Old Testament - Today we finish the book of First Kings! Second Kings begins tomorrow! Ahab is not happy about the Arameans occupying Ramoth-gilead at the beginning of today's readings. A location profile of Ramoth-gilead is at this link. Ramoth-gilead was on a hilltop that could have looked something like this:
King Jehoshaphat of Judah wisely suggests that they should consult God before going into battle against the Arameans. At which time King Ahab of Israel trots out his 400 yes-men "prophets" who say they should definitely go to war and that they will be victorious. I love Jehoshaphat's reaction to these 400 yes-men in verse 7: "But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there a prophet of the LORD around, too? I would like to ask him the same question."" Ahab's reaction in verse 8 is quite telling... "There is still one prophet of the LORD, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but bad news for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah." This verse really stands out for me in a big way in our world today. I wonder if sometimes we - you and me - look for supposed "prophets" of the Lord that are yes-people to our particular likings - instead of looking for Truth. Meaning... and I'm just putting this out there, so bear with me. Do we sometimes maybe even decide to attend a particular church because it tells us basically what we want to hear? It keeps us in our comfortable place... we get yes-messages... When, instead, should we be okay with attending a church that will give us some challenging and convicting messages on occasion? Biblical messages mind you - which surely can be challenging to our modern ears at times. I heard somewhere once before that church should be a place that "comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable." I like that... Now, don't get me wrong. I am not saying we need to be in super-strict churches per se. I just think we should really watch for churches that are giving a yes-message all the time to our particular likings verses churches that teach the Truth. I don't think church is the only area of where we might default to looking for yes-messages. I think this can happen in books we read, TV we watch, or even with friends or with work. Are we listening to 400 yes-people in our lives or are we okay with 1 Micaiah coming in and sharing a perceived "bad-news" message? (which may ultimately be very good news if we'll just listen to it... if Ahab had really listened to Micaiah's message in today's readings, think he still would have rushed out to battle?) Below is an image of Micaiah and the false prophets before Jehoshaphat and Ahab:
New Testament - Acts 13 is a great sermon from Paul today! Really... this is about as good as it gets for a solid Gospel presentation. Go Paul. I love how he starts off in verse 16: "So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them, and started speaking. "People of Israel," he said, "and you devout Gentiles who fear the God of Israel, listen to me." You'll note that Paul delivers this message to both Jews and Gentiles - he is preaching the Gospel for the world! Are you really listening to Paul's message to you in today's readings in Acts?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Acts titled "Putting the Past in Perspective" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 138 is an awesome Psalm of thanksgiving and praise to God from David! You'll note that the word Temple is used in verse 2 - and of course the Temple was built by David's son Solomon. It is thought that David used the word Temple in reference to the tent holding the Ark of the Covenant. Some have also thought that this Psalm possibly was written after David's time, in the post-exile period. Either way, it is a beautiful Psalm of praise. Psalm 138 begins a final collection of eight "Davidic" Psalms, which are framed by songs of Praise in Psalm 138 & Psalm 145 - and Psalms 139 through 144 are six prayers.
In Psalm 138 today, verse 3 stood out to me - "When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need." Do you believe that God answers your prayers? Maybe not exactly in the way you'd expect, but that they are answered? Do you believe that God answers your prayers through encouragement and by giving you strength?
Verse 7 stood out to me as well - "Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will preserve me against the anger of my enemies. You will clench your fist against my angry enemies! Your power will save me." Do you believe that Jesus' power will save you in times of trouble? Or do you rely on your own power and maybe forget about Jesus during times of trouble? Will you rely on Jesus, realizing that only His power will ultimately save you?
Proverbs - Proverbs 17 verse 17 is fantastic: "A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." The thing I think about here is that Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that we are his friends. That is an amazing thing to think about. As a friend, do you believe Jesus is always loyal to us? Conversely, are we as Jesus' friends, always loyal to Him? Then, in the second half of the Proverb, as brothers and sisters in Christ, I do believe that we are to help each other in a time of need - much like a family brother or sister would help us. Through Jesus, we become a spiritual family. A family of brothers and sisters that is born to help each other in a time of need. Are you available to help your brothers and sisters - both in your birth and spiritual family - during their time of need?
