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2 Chronicles 16-18
Today we get:
2 Chronicles 16
1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
Asa, Baasha and Ramah. Ramah was a city that was about 5 miles north of Jerusalem. Baasha was rebuilding it as an intercept city, that would capture anyone or anything that would be going back into Jerusalem.
2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
Apparently Ramah wasn't done being built by the time Asa sent money to Benhadad.
Benhadad received the money and attacked various other cities in Israel, which caused Baasha to remove his forces from Ramah and go rebuild elsewhere.
6 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
So Asa took the building supplies and built up two other cities.
7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
Remember earlier, when the Ethiopians attacked Asa cried to the LORD, and God killed a bunch of them. Also, when Jeroboam attacked, they (Abijah) cried to God and He helped them kill 500,000 of them. Well, God was angry that He wasn't called on to defend, that Asa went and asked Syria for help.
I'm reminded of Jesus talk. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. This goes for everything, you should always ask God for help before you go ask someone else for assistance.
9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Is this why we are currently engaged in several conflicts? Because previous presidents didn't first ask the LORD for assistance?
10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
When a seer tells the truth, it often leads to him being imprisoned.
12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
I'm reminded of recent news reports about prayer not helping people recover from heart surgery. The problem is that people ask God to help AFTER they see a physician, and not BEFORE he tells them No!
Then Asa died from a horrible case of Asaletes foot.
2 Chronicles 17
1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
Jehoshaphat took over as the next king of Judah.
3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
Jehoshaphat was a good guy, he took away even more high places and groves. Those industrious jews could grow trees for worship faster than anyone in history. Think about how quickly Solomon got cedars to grow. These people could get a grove for worship of false gods to sprout as quick as the next king was installed. Why couldn't they make apple or orange trees grow that fast?
Jehoshaphat started a worship program throughout the land, and it was so successful that no body attacked them. Which goes to show that the more educated a nation is, the less likely it is that they will be attacked by heathens.
10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 18
1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.
Ahab was the king of Israel at the time.
2 And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.
Ramothgilead was apparently where the king of Syria was attacking Israel at the time. Ahab asked Jehoshaphat if he would help in the defense of the lands.
4 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
Ahab got together 400 prophets and they all said that God would deliver the land into their hands.
6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?
Apparently 400 people wasn't enough for Jehoshaphat, he wanted to hear from the 401st prophet. Well, Ahab did have another prophet in the land, but he didn't like him.
7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
So Ahab calls for Micaiah the son of Imla (or Imlah in 1 Kings 22). The messenger told Micaiah that 400 people prophesied good and that if he knew what was best for him, Micaiah would do the same.
Micaiah said he could only say what God tells him to say. (Kind of like Balaam)
14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
Micaiah says go ahead and attack, for they will be delivered. Ahab doesn't believe that Micaiah would give him good news, so he asks him again.
15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?
When a guy who always gives you bad news suddenly gives you good news, you should ask again.
16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.
Ahab was right in his suspicion.
17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?
Ahab turns to Jehoshaphat and says "see, I told you so".
Micaiah continues:
18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
Micaiah had a vision of heaven. Everyone up there with the LORD in the center.
19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
God wants someone in heaven to go and trick Ahab, but who will do it?
20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?
God asks, "how you gonna do it?" to the spirit.
21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.
So this spirit tricked the 400 prophets, so that Ahab would go to battle and die.
So Ahab has Micaiah put in jail.
27 And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.
Lets clarify that sentence. It was a statement, not a question. He said "if you return in peace, then the lord has NOT spoken by me"; not "if you return, then hasn't the LORD spoken by me?"
Israel and Judah go to war anyway. Ahab disguises himself, but gets shot anyway and died.
So what have we learned today?
1. If you don't like what a prophet has to say, it doesn't matter if you throw him in jail; if he's a real prophet his prophecy will come true.
2. The battle at Ramothgilead was caused by Asa asking Benhadad to attack Israel; why didn't Jehoshaphat just ask the current king of Syria to stop the attack?
3. Prayer only works BEFORE you go see a doctor. Of course, sickness and disease is caused by sin, so if one repents of their sin (or just doesn't sin), they won't need to seek man's assistance with disease anyway.
