Monday, September 27, 2010
What's going through my head today...
I wanted to take a quick break from recording what I'm reading in my bible to just get out some of my thoughts. I'm in a time of transition...again. Jason and I started looking at houses over the summer and have gone out a few times to narrow down our search. Our current house is on the market but we're afraid it won't sell. Even if it does sell, it won't sell for much. The sellers market is crap right now. I'm incredibly torn b/c I love this house. My blood, sweat, and tears were poured into this house that we've made our home over the last 5 or so years. I've documented and witnessed putting in a new foundation in the bathroom and kitchen. I picked out what toilet to buy. Our huge garden tub was purchased from a lady Jason knows for $25 and we got the pump on eBay for crying out loud! We repaired.....decorated... painted...we have my late Grandma's hand me down furniture. The new furnace was put in a few yrs ago. Jason and I replaced our bedroom floor in the middle of winter and slept in our dining room for a month before we had carpet laid. There are so many memories here. Just the other day we were reminiscing about what the house looked like when we first moved in. Just picture living in chaos to the nth degree! I cooked out of a microwave, had a mini fridge I used in college, and a piece of drywall on saw horses for a kitchen counter. I did my dishes in the bathroom sink. It was not the house every little girl dreams of having one day but we made it work. Yes, the house is old w/ crooked floors and bumpy walls but it is ours. My hope and prayer is that the person God has chosen to live here will appreciate or at least acknowledge what we did. We would rather see our house bull dosed than mistreated. I know we need to take emotion out of it, just like what you have to do when you find a new house you fall in love with. I can't help it though. My brain is overwhelmed with so many thoughts and no matter what I do to try and busy myself, nothing is working to keep my mind from racing.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Day 32
Chronicles tells the same story as Samuel and Kings but from another perspective and hundreds of years later. Eugene Peterson writes, "Holy history is not constructed from impersonal forces or abstract ideas; it is woven from names-persons, each one unique."
Tons of family names and their descendants are listed so I'm not going to bother writing it ALL out. I re-read a lot of what was already covered. I thought chapter 21 was interesting in regards to David taking a census of Israel b/c the writer says, "Satan entered the scene and seduced David."
The one things 2 kings didn't mention that 2 Chronicles did was king Cyrus. In his 1st year of reigning in Persia, he fulfilled what god said through Jeremiah. The king announced God gave him all the kingdoms of the earth and assigned him to build a Temple to worship in at Jerusalem. The Israelites were encouraged to move back home.
Ezra Intro
One hundred and twenty eight years after the Israelites were exiled and their city and Temple destroyed, a small amount of Jews tried to piece things back together. They weren't doing well until Ezra came. He got the people of Israel to worship God and obediently follow scripture. The leaders of the families in Judah and Benjamin as well as Levites and priests set out for Jerusalem to build the Temple of God. They had a ton of support and were given silver, gold, tools, pack animals, gifts, and free will offerings. King Cyrus of Persia also gave them all the utensils that Nebuchadnezzer swiped and put in his own temple. Mithredath, treasurer, was put in charge of the full inventory for Sheshbazzar, prince of Judah. Inventory included:
30 gold dishes, 1000 silver dishes, 29 silver pans, 30 gold bowls, 410 duplicate silver bowls, and 1,000 misc items.
The gold and silver amounted to 5,400 lbs alone! A great number of Israelite families returned to Jerusalem and Judah. However, son from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer weren't able to prove their ancestral connection as true Israelites. Priestly families such as Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzilla were no longer able to do priestly work and were deemed unclean w/o proof of ancestry. A whopping 42, 360 people including male and female slaves totaling 7,337 as well as 200 male and female singers, made the journey. They took 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6, 720 donkeys. The free will offerings consisted of 1,100 lbs of gold, 3 tons of silver, and 100 robes for priests.
Jeshua and his 2 brothers, who were priests, Zerubbabel and his relatives all went to work on the Altar of the God of Israel to offer a whole burnt offering. Despite what their non Israelite neighbors though, the whole burnt offering was offered morning and night. The Festival of Booths was also celebrated. The Israelites gave money and carpenters and masons were hired. They gave food and oil to the Sidonians and Tyrians in exchange for cedar. In the 2nd year after their settlement in Jerusalem, Jeshua, brother pirests, Zerubbabel, and the Levites started on the Temple. Levites 20 + years of age were put in charge of directing the rebuild. After the foundation was laid, robed priests played trumpets, Levites played cymbals, and God was praised in a tradition carried out by king David. When old enemies of both Judah and Benjamin heard what the Israelites were doing, they offered to help build the Temple of God. Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other family heads refused their offer so they decided to badger those who were building the Temple and lower morale. This nonsense lasted 15 yrs; all during Cyrus' reign into Darius', and even into Xerxes'. Artaxerxes was sent a letter in aramaic from Rehum (the commanding officer) and Shimshai (secretary) against Jerusalem. The letter stated the Jews were rebuilding a rebellious and evil city, they would no longer pay tribute to Persia after the completion, and suggested Artaxerxes look at court records that would show there was a history of this group of people being a thorn in king's sides. Artaxerxes replied that he did look at the records and learned that Jerusalem did in fact revolt against previous kings, but they weren't looking to rebel. Jerusalem had great kings so Artaxerxes ordered the men to stop building and not start up again until he said so.
Haggai and Zechariah were prophets and preached to the people of Israel with god as their authority. Rebuilding the Temple started back up. Tattenai was governor of the land beyond the Euphrates and he and his associates asked the Israelites who permitted the building to continue. God watched over the leaders of the Jews and everything that happened. Work on the Temple wasn't stopped until a report was given to Darius and a reply was received. Tattenai, Shethar-Bozenai, and the officials of the land wrote Darius a letter, which included the Israelites response to the permit question, "We are servants of the God of the heavens and the earth. We are rebuilding the Temple that was built a long time ago. A great king of Israel build it, the entire structure. But our ancestors made the God of the heavens really angry and he turned them over to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, the chaldean, who knocked this Temple down and took the people to Babylon in exile...". King Darius ordered an archived record search for Babylon. The scroll was in Media and explained the decree of Cyrus in his first year of reigning regarding the Temple of God. Darius' response to Tattenai was to stay out of the Israelites way so they could rebuild. They were to help the leaders of the Jews by paying construction fees from the royal bank via land taxes coming in. They were also to provide whatever was needed for any sacrifice. Anyone who violated Darius' decree was to be impaled by a timber outside their house and the house would become a makeshift manure pit. Building continued and was completed in Darius' 6th year of reigning over Persia. Everyone was overjoyed and dedication of the Temple proceeded. One hundred bulls, 200 rams, and 400 lambs were sacrificed as well as an absolution offering w/ 12 male goats signifying the 12 tribes of Israel. The Israelites purified themselves through Passover sometime later. Everyone was made ritually clean. The Passover lamb was slaughtered by the Levites for all the Israelites, their brother priests, and themselves. They celebrated the Feast of Unraised Bread for 7 days and were joyful that God worked in their favor once again to rebuild the Temple.
Tons of family names and their descendants are listed so I'm not going to bother writing it ALL out. I re-read a lot of what was already covered. I thought chapter 21 was interesting in regards to David taking a census of Israel b/c the writer says, "Satan entered the scene and seduced David."
The one things 2 kings didn't mention that 2 Chronicles did was king Cyrus. In his 1st year of reigning in Persia, he fulfilled what god said through Jeremiah. The king announced God gave him all the kingdoms of the earth and assigned him to build a Temple to worship in at Jerusalem. The Israelites were encouraged to move back home.
Ezra Intro
One hundred and twenty eight years after the Israelites were exiled and their city and Temple destroyed, a small amount of Jews tried to piece things back together. They weren't doing well until Ezra came. He got the people of Israel to worship God and obediently follow scripture. The leaders of the families in Judah and Benjamin as well as Levites and priests set out for Jerusalem to build the Temple of God. They had a ton of support and were given silver, gold, tools, pack animals, gifts, and free will offerings. King Cyrus of Persia also gave them all the utensils that Nebuchadnezzer swiped and put in his own temple. Mithredath, treasurer, was put in charge of the full inventory for Sheshbazzar, prince of Judah. Inventory included:
30 gold dishes, 1000 silver dishes, 29 silver pans, 30 gold bowls, 410 duplicate silver bowls, and 1,000 misc items.
