Reforms Under The Leadership Of Asa

Reforms Under The Leadership Of Asa

I Kings 15:13-14 NKJV

[13] Also he removed Maachah his grandmother from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. And Asa cut down her obscene image and burned it by the Brook Kidron. [14] But the high places were not removed. Nevertheless Asa’s heart was loyal to the Lord all his days. 

Mirriam Webster describes reforms as the attempt " to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action". Yesterday we examined the revival that Asa started. Revivals however do not last except there are profound changes in the psyche of the people involved. Kenneth Berding in 2018 reported on two revivals in wales. One was in 1859, and the other was in 1904. This is the submission: "  The positive effects of the first revival both for the church and for society persisted for many years. The second revival, lacking an emphasis on the Bible, was “gone as quickly as it came.” Hansen and Woodbridge remarked about the second awakening: “After several years, Wales returned to its previous state of religious indifference.” The second revival was like a sparkler that spouted brilliant colors for a moment, sputtered, then grew suddenly dark". Colin Hansen and Woodridge had compared the two  revivals. They said, " Evan Roberts, the best-known preacher of the second: “Roberts, a gifted exhorter who led meetings filled with prayers, singing, and testimonies, did not prioritize Bible teaching. Compared to the 1859 revival, fewer Welsh preachers taught biblical doctrine. Instead, many new converts sought mystical experiences.” That revival died.  Asa perhaps  thought about such when he removed the grandmother from being queenmother and destroyed her shrine. Two can't work together except they're in agreement. He might not have dealt with all the high places, but no one in leadership was going to go against Jehovah. That must have sent news to the rest in the nation that reforms are underway. Don't just look for a revival. Look for deep spiritual change in lives. That will last. Good morning.

Revival Under Asa

Revival Under Asa

I Kings 15:9-11 NKJV

[9] In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king over Judah. [10] And he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His grandmother’s name was Maachah the granddaughter of Abishalom. [11] Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did his father David. 

I paused as I read these words, and whispered a silent thanksgiving. The events happened about 916 BC., but I felt the reality today. There's a battle going on to get the soul of the land, and the enemy is struggling to put its men in the lead. The irony is that most Christians are not aware. Before King Asa came to the throne, he was preceded by three kings who grew increasingly wicked. They lead the Kingdom of Judah further and further away from God. Then Asa came. Beautiful Feet reports that, " The spiritual condition of the nation when Asa came to the throne left him with many challenges.

► Idolatry was rampant.

► Perversity had filled the land, with idolatrous practices involving male and female prostitutes.". Then Asa went from town to town removing the high places that were dedicated to foreign gods( v.12 ). Thi was a great spiritual awakening after years of dormancy.  Its called revival. Every revival begins with deep repentance and a return to God. To get this kind of revival started, we must think like Paul," So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” — Heb.12:12–13. We can get out of the rut. We can get our own revival started. We can serve God better. Yes you can. Get a revival started. King Asa did it, so can you. Good morning.

For David's Sake

For David's Sake

I Kings 15:1, 3-4 NKJV

[1] In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam became king over Judah. 

[3] And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. [4] Nevertheless for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, by setting up his son after him and by establishing Jerusalem; 

Mark Batterson in January 2020 explored this theme in a brief devotion. " This is 117 years after David’s death! David is long gone, but God hasn’t forgotten the promise He made. God has a good memory. He doesn’t forget His people, and He doesn’t forget His promises. The only thing He forgets is the sin He forgives". A simple search of the phrase " for Davids sake " reveals God's restrain to destroy the Kings and people who had sinned because of a Name, David. The singer in Psalm 132 seeks for the sure mercies of God, then he is promised the continuance of the mercies for his generations. The phrase continues in Kings and Chronicles. John Gill explains this in the light of the New Testament that it is not in the " excellencies or merits, of David, literally understood"   but " for the sake of the covenant and promises made with him.."  and  " for the sake of the antitypical David, the Messiah, the son of David according to the flesh, and the servant of the Lord as Mediator; for whose sake, and in whose name, prayers and supplications are made and presented". So you're qualified for answers  and mercies because of what was accomplished in Christ Jesus. In the old covenant it was because of David, and in the new it is because of Christ. Batterson submits, " We’re the beneficiaries of prayers we know nothing about. God was working long before we arrived on the scene, and He’s using us to set up the next generation". Your prayers are not wasted. Oh God, may this generation experience, " for your sake ". Move heaven to stop and acknowledge that someone loved God- you. May heaven say, " for your sake and turn things around. Good morning.

Judah Copied Samaria

Judah Copied Samaria 

I Kings 14:21-22 NKJV

[21] And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king. He reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there. His mother’s name was Naamah, an Ammonitess. [22] Now Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, more than all that their fathers had done. 

