged the gate men to allow us go in to watch the movie with the entire four pence, and they refused. They said our money was not up to standard of what they could collect. We sat by the sand outside and missed the entire movie. Even a movie had standards.

   God has standards of behaviour and acceptance of people into the Kingdom. Here's one from Mat.5:20. " For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven". Jehoram, the son of Ahab tried to be different from the father. He even put away the worship of Baal, but he still did evil which made the nation to sin.

   God isnt looking for people to patronize Him on Sundays. God is interested in disciples and stewards. Someone in a blog post writes that, " Good stewards tend to be grateful people. We lead well from a position of eagerness and desire, not duty or compulsion. We want to return to Him what which He deserves, not pursue our own selfish interests. See 1 Peter 5:2-3." Jehoram failed in God's standards. 

    Someone makes an attempt to summarize what may be required in God's standards. " God wants our MOUTH and our HEART to both be dedicated to worshiping and loving Him. When your MOUTH honors God but your HEART dishonors God, this is hypocrisy. Jesus knows those that are HIS, and Jesus knows them that are HYPOCRITES." Would your God's Standard beat the ones who go to church every week without Christ? You have to think well before you answer. Good morning.

You Don't Mock Elders

You Don't Mock Elders

II Kings 2:23-25 NKJV

[23] Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” [24] So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. [25] Then he went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

Some days ago, Dr Eneche of Dunamis International Center raised a media storm when a socialite decided to comment on a trending issue in Nigerian church development. Dr Enemche was visibly angry on several grounds but more on the fact that African culture has no room for disrespect to a senior. 

   In March,6,2014, Atane Ofiaja comment about ignorant elders who display ignorance or cruelty.  He says, "...we shouldn’t feel obligated to respect, revere or defer to them simply for being old".  Fidelia Okosodo thinks differently. " Every society is built on certain values. In Africa, respect for elders is among the core cultural values. This respect is expected to flow from the younger person to the elderly, whether they have family ties or not. In many instances, it does not attract reciprocity". The debate could go on. 

   The Bible recommends our respecting elders, beginning with our parents. Ex.20:12, Prov. 23:22. Prov. 20:20 and 30:17 recommends that disrespectful children are worthy of death. So when those children mocked  Elisha, they contravened that law.

   The New Testament recommends for children to honour elders beginning with their parents. 1Tim.5:8. Those children crossed the line, and they experienced God's anger. We may have our opinions, but God wants us to have a deep respect for our elders. Good morning.

Reverse the Curse

Reversing The Curse

II Kings 2:19, 21-22 NKJV

[19] Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren.”

...[21] Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’ ” [22] So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

This is the beginnings of Elisha's ministry. Albert Barnes says that the translation should have read  “...and the land apt to miscarry.” Then he explains  that " The stream was thought to be the cause of untimely births, abortions, and the like, among the cattle, perhaps also among the people, that drank of it". In one of our vignettes, we observed that the land of Jericho had remained under a curse as well. Joshua 6:26. Jericho was the first city to fall inro conquest, so , Israel dedicated the city to the Lord. In 1 Kings 16:34, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. " He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord ". 

    Today we hear that the city is not only occupied, but everything about it is barren. Joshua never said that the city will never be rebuilt. His curse just came through in the life of Hiel. 

   It took one man to pronounce the curse, it takes another to reverse it. So Elisha went to the source of water and spoke a reversal. He poured in the salt and made the water sweet. Your family curse can not be forever. Someone spoke it into being. May you speak life back in its place. And you're authorized to do so as a New Creation. Reverse the curse.

   Today I speak a reversal of whatever the enemy had intended against you. I speak the divine ability of God to show up for you beyond the curse. No power can stand against the blood of Jesus. I speak a sprinkling of the blood over your condition. I declare you free. Thank you Jesus. Jericho became a prosperous city after that. I feel a lifting. Good morning.

The Test For Divine Direction

The Test For Divine Direction 

II Kings 2:16-18 NKJV

[16] Then they said to him, “Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send anyone.” [17] But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send them!” Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. [18] And when they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?” 

