November 1
1 Kings 7:1-12; 1 Kings 9:10; Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
Solomon’s wealth is clearly seen from the description of the house that he built for himself. The mansion was 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet tall. Pillars and beams are described in detail, as are the windows and porches of the house. “All these were of costly stones…sawed with saws, within and without….” “And the foundation was of costly stones, even great stones, stones of ten cubits (15 feet) , and stones of eight cubits (12 feet)….”
Surely such a palatial home made Solomon happy? Surely he had great content in his life to be able to live in such a mansion, and to rule from that palace over the land for Israel. Let’s let him speak for himself: “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity (empty) and vexation (frustration) of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:11.
Lesson:
1. Simply put, material things cannot make one happy.
2. When all is said and done, a life that is lived for material things, for
possessions, is an “empty” and “frustrating” life.
3. While it is true that we all need “things,” we are all dependent on
certain material possessions, when these become the sole priority
in our lives, we are missing out on the blessings that this gift of life
from God affords.
November 2
1 Kings 7:13-51
The above pictures are an artists idea of what the Temple Solomon built would have looked like. It is difficult to get this image in your mind when reading the descriptions given in the Bible. Hope these suggestions are helpful.
November 3
1 Kings 8:1-11
Verses 10 and 11 were God’s stamp of approval on the Temple in Jerusalem. A similar thing had happened when the Tabernacle was finished and all of the furnishings put into their place. “…the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.”
What made this Temple special was not the elaborate design and meticulous construction, not the ornate decorations or even all of the gold that was incorporated in its interior. That which truly made this Temple special was the presence and power of Almighty God, His radiant glory that revealed His hand of blessing on what the house represented and upon all that would be done in that place.
Lessons:
1. “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it:except the Lord keep the city, the watchman taketh but in vain.” Psalms 127:2
2. “Unto him him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.” Ephesians 3:21
3. That which makes the difference in a church, in a home or in a life is the presence of the Lord Jesus. So bless us dear Savior! Amen!
November 4
1 Kings 8:12-66
“That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else.”
What a worthy prayer prayed at the dedication of the Temple! One way to help guarantee that the prayer would be blessed is given in the next verse: “Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.”
Is this not one of the functions of the Lord’s church today? Is it not that we might be a witness to “all the people of the earth” in order that “may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else?” Is it not that the world may be able to see Christ in us, and thus trust Him as Savior and Lord? Solomon’s prayer should be our’s also.
Lesson:
1. The grandest church building is just a building without the presence and blessings of our Lord.
2. God’s people should ever be praying that He might have complete
liberty and control of His Church, and that He be the central theme
of all her message and effort.
November 5
1 Kings 9:1-9
“…if….”
What a small, two letter word is “if.” “If” is a subordinating conjunction, a word that connects a dependent clause with an independent clause. “If you slam the door you might wake up the baby.” The two clauses, “slam the door,” and “wake up the baby” are connected with that small “if.”
Israel was promised great blessings from God. Those great blessings from God were dependent upon their obedience to His Word and His will for their lives. “If” they were obedient, they would reap great benefits and blessings, but “if” they were not, they could expect great suffering. All hinged on that small subordinating conjunction, “if.”
Lessons:
1. God wants to bless His children with joy, peace, contentment and
all that make life worth the living.
2. Even in this day of grace, “if” is an important word when it comes
to enjoying all that God has for us as His children. Here are just a few “ifs” in the New Testament (There are 602): see Matthew 6:14-15; John 10:9; 11:40; 13:17; 14:23.
November 6
1 Kings 10
Sheba was most likely an Arabian kingdom, some suggesting that they were descendants of Abraham through Keturah. Solomon’s fame had spread abroad and this queen came for a visit to see for herself his wealth and to see first hand his great wisdom. One statement made by the visiting queen is worthy of note: “It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.” The latter part of Chapter 9, and all of Chapter 10 describe the accomplishments of Solomon as well as the great wealth he had amassed.
Lessons:
1. Israel had been promised earthly blessings in the land of Canaan, and these blessings were vivid during the days of Solomon. Sadly, due to their idolatrous ways, these days of blessings will be short lived.
2. Just as the queen of Sheba was astounded by all that she saw when she came to investigate Solomon’s wealth and wisdom, stating that “the half was not told me,” we will someday express similar sentiments when our eyes behold the things that our Savior has prepared for them that love Him.
