Day 181-11

You can run, but you can not hide.

Jon 1:4  But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

Which made me think of this passage:

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  (Psalm 139:7-16)

There is no place where God is not.  That is an amazing thought.  He is all seeing, all knowing, all present.  My finite mind can not wrap itself around the magnitude.  I am humbled and grateful for His watchful care.

Jon 1:16  Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.

My notes:  True conversion?  Not unless there is continual evidence.  Many a person has made an *outward* profession which is substantiated as nothing more than mere words by the evidences in their lives.  O Lord, let those of us who confess to be Yours, give a proper estimate and be worthy to called the children of God.

Jon 2:1  Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,

I had heard someone say that Jonah was dead...dead people normally do not pray.  As I was typing that, I was remembering the corresponding verses in which Jesus said that just like Jonah HE would be in the depths for 3 days and 3 nights.  While HE was not *alive* in the sense of walking and talking about the earth, while in the depths HE was active or so it would seem.  I was looking for what I thought was the companion verse:

1Pe 3:19  By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 

But a cursory review of the commentaries would seem to negate that thought as valid.  :-/

Partially sharing Matthew Henry's commentary on the verse:

1. For the explication of this we may notice, (1.) The preacher - Christ Jesus, who has interested himself in the affairs of the church and of the world ever since he was first promised to Adam, Gen_3:15. He went, not by a local motion, but by special operation, as God is frequently said to move, Gen_11:5; Hos_5:15; Mic_1:3. He went and preached, by his Spirit striving with them, and inspiring and enabling Enoch and Noah to plead with them, and preach righteousness to them, as 2Pe_2:5. (2.) The hearers. Because they were dead and disembodied when the apostle speaks of them, therefore he properly calls them spirits now in prison; not that they were in prison when Christ preached to them, as the vulgar Latin translation and the popish expositors pretend.

I will have to put these thoughts about Jonah and Jesus in the hopper, pray and meditate upon them.

Day 180-11

Hos 3:5  Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

I have not quite wrapped my mind around this verse...but trying to understand it...if I have grasped the gist of the passage, this has yet to be fulfilled.  Sharing a few commentaries:

Gill:   Afterward shall the children of Israel return,.... The ten tribes of Israel, and also the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, which are included in the name of Israel, as Aben Ezra interprets it; and these are joined together in parallel places; see Jer_30:3 for though they did not go into captivity together, yet their return and conversion will be at the same time; and they are all spoken of under the name of Israel by the Apostle Paul, when he foretells their conversion and salvation, Rom_11:26. The "return" of them, here prophesied of, does not barely mean their return to their own land, which will be at this time; see Jer_30:3, but their return to the Lord by repentance; when they shall repent of, and turn from, their sinful course of life, and particularly of their unbelief and rejection of the true Messiah, and embrace him; and of their traditions and false ways of worship, which they shall discard; and of their own righteousness they shall now renounce; and shall turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in him for righteousness, life, and salvation: 


and seek the Lord their God, and David their King; these may be considered either as two distinct persons, Jehovah the Father, and the Messiah, as in Eze_34:23 and so the Targum, 


"and seek the worship of the Lord their God, and obey Messiah the Son of David their King;'' 


who will be both equally sought after, and unto, by them; and which is a proof of the divinity of the Messiah, and of his equality with God his Father; as well as points out the right way in which Jehovah is to be sought, namely, with Christ, or in him, in whom he is a God gracious and merciful; and to seek and know both the one and the other is eternal life, Joh_17:3 or else all this is to be understood of the Messiah, rendering the words, "and seek the Lord their God, even David their King" as also Jer_30:9, may be rendered; and so these are all epithets, titles, and characters of him: he is Jehovah, the everlasting I AM; the true God, and eternal life; Immanuel, God with us; God in our nature, manifest in the flesh; the Son of David, and his antitype, often called David in Scripture. Psa_89:3, King of kings, King of the saints, of his church, and will be owned as such by the Jews at the time of their conversion, though they have rejected him; but now they will receive him, and be subject to him; they will seek to him for salvation, for the pardon of their sins, for righteousness, for rest, for food, for protection and safety, and to serve and obey him: and this seeking will not be out of curiosity, or in a carnal way, or for selfish ends; nor hypocritically; but with their whole hearts, and diligently, and in earnest. Not only the Targum interprets this of Messiah the Son of David, but Aben Ezra on the place says, this is the Messiah; and it is applied to him, and his times, by other Jewish writers, both ancient and modern. In an ancient book (h) of theirs, speaking of David, it is said, the holy blessed God is well pleased with him in this world, and in the world to come; in this world, as it is written, "and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake", 2Ki_20:6, and in the world to come, as it is written, 