YIC
V
Today we get:
- Baasha takes on Asa
- Jehoshaphat prospers
- Israel and Judah versus Syria
2 Chronicles 16
1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
Asa, Baasha and Ramah. Ramah was a city that was about 5 miles north of Jerusalem. Baasha was rebuilding it as an intercept city, that would capture anyone or anything that would be going back into Jerusalem.
2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
Apparently Ramah wasn't done being built by the time Asa sent money to Benhadad.
Benhadad received the money and attacked various other cities in Israel, which caused Baasha to remove his forces from Ramah and go rebuild elsewhere.
6 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
So Asa took the building supplies and built up two other cities.
7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
Remember earlier, when the Ethiopians attacked Asa cried to the LORD, and God killed a bunch of them. Also, when Jeroboam attacked, they (Abijah) cried to God and He helped them kill 500,000 of them. Well, God was angry that He wasn't called on to defend, that Asa went and asked Syria for help.
I'm reminded of Jesus talk. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. This goes for everything, you should always ask God for help before you go ask someone else for assistance.
9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Is this why we are currently engaged in several conflicts? Because previous presidents didn't first ask the LORD for assistance?
10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
When a seer tells the truth, it often leads to him being imprisoned.
12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
I'm reminded of recent news reports about prayer not helping people recover from heart surgery. The problem is that people ask God to help AFTER they see a physician, and not BEFORE he tells them No!
Then Asa died from a horrible case of Asaletes foot.
2 Chronicles 17
1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
Jehoshaphat took over as the next king of Judah.
3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
Jehoshaphat was a good guy, he took away even more high places and groves. Those industrious jews could grow trees for worship faster than anyone in history. Think about how quickly Solomon got cedars to grow. These people could get a grove for worship of false gods to sprout as quick as the next king was installed. Why couldn't they make apple or orange trees grow that fast?
Jehoshaphat started a worship program throughout the land, and it was so successful that no body attacked them. Which goes to show that the more educated a nation is, the less likely it is that they will be attacked by heathens.
10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 18
1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.
Ahab was the king of Israel at the time.
2 And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.
Ramothgilead was apparently where the king of Syria was attacking Israel at the time. Ahab asked Jehoshaphat if he would help in the defense of the lands.
4 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
Ahab got together 400 prophets and they all said that God would deliver the land into their hands.
6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?
Apparently 400 people wasn't enough for Jehoshaphat, he wanted to hear from the 401st prophet. Well, Ahab did have another prophet in the land, but he didn't like him.
7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
So Ahab calls for Micaiah the son of Imla (or Imlah in 1 Kings 22). The messenger told Micaiah that 400 people prophesied good and that if he knew what was best for him, Micaiah would do the same.
Micaiah said he could only say what God tells him to say. (Kind of like Balaam)
14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
Micaiah says go ahead and attack, for they will be delivered. Ahab doesn't believe that Micaiah would give him good news, so he asks him again.
15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?
When a guy who always gives you bad news suddenly gives you good news, you should ask again.
16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.
Ahab was right in his suspicion.
17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?
Ahab turns to Jehoshaphat and says "see, I told you so".
Micaiah continues:
18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
Micaiah had a vision of heaven. Everyone up there with the LORD in the center.
19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
God wants someone in heaven to go and trick Ahab, but who will do it?
20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?
God asks, "how you gonna do it?" to the spirit.
21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.
So this spirit tricked the 400 prophets, so that Ahab would go to battle and die.
So Ahab has Micaiah put in jail.
27 And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.
Lets clarify that sentence. It was a statement, not a question. He said "if you return in peace, then the lord has NOT spoken by me"; not "if you return, then hasn't the LORD spoken by me?"
Israel and Judah go to war anyway. Ahab disguises himself, but gets shot anyway and died.
So what have we learned today?
1. If you don't like what a prophet has to say, it doesn't matter if you throw him in jail; if he's a real prophet his prophecy will come true.
2. The battle at Ramothgilead was caused by Asa asking Benhadad to attack Israel; why didn't Jehoshaphat just ask the current king of Syria to stop the attack?
3. Prayer only works BEFORE you go see a doctor. Of course, sickness and disease is caused by sin, so if one repents of their sin (or just doesn't sin), they won't need to seek man's assistance with disease anyway.
YIC
V
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