November 7
1 Kings 11
“But king Solomon….”
What a sad conjunction introduces Chapter 11! Solomon accomplished so much, gained so much fame, brought so much wealth into the kingdom, but…. God had given requirements in His law concerning kings in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, and Solomon had broken and violated them all. The same man that built the great Temple, that prayed and had God answer his prayer and that enjoyed so the blessings of heaven “went after Ashtoreth the goddesss of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.” How tragic! “And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father.” The result of this was catastrophic for the land of Israel.
Lessons:
1. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
2. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man south, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7
November 8
1 Kings 12
What occasioned the division of the country of Israel? Solomon’s disobedience to God’s law concerning kings certainly did. His introduction of idolatry into the land was part to blame. Rehoboam’s foolish response to the request of the representatives of Israel to lighten the load of their taxation, a response that came from unwise counselors, certainly played a part in that division. This division was, however, an act of Divine judgment on the land. (See 11:13) The promises God had made concerning the blessings of the land, and those warnings of curses upon the land brought on by sin were literal, and would see fulfillment.
Lessons:
1. God has forever been faithful to His Word, both that which deals with blessings and that which deals with cursing.
2. If God so judged Israel, are we to think that He will not judge all
that forget Him and hate His Word?
November 9
1 Kings 13:1-10
Jeroboam was given a golden opportunity to lead the ten northern tribes to serve the Lord, but he failed to take advantage of what the Lord had given. He feared that if the people of the northern tribes continued to go to Jerusalem for worship, which was exactly what the Lord had commanded in His Word, they would want to reunite with the two southern tribes. To prevent that he made two calves of gold, placing one in Bethel and the other in Dan. The Lord reached out to Jeroboam through the prophet we read of in Chapter 13, giving him the chance to right his wrong and lead the kingdom in a return to God. We will see that Jeroboam failed to react properly to God’s opportunity, becoming known as the king who “caused Israel to sin.” The amazing prophecy given in Verse 2 reveals just how God reached out to Jeroboam. (See 2 Kings 21:24. This prophecy concerning Josiah, whom the prophet called by name, would not see fulfillment until three centuries passed.)
Lessons:
1. The Lord is gracious beyond words, giving ample opportunities for wrongs to be made right and for people to know and serve Him.
2. God’s Word is so very amazing! The prophecy concerning Josiah is one of those strong proofs of the accuracy and integrity of God’s Word that instills in His people their confidence and trust.
November 10
1 Kings 13:11-34
What a perplexing story! The unnamed prophet was given specific commands as to what he was to do, what he was to convey to Jeroboam and what he was not to do on his journey. That he was indeed a man of God cannot be denied. The prophecy concerning Josiah makes that very clear. His problem was that he allowed another person, one who was reputed as being also a man of God, to cause him to be disobedient to his charge. The result of that disobedience is clear.
Lesson:
1. No event or person can be allowed to cause the child of God to be disobedient to God’s Word. God’s Word is forever “settled in heaven,” (Psalms 119:89) and nothing can alter its truths or its authority.
2. God’s people must be as “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” when it comes to knowing and heeding God’s Word. See 1 John 4:1.
November 11
1 Kings 14:1-20
Jeroboam became known as the king which “caused Israel to sin” by introducing and encouraging idolatry through the the golden calves he placed in Dan and in Bethel. He could have been known as the king that led Israel into faithful service of the Lord, but that simply did not happen. More than once the Lord reached out to Jeroboam, giving him the opportunity to do that which was right, but he refused those opportunities. How many times has this same thing happened with humanity through the centuries?
Lessons:
1. God is gracious! He gives opportunities to people to seek and to know Him through acts of providence, kindness and even through difficult times.
2. God is just in all of His dealings with humanity. He was so in His dealings with the Kingdom of Israel, and He was just in His dealings with Jeroboam. He will be just in His dealings with America!
November 12
1 Kings 14:21-31
I must caution you as you read through the kings of Israel and Judah. You will find it difficult at times to distinguish between the two countries that were formed after the death of Solomon. There will be different dynasties reigning over the ten northern tribes (The Kingdom of Israel), and the continued dynasty of David reigning over the two southern tribes (The Kingdom of Judah). There will be some good kings over Judah, but there were no good kings that reigned over Israel. Through your readings over the next days, it will be all too clear just how Solomon’s sin had such disastrous effect over the land and its people.