they shall seek the Lord their God, and David their King, &c.; David was King in this world, and David shall be King in the time to come. And in both Talmuds the words are applied to the Messiah; in one of them (i), after quoting this text, it is added, the Rabbins say this is the King Messiah; if of the living, David is his name; if of the dead, David is his name. And in the other (k), it is said, when Jerusalem is built, David comes; that is, the Son of David, the Messiah; which is proved by this passage, "afterwards the children of Israel shall return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their King"; that is, as the gloss interprets it, after they shall return to the house of the sanctuary, or the temple: so Abarbinel, both in his commentary upon this place, and elsewhere (l), as he interprets the "one head" in Hos_1:11, of Messiah ben Ephraim, whom he, with the rest of his tribe, feign shall perish in war; so he observes, that then Israel shall seek David their King, the rod out of the root of Jesse, whom the Lord shall choose, and cause to reign over them. And another of their later writers (m) interprets the passage of the Messiah, and produces it to prove against the Christians that he should come in the end of days, or in the latter days; as it is plain and certain that our Jesus, the true Messiah, came at the end of the Jewish world, in the last days of their civil and church state; see Heb_1:1, 


and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter day; not man, but the Lord; not his wrath and vengeance, but his goodness; not with a servile, but with a godly filial fear; a fear influenced by the blessings of goodness they shall now be partakers of, particularly pardoning grace and mercy, Psa_130:3, they shall fear the Lord, who is good, and goodness itself, and Christ, in whom the goodness of God is displayed, and who is prevented with the blessings of goodness for his people: it may be rendered, they "shall fear", or "come fearing to the Lord, and his goodness" (n), being sensible of their sin, danger, and misery; they shall flee to the Lord as to their city of refuge, and to the blessings of his goodness they see their need of; and this they shall do in haste, as Aben Ezra interprets it, comparing it with Hos_11:11. The Septuagint version is, "they shall be amazed at the Lord, and his good things"; the Syriac version, "they shall know the Lord, and his goodness": the Arabic version, they shall confess the Lord, and his benefits; the Targum, 


"they shall give themselves to the service of the Lord, and his goodness shall be multiplied, which shall come to them in the end of days;'' 


or, as Aben Ezra, in the end of the prophecy of the prophets, in future time, in the times of the Messiah; which, as Kimchi serves, are always meant by the last days; and here it signifies the latter day of the last days, or of the Gospel dispensation. 


(h) Zohar in Exod. fol. 93. 3. (i) T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 5. 1. (k) T. Bab Megillah, fol. 18. 1. (l) Mashmiah Jeshuah, fol. 55. 4. (m) R. Isaac Chizzuk Emunah, par. 1. p. 44. (n) ופחדו אל יהוה ואל טובו "pavebunt ad Dominum", Montanus; "providi accedent ad Jehovam, et ad bonitatem ejus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius; "et cum timore venient ad Jehovam, et ad bonum ejus", Schmidt; so Ben Melech interprets it, "they shall fear, and be afraid of him, flow to him, and to his goodness"; and which, he says, Saadiah explains of his glory, agreeably to Exod. xxxiii. 19.

K&D:

“Afterward will the sons of Israel turn and seek Jehovah their God, and David their king, and will go trembling to Jehovah and to His goodness at the end of the days.” This section, like the previous one, closes with the announcement of the eventual conversation of Israel, which was not indicated in the symbolical action which precedes it, but is added to complete the interpretation of the symbol. Seeking Jehovah their God is connected with seeking David their king. For just as the falling away of the ten tribes from the royal house of David was merely the sequel and effect of their inward apostasy from Jehovah, and was openly declared in the setting up of the golden calves; the true return to the Lord cannot take place without a return to David their king, since God has promised the kingdom to David and his seed for ever (2Sa_7:13, 2Sa_7:16), and therefore David is the only true king of Israel (their king). This King David, however, is no other than the Messiah. For although David received the promise of the everlasting continuance of his government, not with reference to his own person, but for his seed, i.e., his family; and on the ground of this promise, the whole of the royal house of David is frequently embraced under the expression “King David,” so that we might imagine that David is introduced here, not as an individual, but as signifying the Davidic family; yet we must not understand it on this account as referring to such historical representatives of the Davidic government as Zerubbabel, and other earthly representatives of the house of David, since the return of the Israelites to “their King David” was not to take place till 'achârı̄th hayyâmı̄m (the end of the days). For “the end of the days” does not denote the future generally, but always the closing future of the kingdom of God, commencing with the coming of the Messiah (see at Gen_49:1; Isa_2:2). Pâchad 'el Yehovâh, to shake or tremble to Jehovah, is a pregnant expression for “to turn to Jehovah with trembling;” i.e., either trembling at the holiness of God, in the consciousness of their own sinfulness and unworthiness, or else with anguish and distress, in the consciousness of their utter helplessness. It is used here in the latter sense, as the two parallels, Hos_5:15. “in their affliction they will seek me,” and Hos_11:11, “they shall tremble as a bird,” etc., clearly show. This is also required by the following expression, וְאֶל־טוּבוֹ, which is to be understood, according to Hos_2:7, as denoting the goodness of God manifested in His gifts. Affliction will drive them to seek the Lord, ad His goodness which is inseparable from Himself (Hengstenberg). Compare Jer_31:12, where “the goodness of the Lord” is explained as corn, new wine, oil, lambs, and oxen, these being the gifts that come from the goodness of the Lord (Zec_9:17; Psa_27:13; Psa_31:20). He who has the Lord for his God will want no good thing.

