READINGS FOR JUNE 5- JUNE 11

JUNE 5

In the Chronological Bible commentary for today are these words, "God demands strict obedience even when certain acts seem entirely appropriate - perhaps even righteous - according to human notions."

Even though God demands strict obedience, we are human and are not perfect (YET) but we must strive for strict obedience as if we can obey it. There are many acts that we do as Believers that seem appropriate according to human notions, but our allegiance is to Him and Him alone even if it is contrary to the ways of the world or even the ways of the established church.

Ahab and Jezebel, what a pair – especially Jezebel - such a well-known name. The name is often synonymous with ungodly activities and specifically ungodly sexual activities. The church in Thyatira was admonished because they tolerated the spirit of Jezebel.

Revelation 2:20
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

An example of the spirit of Jezebel would be the acceptance of deviant sexual practices (homosexual, bisexual, transexual, ect.) as if they were normal and acceptable to God.(I Timothy 1:10, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Leviticus 18:22)

It's very clear what happens to those who continue in the spirit of Jezebel.
Revelation 2:21-22
I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.

Speaking of repentance - God gives Ahab a chance to repent and to know the Lord, not once but at least twice.

1 Kings 20:13
Meanwhile a prophet came to Ahab king of Israel and announced.  This is what the Lord says, "Do you see this vast army?  I will give it into your hand today and then you will know that I am the Lord."

(And again God offers this chance to repent in 1 Kings 20:23-30.)

Ahab is successful against the enemy until he spares the life of King Ben-Hadad and makes a treaty with him.  This treaty gave Ahab the cities in Damascus that David had already claimed.  Those cities already rightfully belonged to Ahab, king of Israel. God even gives Ahab an example of this in the story of Naboth and the vineyard.

Elijah tells of the punishment of Ahab and Jezebel on page 713. (1 Kings 21:17-34) His prophecy came true in exact detail.  Check out pages 715 (1 Kings 22:29-36) and 737 (2 Kings 9:30-37) for the painful details.

The king of Israel surrounded himself with prophets (not prophets from God, but ones who spoke with a lying spirit) who were telling him what he wanted to hear.  In fact, he even told Jehoshaphat King of Judah that he didn't want the prophet Micaiah speaking.  "I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad."  

Can we make any connections for today?  Do we only want to hear teaching that tells us what our itching ears want to hear?

2 Timothy 4:3-4a
The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. They will turn away from listening to the truth. 

A perfect example of how God works is found in today’s reading. God uses His people to discipline other people. God also uses other people to discipline His people. God uses the host of heaven to bring about His plan.

I Kings 22:19-22
Micaiah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?' "One suggested this, and another that. Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.' " 'By what means?' the LORD asked. " 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said. " 'You will succeed in enticing him,' said the LORD. 'Go and do it.'

While we may not understand all of  His ways, we must remember that God has the perfect plan. He is in control. He has the final word!

JUNE 6

Follow the Leader – a game probably all of us have played as children. There are so many instances in Scripture concerning leaders and the people they lead. God calls into judgment the leaders for the sins of the people.  However, His people are still held to account as well.

How about today? Are the spiritual leaders of today following the clear teachings set forth in Scripture? Do they even bother to study Scripture deeply enough to find out what those teachings are? Most people just follow the leaders and accept their teachings without really studying Scripture for themselves. 

I Kings 22:29-36 King Ahab wants to enter the battle in disguise but he tells King Jehoshaphat to wear his royal robes.  Did Ahab think that Jehoshaphat would be killed in battle and then he (Ahab) could take over the kingdom of Judah as well as Israel?  Well, if that was his plan, it didn't work!

After Jehoshaphat was spared and Ahab was dealt a death blow, the soldiers went back home - just as the prophet Micaiah had said they should do instead of going into battle.  Jehoshaphat however will suffer for trying to help Ahab.

When Jehoshaphat set in place the justice system for Judah, (Psalm 82 on page 531 may be a reference to this justice system). he gave them orders. Among them is this order.

2 Chronicles 19:10b
you are to warn them not to sin against the LORD; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your brothers. 

Look at the first four commandments.(Exodus 20)  These are sins against the Lord. The people were warned then as we are warned now.  Consequences ensue when we don't obey His commandments.

Part of Jehoshaphat's prayer is this.
2 Chronicles 20:12b
For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

We as humans don't have the power to face our spiritual enemy so our eyes must be on Him!

When the army of the Moabites came to make war, Jehoshaphat didn’t rely on himself or even his advisers. He inquired of the Lord. And look what the Lord did for him.  God caused the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir to fight and kill each other.

2 Chronicles 20:17
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'"

Wow! They didn’t even have to fight the battle. They had faith in what the Lord promised them. And notice they began to worship, sing and praise God even before He began to work. (Psalm 115 on page 535 may refer to this). They trusted Him. Do we trust Him to keep His promises to us?

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Ephesians 6:11-13
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

As believers in Jesus Christ we need to stand firm in our faith. We need to be on our guard against Satan’s schemes. When we play the game Follow the Leader we need to be cautious about the leaders or teachers we follow. We need to study Scripture for ourselves led by the greatest teacher of them all...the Holy Spirit.