The gold and silver amounted to 5,400 lbs alone! A great number of Israelite families returned to Jerusalem and Judah. However, son from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer weren't able to prove their ancestral connection as true Israelites. Priestly families such as Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzilla were no longer able to do priestly work and were deemed unclean w/o proof of ancestry. A whopping 42, 360 people including male and female slaves totaling 7,337 as well as 200 male and female singers, made the journey. They took 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6, 720 donkeys. The free will offerings consisted of 1,100 lbs of gold, 3 tons of silver, and 100 robes for priests.
Jeshua and his 2 brothers, who were priests, Zerubbabel and his relatives all went to work on the Altar of the God of Israel to offer a whole burnt offering. Despite what their non Israelite neighbors though, the whole burnt offering was offered morning and night. The Festival of Booths was also celebrated. The Israelites gave money and carpenters and masons were hired. They gave food and oil to the Sidonians and Tyrians in exchange for cedar. In the 2nd year after their settlement in Jerusalem, Jeshua, brother pirests, Zerubbabel, and the Levites started on the Temple. Levites 20 + years of age were put in charge of directing the rebuild. After the foundation was laid, robed priests played trumpets, Levites played cymbals, and God was praised in a tradition carried out by king David. When old enemies of both Judah and Benjamin heard what the Israelites were doing, they offered to help build the Temple of God. Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other family heads refused their offer so they decided to badger those who were building the Temple and lower morale. This nonsense lasted 15 yrs; all during Cyrus' reign into Darius', and even into Xerxes'. Artaxerxes was sent a letter in aramaic from Rehum (the commanding officer) and Shimshai (secretary) against Jerusalem. The letter stated the Jews were rebuilding a rebellious and evil city, they would no longer pay tribute to Persia after the completion, and suggested Artaxerxes look at court records that would show there was a history of this group of people being a thorn in king's sides. Artaxerxes replied that he did look at the records and learned that Jerusalem did in fact revolt against previous kings, but they weren't looking to rebel. Jerusalem had great kings so Artaxerxes ordered the men to stop building and not start up again until he said so.
Haggai and Zechariah were prophets and preached to the people of Israel with god as their authority. Rebuilding the Temple started back up. Tattenai was governor of the land beyond the Euphrates and he and his associates asked the Israelites who permitted the building to continue. God watched over the leaders of the Jews and everything that happened. Work on the Temple wasn't stopped until a report was given to Darius and a reply was received. Tattenai, Shethar-Bozenai, and the officials of the land wrote Darius a letter, which included the Israelites response to the permit question, "We are servants of the God of the heavens and the earth. We are rebuilding the Temple that was built a long time ago. A great king of Israel build it, the entire structure. But our ancestors made the God of the heavens really angry and he turned them over to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, the chaldean, who knocked this Temple down and took the people to Babylon in exile...". King Darius ordered an archived record search for Babylon. The scroll was in Media and explained the decree of Cyrus in his first year of reigning regarding the Temple of God. Darius' response to Tattenai was to stay out of the Israelites way so they could rebuild. They were to help the leaders of the Jews by paying construction fees from the royal bank via land taxes coming in. They were also to provide whatever was needed for any sacrifice. Anyone who violated Darius' decree was to be impaled by a timber outside their house and the house would become a makeshift manure pit. Building continued and was completed in Darius' 6th year of reigning over Persia. Everyone was overjoyed and dedication of the Temple proceeded. One hundred bulls, 200 rams, and 400 lambs were sacrificed as well as an absolution offering w/ 12 male goats signifying the 12 tribes of Israel. The Israelites purified themselves through Passover sometime later. Everyone was made ritually clean. The Passover lamb was slaughtered by the Levites for all the Israelites, their brother priests, and themselves. They celebrated the Feast of Unraised Bread for 7 days and were joyful that God worked in their favor once again to rebuild the Temple.
Day 31
The groups formed to destroy Judah as God said he would allow and was in no way a coincidence. Nebuchadnezzer controlled all the land from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River, which had been formally controlled by the Egyptian king. Jehoichin became the next heir to the throne of Judah. He only ruled 3 months because he was imprisoned and was evil in God's eyes. The Babylonian king lay seige on Jerusalem and until the 8th year of reigning he was taken as prisoner along w/ his mom, officers, advisers, and government leaders and exiled to Babylon. The Temple of God was raided once again. Ten thousand leaders, soldiers, artisans, and craftsmen were sent into exile by Nebuchadnezzer. King Jehiachin's uncle, Mattaniah, was Nebuchadnezzer's puppet. His name was changed to Zedekiah. Zedekiah was made king of Judah when he was 21 yrs old and ruled 11 yrs. He acted like his father did. In the 10th month of Zedekiah's 9th year of reigning, Nebuchadnezzer set out to Jerusalem w/ a full army. Until Zedekiah's 11th year, the Babylonian king lay seige over the city. In the 11th year, a famine hit so hard no one had food. Zedekiah's army left one night and slipped through the Babylonian forces surrounding the city. They set out for Jordan but the Babylonians caught up with them in the Plains of Jericho. Zedekiah's army fled but he was taken as prisoner and taken to Nebuchadnezzer. Zedekiah's sons were killed in front of him and they they blinded him.
In the 5 mth of the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzer's reign of terror, the kings chief, Nebuzaradan, arrived in Jerusalem. he burnt the Temple of God to the ground along w/ the palace, and the rest of the city. Those who were left in the city were exiled. Only a handful of poor farmers were left behind to work in the vineyard and damaged fields. All the precious metal was scrapped from the Temple and taken to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzer made Gedaliah governor over the people left behind in Judah. Ishmael, Johanan, Kareah, and Jaazaniah were his followers. Gedaliah assured them everything would be ok and to respect Nebuchadnezzer. A little while later, Ishmael and 10 men killed Gedaliah, traitor Jews, and all Babylonian officers in Mizpah. Because they were afraid what their fate would be once the Babylonians found out, they all fled to Egypt.
In Jehoichin's 27th year of exile, Evil-Merodach (also called Amel-Marduk), who was Nebuchadnezzer's son and successor, freed him. Jehoichin received preferential treatment and ate at the king's table for the rest of his life.
In the 5 mth of the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzer's reign of terror, the kings chief, Nebuzaradan, arrived in Jerusalem. he burnt the Temple of God to the ground along w/ the palace, and the rest of the city. Those who were left in the city were exiled. Only a handful of poor farmers were left behind to work in the vineyard and damaged fields. All the precious metal was scrapped from the Temple and taken to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzer made Gedaliah governor over the people left behind in Judah. Ishmael, Johanan, Kareah, and Jaazaniah were his followers. Gedaliah assured them everything would be ok and to respect Nebuchadnezzer. A little while later, Ishmael and 10 men killed Gedaliah, traitor Jews, and all Babylonian officers in Mizpah. Because they were afraid what their fate would be once the Babylonians found out, they all fled to Egypt.
In Jehoichin's 27th year of exile, Evil-Merodach (also called Amel-Marduk), who was Nebuchadnezzer's son and successor, freed him. Jehoichin received preferential treatment and ate at the king's table for the rest of his life.
Day 30
Rabshakeh discovered his king pulled out of Lachish and moved the battle to Libnah. The Assyrian king heard king Tirhakah of Cush was coming to war against him so he sent a message to Hezekiah. Sennacherib told Hezekiah to stop believing the lie that their god would deliver them; they were no exception. Hezekiah took the letter to the Temple of god for god to see and he prayer fervently. Isaiah sent a threatening message of God's word to Sennacherib. that night, God's angel killed 185,000 Assyrians. when the people of Jerusalem awoke the next morning, they found the Assyrian camp full of corpses. However, the king escaped quickly during the attack and went home to Ninevah. When he was worshiping Nisroch, the Assyrian god of agriculture, in the temple one day, his own sons Adrammelech and Sharezer murdered him. Esarhaddon, another son of Sennacherib's, became king.
