The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 97 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Hosea: Prophet For Israel Ancient And Modern Day

THE PROMISE & PROPHECY OF ABRAHAM’S DESCENDANTS 

The LORD had made a promise to Abraham that through him, He would make a great nation and through him, all of the families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12: 1-3).  Those blessings to the world would be the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ and the blessings to the world through the modern nations that claim the God of Israel.  In our modern world, freedom and the blessing of capital wealth have spread throughout the world from the United States and the United Kingdom.  When Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, blessed his grandson’s, Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh; he blessed the younger (Ephraim) with a greater blessing, to become a multitude or Commonwealth of Nations; and the older (Manasseh) to be a great nation (Genesis 48:17-20).  Many today believe that no two brother nations could fulfill this prophecy more completely than the United States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain.  SEE PART 83 OF THIS SERIERS AT http://anointings.blogspot.com/2011/02/essentials-of-bible-part-83-god-judges.html

THE LOST NATIONS OF ISRAEL & JUDAH: CAPTIVITY AND DIASPORA  

After the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah and King Hoshea of Israel, the combined people of the Southern and Northern Kingdoms of Israel were taken captive by the Babylonians and little by little dispersed north and west into what is today, western Europe.  This migration of the “Jewish People,” was called the Diaspora.

“The Diaspora is commonly accepted to have begun with the 8th–6th century BC conquests of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah, destruction of the First Temple (c.586 BC), and expulsion of the population, and is also associated with the destruction of the Second Temple and aftermath of the Bar Kokhba revolt during the Roman occupation of Judea in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.”     Wikipedia

“Some may apply this to Israel in Diaspora, but it is to be noted that the children of Israel in Diaspora were called 'Jews'. It seems rather trite to say that in Diaspora they would not have a king, because, of course ruled by others in all the nations they would not have a king.”  Says author Henriksen at BibleFocus.net.

It will give a more personal and contemporary connection to the readers of this blog who live in the nations of Western Europe, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and its former Commonwealth Nations of Canada, United States and Australia.

Hosea

HOSEA PROPHET FOR THEN AND NOW

There are many books written about Hosea the prophet of God.  The instructions given to him by the LORD were unusual and beyond the comprehension of the average man.  The LORD instructed Hose to go to the “Red Light District,” and find a prostitute and marry her.  The LORD’s reason was to show Israel what she had become to Him.  From Solomon on, the people constantly went a whoring after pagan gods in direct disobedience to the Eternal, the Holy One of Israel; the LORD.  Some of Hosea’s children would be conceived from his wife’s prostitution.

Hosea 1:2 NLT When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.”

GOMER GIVES BIRTH TO A SON -- JEZREEL

Hosea married a woman named Gomer and she gave him a son.  The LORD said “Name the child Jezreel, for I am about to punish King Jehu’s dynasty to avenge the murders he committed at Jezreel. In fact, I will bring an end to Israel’s independence. (5) I will break its military power in the Jezreel Valley.”  Hosea 1:4-5 NLT

A DAUGHTER IS BORN – LO-RUHAMAH

A daughter was then born and the LORD said to Hosea, “Name your daughter Lo-ruhamah—‘Not loved’—for I will no longer show love to the people of Israel or forgive them. (7) But I will show love to the people of Judah. I will free them from their enemies—not with weapons and armies or horses and charioteers, but by my power as the Lord their God.”   Hosea 1:6-7 NLT

SECOND SON BORN -- LO-AMMI

Then a second son was born and the LORD said, “Name him Lo-ammi— ‘Not my people’ —for Israel is not my people, and I am not their God.   Hosea 1:9

The three children born to Gomer represented the LORD’s feelings about Israel and Hosea was basically in the same position as the LORD.

Avenge Jezreel 1^st born son

Not Loved 2^nd born, a daughter

Not my people 3^rd born a son

The LORD spoke a prophecy of His love.  Even though the LORD claimed that Israel was no longer His people; they would still carry Abraham’s blessing and they would multiply so that no one could count them.  That never happened in Biblical history.  They would also be united as one nation and again that has not happened.

Hosea 1:10-11 CEV Someday it will be impossible to count the people of Israel, because there will be as many of them as there are grains of sand along the seashore. They are now called "Not My People," but in the future they will be called "Children of the Living God."  (11)  Israel and Judah will unite and choose one leader. Then they will take back their land, and this will be a great day for Jezreel.

