June 12

The Era of Joash in Judah - 2 Kings 11:1-3; 2 Chronicles 22:10-12; 2 Kings 10:18-31, 11:4-16, 11:21, 12:1, 11:17-20, 12:2-3; 2 Chronicles 23:1-15, 24:1, 23:16-21, 24:2

A Disney-esque Queen Athaliah Googled and found on Learn Hebrew Online.

"When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah." 2 Chronicles 22:10

This is one ruthless mama, Athaliah.  She has enough power and intestinal fortitude to whip out everyone who might threaten her in the royal family.  But she misses her infant nephew, Joash, who is hidden from her in the temple of God.  Being the kind of woman Athaliah was, I guess everyone knew she'd never look in the temple.  For anything.  

So here's a woman ruling Judah.  We don't have a whole lot of her rule recorded here.  Within a handful of verses she's being put to death.  I'm sure, given her ruthless manner, she wasn't too popular with the people.  It's intriguing, though, that a woman could rule such a male dominated society as Judah. I wonder what those six years of her rule where like with a woman at the wheel?  She could turn up the heat at the palace now whenever she pleased.  I wonder what her greatest accomplishment was during her six years?

Lord knows.  And He's not talking about it right now.

June 11

Obadiah's Prophecy Against Edom (Continued) - 2 Kings 8:23-27; 2 Chronicles 21:19-20, 22:1-4; 2 Kings 8:7-15, 8:28-29; 2 Chronicles 22:5-6; 2 Kings 9:1-27; 2 Chronicles 22:7; 2 Kings 9:30-37, 10:1-14; 2 Chronicles 22:8-9; 2 Kings 9:28, 10:15-17

When I Googled Jehu, I found this pic of a group named Drive Like Jehu.  lol...I don't know how good this group was but they sure knew their Old Testament.  "The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi -- he drives like a madman." 2 Kings 9:20

"The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, 'Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead.  When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi.  Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room.  The take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, 'This is what the Lord says:  "I anoint you king over Israel." The open the door and run; don't delay!'"  2 Kings 9:1-3

So who or what is this "company of the prophets"?  I always thought of being a prophet as something of a calling.  Not something where you'd have a whole flock or company.  I also always thought of a prophet as more of a solitary pursuit.  Again, not something you'd expect a company of....   So why do we hear so little about the Company(s) of Prophets?  Why are so few singled out in scripture?  Were the others involved in some minor prophecies and mini-miracles?  I wonder?  So only the superstars and MVP prophets make it in print?  What did the Company of Prophets logo look like?  Did they have a secret handshake or sign or yell?  

Anyway.

Whoooah, what am I to make of Jehu?  A little confidence goes a long way.  Jehu gets anointed by one of the minor-company-of-prophet-guys-who-shall-remain-nameless-apparently, his soldier buddies give him a few props and he's off on a royal killing spree.  And, I do mean royal.  No wonder the junior-minor-subordinate-unnamed-prophet-guy-from-the-company-of-prophets was told to run after he anointed the king.  He was trying to avoid the crossfire.  Jehu goes on a killing spree worthy of a shoot-em-up film.  He does in both the kings of Israel and Judah and their family and friends.  After all that, I'm sure he thought himself untouchable, unbeatable, the king.  Lord knows. 

June 10

Obadiah's Prophecy Against Edom (Continued) - 2 Chronicles 21:18; 2 Kings 6:8-23, 8:3-6, 5:1-27, 6:24-33, 7:1-20

"Then they said to each other, 'We're not doing right.  This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves.'" 2 Kings 7:9

Lots of good stuff in today's reading:  The Lord opening the servant's eyes so he can see the Lord's unseen forces and chariots of fire marshaled and waiting to serve.  Naaman being underwhelmed by the cure for his leprosy and so almost missed out on being healed.  The Lord's way is always unexpected, even to those who believe in Him.  Note to self:  Remember this.  The phantom armies of God that the Arameans hear and flee.

Then there are the four lepers who don't fear death and so go to see what's up and discover the Arameans camp.  They find the enemy gone, leaving their riches.  The discovery is so wonderful, the blessing so great, the victory so complete that the downtrodden leprous Israelites can't help but share the good news.  It's not the messenger.  It's the message.  Do we look to the lepers to tell us the truth?  Or the slick and wealth and well-spoken and educated?  It's not the messenger.  It's the message and God supplies the word.  We need to expect and except truth from unusual places.  

Lord knows. 

June 9

Obadiah's Prophecy Against Edom - Obadiah 1:1-21

Ok, so I'm not the first with the idea.  Here's the ESV Journaling Bible.

"Though  you soar like the eagle

     and make your nest among the stars,

     from there I will bring you down,

     declares the Lord." Obadiah 1:4

Not sure why this prophecy of doom and gloom for Edom is in the Bible as a book.  But it's there.  Perhaps just to tell us that doing God's will isn't enough.  Yes, you heard me.  Edom, Esau's descendants, are doing the will of God when they punish Isreael by plundering them, aren't they?  Israel has fallen away and needs reminding they need God.  But then, Edom will also be punished...for doing the will of God.  I know, I know.  They chose to do evil and God used it for good.  He's good at that.  But doesn't it suggest that you can be an instrument for evil and still achieve results that are God's will for the ultimate good of his people?  You can do God's will and still be in the wrong?  Say what? 

I noted in the margins of my Bible today that last year at this point in the readings we where approaching Ketchikan, Alaska, on our 25th anniversary trip.  I think next year instead of annotating the Bible with my thoughts on scripture as I have for the past two years, I'll make a note of what was happening in my life at that point.  I'll combine my daily reading with a daily journal.  After all, I'm doing all of this as much for my children and their children as I'm doing it for myself.  Wouldn't it be interesting to read scripture and along with it follow the journey and journal of your father's heart?