Time passed and Hezekiah fell ill and was told by Isaiah to arrange his affairs for he was going to die soon. Isaiah went out to the courtyard, but halfway there, God stopped him and said, "Go back and tell Hezekiah, prince of my people, God's word Hezekiah! From the God of your ancestor David: I've listened to your prayers and I've observed your tears. I'm going to heal you. In 3 days you will walk on your own legs into the Temple of God. I've just added 15 yrs to your life; I'm saving you from the king of Assyria, and I'm covering this city with my shield-for my sake and my servant David's sake." A plaster of figs was prepared and applied to Hezekiah's boil. Eww. Hezekiah asked Isaiah if the healing was from God or if there was a confirming sign. He told him he wanted the suns shadow to go back 10 degrees on the sundial. Isaiah prayed and God made it happen.
Merodach-Baladan, who was the Babylonian kings son, learned Hezekiah was ill, so he sent a get well card and a gift to him. This pleased Hezekiah so he gave the messengers a tour of his palace. Isaiah confronted him about this and spoke God's word to him, "...the day is coming when everything you own and everything your ancestors have passed down to you, right down to the last cup and saucer, will be cleaned out of here-plundered and packed off to Babylon. god's word! Worse yet, your sons, the progeny of sons you've begotten, will end up as eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." Men were castrated so if they slept w/ the king's wife, the blood line wouldn't be messed up. Eunuchs were also managers of the woman's quarters of the palace. Hezekiah believed god's word to be true, but though this wouldn't happen in his lifetime and he wouldn't enjoy life and security until his dying day. He was right. In the 15 yrs God added to his life, these tragic events didn't take place. His son, Manasseh, was heir to the throne of Judah. He was only 12, but was an evil king. Hello! He was a teenage boy! They should be locked away at the age haha. Manasseh brought back all the sex and religion shrines, altars, phallic images for Baael and Asherah. I wonder how much of this was actually his idea or his advisers suggestions. Manasseh did as king Ahaz of Israel did. He worshiped cosmic powers and took orders from the constellations. The Temple of God became a house for pagan altars. King Manasseh burned his own son in a sacrificial offering and practiced black magic and fortune telling. He even went as far as to hold seances to consult underworld spirits and killed innocent people all over Jerusalem. Manasseh was despicable in the eyes of God and He grew very angry! Prophets were spoken to by god that b/c Manasseh sinned outrageously, God was sending catastrophic events to Jerusalem and Judah. God said He'd wipe out Jerusalem and rid them of their inheritance and He'd turn them over to their enemies. Manasseh was buried at the Garden of Uzza. His son, Amnon, was 22 yrs old when he was heir to the thron of Juday and ruled 2 yrs in Jerusalem. Amnon also lived an evil life, following in his father's footsteps. His own servants killed him in the palace and the people of Judah had them assassinated.
Amnon's 8 yr old son, Josiah, became king. Thankfully he lived the way God asked. When he was 26, he sent Shaphan, the royal secretary, to the Temple of God. He was to tell the high priest, Hiliah, to count the $ brought to the Temple and turn it over to the foreman who were managing the work on the Temple. The foreman were to pay the laborers; all carpenters, construction workers, and masons. They were given authorization to purchase lumber and dressed stone to repair the Temple of God. Hiliah told Shaphan he'd found the Book of god's Revelation in the Temple and gave it to him to read. Shaphan reported to king Josiah and gave the book to him. Josiah ripped his robe and summoned Hilkiah, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asiah and ordered them to pray to God for him and the people of Juday. They were also supposed to pray for guidance on what to do w/ the book. The men went to Huldah, a prophetess, whose husband was in charge of the palace wardrobe. They were to tell the king god's word that doom and judgement would be brought down on them because they deserted God. Because Josiah responded the way he did, God would take care of him and his death would be quiet. He wouldn't be around long enough to witness the dismay.
King Josiah read the contents of the book to the Jerusalem elders, priests, prophets, and many other people. He made a covenant w/ the people and they confirmed it. Hilkiah and his associate were to cleanse the temple of God of all the garbage Manasseh brought back and burn them in the kidron fields. They were to dispose of the ashes in Bethel. The pagan priests were fired and all the false god paraphernalia was disposed of. Josiah also demolished the iron furnace griddle known as Topheth for sacrificing children to the god Molech. The bones in the hillside tombs were removed and cremated on the torn down altars, which fulfilled God's testament spoken by the Holy Man in Jeroboam's day. The Holy Man's bones were left untouched as well as the a prophet from Samaria. The king went through all the towns in Samaria, ridding them of sex and religion shrines and killing any and all priests who performed pagan offerings and sacrifices. The corpses were cremated on their own altars.
Josiah returned to Jerusalem and commanded the passover be celebrated as the book stated. Paroah Neco of Egypt joined forces w/ Assyria at the Euphrates River. Neco killed Josiah at the Plain of Megiddo. Twenty three year old, Jehoahaz, was heir to the throne but only ruled 3 mths. He reverted back to evil ways and was captured and put in chains by Neco in Hamath. Pharoah Neco made Judah pay almost 4 tons of silver and 75 tons of gold as a tribute. Eliakim was chosen by Neco to reign over Judah and his name was changed to Jehoiakim meaning he whom Jehovah has set up. Meanwhile, Jehoahaz died in Egypt. Jehoiakim was 25 yrs old at the time and ruled for 11 years in Jerusalem. He was an evil king. Not only was he a pawn of Neco, but also to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzer. After 3 yrs, he revolted and a succession of groups came against him.
Time passed and Hezekiah fell ill and was told by Isaiah to arrange his affairs for he was going to die soon. Isaiah went out to the courtyard, but halfway there, God stopped him and said, "Go back and tell Hezekiah, prince of my people, God's word Hezekiah! From the God of your ancestor David: I've listened to your prayers and I've observed your tears. I'm going to heal you. In 3 days you will walk on your own legs into the Temple of God. I've just added 15 yrs to your life; I'm saving you from the king of Assyria, and I'm covering this city with my shield-for my sake and my servant David's sake." A plaster of figs was prepared and applied to Hezekiah's boil. Eww. Hezekiah asked Isaiah if the healing was from God or if there was a confirming sign. He told him he wanted the suns shadow to go back 10 degrees on the sundial. Isaiah prayed and God made it happen.
Merodach-Baladan, who was the Babylonian kings son, learned Hezekiah was ill, so he sent a get well card and a gift to him. This pleased Hezekiah so he gave the messengers a tour of his palace. Isaiah confronted him about this and spoke God's word to him, "...the day is coming when everything you own and everything your ancestors have passed down to you, right down to the last cup and saucer, will be cleaned out of here-plundered and packed off to Babylon. god's word! Worse yet, your sons, the progeny of sons you've begotten, will end up as eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." Men were castrated so if they slept w/ the king's wife, the blood line wouldn't be messed up. Eunuchs were also managers of the woman's quarters of the palace. Hezekiah believed god's word to be true, but though this wouldn't happen in his lifetime and he wouldn't enjoy life and security until his dying day. He was right. In the 15 yrs God added to his life, these tragic events didn't take place. His son, Manasseh, was heir to the throne of Judah. He was only 12, but was an evil king. Hello! He was a teenage boy! They should be locked away at the age haha. Manasseh brought back all the sex and religion shrines, altars, phallic images for Baael and Asherah. I wonder how much of this was actually his idea or his advisers suggestions. Manasseh did as king Ahaz of Israel did. He worshiped cosmic powers and took orders from the constellations. The Temple of God became a house for pagan altars. King Manasseh burned his own son in a sacrificial offering and practiced black magic and fortune telling. He even went as far as to hold seances to consult underworld spirits and killed innocent people all over Jerusalem. Manasseh was despicable in the eyes of God and He grew very angry! Prophets were spoken to by god that b/c Manasseh sinned outrageously, God was sending catastrophic events to Jerusalem and Judah. God said He'd wipe out Jerusalem and rid them of their inheritance and He'd turn them over to their enemies. Manasseh was buried at the Garden of Uzza. His son, Amnon, was 22 yrs old when he was heir to the thron of Juday and ruled 2 yrs in Jerusalem. Amnon also lived an evil life, following in his father's footsteps. His own servants killed him in the palace and the people of Judah had them assassinated.