Lessons:
1. Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and Naama, an Ammonitess. Do you see at least one problem with this? Should Solomon have married an Ammonitess?
2. “…be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23) This was true in the life of Solomon, and it continues to be true in the lives of individuals today.
November 13
1 Kings 15:1-24
The above chart is provided to help distinguish between the kings of Israel and those of Judah. You will see that some of Judah’s kings are listed as doing those things that pleased God, while others did not. Among those that did right, there were those like Asa that pleased God, but did things questionable that revealed a lack of faith and trust in God.
Lessons:
1. Total commitment and complete obedience to God’s Word is a must if one is to please Him entirely in life. This is difficult but possible to achieve, but can only be achieved through God’s strength and help.
2. Should Asa have called upon Benhadad, king of Syria, to help in Judah’s struggles against Baasha, king of Israel? Would God not have come to Judah’s aid had they expressed faith in Him and Him alone? Should God’s people ever trust more in the world than they do in their God?
November 14
1 Kings 15:25-34
“…according to the saying of the Lord, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite….”
We read of the prophecy of Ahijah in the last chapter. Prophesies such as this are not always fulfilled so quickly, but in the case of the Divine judgment against Jeroboam it was. Here is a reality, all of the prophesies found in the Word of God will see fulfillment, if they have not been fulfilled already.
Lessons:
1. Sin is never overlooked, and never goes unpunished. It is either dealt with through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Sin- bearer, or it is faced before our Holy God. So it was with Jeroboam.
2. God’s Word is not based upon speculation, but on the authority and integrity of our God. It is true, trustworthy and “for ever, O Lord, they word is settled in heaven.” (Psalms 119:89)
November 15
1 Kings 16:1-23
“…are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?”
Can you see the confusion and disarray that took place in the northern kingdom of Israel? Kings came to the throne, then they were overthrown and another reigned in their stead. Whole families were slain by the new king, all males that might be a threat to the new king were eliminated. And all of these events or records were “written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.” More importantly, all of the deeds of these men were noted and recorded in the Word of God and in the mind of God.
Lessons:
1. When men refuse to govern themselves by principles found in the Word of God utter chaos is the result. This is a lesson every nation of the earth should learn, especially a nation so blessed as America has been blessed by God.
2. Israel kept records of kings, and they also kept detailed genealogical records. Incidentally, these records are important in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and their proof of Jesus Christ being the fulfillment of all Messianic prophecies. Our Lord keeps records of the lives of mankind. See Revelation 20:12. Thank God for our Savior and His grace in taking all our sins to His own body of the tree!
November 16
1 Kings 16:24-34
We are now being introduced to one of the most notorious couples in the Old Testament, Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab gives illustration to the saying, “Like father, like son.” Notice what is said about Omri in Verse 25, and compare that to what is said about Ahab in Verse 30. Ahab continued with the sins of Jeroboam, who caused Israel to sin in the case of the golden calves in Dan and Beersheba, and added to that sin the building of an altar for Baal in the house of Baal. His union with Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Zidonians, brought that horrid idolatry to the northern tribes.
Lessons:
1. The sin of Jeroboam only increased over time, picked up an evil momentum and then built upon that wicked momentum in the successive kings that sat upon the throne in Israel. Isn’t that the way of sin? It may start out seemingly small and insignificant, but it doesn’t stay that way.
2. Compare Verse 34 with Joshua 6:26. This is just another testimony of the inerrancy and infallibility of God’s Holy Word.
November 17
1 Kings 17:1-7
We have in Verse 1 another introduction as we are introduced to one of the Old Testament’s greatest prophets, Elijah the Tishbite. Who was this prophet? What was the history of his family? We’re not even really sure of the “Tishbite,” other than perhaps speaking of a town or village in Gilead. One thing is for certain, while we may not know much of his history, it is obvious that he knew the Lord and was known by Him.
Elijah was sent by God to one of Israel’s most wicked kings in one of those times of Israel’s greatest spiritual darkness. What a gracious God we serve! Why did God send prophets such as Elijah? He did so in an effort to draw the backslidden back to Himself.