Worship Video: Today's readings remind me of Matt Maher's fantastic song "Your Grace is Enough:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today:"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses." Acts 13:38-39 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you have been forgiven of your sins, through your faith in Jesus. Pray that you have been set free from every sin and are justified by Jesus.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 - I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
I Kings 22:1-53
Mike you put a hard question out to all your readers. >>Do we sometimes maybe even decide to attend a particular church because it tells us basically what we want to hear? It keeps us in our comfortable place... we get yes-messages...>>
When we surround ourselves with things and people who will give us yeses, we are truly insecure people afraid to be challenged. I believe we desire “Yes” folks because deep down in our hearts we know we are wrong, wrong, wrong. Although we haven’t gotten to the book yet, Job, there is a statement made by Job that always rehearses in my memory. He states in Ramona’s paraphrase, “We all know truth when we hear it.”
11 Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? (Job 12:11)
Ahab knew the truth because when the true prophet, Micaiah, repeated the “good” news all the other four-hundred prophets voiced, Ahab told him to tell the truth! I wonder if we believe that “calling those things that be not as thou they were” (Romans 4:17) is man’s domain when the text says that it is God that calls things that are not as thou they were. We are a people given to self-deception and that deception has nothing to do with the devil but has everything to do with us trying to be our own gods. If we call something over and over again to be truth it will come to pass …NOT!
Acts 13:16-41 Speaking of Truth, Paul preaches a message of Truth in Antioch of Pisidia. The problem with truth is that no matter how you put it, sugar coat it, spoon feed it, it is always confrontational. When we are confronted with truth, we may block it out without giving honest thought to what is being said. In his message to those in the Synagogue, Paul holds a mirror up to the congregation and shows them what they look like.
Now there is something tricky about mirrors, they really don’t show what we look like to others they show what we look like to ourselves thus it is not a true reflection. A co-worker in my school has a small company called “True Mirror.” The mirrors made by this establishment have two pieces of glass or mirrors set at 90° angels to each other. When you see yourself in the mirror for the first time most don’t recognize themselves. Instead of having a opposite reflection looking back at you, you see what everyone else sees. If you raise your right hand, the left hand in the mirror doesn’t go up, the right hand goes up it is startling and there are a none to few people who walk away in disgust and never look at the mirror again.
I think that is how we are when truth is presented to us, especially the truth about ourselves. Like the “True Mirror” most walk away in disgust shaken up by what they see never to look in the mirror again.
Psalm 138:1-8 1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods.
The Psalmist has decided to sing the True praises of God before all pretenders. Now if you want some conflict talk of God before all those things and people vying for the Throne of God.
Proverbs 17:17-18
I saw something in the seventh verse that I’ve never seen before. A friend, a true friend is never known until adversity comes into your life and that person remains a friend. I’ve heard it said that we should only be able to count friends, true friends on one hand. Now if one of those fingers represents Jesus, then we that leaves four if you count the thumb as being a finger. If not, well …
A friend is someone who knows everything about you and still likes you… and that friend is Jesus.
Jesus is a friend that loves you just the way you are; but He loves you too much to let you stay the way you are.