Amnon's 8 yr old son, Josiah, became king. Thankfully he lived the way God asked. When he was 26, he sent Shaphan, the royal secretary, to the Temple of God. He was to tell the high priest, Hiliah, to count the $ brought to the Temple and turn it over to the foreman who were managing the work on the Temple. The foreman were to pay the laborers; all carpenters, construction workers, and masons. They were given authorization to purchase lumber and dressed stone to repair the Temple of God. Hiliah told Shaphan he'd found the Book of god's Revelation in the Temple and gave it to him to read. Shaphan reported to king Josiah and gave the book to him. Josiah ripped his robe and summoned Hilkiah, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asiah and ordered them to pray to God for him and the people of Juday. They were also supposed to pray for guidance on what to do w/ the book. The men went to Huldah, a prophetess, whose husband was in charge of the palace wardrobe. They were to tell the king god's word that doom and judgement would be brought down on them because they deserted God. Because Josiah responded the way he did, God would take care of him and his death would be quiet. He wouldn't be around long enough to witness the dismay.
King Josiah read the contents of the book to the Jerusalem elders, priests, prophets, and many other people. He made a covenant w/ the people and they confirmed it. Hilkiah and his associate were to cleanse the temple of God of all the garbage Manasseh brought back and burn them in the kidron fields. They were to dispose of the ashes in Bethel. The pagan priests were fired and all the false god paraphernalia was disposed of. Josiah also demolished the iron furnace griddle known as Topheth for sacrificing children to the god Molech. The bones in the hillside tombs were removed and cremated on the torn down altars, which fulfilled God's testament spoken by the Holy Man in Jeroboam's day. The Holy Man's bones were left untouched as well as the a prophet from Samaria. The king went through all the towns in Samaria, ridding them of sex and religion shrines and killing any and all priests who performed pagan offerings and sacrifices. The corpses were cremated on their own altars.
Josiah returned to Jerusalem and commanded the passover be celebrated as the book stated. Paroah Neco of Egypt joined forces w/ Assyria at the Euphrates River. Neco killed Josiah at the Plain of Megiddo. Twenty three year old, Jehoahaz, was heir to the throne but only ruled 3 mths. He reverted back to evil ways and was captured and put in chains by Neco in Hamath. Pharoah Neco made Judah pay almost 4 tons of silver and 75 tons of gold as a tribute. Eliakim was chosen by Neco to reign over Judah and his name was changed to Jehoiakim meaning he whom Jehovah has set up. Meanwhile, Jehoahaz died in Egypt. Jehoiakim was 25 yrs old at the time and ruled for 11 years in Jerusalem. He was an evil king. Not only was he a pawn of Neco, but also to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzer. After 3 yrs, he revolted and a succession of groups came against him.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Day 29
Hoshea was in his 3rd year of reigning when Hezekiah started ruling Judah. Hezekiah was 25 yrs old when he took the throne in Jerusalem and reigned until he was 54. Hezekiah lived up to God's standards by ridding of fertility shrines, phallic stone monuments, and Asherah poles. He also went as far as destroying the bronze sneak made by Moses, which the people of Israel named Nehushtan and made sacrifices to it. Hezekiah was one of a kind and obeyed God's commands to a T. During his reign, he stopped serving the Assyrian king and drove the Philistines to Gaza. In his 4th year, king Shalmanese of Assyria attacked Samaria and captured it after 3 yrs. In Hezekiah's 14th year, Sennacherib was king of Assyria and attacked all cities surrounding Judah and captured them. Hezekiah offered to pay the king of Assyria if he pulled his troops back. Sennacherib demanded 11 tons of silver and 1 ton of gold. Hezekiah raided the temple of God and even went as far as removing the doors and doorposts that had gold plating on them. Tartan, Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh were military chiefs and were sent by Sennacherib w/ a strong army to see Hezekiah. They stopped at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool on the road to the laundry commons and shouted for the king. Rabshakeh was the spokesman and sent a message to Hezekiah basically belittling and threatening him and asked who would come to his aide since he cut ties w/ the king of Assyria. Eliahim, who was in charge of Hezekiah's palace asked Rabshekeh to speak in Aramaic b/c the Hebrew he was speaking was understood by everyone gathered by the city wall. Rabshekah refused for this was public information and stated, "If you don't come to terms, they'll be eating their own turds and drinking their own pee right along with you." He told the people not to trust Hezekiah or believe God would save them from the king of Assyria. No one said anything for they were ordered by Hezekiah to do so. Eliakim and the 2 other palace officials ripped their clothes and reported back to king Hezekiah. When he learned what Rabshekeh said, Hezekiah ripped his robes, dressed in burlap, and went to the Temple of God. Eliakim and Shebna (the secretary), and all senior priests dressed in burlap and were sent w/ a message to the prophet Isaiah. The message was:
This is a black day, a terrible day-doomsday. Babies poised to be born, no strength to birth them. Maybe God, your God, has been listening to them blasphemous speech of Rabshekeh who was sent by the king of Assyria, his master to humiliate the living God; maybe God your God, won't let him get by w/ such talk; and you, maybe you will lift up prayers for what's left of these people.
Paraphrasing, Isaiah told them not to fear what was going on. The king of Assyria would be afflicted by self doubt. He'll hear a rumor, be afraid for his life, and retreat to his homeland. He'd make sure he was killed.
This is a black day, a terrible day-doomsday. Babies poised to be born, no strength to birth them. Maybe God, your God, has been listening to them blasphemous speech of Rabshekeh who was sent by the king of Assyria, his master to humiliate the living God; maybe God your God, won't let him get by w/ such talk; and you, maybe you will lift up prayers for what's left of these people.
Paraphrasing, Isaiah told them not to fear what was going on. The king of Assyria would be afflicted by self doubt. He'll hear a rumor, be afraid for his life, and retreat to his homeland. He'd make sure he was killed.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Day 28
Joash was in his 23rd year of reigning over Judah when Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria. Jehoahaz ruled for 17 years and lived an evil life. God's anger grew towards Israel and they were handed over to Hazael and his son, Beh-Hadad. God actually listened though when Jehoahaz prayed to Him and delivered them from the king of Aram. Even though this generous deed from God was given to them, the people of Israel didn't change their ways. They kept sinning in the way Jeroboam did and their Asherah sex and religion shrines stayed. Only 50 cavalry, 10 chariots, and 10,000 infantry were left after Hazael's reign over them. Jehoahaz died and Jehoash, his son, succeeded him. This occurred in Joash's 37th year reigning over Judah.
Jehoash reigned in Israel for 16 yrs and he lived an evil life just like his dad. He went to war w/ Amaziah, king of Judah in his 2nd year of reigning. Jeroboam took over the throne.
Meanwhile, Elisha fell ill and it was fatal. Jehoash brought him a bow and some arrows and Elisha told him to put his hand on the bow and put his hand on Jehoash's. Jehoash was then instructed to shoot an arrow out the window on the east side of the building. The arrow signified his deliverance from Hazael of Aram. Elisha said,"...You will do battle against Aram until there's nothing left of it." Elisha then told Jehoash to strike the ground with an arrow, but grew angry because he only struck the ground 3x instead of 5 or 6x. Because of this, Jehoash would only have victory over Aram 3x. Elisha croaked and was buried. He rotted for awhile and then some men near his tomb noticed Moabite invaders, so they ditched a dead body. When the corpse touched Elisha's bones, life went back into the man and he walked out of the tomb. The first thing I wonder is if there were any bystanders. The second thing is what if he was embalmed and all of his organs were taken out.
Ben-Hadad of Aram took the throne after Hazael died. Jehoash recaptured cities of Israel that were taken during Hazael's reign and defeated them in the 3x he went to battle against them.