Day 179-11

Day 178-11

Day 177-11

176-11

Day 175-11

Day 174-11

Day 173-11

2Ki 9:30  And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.

Painted her face and tired her head...what is that?

painted - H7760 - A primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literally, figuratively, inferentially and elliptically).

and

H6320 - From an unused root meaning to paint; dye (specifically stibium for the eyes).

H7760 - I literally gasped out loud on this one - used 580 times in 546 verses.

Interestingly H6320 is used only 4 times in Scripture, 1x in the verse above and then as follows:

Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.  (1 Chronicles 29:2)

O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. (Isaiah 54:11)

 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.   (Jeremiah 4:30)

2Ch 22:10  But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

Note to self...why?  Why would she destroy all the descendants?  Checking commentaries, companion verse 1 Kings 11:1, Gill commentary:

and destroyed all the seed royal; that were left, for many had been slain already; the sons of Jehoshaphat, the brothers of Joram, were slain by him, 2Ch_21:4 and all Joram's sons, excepting Ahaziah, were slain by the Arabians, 2Ch_22:1, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah were slain by Jehu, 2Ki_11:8, these therefore seem to be the children of Ahaziah, the grandchildren of this brutish woman, whom she massacred out of her ambition of rule and government, which perhaps she was intrusted with while her son went to visit Joram king of Israel; other reasons are by some assigned, but this seems to be the chief. For the same reason Laodice, who had six sons by Ariarathes king of the Cappadocians, poisoned five of them; the youngest escaping her hands, was murdered by the people (x), as this woman also was.

K&D Commentary on 1 Kings 11:1-3 - which I found interesting as I had detailed the different spheres that Jehosheba held.

The Government of Athaliah (cf. 2Ch_22:10-12). After the death of Ahaziah of Judah, his mother Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (see at 2Ki_8:18 and 2Ki_8:26), seized upon the government, by putting to death all the king's descendants with the exception of Joash, a son of Ahaziah of only a year old, who had been secretly carried off from the midst of the royal children, who were put to death, by Jehosheba, his father's sister, the wife of the high priest Jehoiada, and was first of all hidden with his nurse in the bed-chamber, and afterwards kept concealed from Athaliah for six years in the high priest's house. The ו before רָאֲתָה is no doubt original, the subject, Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah, being placed at the head absolutely, and a circumstantial clause introduced with וְרָאֲתָה: “Athaliah, when she saw that, etc., rose up.” הַמַּמְלָכָה כָּל־זֶרַע, all the royal seed, i.e., all the sons and relations of Ahaziah, who could put in any claim to succeed to the throne. At the same time there were hardly any other direct descendants of the royal family in existence beside the sons of Ahaziah, since the elder brothers of Ahaziah had been carried away by the Arabs and put to death, and the rest of the closer blood-relations of the male sex had been slain by Jehu (see at 2Ki_10:13). - Jehosheba (יְהֹושֶׁבַע, in the Chronicles יְהֹושַׁבְעַת), the wife of the high priest Jehoiada (2Ch_22:11), was a daughter of king Joram and a sister of Ahaziah, but she was most likely not a daughter of Athaliah, as this worshipper of Baal would hardly have allowed her own daughter to marry the high priest, but had been born to Joram by a wife of the second rank. מְמֹותִים (Chethîb), generally a substantive, mortes (Jer_16:4; Eze_28:8), here an adjective: slain or set apart for death. The Keri מוּמָתִים is the participle Hophal, as in 2Ch_22:11. הם בַּחֲדַר is to be taken in connection with תִּגְנֹב: she stole him (took him away secretly) from the rest of the king's sons, who were about to be put to death, into the chamber of the beds, i.e., not the children's bed-room, but a room in the palace where the beds (mattresses and counterpanes) were kept, for which in the East there is a special room that is not used as a dwelling-room (see Chardin in Harm. Beobb. iii. p. 357). This was the place in which at first it was easiest to conceal the child and its nurse. וַיַּסְתִּרוּ, “they (Jehosheba and the nurse) concealed him,” is not to be altered into וַתַּסְתִּירֵהוּ after the Chronicles, as Thenius maintains. The masculine is used in the place of the feminine, as is frequently the case. Afterwards he was concealed with her (with Jehosheba) in the house of Jehovah, i.e., in the home of the high-priest in one of the buildings of the court of the temple.