Grace and peace, Ramona
====
Like Mike pointed out,Jehoshaphat was quick to see through the phoney prophets...guess it wouldn't have been so hard if it's mentioned one of them held on to a horn(a god?)who knows what the others had in their hands....Micaiah chickened out at first and told Ahab what he wanted him to hear.It's very obvious Ahab knew Micaiah was truly a messenger from God...and maybe deep down he knew he wasn't right with God...He realised Micaiah was lying...some people are terrible liars...when I was unsaved I stuck to the truth because when I lied my guilty face gave me away,wonder if that's what happened to Micaiah... Jehoshaphat was a man of peace,godly...was he also "unwise" or was it faith....Jehoshaphat was right with God,heard when the prophecy was given...it didn't say he was going to die....so maybe he went out believing God was on his side....yet it does seem like he's tempting the Lord by doing so.... Ahab was given several occasions to see God's power but also His mercy....yet he refused to permanently repent....seems the fasting and ashes scene didn't have any permanent effect as he quickly went back to his old ways...... It just struck me why David was a man after God's heart....yes he had his many faults...but did he ever refuse to listen to God or his prophets....don't remember seeing that.Paul had a revelation from God about David'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' I pray we all do what God says so that we like David may be people after God's own heart. God bless you all. Anka
====
I love how in 1 Kings 22:34 it says "an Aramean soldier 'randomly' shot an arrow at the Israelite tropps and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor."
We know that 'random' is the word they used, but we know that there is nothing random with God because he is a God of order.
Johnnie
====
Johnnie, I agree with you. That is what stood out to me. what an amazing passage of Scripture!
I also noticed how Micaiah's prophesy was one of mercy and grace. He told the whole "behind the scenes" story that God had sent a lying spirit into all the other prophets. Ahab at the point could have repented and not trusted the lie! But it only revealed his heart--that he didn't want to trust God.
The rest of it is pretty colorful, isn't it? Ahab's body propped up in the chariot, the whole army fleeing, blood everywhere...then contrasted with v39..."Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did, an the ivory house that he built and all the cities that he built..." Nice irony! Really points out what is important--our stuff and accomplishments?--or that we fear the Lord? What will it be?!?!?
Kristie
====
1 Kings 22:1-53
As I read this section of I Kings, Paul’s words came to mind:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV)
I know this verse is usually applied to marriage relationships; however, its application is relevant to any and all relationships. Jehoshaphat, a godly king, Ahab---well Ahab is a man given over totally to evil by his choice. I think, like Jehoshaphat, we are susceptible of forming dangerous alliances because many a time things appear to be good but is not and we set ourselves up for death.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 KJVR) What the “world” tells us to do to achieve success must be measured by the yardstick of God’s Word.
Grace and peace, Ramona
====
Anka,
Not sure if Micaiah chickened out???? and told Ahab what he wanted to hear.
Several commentators said Micaiah said the first prophecy in mocking and sarcastic tones.
I could not figure out their reasoning, until I realized if the prophecy had been delivered sincerely - that AHAB would have run with it. 'SEE Micaiah agrees with all the others - let's saddle up.'
Instead Ahab rebukes Micaiah and basically tells him to give it another go.
Jehosophat did a lot of good chronicled in 2Chron, but I would have thought twice about going out into this battle. Even more questionable than that decision was one made in his later years:
Jehoshaphat gave his son Jehoram to Athaliah in marriage, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Chronicles 18:1).
YIKES!!!!
Acts 13
Paul did speak to Jews and God-fearing Gentiles.
"Some commentators have complained that Paul preaches too much like Peter did on Pentecost. But what is to complain about? It shows us that Peter and Paul preached the same gospel, and the same gospel was preached some fifteen years after Pentecost as was preached on that first day.
i. Others note similarities between Paul’s sermon here and the sermon of Stephen in Acts 7. That was a sermon that Paul heard when he still hated the name of Jesus. Perhaps the sermon of the first martyr of the church was still ringing in the ears of the man who led his execution!" David Guzik
I have only given the two speeches (Stephen and Paul's) a quick comparison. However it seems Paul while giving a historical overview with scripture references - has a little different spin.
Paul's scripture references seem to revolve around the fulfilling of prophesy - while Steven's are more for historical verification. Stephen then summarized at the end about Christ. Paul seemed to be building (based on prophecy) the "case for Christ" throughout his speech - after a brief intro.