Lessons:
1. God controls the rain. Regardless of the advancements man may make, God can use the most basic of resources to humble and chasten the rebellious.
2. God provides for His own. Do you really believe that God used ravens to care for His prophet until the brook Cherith dried up? Sure we believe! Just as we believe that He used a whale to facilitate his dealings with a wayward prophet by the name of Jonah.
November 18
1 Kings 17:8-16
Compare these verses with Psalms 37:25 and Matthew 6:25-34. These are lessons from God’s Word we have known most of our Christian lives. Many were taught these truths from their youth, and others have been thrilled by these precious passages in their personal study of God’s Word. However, we do not fully appreciate these blessed truths until we find ourselves in positions similar to that of the widow of Zarephath.
Lessons:
1. Be obedient, child of God, to God’s Word and His will for your life, even in times when it seems difficult to do so. Like the widow of our passage, our Lord will always care for His own and especially for those who trust Him completely in all things.
2. “…but make me thereof a little cake first….” Does that seem a bit selfish or strange on the part of Elijah to make that request? Not really, especially when you compare that with the challenge Jesus issued in saying, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Note the word “first.” Always put God “first.”
November 19
1 Kings 17:17-24
In Acts 15:18 we read, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” What was God’s purpose of the incident in this passage, the death of the widow’s son? She supposed it might have been caused by some past sin, for she asked, “What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? Art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?” Was it for the purpose of proving that Elijah was indeed a “man of God,” God’s special prophet for that time? As the Scripture declares in Acts 15:18, there are some things that will continue to be “known unto God,” and we must continue to trust in Him in all that He does.
It is interesting to note, however, that in those extremely dark days in idolatrous Israel, God was working mightily through Elijah to draw people back to Himself. Surely such a tremendous display of God’s power working through His prophet became widely known. That in itself would compel people to hear the message of the man of God.
Lessons:
1. The widow had been faithful in her ministering to the man of God, but this did not exempt her from difficulties and suffering. Difficulties come to the best of God’s people at times, and in those times we must continue to serve and trust in Him.
2. God answered the prayer of Elijah, doing that which was beyond the capacity of mere man to do. Can God, or does God still display such unquestionable power as a result of the prayers of God’s people? Absolutely! When such demonstrations are for His ultimately glory, and for the advancing of His purposes and cause, our Lord still responds to the prayers of His people in undeniable ways.
November 20
1 Kings 18:1-40
This is one of the more famous passages in the Word of God. The land was in a great famine caused by the three year drought. (See 1 Kings 17:1. Elijah had let Ahab know that there would be no rain until he, the prophet of God, said there would be rain. When Ahab next saw Elijah, he asked him, “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” Elijah’s answer was clear and concise. Ahab’s wickedness and that of his father’s house was the problem. Their introduction of Baal worship had caused the Divine displeasure so displayed in the famine. (See Deuteronomy 11:13-21)
The contest with the prophets of Baal instigated by Elijah was proof of the wickedness of this false religious system. God’s law had strict requirements concerning false religions. See Deuteronomy 7:5, 25-26; 12:1-3. The scene is somewhat comical, but was very clear in its message to Israel; God would not share His glory with another, and His covenant people were accountable to Him in all of their actions.
Lessons:
1. All of the events of Verses 1-40 were done in the presence of Ahab, king of Israel. Wouldn’t you think that after observing such a demonstration of the power of God, and such a testimony of the falseness of Baal worship that he would have repented and turned to the Lord? Note the words of the Lord Jesus in Luke 16:19-31.
2. Ahab was blessed of God to witness such a demonstration of Divine power, but refused to repent and return to Him. Compare that with what is said in Romans 1:18-22.
November 21
1 Kings 18:41-46
Prayer had stopped the rain, and it was prayer that brought the rain back upon the land. Does God use extremes in weather to draw the attention of souls to their spiritual need? He certainly has in the past as seen in several places in Scripture. There seems to be references to extremes in conditions of the climate dealt with in Revelation 8:12 and in 16:8. When the tsunami hit Sri Lanka, resulting in the deaths of so many multiplied thousands, the Archbishop of Canterbury publicly stated that it made him question the existence of God. What a tragic thing! He rather should have been encouraging the masses to seek God’s face for His grace in that hour. He should have been encouraging people to turn to God in faith, rather than encouraging questions concerning His existence. Paul’s message in Romans 2:4 states, “Or despiseth thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
Lessons:
1. Prayer is one of the greatest arsenals in the Lord’s army. It is truly yet to be seen what God’s people can accomplish through the weapon of prayer. Elijah is certainly an example of that truth.