Amaziah was 25 years old when he became king of Judah and reigned 29 years. He lived the way God wanted him to, but below David's standard of living. The palace guard who killed his father was executed by Amaziah. One day he challenged Jehoash to a duel and wouldn't accept no for an answer. The 2 kings met at Beth Shemesh. Israel kicked Judah's butt and Amaziah's men went running in defeat. King Amaziah was captured and Jehoash's army tore down 600 ft of Jerusalem's wall and took gold, silver, and anything that had value. The palace and the Temple of God were also raided and to put one more nail in the coffin, they took hostages. A plot against Amaziah was made and he fled to Lachish, but he was still killed there. His 16 year old son, Azariah, was made king.
Jeroboam became king over Israel in the 15th year of Amaziah's reign and ruled 41 years. He was evil and led Israel to sin. Even though God wasn't pleased by his sins, he did restore Israel's borders to Lebo Hamath on the north side of the country and to the Dead Sea. Because God wasn't done with Israel, He used Jeroboam to save them. His son, Zechariah, was heir to the throne when he died.
Azariah reigned 52 years in Jerusalem. He followed in his father's footsteps by living well in God's eyes. He still allowed the sex and religion shrines to stay though. Azariah was plagued with a leprosy until he died. He lived in isolation in a separate house and his son Jotham, was put in charge of the royal palace. Azariah was in his 38th year when Zechariah was king over Israel for a measly 6 months. Zechariah was assassinated in public by Shallum and he took over the kingly dties. Zechariah fulfilled God's word spoke to Jehu about 4 generations of his family ruling over Israel.
Shallum was only king of Israel for 1 month b/c he was attacked and killed by Menahem, son of Gadi, from Tirzah. Menahem created mayhem, devastating the town brutally ripped open every pregnant woman. He was king for 10 years, which is way too long in my opinion. When Tiglath-Pileser III, king of Assyria came to Samaria to attack it, Menahem made a deal with him. He gave him 37 tons of silver and made every owner of land in Israel give him 50 shekels. Pekahiah, son of Menahem, ruled Israel for 2 years. He was just as evil as his father. Pekah, a military aide, killed him in cold blood in his palace. Pekah had 50 Gadites following him and he became king of Israel in Azariah's last year of reigning Judah. Pekah lived an evil life and before too long Tiglath-Pileser III was back again. This time he captured Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, Galilee, and Naphtali and took all the inhabitants hostage in Assyria. Pekah was killed by Hoshea in Jotham's 2 year of reigning in Judah. Jotham was 25 when he became king and ruled 16 years. He lived a good life according to God but allowed the sex and religion shrines to stay.
In Pekah's 17th year, Ahaz, son of Jotham, becaue king of Judah. Ahaz was 20 and ruled until he was 36 in Jerusalem. Apparently this guy was a real winner. He picked up the pagan ritual of passing his son through the fire. He also partook in sex and religion shrine activities. The king of Assyria received a message from Ahaz when Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel ganged up on Jerusalem. Ahaz robbed the palace and the Temple of God of gold and silver and asked Tiglath-Pileser III to save him. The Assyrian king captured Damascus, exiled Ninevites and killed Rezin. Ahaz then met the king in Damascus where he found an altar he favored. A priest named Uruiah built him a replica. King Ahaz reverently approached the pagan altar and made the following offerings: whole burnt, grain, libation of drink offering (the act of pouring a liquid offering (especially wine) as a religious ceremony) and sprinkle of blood from a peace offering. Ahaz pushed aside the bronze altar put there previously to signify God's presence. Uriah was told to only use the newer and greater altar. King Ahaz stripped the bronze off the furniture of the Temple.
Hoshea ruled Israel in Ahaz's 12th yr and ruled 9 yrs. He paid Shalmaneser, king of Assyria tribute, but his traiorous ways were revealed by him making a deal with So, king of Egypt. He was arrested and imprisoned for being late on his payments. Shalmaneser seiged Samaria for 3 yrs. This all happened when Hoshea reigned 9 yrs. The Israelites sinned therefore Shalmaneser exiled them in Assyria. They went to Halah and Medes. In short they (the people of Israel) prostituted themselves to every kind of evil available to them and God had enough. God was so livid w/ his people, He rid the country of them until only one tribe, Judah, was left. Judah failed in keeping commandments made by God. God rejected everyone tied to Israel. People from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim were brought to Samaria by the Assyrian king to replace the Israelites. God wasn't honored by them so he sent lions that mauled them to death. When the Assyrian king received message that the lions came from the god of the land b/c no one knew what he expected, priests once exiled from Samaria, were brought back to instruct the people. One priest taught the people to worship and honor God, but most of the people made their own gods amonst the sex and religion shrines. God wasn't exclusively honored or worshiped. A lot of priests were appointed at the fertility shrines, but they kept their devotion to their old gods even though they worshiped the one and only God. And they're still doing it, still worshiping any old god that had appeal to them. They don't really worship God—they don't take seriously what He says regarding how to behave and what to believe, what he revealed to the children of Jacob whom he named Israel.
Jehoash reigned in Israel for 16 yrs and he lived an evil life just like his dad. He went to war w/ Amaziah, king of Judah in his 2nd year of reigning. Jeroboam took over the throne.
Meanwhile, Elisha fell ill and it was fatal. Jehoash brought him a bow and some arrows and Elisha told him to put his hand on the bow and put his hand on Jehoash's. Jehoash was then instructed to shoot an arrow out the window on the east side of the building. The arrow signified his deliverance from Hazael of Aram. Elisha said,"...You will do battle against Aram until there's nothing left of it." Elisha then told Jehoash to strike the ground with an arrow, but grew angry because he only struck the ground 3x instead of 5 or 6x. Because of this, Jehoash would only have victory over Aram 3x. Elisha croaked and was buried. He rotted for awhile and then some men near his tomb noticed Moabite invaders, so they ditched a dead body. When the corpse touched Elisha's bones, life went back into the man and he walked out of the tomb. The first thing I wonder is if there were any bystanders. The second thing is what if he was embalmed and all of his organs were taken out.
Ben-Hadad of Aram took the throne after Hazael died. Jehoash recaptured cities of Israel that were taken during Hazael's reign and defeated them in the 3x he went to battle against them.
Amaziah was 25 years old when he became king of Judah and reigned 29 years. He lived the way God wanted him to, but below David's standard of living. The palace guard who killed his father was executed by Amaziah. One day he challenged Jehoash to a duel and wouldn't accept no for an answer. The 2 kings met at Beth Shemesh. Israel kicked Judah's butt and Amaziah's men went running in defeat. King Amaziah was captured and Jehoash's army tore down 600 ft of Jerusalem's wall and took gold, silver, and anything that had value. The palace and the Temple of God were also raided and to put one more nail in the coffin, they took hostages. A plot against Amaziah was made and he fled to Lachish, but he was still killed there. His 16 year old son, Azariah, was made king.
Jeroboam became king over Israel in the 15th year of Amaziah's reign and ruled 41 years. He was evil and led Israel to sin. Even though God wasn't pleased by his sins, he did restore Israel's borders to Lebo Hamath on the north side of the country and to the Dead Sea. Because God wasn't done with Israel, He used Jeroboam to save them. His son, Zechariah, was heir to the throne when he died.
Azariah reigned 52 years in Jerusalem. He followed in his father's footsteps by living well in God's eyes. He still allowed the sex and religion shrines to stay though. Azariah was plagued with a leprosy until he died. He lived in isolation in a separate house and his son Jotham, was put in charge of the royal palace. Azariah was in his 38th year when Zechariah was king over Israel for a measly 6 months. Zechariah was assassinated in public by Shallum and he took over the kingly dties. Zechariah fulfilled God's word spoke to Jehu about 4 generations of his family ruling over Israel.
Shallum was only king of Israel for 1 month b/c he was attacked and killed by Menahem, son of Gadi, from Tirzah. Menahem created mayhem, devastating the town brutally ripped open every pregnant woman. He was king for 10 years, which is way too long in my opinion. When Tiglath-Pileser III, king of Assyria came to Samaria to attack it, Menahem made a deal with him. He gave him 37 tons of silver and made every owner of land in Israel give him 50 shekels. Pekahiah, son of Menahem, ruled Israel for 2 years. He was just as evil as his father. Pekah, a military aide, killed him in cold blood in his palace. Pekah had 50 Gadites following him and he became king of Israel in Azariah's last year of reigning Judah. Pekah lived an evil life and before too long Tiglath-Pileser III was back again. This time he captured Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, Galilee, and Naphtali and took all the inhabitants hostage in Assyria. Pekah was killed by Hoshea in Jotham's 2 year of reigning in Judah. Jotham was 25 when he became king and ruled 16 years. He lived a good life according to God but allowed the sex and religion shrines to stay.