John
====
I was amazed when I read 1 Kings 22 1-53. I was amazed that the king allowed the prophets to go all out in their prophecy and when Micaiah joined them and said the same things they were saying the king was upset and said knock it off Micaiah, be truthful with me. Then Micaiah told the king the real deal the king said yeah! see he always says negative things about me. The king took what he said to heart and tried to out wit God's plan by dressing up like some one else and going to battle. We cant hide from God, you know. No matter what we do. He tried to out wit and still was killed as Micaiah stated to him! This gives me a lot to think about in dealing with my own life.
Zenimah
====
The book of 1 Kings is all about wickedness and evil. All of the KINGS of Israel after Solomon DIED were corrupt and ninty-five percent of the KINGS of Judah were also corrupt and wicked. Solomon is a wise and good judge of morale character. Solomon builds GOD'S house in Jeruselum. Adonijah tried to take the kingdom from Solomon while David was STILL alive in his old age. Jeroboam seperates JUDAH from Israel when his laws are to harsh and corrupt creating the TWO kingdoms. The kings are corrupt from Elah to Ahab. They build groves and high places to worship idols. To try to turn Israel back to GOD, HE uses Elijah to cause a three year draught and famine in the land, to no avail. The book of 1 Kings is ALL evil and wickedness.
Raeann
====
Mike, whenever I read today's Scripture in 1 Kings it reminds me of today's society. To me the 400 false prophets remind me of the all the ways society has skirted God’s instructions in order to justify the things they want to do instead of doing the things they should do. So many of God's laws are being broken and society accepts that as being okay because everyone is doing it and says it is okay. How sad that is! The Bible instructs us to be law abiding citizens but it also instructs us to base our moral actions on what God says is the correct way to live instead of what government and society says is correct.
Pat
====
So true Pat, I sometimes feel that the History of the World gives examples of what God has wanted us to live our lives..some how people have fogotten and have given in to being self satisfying..I am trying to make simple changes in my life but they have made a tremendous difference in my self worth...
Janice
====
Re: Mike,
I love your comment: Though Jesus, we become a spiritual family.
Frederick
====
I like how you paraphrased yourself for what was in the Word, Ramona! love hearing your thoughts and will miss that when I start back to school.. (usually pressed for time by then)
11:10am EST June 20, 22 Can't believe 1 Kings is done and 2 Kings begins tomorrow!! woohoo! 3 years -no war between Aram & Israel. I pointed that out, because in the Bible, it is unusual to have peace if but for one year, let alone 3 years when talking kingdoms.
The story begins with 2 characters: King(s) Jehosophat, Israel which was: Ahab Ahab is discouraged that the land of Ramoth-Gilead has not been surrendered and besieged. After all, Ahab says it belonged to him and his territory. Ahab wanted Jehosophat to team up and conquer it. Jehosophat in his wisdom said let's beseech the Lord first and get his counsel. I like that! So Ahab got his 400 "yes" men to come and tell him what he wanted to hear! Yes, go conquer you will receive victory. Jehosophat though felt that there had to be a definite man of "God" left a wise counsel to tell them the truth. Of course Ahab said, yes there is one: Macaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him, he always gives bad news! (that sounds familiar..Ahab never liked Gods prophets words of wisdom) these didn't line up with King Ahab. What I wonder though is where is Elijah and Elishah?? Oh well. Jehosophat rather rebuked Ahabs words and was like..oh no! we should never refuse counsel good or bad from a Godly prophet of the Lord. Anyway.. the ruling was the demise of Ahab's reign.. (again.. where is Jezebel?) Anyway..even with Ahab disguising himself, he got hit by an arrow and bled out propped up by evening.. dogs did what was prophesied by Elijah..sad.
Acts: 13:16-41 Paul-Speaking at Antioch..to Jews and Gentiles. Paul showed that God had a place for all who believed-shared the promises from Genesis on up through Saul (1/2nd Sam) and how God was raising one up who would never die or rot, and that was Jesus.
Psalm 138:1-8 Psalm of David Everything in all the earth will thank u Lord-all will hear your words, They will sing the Lords ways.
Proverbs 17:17-18 A friend is always loyal..I do have a few good friends like that: Mel, Cookie, Ms Linda..(so thankful) A brother is born to help in time of need. Feel that way with my friend James..bless him.