Hosea’s wife Gomer could not stay faithful to him, just as Israel could not stay faithful to the LORD.  She left Hosea and went back to the “Red Light District,” and the LORD instructed Hosea to go and find her.  Hosea was told to buy her back and love her again, just as the LORD ransomed Israel again.  She was bought again for fifteen pieces of silver, five bushels of barley and a measure of wine.  The LORD told Hosea that she was not to be intimate with anyone; not her prostitution clients and not Hosea.  This was to represent the long time that Israel would go without a King.  Then in the last days (the time just before the second coming of Jesus Christ) the people would return to the LORD and tremble in awe at His goodness.

Hosea  3:1-5 NLT Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she  commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.”  (2) So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver and five bushels of barley and a measure of wine. (3) Then I said to her, “You must live in my house for many days and stop your prostitution. During this time, you will not have sexual relations with anyone, not even with me” (4) This shows that Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests or even idols! (5) But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David’s descendant, their king.  In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the Lord and of his goodness.

The rest of Hosea’s message are detailed charges the LORD had against Israel as an unfaithful wife;

The LORD’s faithful love for unfaithful Israel;

Charges against the leaders of Israel for their failures;

A call to repentance;

Evidence of Israel’s love for wickedness;

Israel would plead with the LORD but it is too late;

The LORD’s punishment of captivity by the pagan nations;

Judgment against Israel for their idolatry

The LORD’s love for Israel

Hosea 11:9-12 CEV Israel, I won't lose my temper and destroy you again. I am the Holy God-- not merely some human, and I won't stay angry.  (10)  I, the LORD, will roar like a lion, and my children will return, trembling from the west.  (11)  They will come back, fluttering like birds from Egypt or like doves from Assyria. Then I will bring them back to their homes. I, the LORD, have spoken!  (12)  Israel is deceitful to me, their loyal and holy God; they surround me with lies, and Judah worships other gods.

Israel is crafty and arrogant

The Lord’s anger is kindled against Israel

Healing for the repentant

Hosea 14:1-2 CEV Israel, return! Come back to the LORD, your God. Sin has made you fall.  (2)  Return to the LORD and say, "Please forgive our sins. Accept our good sacrifices of praise instead of bulls.

Hosea 14:8-9 CEV Israel, give up your idols! I will answer your prayers and take care of you. I am that glorious tree, the source of your fruit.  (9)  If you are wise, you will know and understand what I mean. I am the LORD, and I lead you along the right path. If you obey me, we will walk together, but if you are wicked, you will stumble.

The LORD’s message through His prophet Hosea is as much for our nation today, as it was for ancient Israel.  We have become an arrogant people who mock the LORD.  We take credit for the good things of life and refuse to consider that they are blessings as a promise to Abraham.  We ignore the LORD and pay Him lip service and not very much of that either.  Every where in the message of Hosea, the name Israel could be replaced with the US, UK or any nation of western Europe that worships the God of Abraham.  The free Western World is captive to sin and the non Christian nations of Asia who have used our capitalism against us.  The U.S. and the U.K. have had the pride of their power broken.

Leviticus 26:17-21 KJV And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.  (18)  And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.  (19)  And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:  (20)  And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.  (21)  And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.

This message is a warning and testimony that each of us needs to take to heart because we are the LORD’s special people.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father help me to stay loyal to you and be a most faithful servant of the LORD and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Copyright © 2006, 2011  Thomas C. Blake

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 96 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Elijah and Elisha: The Mentor & the Student

There could not be two prophets, who are more closely linked together than Elijah and Elisha.  The stories of these two men would be the source of at least forty two plus studies; the number of their combined miracles. 

Elijah is introduced as the man of God who has a message for King Ahab of Israel.  Ahab married Jezebel, a Sidonian princess who worshipped Baal; together, they did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.  

1 Kings 16:29-31 ESV In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years.  (30)  And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him.  (31)  And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him.

Once again, a prophet of the LORD warns against pagan worship.  Elijah went to King Ahab and declared that there would be no more rain or dew; and it did not rain and no dew appeared.  The LORD instructed him to flee and hide by the brook Cherith and He would send ravens to feed him.  When the brook dried up, the LORD sent him to a widow in Zarapheth.  The woman was gathering a few sticks to prepare a meal for herself and her son and then they were going to die because there was no more food from the draught; but Elijah insisted on her bringing him some food, first.  From then on the flour was never used up and the oil never went down.  The three of them were fed throughout the draught.