2. The Lord can use many things to draw His people to Himself, or to chasten those who refuse to come.
November 22
1 Kings 19:1-8
Lessons:
1. God’s greatest and most choice saints can grow weary in the battle, and when that happens their actions and reactions will be effected. Elijah was weary, and while he bravely faced a many false prophets of Baal, he ran when threatened by Jezebel.
2. God cares for His own in miraculous ways, just as He did for Elijah.
3. “…he went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights….” God’s provisions are without comparison, therefore we must learn to seek and to trust what He provides.
November 23
1 Kings 19:9-18
Elijah’s ministry was nearing its conclusion. The Lord revealed to him that He controlled the wind, the earthquake and the fire, and yet could be heard speaking in a still small voice. He assured Elijah that he was not the only one left faithfully serving Him, for He had reserved a faithful remnant of seven thousand that had not bowed to Baal. He then commissioned the prophet to continue his ministry by anointing Hazael to be king of Syria, Jehu to be king of Israel and Elisha to be prophet in his stead.
Lessons:
1. God will forever have a remnant of faithful souls trusting and serving Him regardless of what others do.
2. After the Lord comforted and fed Elijah, He sent the prophet back into service. What a lesson for us who sometimes grow weary in the battle. Is it wrong to draw apart for rest and refreshing? No! But after the rest, the child of God needs to get back in the service of his Lord.
November 24
1 Kings 19:19-21
Elijah’s mantle was an outer garment, a robe or a cloak. During the days of Samuel, the mantle became associated with the prophet of God. See the following verses: 1 Samuel 15:27; 18:14. In like manner, Elijah’s mantle seemed to be a symbol of his prophetic ministry, that call that God had placed upon him to be His spokesperson before the people. When Elijah cast his mantle upon Elisha, the younger man knew that he, too, was being called into the prophetic ministry. His slaying of the oxen, and his cooking them on a fire made from the wooden instruments used for plowing with the oxen, revealed his commitment to the prophetic ministry.
Lessons:
1. As great a man as Elijah was, he was not the only man through whom the Lord could reveal His will to His people. He was not indispensable. That is a tremendously important lesson. While God has chosen to work through mortals to accomplish His plans, success does not rise or fall upon one person. Just like Elijah learned that there were 7,000 that had not bowed the knee to Baal, he was also learning that there would be other prophets after him that would faithfully serve the Lord.
2. Serving the Lord faithfully calls for commitment. Elisha manifested that commitment, and so must we.
November 25
1 Kings 20
As wicked as King Ahab was, the Lord was yet merciful unto him, leading him into battle against Benhadad of Syria. Through the Lord a great victory was won, but Ahab spared Benhadad, making a covenant of peace with him whom God had condemned to utter destruction.
Lessons:
1. Even in the days of their backslidden condition, the Lord was still merciful to the 10 northern tribes of Israel, dealing with them in mercy and in power. His desire was that they might turn to Him in repentance and in faith, but they never did.
2. There were more prophets in Israel during the days of Ahab than just Elijah, and these men were dedicated and obedient to the Lord. God used them in the conveying of His will to Israel, and blessed their ministry. Elijah was wrong when he supposed that he was the only one left in the land that was faithful, and so are we when we think that God does not have many around the world that are still faithful to His Word and to His cause.
3. Consider the enemies Israel faced in the days of Elijah and compare that with the day in which we are living. Just as in days of old, Israel is still surround with enemies that seek her destruction. The enemies around Israel were not looking for peace in that day, but were looking for Israel’s total destruction. So it is today. Israel will never know lasting peace until they know that peace that only the Prince of Peace can bring. The same is true with individuals in our world today. They will only know and experience genuine peace through knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
November 26
1 Kings 21
The case of Naboth revealed the extreme wickedness of both Ahab and Jezebel. Naboth suffered a great injustice at their hand, but such deeds do not go unseen or unpunished before the Lord, either in this life or in the next to come.