Jehosheba - H3089 - From H3068 and H7650; Jehovah-sworn; Jehosheba, an Israelitess.

• H3068 - From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.
• H7650 - A primitive root; properly to be complete, but used only as a denominative from H7651; to seven oneself, that is, swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times).

Jehosheba - responsibilities/functions:

• Daughter - Jehoram, king
• Wife - Jehoiada, priest
• Sister - Ahaziah, king
• Aunt - Joash, future king

We all have a variety of spheres we operate.  As a physical child we can cover many facets, but as a spiritual child, only two.  We can never be a wife, mother, aunt, grandmother.  Only as a daughter or sister.  Interesting to think about what functions as a daughter of the King HE would have us offer unto Him.  As sisters in the Lord, what service can we render unto the Bride.  As I pondered Jehosheba further, how am I emulating her example to protect the seed royal?

Day 172-11

2Ki 8:7  And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. 

'man of God' - hmmm...The exact phrase is found in 73 verses - the first one:

Deu 33:1  And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. 

Samson's mama - Jdg 13:6  Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:

Saul's servant of Samuel - 1Sa 9:6  And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. 

A servant of God - 1Ki 12:22  But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

An unknown servant? - 1Ki 13:1  And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. (Now I am curious.)

Gill's commentary on that portion (man of God) - And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah,.... Whom Josephus (x) calls Jadon, perhaps the same with Iddo, who is by the Jewish writers (y) generally thought to be this man of God, and which may seem to be countenanced by 2Ch_9:29 but cannot be, because this man was quickly slain, whereas Iddo lived after Rehoboam, and wrote his acts, first and last, nay, after Ahijah his son, 2Ch_13:22 and for the same reason Shemaiah cannot be the man of God, 1Ki_12:22, though Tertullian (z) calls him Sameas, and designs Shemaiah: but, whoever he was, he came...

...and this is the one who was NOT supposed to eat or drink anything in the land, but depart, and another prophet lied to him...the penalty? Death!

Spoken of Elijah - 1Ki 17:18  And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

Another unknown?  1Ki 20:28  And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Spoken of Elijah - 2Ki 1:9  Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down. 

Elisha - 2Ki 4:7  Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. 

Elisha - regarding Naaman incident - 2Ki 5:8  And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. 

Recovering the axe head - 2Ki 6:6  And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. 

Prophesying to the unbelieving - 2Ki 7:2  Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. 

Woman's obedience to Elisha - 2Ki 8:2  And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 

Joash's acknowledgement - 2Ki 13:19  And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice. 

David - Neh 12:36  And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them. 

Moses (repeatedly) - Psa 90:1  A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 

Igdaliah - Jer 35:4  And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door:  (Definitely need to research that one, who is Igdaliah?)

Timothy (and fellow saints) - 1Ti 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 

2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Impressive list - the question now before me, would the church today have men of such stellar character, willing to hazard their lives for the sake of the gospel?

Day 171-11

2Ki 6:15  And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 

host - H2428 - From H2342; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.

• H2342 - A primitive root; properly to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), that is, (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; figuratively to wait, to pervert.

Used 248 times in 228 verses - wow...first used in Genesis 34:29 speaking of wealth; also of wealth referring to Boaz; translated as army in Nehemiah 2:9; in Esther refers to the power of Persia; Psalm speaks of it as strength, host, wealth, power, valiantly, riches, and might; in Proverbs of a virtuous woman.

I was chuckling, thinking of how a *host* may have encircled Elisha - but the TRUE HOST was really the one that counted.

