Josh1Eight

Scripture: 1 Kings 15:1-3,8 "1 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam...Abijah became king of Judah,...2 and he reigned in Jerusalem three years...3 He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God,...8 And Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David." The book of Kings accounts for the reign of the rulers of Israel written from God's perspective. Often their entire life's accomplishments are recorded in a chapter or less. One such individual was named Abijah. He is given all of 8 verses about his life an his reign as King. You'd think someone that important would at least get some credit for his wealth, leadeship abilities, his popularity, his family, etc. But in short, God was able to sum up his life in 8 verses by stating what this guy did not do that truly mattered- his heart was not commited to the Lord and he was unfaithful. I'm sure he won many battles and ...

Scripture: 1 Kings 14:21-24 "21 Rehoboam son of Solomon was king in Judah...His mother's name was Naamah; she was an Ammonite. 22 Judah did evil in the eyes of the Lord. By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than their fathers had done. 23 They also set up for themselves high places, sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree...;the people engaged in all the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites." Observations: Soon after Solomon's reign, all Israel began a rapid spiritual decline due to repeated failed spiritual leadership. Since Israel settled in the Promised Land, things had slowly gotten worse with each succeeding generation. The first generation failed to drive out the pagan inhabitants of the Land. Because of their tolerance of these corrupt cultures, the next generation embraced their sinful practices more than the previous one. After that, King Solom...

Scripture: 1 Kings 13:16-19, 23-24 “No, I cannot,” he replied. “I am not allowed to eat or drink anything here in this place. 17 For the LORD gave me this command: ‘You must not eat or drink anything while you are there, and do not return to Judah by the same way you came.’” 18 But the old prophet answered, “I am a prophet, too, just as you are. And an angel gave me this command from the LORD: ‘Bring him home with you so he can have something to eat and drink.’” But the old man was lying to him. 19 So they went back together, and the man of God ate and drank at the prophet’s home....When the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the prophet who had brought him back saddled his donkey for him. 24 As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him..." Observations: This is seriously one of the craziest and confusing stories in the Bible. In short God sends a prophet to prophesy against the evil practices of King Jeroboam and confirms his words with cool signs ...