In Pekah's 17th year, Ahaz, son of Jotham, becaue king of Judah. Ahaz was 20 and ruled until he was 36 in Jerusalem. Apparently this guy was a real winner. He picked up the pagan ritual of passing his son through the fire. He also partook in sex and religion shrine activities. The king of Assyria received a message from Ahaz when Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel ganged up on Jerusalem. Ahaz robbed the palace and the Temple of God of gold and silver and asked Tiglath-Pileser III to save him. The Assyrian king captured Damascus, exiled Ninevites and killed Rezin. Ahaz then met the king in Damascus where he found an altar he favored. A priest named Uruiah built him a replica. King Ahaz reverently approached the pagan altar and made the following offerings: whole burnt, grain, libation of drink offering (the act of pouring a liquid offering (especially wine) as a religious ceremony) and sprinkle of blood from a peace offering. Ahaz pushed aside the bronze altar put there previously to signify God's presence. Uriah was told to only use the newer and greater altar. King Ahaz stripped the bronze off the furniture of the Temple.
Hoshea ruled Israel in Ahaz's 12th yr and ruled 9 yrs. He paid Shalmaneser, king of Assyria tribute, but his traiorous ways were revealed by him making a deal with So, king of Egypt. He was arrested and imprisoned for being late on his payments. Shalmaneser seiged Samaria for 3 yrs. This all happened when Hoshea reigned 9 yrs. The Israelites sinned therefore Shalmaneser exiled them in Assyria. They went to Halah and Medes. In short they (the people of Israel) prostituted themselves to every kind of evil available to them and God had enough. God was so livid w/ his people, He rid the country of them until only one tribe, Judah, was left. Judah failed in keeping commandments made by God. God rejected everyone tied to Israel. People from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim were brought to Samaria by the Assyrian king to replace the Israelites. God wasn't honored by them so he sent lions that mauled them to death. When the Assyrian king received message that the lions came from the god of the land b/c no one knew what he expected, priests once exiled from Samaria, were brought back to instruct the people. One priest taught the people to worship and honor God, but most of the people made their own gods amonst the sex and religion shrines. God wasn't exclusively honored or worshiped. A lot of priests were appointed at the fertility shrines, but they kept their devotion to their old gods even though they worshiped the one and only God. And they're still doing it, still worshiping any old god that had appeal to them. They don't really worship God—they don't take seriously what He says regarding how to behave and what to believe, what he revealed to the children of Jacob whom he named Israel.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Day 27
Backtracking a little bit, Joram was in his 11th year when Ahaziah became king over Judah.
Jezebel was apparently still alive at this point and dolled herself up when Jehu came to Jezreel. She posed seductively and called out to Jehu, “Have you come in peace, you murderer? You’re just like Zimri, who murdered his master." Jehu asked if anyone up there was on his side. A few eunuchs peered out and were ordered by Jehu to throw Jezebel out the window, which they did and her blood spattered against the wall and on the horses. Jehu trampled her body under his horses’ hooves and went into the palace to eat and drink. After he had his fill, he suggested Jezebel be buried b/c she was the daughter of a king. All that was left of Jezebel was her skull, feet, and hands. God's words through Elijah were carried out about her being eaten by dogs.
Jehu wrote a message forewarning leaders in the city of Jezreel, elders, and those in charge of Ahab's 70 songs and posted them in Samaria. The letter stated that the most capable son should be put on the throne and prep time was needed to fight for the master's position. All the leaders who read the letter were petrified so they responded by submitting themselves into servant hood to Jehu and stating no one would be made king b/c he was in charge. Jehu wanted all 70 of Ahab's sons beheaded and the heads were to be sent to him first thing in the morning. The heads were in 2 piles at the city gate. Everyone, including friends and priests, who had any connection to Ahab were taken out by Jehu. Jehu then met up with Ahaziah's relatives who were shepherds by trade, at Beth Eked. All 42 were abducted and killed. Jehonadab the Rocabite joined forces with Jehu and they traveled to Samaria together. Everyone there who had any connection to Ahab was killed as God previously told Elijah.
Jehu called all the Baal prophets saying he wanted to offer a sacrifice, but in reality he just wanted them all dead. They all squished inside Baal's temple and eighty men had orders from Jehu to not let anyone escape and if they did, they were to kill them. Once the sacrifices were made, Jehu signaled his officers saying, "Enter and kill! No survivors!: The massacre began and corpses were thrown outside the temple and the path to the inner shrine was cleared. A huge phallic shaped stone was taken out and destroyed as well as the altars and the entire temple. This area has been a public toilet ever since. Ahh the humor :) Even after all these events occured, Jehu didn't turn away from the sins of Jeroboam. Israel still sinned. Bethel and Dan were still homes to golden calves. As a reward for doing what God commanded, Jehu's sons would reign over Israel for 4 generations. It was in God's plan to make Israel a smaller area and Hazael moved in from the east and conquered many territories.
Jehoahaz was the heir to the throne of Israel after Jehu reigned in Samaria for 28 years. Athaliah was Ahaziah's mother and she took over when she learned he was dead and started killing off the royal family. King Joram's daughter and Ahaziah's sister, Jehosheba, took Joash (Ahaziah's son) and kidnapped him so he wouldn't die. They hid with his nurse in the Temple of God for 6 years and escaped death. In the 7th year of Athaliah's reign, the captains of the body guards and security force for the palace were sent for by Jehoiada (a priest). Jehoiada made a covenant with them when they met at the Temple of God and only after they were sworn to secrecy did they learn about young Joash. At the changing of the guard on the Sabbath, Joash was to be protected by on duty and off duty officers. They had been ordered to kill anyone who tried to get to him. Jehoiada crowned prince Joash, handed the scroll of God's covenent to him, and pronounced him king. Athaliah saw the guards and the crowd forming as they shouted, "Long live the king" and ripped her robe crying, "Treason! Treason!" Military officers were to drag Athaliah outside the Temple of God and kill her as well as her followers. The people then entered Baal's temple and destroyed everything in sight, including Maltan the priest. Jehoiada stationed security around the Temple of God and appointed bodyguards for king Joash who was only 7 yrs old at the time. Jehu was in his 7th year of reigning when Joash took the throne.
Joash was trained by Jehoada and pleased God for the duration of his life. The sacred fertility shrines stayed put and people use them for sacrificing and incense burning. Joash told the priests to take the offering money brought to the Temple, both for mandatory and freewill, and renovated the Temple's damaged areas. By Joash's 23rd year of reigning, the priests hadn't honored his request and the Temple of God looked terrible. The priests were told by the king as well as Jehoiada, that all the money was to go directly to him and they were forbidden to take any money for repair. A small box was put at the entrance to the Temple and when it was full, the secretary to the king and chief priest could empty it. They would then put it towards the trades people who would do repairs.
Meanwhile, king Hazael of Aram attacked and captured Gath. Joash gave Hazael a huge gift of sacred memorials so he wouldn't attack Jerusalem. The palace staff who worked for Joash aspired against him and took it upon themselves to assassinate him as he walked outside the city wall. The assassins were Jozabad and Jehozabad. Amaziah was the heir to the throne.
Jezebel was apparently still alive at this point and dolled herself up when Jehu came to Jezreel. She posed seductively and called out to Jehu, “Have you come in peace, you murderer? You’re just like Zimri, who murdered his master." Jehu asked if anyone up there was on his side. A few eunuchs peered out and were ordered by Jehu to throw Jezebel out the window, which they did and her blood spattered against the wall and on the horses. Jehu trampled her body under his horses’ hooves and went into the palace to eat and drink. After he had his fill, he suggested Jezebel be buried b/c she was the daughter of a king. All that was left of Jezebel was her skull, feet, and hands. God's words through Elijah were carried out about her being eaten by dogs.