1 Kings 17:13-16 ESV And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.  (14)  For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'"  (15)  And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days.  (16)  The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah.

The widow’s son became ill and died; but Elijah took the boy and prayed over him and resurrected the boy and he lived.  Some time later, Elijah had a confrontation with 450 prophets of Baal.  Two bulls were cut up; one placed on the altar of Baal and one placed on an altar that Elijah built.   They were not to be set on fire.  Each prophet was to call fire out of heaven to consume the offering.  The prophets of Baal spent all day trying to get fire to appear and consume their sacrifice, but Baal did not answer.  Elijah ordered many gallons of water to be poured upon the sacrifice for the LORD.  Elijah then called upon the LORD and fire came down from heaven and instantly consumed the offering of the bull, all of the wood and lapped up every drop of water.

1 Kings 18:36-39 ESV And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.  (37)  Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back."  (38)  Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.  (39)  And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God."

Then Elijah seized every one of the 450 prophets of Baal and killed them at the Kishon River.

1 Kings 18:40 ESV And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape." And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.

Elijah then prayed for rain and it began to rain.  Elijah fled into the wilderness because he was afraid for his life.  Jezebel had sent him a message that there was a warrant out to have him killed.  Elijah then fell asleep under a tree and was awakened by an angel who instructed him to eat.  Beside him were fresh baked bread and a jar of water.  He ate and then fell asleep again.  The angel awakened him and told him to eat some more.  That meal had to last him for 40 days, because he was sent to Mount Sinai where the LORD would talk to him.  First the LORD sent a mighty wind; and hen an earthquake followed by fire.  Then there was a still soft whisper.  The LORD gave him instructions to go back the way he came and anoint a man named Hazael to be king of Aram and he was to find a man named Elisha to anoint as a prophet to replace himself.

1 Kings 19:11-13 NLT “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. (12) And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. (13) When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak (mantle) (mantle) and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

   And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

 (14) He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

 (15) Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. (16) Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. (17) Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! (18) Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”

Sometimes we need God to send us a tornado, an earthquake and a fire to get our attention so that we can hear the LORD’s, still quiet voice.  We need to be looking for the voice of God, humbly living in Christ Jesus our LORD.  The noise of our world is a distraction.  We need to come out of the world and live in the light that is Jesus Christ.  He is the light of men.  The world is in darkness and they can’t see the light; but we are His servants and we are also that light.  The light of Christ shines in and through His called out ones, the church!

John 1:1-5 KJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  (4)  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  (5)  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Elijah anointed Elisha and mentored him as a student.  When the time came for Elisha to replace Elijah, the LORD told Elijah to go to Bethel.   Elisha had been by Elijah’s side and when Elijah told him to stay behind; he refused and insisted on being by his side.  He said he would never leave him.

2 Kings 2:1-2 ESV Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.  (2)  And Elijah said to Elisha, "Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.

PASSING OF THE MANTLE

Then the LORD told Elijah to go to Jericho.  When they came to the Jordan River and Elisha refused to stay behind.  There were fifty prophets who were observing from a distance as Elijah and Elisha came to the Jordan River.  Elijah took his cloak (mantle) and folded it and struck the water and the river parted and they crossed over on dry land.  Elijah then asked Elisha, “What can I do for you before I am taken away?”  Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s Spirit and to be his successor.  Elijah told him that he asked a hard thing, but if he would see him taken away, he would receive his request and if not, then he wouldn’t.  The whirlwind came and Elisha saw Elijah taken away and his cloak (mantle) fell to the ground.  It was now Elisha’a and with it, he received his request. 

2 Kings 2:8-15 ESV Then Elijah took his cloak (mantle) and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.  (9)  When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me."  (10)  And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so."  (11)  And as they still went on and talked, behold chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.  (12)  And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.  (13)  And he took up the cloak (mantle) of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.  (14)  Then he took the cloak (mantle) of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.  (15)  Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him opposite them, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.