Its poor judgment to guarantee another person's debt or put up security for a friend.. (haven't done that and thankful.. even told son no..he was too young at time to secure such debt)
Dee
Comments
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I Kings 22:1-53
Mike you put a hard question out to all your readers.
>>Do we sometimes maybe even decide to attend a particular church because it tells us basically what we want to hear? It keeps us in our comfortable place... we get yes-messages...>>
When we surround ourselves with things and people who will give us yeses, we are truly insecure people afraid to be challenged. I believe we desire “Yes” folks because deep down in our hearts we know we are wrong, wrong, wrong. Although we haven’t gotten to the book yet, Job, there is a statement made by Job that always rehearses in my memory. He states in Ramona’s paraphrase, “We all know truth when we hear it.”
11 Does not the ear test words
as the tongue tastes food? (Job 12:11)
Ahab knew the truth because when the true prophet, Micaiah, repeated the “good” news all the other four-hundred prophets voiced, Ahab told him to tell the truth! I wonder if we believe that “calling those things that be not as thou they were” (Romans 4:17) is man’s domain when the text says that it is God that calls things that are not as thou they were. We are a people given to self-deception and that deception has nothing to do with the devil but has everything to do with us trying to be our own gods. If we call something over and over again to be truth it will come to pass …NOT!
Acts 13:16-41
Speaking of Truth, Paul preaches a message of Truth in Antioch of Pisidia. The problem with truth is that no matter how you put it, sugar coat it, spoon feed it, it is always confrontational. When we are confronted with truth, we may block it out without giving honest thought to what is being said. In his message to those in the Synagogue, Paul holds a mirror up to the congregation and shows them what they look like.
Now there is something tricky about mirrors, they really don’t show what we look like to others they show what we look like to ourselves thus it is not a true reflection. A co-worker in my school has a small company called “True Mirror.” The mirrors made by this establishment have two pieces of glass or mirrors set at 90° angels to each other. When you see yourself in the mirror for the first time most don’t recognize themselves. Instead of having a opposite reflection looking back at you, you see what everyone else sees. If you raise your right hand, the left hand in the mirror doesn’t go up, the right hand goes up it is startling and there are a none to few people who walk away in disgust and never look at the mirror again.
I think that is how we are when truth is presented to us, especially the truth about ourselves. Like the “True Mirror” most walk away in disgust shaken up by what they see never to look in the mirror again.
Psalm 138:1-8
1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will sing your praises before the gods.
The Psalmist has decided to sing the True praises of God before all pretenders. Now if you want some conflict talk of God before all those things and people vying for the Throne of God.
Proverbs 17:17-18
I saw something in the seventh verse that I’ve never seen before. A friend, a true friend is never known until adversity comes into your life and that person remains a friend. I’ve heard it said that we should only be able to count friends, true friends on one hand. Now if one of those fingers represents Jesus, then we that leaves four if you count the thumb as being a finger. If not, well …
A friend is someone who knows everything about you and still likes you… and that friend is Jesus.
Jesus is a friend that loves you just the way you are; but He loves you too much to let you stay the way you are.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====
Like Mike pointed out,Jehoshaphat was quick to see through the phoney prophets...guess it wouldn't have been so hard if it's mentioned one of them held on to a horn(a god?)who knows what the others had in their hands....Micaiah chickened out at first and told Ahab what he wanted him to hear.It's very obvious Ahab knew Micaiah was truly a messenger from God...and maybe deep down he knew he wasn't right with God...He realised Micaiah was lying...some people are terrible liars...when I was unsaved I stuck to the truth because when I lied my guilty face gave me away,wonder if that's what happened to Micaiah...
Jehoshaphat was a man of peace,godly...was he also "unwise" or was it faith....Jehoshaphat was right with God,heard when the prophecy was given...it didn't say he was going to die....so maybe he went out believing God was on his side....yet it does seem like he's tempting the Lord by doing so....