Jehu wrote a message forewarning leaders in the city of Jezreel, elders, and those in charge of Ahab's 70 songs and posted them in Samaria. The letter stated that the most capable son should be put on the throne and prep time was needed to fight for the master's position. All the leaders who read the letter were petrified so they responded by submitting themselves into servant hood to Jehu and stating no one would be made king b/c he was in charge. Jehu wanted all 70 of Ahab's sons beheaded and the heads were to be sent to him first thing in the morning. The heads were in 2 piles at the city gate. Everyone, including friends and priests, who had any connection to Ahab were taken out by Jehu. Jehu then met up with Ahaziah's relatives who were shepherds by trade, at Beth Eked. All 42 were abducted and killed. Jehonadab the Rocabite joined forces with Jehu and they traveled to Samaria together. Everyone there who had any connection to Ahab was killed as God previously told Elijah.
Jehu called all the Baal prophets saying he wanted to offer a sacrifice, but in reality he just wanted them all dead. They all squished inside Baal's temple and eighty men had orders from Jehu to not let anyone escape and if they did, they were to kill them. Once the sacrifices were made, Jehu signaled his officers saying, "Enter and kill! No survivors!: The massacre began and corpses were thrown outside the temple and the path to the inner shrine was cleared. A huge phallic shaped stone was taken out and destroyed as well as the altars and the entire temple. This area has been a public toilet ever since. Ahh the humor :) Even after all these events occured, Jehu didn't turn away from the sins of Jeroboam. Israel still sinned. Bethel and Dan were still homes to golden calves. As a reward for doing what God commanded, Jehu's sons would reign over Israel for 4 generations. It was in God's plan to make Israel a smaller area and Hazael moved in from the east and conquered many territories.
Jehoahaz was the heir to the throne of Israel after Jehu reigned in Samaria for 28 years. Athaliah was Ahaziah's mother and she took over when she learned he was dead and started killing off the royal family. King Joram's daughter and Ahaziah's sister, Jehosheba, took Joash (Ahaziah's son) and kidnapped him so he wouldn't die. They hid with his nurse in the Temple of God for 6 years and escaped death. In the 7th year of Athaliah's reign, the captains of the body guards and security force for the palace were sent for by Jehoiada (a priest). Jehoiada made a covenant with them when they met at the Temple of God and only after they were sworn to secrecy did they learn about young Joash. At the changing of the guard on the Sabbath, Joash was to be protected by on duty and off duty officers. They had been ordered to kill anyone who tried to get to him. Jehoiada crowned prince Joash, handed the scroll of God's covenent to him, and pronounced him king. Athaliah saw the guards and the crowd forming as they shouted, "Long live the king" and ripped her robe crying, "Treason! Treason!" Military officers were to drag Athaliah outside the Temple of God and kill her as well as her followers. The people then entered Baal's temple and destroyed everything in sight, including Maltan the priest. Jehoiada stationed security around the Temple of God and appointed bodyguards for king Joash who was only 7 yrs old at the time. Jehu was in his 7th year of reigning when Joash took the throne.
Joash was trained by Jehoada and pleased God for the duration of his life. The sacred fertility shrines stayed put and people use them for sacrificing and incense burning. Joash told the priests to take the offering money brought to the Temple, both for mandatory and freewill, and renovated the Temple's damaged areas. By Joash's 23rd year of reigning, the priests hadn't honored his request and the Temple of God looked terrible. The priests were told by the king as well as Jehoiada, that all the money was to go directly to him and they were forbidden to take any money for repair. A small box was put at the entrance to the Temple and when it was full, the secretary to the king and chief priest could empty it. They would then put it towards the trades people who would do repairs.
Meanwhile, king Hazael of Aram attacked and captured Gath. Joash gave Hazael a huge gift of sacred memorials so he wouldn't attack Jerusalem. The palace staff who worked for Joash aspired against him and took it upon themselves to assassinate him as he walked outside the city wall. The assassins were Jozabad and Jehozabad. Amaziah was the heir to the throne.
Day 26
Jehu's officers piled their robes at the top of the steps to make a throne and blew their trumpets in declaration of Jehu becoming king. At that moment a conspiracy was formed against him.
Jehu said, "If you really want me as king, don't let anyone sneak out of the city and blab the news in Jezreel." He then mounted a chariot and rode there himself, where Joram was recovering from a war injury. The man on duty at the watchtower in Jezreel saw the group arriving and told Joram who ordered a horseman meet them and ask what was wrong. Jehu responded by asking, "What's it to you whether things are right or wrong? Fall in behind me." The sentry told Joram the horseman hadn't returned and another was sent out. He too joined Jehu. Clueless, the watchman reported, "The messenger reached them, but he's not returning. The driving is like driving of Jehu son of Nimshi-crazy!" Joram had his chariot hitched and he and Ahaziah drove to meet Jehu. Joram politely called out to Jehu but he shot back asking what was good about the day and how anything could be good while promiscuous whoring and sorceries polluted the country. Joram fled and yelled to Ahaziah that it was a trap. An arrow was shot by Jehu that landed between Joram's shoulder blades and went through his heart and his corpse was thrown into the field of Naboth. Ahaziah tried to escape to Beth Haggan but Jehu's men shot an arrow and wounded him. He made it to Megiddo, but died and was buried in Jerusalem.
Jehu said, "If you really want me as king, don't let anyone sneak out of the city and blab the news in Jezreel." He then mounted a chariot and rode there himself, where Joram was recovering from a war injury. The man on duty at the watchtower in Jezreel saw the group arriving and told Joram who ordered a horseman meet them and ask what was wrong. Jehu responded by asking, "What's it to you whether things are right or wrong? Fall in behind me." The sentry told Joram the horseman hadn't returned and another was sent out. He too joined Jehu. Clueless, the watchman reported, "The messenger reached them, but he's not returning. The driving is like driving of Jehu son of Nimshi-crazy!" Joram had his chariot hitched and he and Ahaziah drove to meet Jehu. Joram politely called out to Jehu but he shot back asking what was good about the day and how anything could be good while promiscuous whoring and sorceries polluted the country. Joram fled and yelled to Ahaziah that it was a trap. An arrow was shot by Jehu that landed between Joram's shoulder blades and went through his heart and his corpse was thrown into the field of Naboth. Ahaziah tried to escape to Beth Haggan but Jehu's men shot an arrow and wounded him. He made it to Megiddo, but died and was buried in Jerusalem.
Day 25
The group of prophets got permission from Elisha to build a new house for him and started cutting trees by the Jordan river. One of the prophet's ax heads, that were borrowed, fell in the water. Elisha tossed a stick into the water where the ax head was lost and it floated up to the surface.
Elisha forewarned the king of Israel about the king of Aram's ambush and apparently this happened so frequently the king thought Israel had a spy within his ranks. One of the king's men told him Elisha was the culprit and currently in Dothan. An aggressive force was sent by the king of Aram to capture him. A young man with Elisha, the Holy Man, saw horses and chariots surrounding the entire city and was frightened. Elisha prayed to God that the young man's eyes be opened and he saw they were made of fire! When the Aramean's arrived, God struck them blind just as Elisha prayed for. Without revealing his identity, Elisha told the men the man they were looking for was in Samaria. Their site was returned to them as they entered Samaria. When the king of Israel asked if they should be killed, Elisha suggested throwing a feast for them and sending them on their way.
Some time passed and king Ben-Hadad of Aram seized Samaria, which brought on a terrible famine. Food was extremely expensive. Donkey heads were 80 shekels ($21 US) and greens were 5 ($1 US). This caused mass hysteria which lead to cannibalism. A woman asked the king of Israel for help because of an altercation she had. Another woman approached her and said, "Give up your son and we'll have him for today's supper; tomorrow we'll eat my son." The woman told the king they cooked her son and ate him. The next day she approached the same woman only to find that she had hidden her son. The king ripped his robe and everyone saw he was wearing burlap underneath it. He cried out to God for the worst punishment possible if Elisha was still alive and sent an executioner to Elisha's home. Elisha already knew what the king planned so he instructed the elders with him to shut the door and lock it. Just then the king burst thew his door saying, "This trouble is directly from God! And what's next? I'm fed up with God!" Elisha announced the famine was over and the market would be full of affordable food again. The king's attendant thought Elisha was full of crap so Elisha told him he wouldn't get to eat at all.