Lord knows.

June 8

Miracles and Massacres - 2 Kings 8:16-17; 2 Chronicles 21:5, 2-4; 2 Kings 3:6-27, 1 Kings 22:45, 50; 2 Chronicles 20:34, 21:1, 21:20, 21:6-7, 21:11-17; 2 Kings 8:18-22; 2 Chronicles 21:8-10

Elijah and his letter.

"'But now bring me a harpist.'  While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came upon Elisha and he said: 'This is what the Lord says....'" 2 Kings 3:15-16

There is something about music that puts us in contact with the spiritual realm.  Several times in the Old Testament music is tied to prophecy or a miraculous happening.  Here, Elisha demands a harp and proceeds to announce what the Lord has said to him as harps play behind him.  I can see how music touches the soul of man.  Why do we trying to run away from this in the tradition I was raised in?  Lord knows.

Today's reading includes the mysterious letter to Jehoram, king of Judah, from Elijah.  You know, the Elijah who is no longer with us.  That's just freaky, isn't it?  You know how you can program email to send something days or months from now?  I've always thought it would be fun to set something up to email after you were dead about a y ear.  Oops, there goes my surprise.  But think of the things you could say to weird people out?  Tell them you're still watching them or you dropped in the other night.  Let the preacher know what you think of his sermons...really.  Tell your wife and family how much you love them...just one more time.  Would people take something sent from the dead any more seriously than if it came from the living?  I wonder.

I wonder, too, what Jehoram thought when he received Elijah's letter?  Probably thought it was a ruse.  Someone else had written it under Elijah's name or Elijah had written it long ago (even that would be prophetic given its subject matter).  Why didn't Elijah appear to Jehoram or speak to him in a dream?  It would be harder to dispute, right?  Or perhaps even miracles require the faith of the observer.  Otherwise they'll be explained away.  

Then, again, someone else sent a letter after His time on earth was done.  And that worked out pretty well.  Lord knows.

June 7

Elisha the Prophet - 2 Kings 2:1-25, 4:1-17, 4:38-44, 4:18-37, 8:1-2, 6:1-7

    

"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.

     "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours -- otherwise not." 2 Kings 2:9-10

As a kid I always mixed Elisha and Elijah up, Rehoboam and Jeroboam, too.  Elisha and Elijah.  Wonder if others mixed them up back in their day?  "So you're a prophet.  Are you Elisha or Elijah?"  Elisha or Elijah?  Was this ever annoying to Elijah?  I mean he seems like the main prophet dude.  He was the grand champion in the UFP (Ultimate Fighting Prophets) between he and the Prophets of Baal (and the Prophets of Asherah, ever wonder why they don't get much billing on the card?  Baal must of had better agent.)  So does he get a little bit ruffled when people mistake his apprentice Elisha for him?  Does he get bothered we're still doing it?  I don't know.  He was a pretty flawless guy.  Hence the fiery chariot ride.  

But I think I catch a bit of annoyance in his tone when he's getting ready to depart this world and his apprentice responds to Elijah's gracious offer for "anything I can do to help before I go?" by asking for a "double portion" of Elijah's spirit.  "Elijah, supersize me!" "You want it? Well...catch me departing this world in my fiery ride and you got it." Was he putting Elisha off or is this just a spiritual test of Elisha?  If Elisha is able to see this spiritual event, if he has the eyes to see, then he is worthy of the spiritual gift.  Well, he does see and apparently he does get supersized. 

 

The Bible only records five miracles by Elijah.  It records more than twice as many through Elisha - 12.  So the student does outdo the teacher.  But, Elisha never gets his ticket punched on the fiery chariot to heaven.  So it's not quantity its quality.  (In other words, I'm not sure Elisha's retrieving a lost ax head is as big an event as the Baal battle.)  Lord knows.

June 6

Ahab and Jezebel (Continued) - 1 Kings 22:29-36; 2 Chronicles 18:28-34, 19:1-3; 1 Kings 22:37-40, 22:55-53; 2 Kings 3:4-5; 2 Chronicles 19:4-11, 20:1-30, 20:35-37; 1 Kings 22:48-49; 2 Kings 1:1-18, 3:2-3

"When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, 'Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?  Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is upon you.  There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God." 2 Chronicles 19:1-3

King Jehoshaphat - oh, yeah, Jeho has phat in his name - is a really good guy.  He makes sure the judges and priest judge the people fairly, show impartiality and honor God.  He relies on the Lord when attacked and has the people come as one before the temple to look to God.  He appoints men to sing praises to God when his armies go in to battle and, after the battle, Jehosaphat has men go to the temple with harps and lutes and trumpets.  He's so good hearted that the Lord gives him "rest on every side."

So why is it that King Jehoshaphat makes the exact same mistake twice?  He joins up with the King of Israel - first Ahab and then Ahab's son Ahaziah - to do something - fight a battle and then, later, to build ships.  Why turn to other kings rather than the one true Lord for help?  It can't be that he's worried the Lord can't or won't help him.  God has seen him through a battle where he was outnumbered.  Is it pride and ambition?  Does he feel good about himself when the King of Israel pays him the time of day?  None of it makes sense or seems like a reasonable reason for him to rely on another king rather than God.  But then, does our sin ever make sense?  In a moment of weakness even the strongest among us will or sometimes do something we know is wrong.  Sometimes we do the same thing over and over in spite of our relationship with the Lord.  For all his good, why this lack of confidence that manifests itself in his relying on the Enemy of God?

Lord only knows.