Ahab was given several occasions to see God's power but also His mercy....yet he refused to permanently repent....seems the fasting and ashes scene didn't have any permanent effect as he quickly went back to his old ways......
It just struck me why David was a man after God's heart....yes he had his many faults...but did he ever refuse to listen to God or his prophets....don't remember seeing that.Paul had a revelation from God about David'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'
I pray we all do what God says so that we like David may be people after God's own heart.
God bless you all.
Anka
====
I love how in 1 Kings 22:34 it says "an Aramean soldier 'randomly' shot an arrow at the Israelite tropps and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor."
We know that 'random' is the word they used, but we know that there is nothing random with God because he is a God of order.
Johnnie
====
Johnnie, I agree with you. That is what stood out to me. what an amazing passage of Scripture!
I also noticed how Micaiah's prophesy was one of mercy
and grace. He told the whole "behind the scenes" story that God had sent a lying spirit into all the other prophets. Ahab at the point could have repented and not trusted the lie! But it only revealed his heart--that he didn't want to trust God.
The rest of it is pretty colorful, isn't it? Ahab's body propped up in the chariot, the whole army fleeing, blood everywhere...then contrasted with v39..."Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did, an the ivory house that he built and all the cities that he built..." Nice irony! Really points out what is important--our stuff and accomplishments?--or that we fear the Lord? What will it be?!?!?
Kristie
====
1 Kings 22:1-53
As I read this section of I Kings, Paul’s words came to mind:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
(2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV)
I know this verse is usually applied to marriage relationships; however, its application is relevant to any and all relationships. Jehoshaphat, a godly king, Ahab---well Ahab is a man given over totally to evil by his choice. I think, like Jehoshaphat, we are susceptible of forming dangerous alliances because many a time things appear to be good but is not and we set ourselves up for death.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 KJVR) What the “world” tells us to do to achieve success must be measured by the yardstick of God’s Word.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====
Anka,
Not sure if Micaiah chickened out???? and told Ahab what he wanted to hear.
Several commentators said Micaiah said the first prophecy in mocking and sarcastic tones.
I could not figure out their reasoning, until I realized if the prophecy had been delivered sincerely - that AHAB would have run with it. 'SEE Micaiah agrees with all the others - let's saddle up.'
Instead Ahab rebukes Micaiah and basically tells him to give it another go.
Jehosophat did a lot of good chronicled in 2Chron, but I would have thought twice about going out into this battle. Even more questionable than that decision was one made in his later years:
Jehoshaphat gave his son Jehoram to Athaliah in marriage, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Chronicles 18:1).
YIKES!!!!
Acts 13
Paul did speak to Jews and God-fearing Gentiles.
"Some commentators have complained that Paul preaches too much like Peter did on Pentecost. But what is to complain about? It shows us that Peter and Paul preached the same gospel, and the same gospel was preached some fifteen years after Pentecost as was preached on that first day.
i. Others note similarities between Paul’s sermon here and the sermon of Stephen in Acts 7. That was a sermon that Paul heard when he still hated the name of Jesus. Perhaps the sermon of the first martyr of the church was still ringing in the ears of the man who led his execution!" David Guzik
I have only given the two speeches (Stephen and Paul's) a quick comparison. However it seems Paul while giving a historical overview with scripture references - has a little different spin.
Paul's scripture references seem to revolve around the fulfilling of prophesy - while Steven's are more for historical verification. Stephen then summarized at the end about Christ. Paul seemed to be building (based on prophecy) the "case for Christ" throughout his speech - after a brief intro.
John
====
I was amazed when I read 1 Kings 22 1-53. I was amazed that the king allowed the prophets to go all out in their prophecy and when Micaiah joined them and said the same things they were saying the king was upset and said knock it off Micaiah, be truthful with me. Then Micaiah told the king the real deal the king said yeah! see he always says negative things about me. The king took what he said to heart and tried to out wit God's plan by dressing up like some one else and going to battle. We cant hide from God, you know. No matter what we do. He tried to out wit and still was killed as Micaiah stated to him! This gives me a lot to think about in dealing with my own life.