If you've followed these vignettes for a while, you will understand why its difficult to understand that what was happening in the northern kingdom appear to be happening in the southern kingdom as well. There appears to be an agreement to do evil in the sight of God. Why do people copy others to do evil? In 1 Cor. 11:1,  Paul enjoins us  to copy others so long as they copy Christ. This is Christina Fox in 2018, "...we often become like the people we’re around. Even if we don’t know them personally, we’ll often model ourselves after people we admire. Whether we copy fashion choices after a Hollywood starlet or adopt a famous preacher’s teaching style or take on the beliefs and attitudes of our parents, we mimic and imitate others". The people of Israel may have been in two kingdoms, but they were the same people. They had a tendency to embrace other gods so long as as there was no strong leader to pressure them. In Phil.3:17, Paul told the people to imitate the people doing what is right. Who are you imitating? Who are your models? Read: 3 John 1:11; 1Peter 2:21. Imitate what is right and spiritual. Unfortunately, Judah copied Samaria, and came out with their fate. Don't do it. Good morning.

The Child Shall Die: Am Answer From God.

The Child Shall Die: An Answer From God 

I Kings 14:12-13 NKJV

[12] Arise therefore, go to your own house. When your feet enter the city, the child shall die. [13] And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he is the only one of Jeroboam who shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something good toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.

God doesn't play with His words. His word is Yeah and Amen. In todays vignette, God is taking out the only person with some goodnes out of Jeroboam s  lineage. And he is a young man. The Expositor's Bible Commentary quotes an extra Biblical source. "We are not told wherein the goodness consisted, but Rabbinic tradition guessed that in opposition to his father he discountenanced the calf-worship and encouraged and helped the people to continue their visits to Jerusalem". Sometimes God may allow the righteous to depart so His judgement may not be hindered. This was the only person in the lineage with proper burial. Its an irony that the same prophet who prophesied him to power, prophesied his end. Joel Ryan says of Jeroboam: " Like all kings and rulers, Jeroboam was established by God, used by God, and removed by God just as quickly. Despite their efforts, all rulers are subject to the authority of the King of Kings and will answer to Him for their leadership".  Don't let the child die in your time. You can have a proper successor. Serve God. Good morning.

Judgement Of Jeroboam

Judgement Of Jeroboam 

I Kings 14:1-2 NKJV

[1] At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam became sick. [2] And Jeroboam said to his wife, “Please arise, and disguise yourself, that they may not recognize you as the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Indeed, Ahijah the prophet is there, who told me that I would be king over this people. 

There are some people who are interested in God only when things appear to work well for rhem. Jeroboam appear to have forgotten about the person who prophesied him into kingship. Today his son is sick and he suddenly remembers. Prophet Ahijah was now old and blind. Here is how ISBE summarises Jeroboam's rulership, " Jeroboam sacrificed the higher interests of religion to politics. This was the "sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin" (1 Kings 12:30; 16:26). He had realized his ambition, but had sacrificed the ideal that was set before him. He built  alternate altars to counter Jehovah. In craftiness, he sent his wife to enquire of the son's health. The pronoucements of Peophet Ahijah showed Jeroboam did worse than the son's of David. God's judgement came upon him. ISBE submits, " Jeroboam died, in the 22nd year of his reign, having "bequeathed to posterity the reputation of an apostate and a succession of endless revolutions." He was good in leading the revolution, but he failed in serving God who gave him a chance. How would God rate your commiments now that you appear to succeed. Don't be like the young rich ruler who came to Jesus in Mat.19. He left Jesus sad.  His wealth was more important, he thought. You're better than that. Good morning.

The Old Prophet Became A believer

The Old Prophet Became A Believer 

I Kings 13:29, 31-32 NKJV

[29] And the prophet took up the corpse of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. So the old prophet came to the city to mourn, and to bury him. 

[31] So it was, after he had buried him, that he spoke to his sons, saying, “When I am dead, then bury me in the tomb where the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones. [32] For the saying which he cried out by the word of the Lord against the altar in Bethel, and against all the shrines on the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, will surely come to pass.”

The word "believer" is a New Testament concept. We use it guardedly here, to explain what happened to the Old Prophet. Suddenly aftrr the death of the Man Of God, the Old Prophet believed in his prophecies. The old prophet perhaps was a backslider bu now he had reason to believe again. This is David Guzik: " Though he lied to him, led him into sin, and prophesied judgment against him, the prophet from Bethel still respected the man of God from Judah. Perhaps he understood that the word he spoke against Jeroboam required a courage he did not have; therefore he confirmed the word of the man of God against Jeroboam and the altar at Bethel". It is possible to be in church without being a believer. Here is how someone describes a New Testament believer. " In the New Testament, the word believer is used for a person who is convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and the author of our salvation. The Greek word usually translated “believer” or “believing” carries the idea of faithfulness and loyalty (John 20:27; Acts 16:1; 2 Corinthians 6:15). A believer is one who faithfully trusts in Jesus Christ." So what did the Old Prophet believe in? Christ was not born, nor died yet. The Old Prophet believed the words spoken by the Man Of God from Judah. The Old Prophet demonstrated that he received the truth prophesied. In the New Testament we receive the truth that Jesus Christ is the saviour and  the son of God sent to us, resulting in our transformation. In this discourse the Old Propet even instructed his children to bury him besides the Man Of God. He told them the words spoken will be fulfilled.  We could talk about the matter of divine justice and maybe make a case that the punishment was too harsh for the Man Of God. We could argue that God should have killed Jeroboam instead of even the Old Prophet who lied. We will discuss it further in heaven. For today, just believe the prophetic word that God does not play with any sin like disobedience. Be a believer. Good morning.