John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

JUNE 7

Elisha - God Is Salvation From (1) the word אל ('el), God, and (2) the verb ישע (yasha'), to be saved.

Elijah - Yah is God From (1) the word אל ('el), God, and (2) the divine name יה (yah).

Eli - My God, (Yah Is) High, From the word אל ('el), God and the word על ('al), high.

Elisha was really determined to be with Elijah on the day Elijah was to be taken up in a whirlwind. The word for whirlwind means a storm, a tempest, or hurricane. So whatever it was it was BIG.

Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit.  He was asking for the customary inheritance of the first born son.  In the culture of the day, the first born son received double the inheritance of the other sons.  For example, if a man had three sons, his inheritance would be divided into four parts with the oldest son receiving two parts (or a double portion). The other two sons would receive one part each (or a single portion), for a total of four parts.  In the case, concerning Elisha and Elijah,  Elisha was asking for the inheritance as Elijah's spiritual son or son in the faith. Elijah himself didn't have the power to give him a double spiritual portion. 

What is a chariot of fire and horses of fire? There are a couple of references containing those words. They are found in 2 Kings 6. Kind of a strange conveyance wasn’t it? But not as strange as the wheel intersecting a wheel in Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10.

The company of prophets suggested that Elijah may have been taken up into the sky only to be deposited somewhere else.  A similar thing took place with the apostle Philip after he baptized the eunuch.  Philip suddenly appeared many miles away after the Spirit took him.

Acts 8:39-40
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Since some youths were making fun of Elisha calling him "baldhead" guess that means that he was bald?  After being mauled by the bears, they learned a lesson - don't curse God's prophets.

The woman who, with her sons, gathered the jars…what was the significance of the number of jars gathered?  Was the number of jars gathered an indication of their faith.  Would the Lord have filled all the jars, no matter how many were collected?

Can we make a connection today? How about if we go to the Lord completely open and empty... will He fill us completely every time we go to Him that way?  Reminds us of the song, Fill My Cup Lord. 

Why did the Shunammite woman tell Gehazi that everything was all right? Her son had just died. Did she want to tell Elisha herself?

Not sure if we completely understand the significance of Elisha purifying the stew and making the axhead float, except that it was just to show that Elisha had the power through the Holy Spirit to perform such a miracle. Or maybe that God cares about even seemingly insignificant things if they are important 

JUNE 8

In the commentary in the Chronological Bible on today's reading is this statement. "And an entire army flees at the sound of chariots which never existed."  Just because the chariots were not seen does not mean they didn't exist.  There is a spiritual realm that we cannot see (unless God allows it) but it is there none the less and just as real whether or not we can see it.  Just because we can't see God doesn't mean that He doesn't exist!

There is an amazing story in the third chapter of 2 Kings - a miracle of a story in fact. It is a story that is seldom mentioned in sermons, teachings, or writings. Three kings were at their wits' end. They had been traveling together for days on their way to fight the king of Moab. They ran out of water for themselves and their horses.

They inquired of the Lord through the prophet Elisha as to what to do. The Lord responded by telling them to make a valley full of ditches, that He would fill with water so that they and their horses could drink. God also promised that He would hand over the Moabite army to them. God did exactly as He promised.

II Kings 3:18
This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also hand Moab over to you.

What a great verse for us to ponder. If only we could see through the eyes of the Lord!  Refer back to the first paragraph of today's entry. Just because we don't see things doesn't mean they aren't there.

Again in today's reading we are shown the character of King Jehoram and also the character of God.  Jehoram built high places (altars of pagan worship) and caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and he led the people astray.  This prostitution is spiritual in nature. Since we enjoy a marriage relationship with Him, whenever we as God's people worship false gods we commit spiritual adultery.  When we worship false gods with the purpose of gaining something for ourselves it is spiritual prostitution.  And yet with the spiritual prostitution going on with King Jehoram, our ever faithful God was not willing to destroy the house of David because He promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants forever.  Are we always faithful in our promises to God?

What's up with this mysterious letter from Elijah???  Is this evidence that Elijah was taken up and deposited somewhere else on earth?  In this letter Elijah warned Jehoram of the consequences of his sins - very specific consequences.  This prophecy was fulfilled to the letter.  Prophecies WILL be fulfilled - some are yet to be fulfilled in our lifetime.  All the more reason to be watchful!

JUNE 9

Oh my, Obadiah! How rich and prophetic are your words! It’s a little book (the shortest book in the Old Testament) but the message is larger than our imagination can possibly comprehend.  Obadiah means “servant of Jehovah”.  God speaks to Obadiah in the form of a vision.

Obadiah's message is final and it is sure: the kingdom of Edom will be destroyed completely. Edom has been arrogant, gloating over Israel's misfortunes, and when enemy armies attack Israel and the Israelites ask for help, the Edomites refuse and choose to fight against them, not for them. These sins of pride will not be overlooked forever. 

The sin of pride is addressed in verses 2-4.  This vision that was given to Obadiah is a prophecy against Edom - but it has connections to today as well.  Ponder this.
"Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down."