The passing of the mantle from Elijah to Elisha was a foreshadowing of the passing of the mantle from Jesus Christ to Peter; but even more, it is the passing of the mantle from Jesus Christ to each and every one of us.  It came to us at baptism.  That is if our baptism was preceded by true and genuine repentance; and we were immerses in water and baptized in Jesus’ name for the remission of sin and if we received the Holy Ghost.  Blood washed in the name of Jesus, Holy Ghost filled Christians, carry the Mantle of Christ.  Below are the signs, wonders and miracles of these two men.  Jesus told us that we would do greater miracles than Him.  We need to accept the mantle and walk as Elisha did.

John 14:12 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Miracles in the Life of Elijah:

1) Causing the rain the cease for 3 1/2 years (1Ki 17:1)

2) Being fed by the ravens (1Ki 17:4)

3) Miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil (1Ki 17:14)

4) Resurrection of the widow's son (1Ki 17:22)

5) Calling of fire from heaven on the altar (1Ki 18:38)

6) Causing it to rain (1Ki 18:45)

7) Prophecy that Ahab's sons would all be destroyed (1Ki 21:22)

8) Prophecy that Jezebel would be eaten by dogs (1Ki 21:23)

9) Prophecy that Ahaziah would die of his illness (2Ki 1:4)

10) Calling fire from heaven upon the first 50 soldiers (2Ki 2:10)

11) Calling fire from heaven upon the second 50 soldiers (2Ki 2:12)

12) Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:8)

13) Prophecy that Elisha should have a double portion of his spirit (2Ki 2:10)

14) Being caught up to heaven in a whirlwind (2Ki 2:11)

Miracles in the Life of Elisha:

1) Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:14)

2) Healing of the waters (2Ki 2:21)

3) Curse of the she bears (2Ki 2:24)

4) Filling of the valley with water (2Ki 3:17)

5) Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2Ki 3:22)

6) Miracle of the vessels of oil (2Ki 4:4)

7) Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2Ki 4:16)

8) Resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2Ki 4:34)

9) Healing of the gourds (2Ki 4:41)

10) Miracle of the bread (2Ki 4:43)

11) Healing of Naaman (2Ki 5:14)

12) Perception of Gehazi's transgression (2Ki 5:26)

13) Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2Ki 5:27)

14) Floating of the axe head (2Ki 6:6)

15) Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2Ki 6:9)

16) Vision of the chariots (2Ki 6:17)

17) Smiting the Syrian army with blindness (2Ki 6:18)

18) Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2Ki 6:20)

19) Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2Ki 7:1)

20) Prophecy that the scoffing nobleman would see, but not partake of, the abundance (2Ki 7:2)

21) Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2Ki 7:6)

22) Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2Ki 8:1)

23) Prophecy of Benhadad's untimely death (2Ki 8:10)

24) Prophecy of Hazael's cruelty to Israel (2Ki 8:12)

25) Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2Ki 9:7)

26) Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2Ki 13:17)

27) Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria thrice but not consume it (2Ki 13:19)

28) Resurrection of the man touched by his bones (2Ki 13:21)

PRAYER:      Father in Heaven, all praise and honor belong to you alone.  Thank you for my calling, and for passing the mantle of the Gospel to me and all apostolic Christians.  Lead your people in righteousness and the work of God, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Copyright © 2006, 2011  Thomas C. Blake

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 95 -- God Judges And Restores The People – A Divided Kingdom For Solomon’s Son Rehoboam

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 95 -- God Judges And Restores The People – A Divided Kingdom For Solomon’s Son Rehoboam

When Jeroboam heard that Rehoboam went to Shechem, he returned from Egypt; where he had fled when Solomon pursued him.  Jeroboam and all of the leaders of Israel met with Rehoboam to ask him to lighten the harsh labor and taxes that his father Solomon had enforced.  Asking for three days to seek counsel, Rehoboam sought the advise of the older counselors of his father.  They advised to him to give the people a favorable answer and that they would be loyal subjects.  Rehoboam rejected their counsel and went to the younger men and asked them how should he respond.  Their response was harsh.

1 Kings 12:10-11 The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! (11) Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’”

So Rehoboam went back to the leaders of the tribes and said, “My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!”

The northern tribes of Israel revolted against Rehoboam and made Jeroboam King over Israel and Rehoboam remained king over only Judah; this fulfilled what the LORD told Solomon.

1 Kings 12:16-20 ESV And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, "What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David." So Israel went to their tents.  (17)  But Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah.  (18)  Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was taskmaster over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And King Rehoboam hurried to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem.  (19)  So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.  (20)  And when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was none that followed the house of David but the tribe of Judah only.