Four lepers went to Aramean's camp, but it was completely empty. God made the men hear a mighty army approaching so they fled the area. They thought the Hittites and the kings of Egypt were sent by the king of Israel. The lepers ate and drank and looted silver, gold, and clothes. They continued searching for valuables, but their consciences kicked in so they went to the city gate and reported to the gate keeper what happened, which spread like wildfire. That night, the king of Israel was convinced Aram army was hiding in the field waiting to attack. One of his advisers suggested a few men go and take 5 of the horses left behind. They took 2 chariots w/ horses from the enemy camp and went to look for the army of Aram to determine what happened. The men reported back to the king of Israel that the route all the way to the Jordan was littered w/ clothes and equipment the army rid of in their panicked state. The rest of camp had been raided. The king's attendant who doubted Elisha's comment about the famine was trampled at the city gate as the mob of people returned.
Remember the widow and her son who Elisha brought back to life? They were instructed to live somewhere else b/c of the predicted famine so after 7 yrs they returned. They asked the king for their farm and home back. The king appointed an officer to assist her in getting all of her property back as well as all the profits it raised over the duration of the famine.
King Ben-Hadad feel ill in Damascus and was told Elisha was in town. Hazael, his servant, was told to ask Elisha if Ben-Hadad would recover. As a gift to the Elisha, Hazael brought a load so great it took 40 camels to carry it. The Holy Man told Hazael Ben-Hadad would recover but he was still doomed to die. As Elisha stared intently at Hazael, he wept b/c he read his heart and knew what would happen to Israel's children. Hazael asked why he was crying and Elisha replied, "I know the terrible things you will do to the people of Israel. You will burn their fortified cities, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women!” Hazael responded, “How could a nobody like me ever accomplish such great things?” Elisha answered, “The Lord has shown me that you are going to be the king of Aram.” Hazael reported back to his king but the very next day he took a water soaked quilt and suffocated Ben-Hadad.
When Joram was in his 5th year of reigning in Israel, Jehoram became king of of Judah. He was 32 and ruled 8 years. Johoram married into Ahab's family and continued to live in sin. Edom revolted and set up their own king. Jehoram's army was surrounded by Edom but they fought back triumphantly. Unfortunately for Jehoram, his men deserted him. Jehoram died and his son, Ahaziah, succeeded him. To this day Edom revolts against Judah. Joram was now in his 12th year of reigning and Ahaziah was a young man of 22 and ruled for a year. Ahaziah ruled like Ahab and sinned by marriage. He partnered up with Israel against Hazael at Ramoth Gilead. Joram went to Jezreel to recover from his injuries and Ahaziah visited him.
Elisha instructed a prophet to go to Ramoth Gilead with oil and seek out Jehu, for he was to anointed as king of Israel. The prophet was to do this and leave quickly. The young prophet anointed Jehu but dilly dallied saying it was God's word for them to attack the regime of Ahab their master. He went on to say he was avenging the death of his servants the prophets that was arranged by Jezebel and said he was going to destroy the entire group then made a run for it. Jehu's master officers asked what the prophet wanted. After he told them, they sprung into action.
Elisha forewarned the king of Israel about the king of Aram's ambush and apparently this happened so frequently the king thought Israel had a spy within his ranks. One of the king's men told him Elisha was the culprit and currently in Dothan. An aggressive force was sent by the king of Aram to capture him. A young man with Elisha, the Holy Man, saw horses and chariots surrounding the entire city and was frightened. Elisha prayed to God that the young man's eyes be opened and he saw they were made of fire! When the Aramean's arrived, God struck them blind just as Elisha prayed for. Without revealing his identity, Elisha told the men the man they were looking for was in Samaria. Their site was returned to them as they entered Samaria. When the king of Israel asked if they should be killed, Elisha suggested throwing a feast for them and sending them on their way.
Some time passed and king Ben-Hadad of Aram seized Samaria, which brought on a terrible famine. Food was extremely expensive. Donkey heads were 80 shekels ($21 US) and greens were 5 ($1 US). This caused mass hysteria which lead to cannibalism. A woman asked the king of Israel for help because of an altercation she had. Another woman approached her and said, "Give up your son and we'll have him for today's supper; tomorrow we'll eat my son." The woman told the king they cooked her son and ate him. The next day she approached the same woman only to find that she had hidden her son. The king ripped his robe and everyone saw he was wearing burlap underneath it. He cried out to God for the worst punishment possible if Elisha was still alive and sent an executioner to Elisha's home. Elisha already knew what the king planned so he instructed the elders with him to shut the door and lock it. Just then the king burst thew his door saying, "This trouble is directly from God! And what's next? I'm fed up with God!" Elisha announced the famine was over and the market would be full of affordable food again. The king's attendant thought Elisha was full of crap so Elisha told him he wouldn't get to eat at all.
Four lepers went to Aramean's camp, but it was completely empty. God made the men hear a mighty army approaching so they fled the area. They thought the Hittites and the kings of Egypt were sent by the king of Israel. The lepers ate and drank and looted silver, gold, and clothes. They continued searching for valuables, but their consciences kicked in so they went to the city gate and reported to the gate keeper what happened, which spread like wildfire. That night, the king of Israel was convinced Aram army was hiding in the field waiting to attack. One of his advisers suggested a few men go and take 5 of the horses left behind. They took 2 chariots w/ horses from the enemy camp and went to look for the army of Aram to determine what happened. The men reported back to the king of Israel that the route all the way to the Jordan was littered w/ clothes and equipment the army rid of in their panicked state. The rest of camp had been raided. The king's attendant who doubted Elisha's comment about the famine was trampled at the city gate as the mob of people returned.
Remember the widow and her son who Elisha brought back to life? They were instructed to live somewhere else b/c of the predicted famine so after 7 yrs they returned. They asked the king for their farm and home back. The king appointed an officer to assist her in getting all of her property back as well as all the profits it raised over the duration of the famine.
King Ben-Hadad feel ill in Damascus and was told Elisha was in town. Hazael, his servant, was told to ask Elisha if Ben-Hadad would recover. As a gift to the Elisha, Hazael brought a load so great it took 40 camels to carry it. The Holy Man told Hazael Ben-Hadad would recover but he was still doomed to die. As Elisha stared intently at Hazael, he wept b/c he read his heart and knew what would happen to Israel's children. Hazael asked why he was crying and Elisha replied, "I know the terrible things you will do to the people of Israel. You will burn their fortified cities, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women!” Hazael responded, “How could a nobody like me ever accomplish such great things?” Elisha answered, “The Lord has shown me that you are going to be the king of Aram.” Hazael reported back to his king but the very next day he took a water soaked quilt and suffocated Ben-Hadad.
When Joram was in his 5th year of reigning in Israel, Jehoram became king of of Judah. He was 32 and ruled 8 years. Johoram married into Ahab's family and continued to live in sin. Edom revolted and set up their own king. Jehoram's army was surrounded by Edom but they fought back triumphantly. Unfortunately for Jehoram, his men deserted him. Jehoram died and his son, Ahaziah, succeeded him. To this day Edom revolts against Judah. Joram was now in his 12th year of reigning and Ahaziah was a young man of 22 and ruled for a year. Ahaziah ruled like Ahab and sinned by marriage. He partnered up with Israel against Hazael at Ramoth Gilead. Joram went to Jezreel to recover from his injuries and Ahaziah visited him.
Elisha instructed a prophet to go to Ramoth Gilead with oil and seek out Jehu, for he was to anointed as king of Israel. The prophet was to do this and leave quickly. The young prophet anointed Jehu but dilly dallied saying it was God's word for them to attack the regime of Ahab their master. He went on to say he was avenging the death of his servants the prophets that was arranged by Jezebel and said he was going to destroy the entire group then made a run for it. Jehu's master officers asked what the prophet wanted. After he told them, they sprung into action.
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