Think about the pride (in a negative way) of America.  At one time we were a most respected nation - not so anymore. At one time we were able to soar like the eagle (as in space travel).  We made our nest (six times) among the stars (as in "The eagle has landed." - on the moon).  Because of our disobedience to God (If my people...) He will bring us down unless we repent. 

Obadiah mentions the wise men of Edom.  They were wise in the ways of the world but foolish because they ignored God.  Sounds like today's "wise" men. 

Obadiah warns the enemies of Israel, "nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction , nor boast so much in the day of their trouble."   Interestingly, even today, the enemies of Israel rejoice over any military action against them.

Obadiah 1:15a
"The day of the LORD is near for all nations.

Obadiah wrote that the Day of the Lord is near. Echoing throughout Scripture in both Old and New Testaments is an urgency concerning the impending Day of the Lord.

Revelation 1:1
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.

"This was written about 96 AD, yet God said that this plan “must soon take place”. There is an element of urgency in this Scripture as there are elements of urgency in much of Scripture concerning the coming Kingdom and these last days."
(quote from the book THESE LAST DAYS by Phil and Patti Moore)

"The house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame..."  may refer to the house of Jacob as all Israel who will at one time destroy the Arabs and/or Persians (Iranians).

The book ends with the promise of the fulfillment and deliverance of Zion in the Last Days when the land will be restored to God's people as He rules over them.

While there is much doom and gloom attached to these last days, there is also this great promise from the little book of Obadiah.

Obadiah 1:21b
And the kingdom will be the LORD's.

HALLELUJAH!

JUNE 10

Have you ever heard us say. "Today’s reading is rich!" ??? Well, today is no exception! 

Elisha prayed that his servant be allowed to see into the spirit realm and God opened the servant’s eyes. The heavenly defenders were already there surrounding them. God allowed the servant to see them. Obviously Elisha already knew they were there. 

Heavenly defenders surround us always. It’s just that most people don’t see them except by special permission from God. It’s like listening to the radio. We may be listening to our AM radio but it doesn’t mean that FM signals aren’t there as well. We’re just not tuned in to hearing them. In our heart of hearts we KNOW that there is a spiritual battle raging all around. We just don’t always see it. (“We live by faith, not by sight.”)

Sometimes, however we are allowed to see the heavenly defenders. Just as a four year old child was allowed to see his guardian angel outside the dining room window at his grandparent’s house.  

What great faith displayed by the servant girl in this story of Elisha! God placed her there for a purpose. She was an humble servant of her master. Has God placed you in a position to spread His word? A person doesn’t have to be a certified seminary graduate to speak the word of God. A person just needs to be an humble servant of THE MASTER. 

When Naaman went to the king of Israel with the letter in hand from the king of Aram, the king reacted in a negative way. Elisha then responded with these words. “Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

Naaman was to be healed so that everyone would know. Sometimes we have to do something for healings even if it doesn't make sense to us.  When Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jordan to be cured of leprosy, Naaman questioned why he needed to go there instead of going to closer waters.  It didn't make sense to him.  Isn’t that just like us today, we don’t want to go to God and do what He says? We want to do something more convenient. We “dig our own cisterns” so to speak instead of going to the “well of living water”. 

Gehazi was doing so well until he took that first step on the slippery slope of self-indulgence and deceit. Sin has consequences. The leprosy with which he was afflicted as a consequence of his sin didn’t start as just a spot as it did with Naaman. His leprosy was full blown, not only for him but for his descendants.

The Aramean army heard the sound of chariots and horses and a great army and they fled. Were they allowed to hear the same thing that Elisha’s servant was allowed to see?

Maybe if we were alert, listening and watching, we might be able to see and hear our heavenly defenders all around us! Why not look and listen a little closer today???

JUNE 11

Jehoram's death was a fulfillment of prophecy.  And what a sad epitaph for Jehoram, "He passed away, to no one's regret…"

Ahaziah, his son succeeded him as king and had much to overcome. His father Jehoram had been a poor excuse for a king to say the least. His grandfather was King Ahab. And to top it off…
"…his mother encouraged him in doing wrong."

Ben-Hadad, king of Aram sent a gift to Elisha. What a gift! Forty camel-loads of all the finest wares of Damascus. What did he think Elisha would do with such a "gift"?

In the exchange between Jehu and Joram in 2 Kings, Jehu poses this essential question, "How can there be peace as long as idolatry and witchcraft abound?"  Indeed how can there be peace in anyone's life as long as idolatry runs rampant?

Jezebel's demise was exactly what was prophesied. However...the spirit of Jezebel lives on in the form of generational demons.

Revelation 2:20
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

And this was in a church! Any connections for today's church? Are there pagan teachings in our churches today that lead people into sexual immorality?  Do church leaders hide behind a facade of political correctness and claim that social issues are "political" instead of Biblical?  Are these the leaders that Jesus calls hypocrites?  "How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. You don't enter it yourselves, and you don't permit others to enter when they try. Matthew 23:13

The good news is…someday the spirit of Jezebel will be destroyed just as was Jezebel herself.