Zenimah
====
The book of 1 Kings is all about wickedness and evil. All of the KINGS of Israel after Solomon DIED were corrupt and ninty-five percent of the KINGS of Judah were also corrupt and wicked. Solomon is a wise and good judge of morale character. Solomon builds GOD'S house in Jeruselum. Adonijah tried to take the kingdom from Solomon while David was STILL alive in his old age. Jeroboam seperates JUDAH from Israel when his laws are to harsh and corrupt creating the TWO kingdoms. The kings are corrupt from Elah to Ahab. They build groves and high places to worship idols. To try to turn Israel back to GOD, HE uses Elijah to cause a three year draught and famine in the land, to no avail. The book of 1 Kings is ALL evil and wickedness.
Raeann
====
Mike, whenever I read today's Scripture in 1 Kings it reminds me of today's society. To me the 400 false prophets remind me of the all the ways society has skirted God’s instructions in order to justify the things they want to do instead of doing the things they should do. So many of God's laws are being broken and society accepts that as being okay because everyone is doing it and says it is okay. How sad that is! The Bible instructs us to be law abiding citizens but it also instructs us to base our moral actions on what God says is the correct way to live instead of what government and society says is correct.
Pat
====
So true Pat, I sometimes feel that the History of the World gives examples of what God has wanted us to live our lives..some how people have fogotten and have given in to being self satisfying..I am trying to make simple changes in my life but they have made a tremendous difference in my self worth...
Janice
====
Re: Mike,
I love your comment: Though Jesus, we become a spiritual family.
Frederick
====
I like how you paraphrased yourself for what was in the Word, Ramona! love hearing your thoughts and will miss that when I start back to school.. (usually pressed for time by then)
11:10am EST June 20, 22
Can't believe 1 Kings is done and 2 Kings begins tomorrow!! woohoo!
3 years -no war between Aram & Israel. I pointed that out, because in the Bible, it is unusual to have peace if but for one year, let alone 3 years when talking kingdoms.
The story begins with 2 characters: King(s) Jehosophat, Israel which was: Ahab
Ahab is discouraged that the land of Ramoth-Gilead has not been surrendered and besieged. After all, Ahab says it belonged to him and his territory. Ahab wanted Jehosophat to team up and conquer it. Jehosophat in his wisdom said let's beseech the Lord first and get his counsel. I like that! So Ahab got his 400 "yes" men to come and tell him what he wanted to hear! Yes, go conquer you will receive victory. Jehosophat though felt that there had to be a definite man of "God" left a wise counsel to tell them the truth. Of course Ahab said, yes there is one: Macaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him, he always gives bad news! (that sounds familiar..Ahab never liked Gods prophets words of wisdom) these didn't line up with King Ahab. What I wonder though is where is Elijah and Elishah?? Oh well. Jehosophat rather rebuked Ahabs words and was like..oh no! we should never refuse counsel good or bad from a Godly prophet of the Lord. Anyway.. the ruling was the demise of Ahab's reign.. (again.. where is Jezebel?) Anyway..even with Ahab disguising himself, he got hit by an arrow and bled out propped up by evening.. dogs did what was prophesied by Elijah..sad.
Acts: 13:16-41
Paul-Speaking at Antioch..to Jews and Gentiles. Paul showed that God had a place for all who believed-shared the promises from Genesis on up through Saul (1/2nd Sam) and how God was raising one up who would never die or rot, and that was Jesus.
Psalm 138:1-8
Psalm of David
Everything in all the earth will thank u Lord-all will hear your words, They will sing the Lords ways.
Proverbs 17:17-18
A friend is always loyal..I do have a few good friends like that: Mel, Cookie, Ms Linda..(so thankful) A brother is born to help in time of need. Feel that way with my friend James..bless him.
Its poor judgment to guarantee another person's debt or put up security for a friend.. (haven't done that and thankful.. even told son no..he was too young at time to secure such debt)
Dee