The divided nations of Israel and Judah continued to try the patience of the LORD.  The glory days of a united nation obeying the LORD with blessings had ended with Joshua.  Through the many judges, God restored the people many times.  Their backsliding days took a rest under King David and for the early reign of Solomon.  But with Solomon’s turning to paganism in his older life, the LORD promised a curse for his disobedience.  The kingdom would be ripped from his son, and so it was.

The timeline below lists the kings of both Israel and Judah along with the prophets who served the LORD during their time.  

ISRAEL AND JUDAH BOTH COMMITTED ADULTRY & WENT OUT A WHORING

Both Israel and Judah were led by kings, many of whom were wicked in the sight of the LORD.  The days of full restoration were now long since past.  The LORD’s prized and chosen people just would not serve him.  The LORD has looked upon Israel with such favor that she was His bride, but she went off

Ezekiel 6:4-10 KJV And your altars shall be desolate, and your images shall be broken: and I will cast down your slain men before your idols.  (5)  And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.  (6)  In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.  (7)  And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.  (8)  Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.  (9)  And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.  (10)  And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.

Jeremiah 3:6-11 KJV The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.  (7)  And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.  (8)  And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.  (9)  And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.  (10)  And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.  (11)  And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me into a special relationship with you.  Help me to be loyal to you and faithful to my calling, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Copyright © 2006, 2011  Thomas C. Blake

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 94 -- God Judges And Restores The People – The Queen Of Sheba And Solomon’s Many Wives

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA VISITS SOLOMON

Solomon’s wisdom, wealth and fame became world renown.  The Queen of Sheba had to come and see first hand, this great man of wisdom and wealth.  She arrived in Israel with a huge entourage of servants and camels with many gifts for King Solomon.  Her caravan brought more spices into Israel then ever before or since.   She also gave Solomon 9,000 pounds of gold.  What she had heard in her country afar off, was not even the half of what she discovered in person.  She presented the King with endless questions and problems; to which Solomon had the perfect answers and explanations.  Solomon amazed her.  What she saw with her own two eyes was so beyond what she had been told.  After exhausting all of her questions and spending endless hours with the King, she went back to her own land; enlightened by the experience.  She acknowledged the LORD God of Israel and how He had blessed Solomon with wealth of wisdom and wealth of prosperity.

1 Kings 10:8-11 ESV Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!  (9)  Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness."  (10)  Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.  (11)  Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a very great amount of almug wood and precious stones.

SOLOMON’S FOREIGN WIVES TURN HIM AWAY FROM THE LORD

Solomon loved many foreign women and took wives from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites; he had 700 wives and 300 concubines.  These pagan women asked Solomon to build shrines to their gods so that they could still worship in their paganism.    

1 Kings 11:1-2 ESV Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, (2) from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, "You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love.

Little compromises to please his wives led to Solomon’s faithfulness in the LORD to erode.  In time, Solomon had actually begun to worship these gods with his pagan wives.  He built an alter to the Moabite god Chemosh a pagan god that requires the sacrifice of children to be made upon its altar and then thrown in the fire.

1 Kings 11:4-8 ESV For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.  (5)  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.  (6)  So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done.  (7)  Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem.  (8)  And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods.

The LORD had instructed Israel through Moses and Joshua, that the pagan people of Canaan were to be utterly destroyed and under no circumstances were any of the Israelites to ever marry among the heathen.  The LORD knew that if Israel would intermarry among the pagan, that it would lead to paganism spreading in the land and Israel would become a polluted nation, like all of the rest of the world.  Solomon broke this command from the LORD.   The LORD was very angry with Solomon.  The Kingdom of Israel would be ripped away from Solomon; not in his lifetime, but from his son who would follow.  It would be taken away and given to a servant.  For the sake of David’s faithfulness, the LORD would keep one tribe as a heritage to David, but the rest of Israel would be ruled by a servant.

1 Kings 11:9-13 ESV And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice  (10)  and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded.  (11)  Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant.  (12)  Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.  (13)  However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen."

Solomon ruled over all of Israel for forty years and then died.  He was buried in the City of David.  His son Rehoboam ruled after him.