This encounter was the first test of leadership for Elisha. He had just graduated magna cum laude from Elijah. The sons of the prophet observed that the spirit of Elijah now dwells on Elisha. But they needed to be sure he will have the keen insight to lead them and the nation. They confronted him to go and search for Elijah. If they found Elijah's corpse, then the masquerade would have been undressed in the public. Their feelings would have moved from awe to suspicion, and perhaps indignation. They are wondering: did this guy hear directly from God like Elijah? 

   Here is Adam Clarke. " Though they saw him taken up towards heaven, yet they thought it possible that the Spirit of the Lord might have descended with him, and left him on some remote mountain or valley". It was a futile mission. By the time they returned, their respect of Elisha deepened. 

    A similar thing happens in leadership when people are interested in knowing who or what is leading you the  leader. Here is a contemporary answer to this problem by Leadership Dynamics." The authority of a leader is diluted if the followers work out that the leader they are following is not being led. Nobody has all the wisdom and all the answers and a secure leader will always ask for guidance.  It is not what you say, but what you do as a leader that truly counts. It’s what the team observes and the quality of your leadership will be determined by your ability to allow yourself to be led". That's not a Bible study commentary. Its a leadership postulation of the 21st century. People want to know: is God leading you? Elisha waited in Jericho unti he passed the exams. Now his leadership grace is established. 

  It may take a little time for people to trust you. Keep waiting. They will. They finally believed fully on the ministry of Elisha. They will believe in yours. Good morning.

The Spirit Of Elijah On Elisha

The Spirit Of Elijah On Elisha 

II Kings 2:14-15 NKJV

[14] Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. [15] Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him. 

When there's a transference of mantle(s) to someone, there's an automatic recognition by others apart from the carrier of the mantle. The reason is simple. The new carrier is noticed to begin to act and respond in the same manner as the previous carrier without a conscious training. Receving a mantle means " being wrapped in God's authority, or even being graced with the presence of the Holy Spirit" as a previous person in the same calling.

  So Elisha returned to Jordan at the departure of Elijah. What was Elijah's last encounter became Elisha's first problem. " Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" The sea fled. The sons of the prophet recognized that it was not just Elisha who returned. They bowed to the ground. The mantle had returned.

   This transference is replete all over scripture. Here's an observation from a scholar. " We see examples of mantles in the Bible. Jesus had a mantle and took the seat of authority when He sat down after speaking to the people in the synagogue after reading from Luke 4. Elisha received Elijah's mantle (2 Kings 2:8–14). Paul had a mantle that accompanied his assignment (Acts 26:12-20)". We could go on. Every mantle carries a spirit of service from one generation to the next. Now, the ministry of Elisha begins. You too can get this mantle and impact your generation. Serve well. Good morning.

And Elisha Saw It.

And Elisha Saw it

II Kings 2:11-13 NKJV

[11] Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. [12] And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. [13] He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 

What you see is important in the spirit realm. It is a cognitive process that gives you a direction of where to go or what to do. Perception is what separates people of impact from others. When others cant see well ,they hold onto what they already know, even if things have changed. God cornered Jeremiah  on this. Jer.1:11-12. Jeremiah saw the rod of an almond tree. An almond is awake in early January, when other trees are still locked in their winter sleep. Adam Clarke says, "... it bears fruit in March, just at the commencement of spring, when other trees only begin to bud. It was here the symbol of that promptitude with which God was about to fulfill his promises and threatening". Thats what Jeremiah saw. Seeing differs. So Elijah told Elisha, " if you see me". 

   Let me warn you that keeping concentration for what youre expecting is not a very easy thing. The devi will want to distract you in every way. Just imagine it. Its beyond the Jordan. Its quiet and surreal. The insects chirping in the undergrowth are the only creatures disturbing the serenity of the moment. Then, there's a whirlwind. Some people probably would have been startled enough to call for their momma. Today the distraction is deeper with the outburst of the internet and the development of artificial intelligence. Elisha held on and saw Elijah taken up by the chariots and the horses. He screamed what he perhaps had rehearsed for a long time, " My father, my father, the Chariots of Israel and its horseman". He passed the test.He had the mantle.

   You too will see. You'll perceive what God is going to do today. You will be ready. And you'll enter today with your mantle. Even Jordan will obey you. I can't wait to hear your testimonies. Good morning.