Please note the mercy of our God. Although Ahab was known by the following words, “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord,” God was merciful unto him when he responded to Elijah’s message. See Verses 25-28.
Lessons:
1. Envious greed has motivated many sinful acts throughout time. It is certainly no different in our day than it was in the days of Ahab and Jezebel.
2. Every act of kindness will be remembered by our Lord, as will every act of godless wickedness. We sometimes learn of someone who seemingly sees no repercussions for wicked deeds done, but the Lord will bring every such deed into judgment.
3. “Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?” Don’t be surprised, child of God, if the world sees you as an enemy rather than a friend, and treats you so. See John 15:18; 1 John 3:13
November 27
1 Kings 22:1-40
Ahab was not changed at all after the incident of the confrontation between the prophets of Baal and the prophet Elijah. Nor did the drought which came as the result of the prayers of God’s man have any positive effect on that wicked king. This passage records the death of Ahab which came just as Micaiah prophesied. Notice how this death happened; “And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and mote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness….” This arrow was guided by the Almighty as an act of judgment.
Lessons:
1. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was a good king that loved God. He had no place in forming a union with the wicked king of Israel. See the following passages: 1 Corinthians 10:20-21; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
2. The prophets that prophesied good toward Ahab had the look of true prophets, their actions were similar to those of God’s true prophets and like Zedekiah they even had names that were similar to those God truly called to the prophetic ministry. These, however, were not man of God!
3. Wicked Ahab is a living illustration of a truth that is given in Numbers 32:33 where we read, “…be sure your sin will find you out.”
November 28
1 Kings 22:41-53
As noted earlier, Jehoshaphat was a good man, a good king. He did, however, make peace with wicked Ahab. While Scripture records much that this good king accomplished, his union with Ahab was a mistake and one that had negative repercussions. To better understand this, read the following passages: 2 Kings 8:16-18; 2 Chronicles 19:2; 2 Chronicles 21:6. Out of the union between Jehoshaphat and Ahab came another union; the marriage of Jehoshaphat’s son to Ahab’s daughter. Because of this union, Jehoshaphat’s son, Jehoram, walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as did wicked Ahab.
Lessons:
1. All of our actions as believers have repercussions. If our actions are good and godly, there will be positive repercussions, but if our actions are not good and godly, the results will be negative.
2. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man south, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7
November 29
2 Kings 1
“…is it not because there is not God in Israel….”
What did Elijah mean by this statement? He could not have literally meant that God was not in Israel, for God is omnipresent, meaning that He is everywhere. He was especially in Israel. The thought was not that He was not in Israel, but that so few were seeking Him, honoring Him and living lives dedicated to Him. That was especially true of the king and members of his court.
Could the same thing be said of the United States of America? There is still a true Church in this land, and there are many of her citizens that still seek, honor and serve Him. The sad fact, however, is that the percentage of true born-again, Christ honoring souls is getting smaller and smaller with every passing day. Perhaps Elijah might ask the same question of our leaders as he did the leaders of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Lessons:
1. Read Joshua 24:14-15. Sadly, many in our land have determined that the service of Christ is not a worthy thing, and have chosen rather to serve self, sin and Satan.
2. Ahaziah could not seek counsel from the true and living God, for he did not believe in Him and did not serve Him. So it is with all who refuse to acknowledge and turn to the true God the Father, and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
November 30
2 Kings 2
“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
This ranks as one of the fascinating and thrilling miracles in the Word of God. This great prophet of God, like Enoch in Genesis 5:24, was taken to heaven without having to suffer death. We sing the song that says, “O, joy, O delight, should we go without dying….” And, its quite possible that we very well could be that generation of Christ’s followers that do just that. “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed….” (1 Corinthians 15:51) Think of that, believer! You could be one of the blessed someday that bypass the grave in the Rapture of Christ’s Church! “O, Lord Jesus, how long, how long, ere we shout that glad song; Christ returneth! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen!”
Lessons:
1. Some scoff at the thought of the Rapture of the Church. See 2 Peter 3:4. That changes absolutely nothing! It does, however, remind us of the nearness of that coming.
2. Whether by way of the gave, or by the Rapture of the Church, the future of the believer is bright and blessed! Amen!
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