1 Kings 11:42-43 ESV And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.  (43)  And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

                                     

Heavenly Father, we need you in our lives continuously.  If left to ourselves, we too will fall as Solomon did.  Lead us into your righteousness and favor, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Copyright © 2006, 2011  Thomas C. Blake

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 93 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Solomon Finishes the Temple & Acquires Great Wealth

Solomon started his reign over Israel, following in the footsteps of his father David.  His heart was pure and humble.  The LORD richly blessed him with wisdom, favor and incredible wealth.  The LORD was pleased with Solomon as he completed both the Royal Palace and the Temple of the LORD.  The Palace was half the size of a football field and the building materials were the finest.

SOLOMON BUILDS A PALACE

1 Kings 7:1-2 Solomon also built a palace for himself, and it took him thirteen years to complete the construction. (2) One of Solomon’s buildings was called the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. It was 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.[a] There were four rows of cedar pillars, and great cedar beams rested on the pillars.

When it came time to dedicate the temple, it was a national celebration of music, praise and worship.  The first celebration was the relocation of the Ark of the Covenant from the sacred tent to the Holy Temple.  It was brought forth with all of Israel rejoicing and sacrificing lambs.  So many lambs were sacrificed that no one could count the number.

1 Kings 8:5 There, before the Ark, King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed so many sheep, goats, and cattle that no one could keep count!

SOLOMON PRAYS A PROPHECY OVER ISRAEL

Solomon offered a prayer to the LORD that would ultimately be proven to be prophetic.  He warns Israel of the curse of captivity for disobedience and prayed that the LORD will be merciful if Israel would sin against the LOPRD.

1 Kings 8: 46-51“If they sin against you—and who has never sinned?—you might become angry with them and let their enemies conquer them and take them captive to their land far away or near. (47)  But in that land of exile, they might turn to you in repentance and pray, ‘We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly.’ (48) If they turn to you with their whole heart and soul in the land of their enemies and pray toward the land you gave to their ancestors—toward this city you have chosen, and toward this Temple I have built to honor your name—(49) then hear their prayers and their petition from heaven where you live, and uphold their cause. (50) Forgive your people who have sinned against you. Forgive all the offenses they have committed against you. Make their captors merciful to them, (51) for they are your people—your special possession—whom you brought out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt.

SOLOMON’S OFFERING OF 22,000 CATTLE; 120,000 SHEEP AND GOATS TO DEDICATE THE TEMPLE

At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon sacrificed a peace offering of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep.  The work of this celebration with burnt offerings is beyond our comprehension.  There was never anything like it before or after.  All of Israel sacrificed offerings in dedication of the Temple.

1 Kings 8:62-63 NLT Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices to the Lord. (63) Solomon offered to the Lord a peace offering of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. And so the king and all the people of Israel dedicated the Temple of the Lord.

THE LORD APPEARS AGAIN TO SOLOMON

The LORD was very pleased with Solomon and He appeared again to him reaffirming all of the promises that He made in Gibeon.  The LORD also restated the curses that would come for disobedience.  

1 Kings 9:1-9 NLT So Solomon finished building the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do. (2) Then the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had done before at Gibeon. (3) The Lord said to him,

   “I have heard your prayer and your petition. I have set this Temple apart to be holy—this place you have built where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.

 (4) “As for you, if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, (5) then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over Israel forever. For I made this promise to your father, David: ‘One of your descendants will always sit on the throne of Israel.’

 (6) “But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the commands and decrees I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, (7) then I will uproot Israel from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make Israel an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. (8) And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled and will shake their heads in amazement. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’

 (9) “And the answer will be, ‘Because his people abandoned the Lord their God, who brought their ancestors out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why the Lord has brought all these disasters on them.’”

Solomon’s Enormous Wealth

20 YEARS IN BUILDING THE TEMPLE & PALACE

1 Kings 9:10 It took Solomon twenty years to build the Lord’s Temple and his own royal palace.

25 TONS OF GOLD RECEIVED EACH YEAR

1 Kings 10:14 NLT Each year Solomon received about 25 tons of gold. 15 This did not include the additional revenue he received from merchants and traders, all the kings of Arabia, and the governors of the land.

PURE GOLD VESSELS FOR THE KING

1 Kings 10:21 ESV All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver; silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.

SILVER AS COMMON AS STONE

1 Kings 10:27 ESV And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah.

Prayer:  Almighty God our LORD, we know that you reward those who love you.  Help us to make you number one in our lives.  Lead us to what you are blessing, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Copyright © 2006, 2011  Thomas C. Blake