2Ki 6:17  And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 

Then rather than destroy the host, Elisha counsels the king of Israel to:

2Ki 6:22-23  And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

Showing mercy and compassion.

Saviors?

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S. 

Plural?

saviors - H3467 - A primitive root; properly to be open, wide or free, that is, (by implication) to be safe; causatively to free or succor.

Reflecting upon the might deliverance that God gave to Israel in 2 Kings 7 - my note to self:

"Do I doubt the bountiful provision of the Lord."

With all that He has done in and through, for and to me, the valleys to which He has caused me to traverse, great trial and tribulation, not to the point of laying down my life, but still enduring (only by His grace), mountain heights yet to be attained.

Day 170-11

2Ki 5:2  And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.

A little maid...the word *little* was what caught my attention today:

little -  H6996 - From H6962; abbreviated, that is, diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance).

• H6962 - A primitive root; properly to cut off, that is, (figuratively) detest.

Used 101 times in 100 verses.  The first usage in Genesis 1:16 of the lesser light to rule the night.  Last usage in Zechariah 4:10 regarding the despising the day of small things.

2Ki 5:12  Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

Went away in a rage.

rage - H2534 - From H3179; heat; figuratively anger, poison (from its fever).

• H3179 - A primitive root; Probably to be hot; figuratively to conceive.

Used 124 times in 117 verses.  First used in Genesis 27:44 of Jacob being away while Esau's fury cooled.  Last usage in Zechariah 8:2 regarding the Lord's jealousy and fury for Zion.

2Ch 21:17  And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons. 

The phrase that caught me here was the youngest of his sons...made me think of David, and I know there was a reference to another *youngest* - will have to search for that one.

Jdg 9:5  And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. 

2Ch 22:1  And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

Gehazi using his own thoughts?

2Ki 5:20  But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. 

Gehazi - H1522 - Apparently from H1516 and H2372; valley of a visionary; Gechazi, the servant of Elisha.

• H1516 - Probably (by transmutation) from the same root as H1466 (abbreviated); a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence narrow, but not a gully or winter torrent).
• H2372 - A primitive root; to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically to have a vision of.

Then lied about where he had been:

2Ki 5:25  But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. 

This must have been a complete leprosy - which does not make one unclean.  That is an intriguing thought to me, that if someone is completely leprous they are considered clean.  It is only in the partial leper/partial clean that someone is considered unclean.

As I was typing that, made me think of the wool and linen, 2 different types, which made me think of the being yoked with an unbeliever.  Not being conformed to this world.  Lord, help me to fully surrendered to You, not loving the world, but being set apart and holy.  Giving a proper estimate of You in all spheres of my life.

169-11

Day 168-11

And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.  (2 Kings 2:23)

little  - H6996 - From H6962; abbreviated, that is, diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance.

• H6962 - A primitive root; properly to cut off, that is, (figuratively) detest.

children - H5288 - From H5287; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication a servant; also (by interchange of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age).

• H5287 - A primitive root (probably identical with H5286, through the idea of the rustling of mane, which usually accompanies the lion’s roar); to tumble about.

Gill's commentary:

there came forth little children out of the city; the word for "children" is used of persons of thirty or forty years of age; and though these are said to be "little", they were so well grown as to be able to go forth out of the city of themselves, without any to guide them, or to take care of them; and were of an age capable not only of taking notice of Elijah's baldness, but knew him to be a prophet, and were able to distinguish between good and evil; and, from a malignant spirit in them, mocked at him as such, and at the assumption of Elijah; which they had knowledge of, and to whom, taught by their idolatrous parents, they had an aversion: some Jewish writers (x) say, they were called "Naarim", which we render "children", because shaken from the commandments, or had shaken off the yoke of the commands; and "little", because they were of little faith: 

So...they ought to have known better!  Which makes me ponder the word mock...and would or could I be guilty of the same?

mocked - H7046 - A primitive root; to disparage, that is, ridicule.

Used only 4 times in 4 verses.  Intriguing.  The verse above, Ezekiel 16:31; 22:5; and Habakkuk 1:10.

And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.  (2 Kings 2:24)

cursed - H7043 - A primitive root; to be (causatively make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.).

Mar every good piece of land with stones?  2 Kings 3:19 and 25.

Gill:  and mar every good piece of land with stones; as that it could not be ploughed and sowed, nor anything spring up and grow upon it.

and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; which they had taken out of the walls and houses they pulled down; or which they picked up in the highway, as they passed along, being a stony country; or which being laid in heaps, gathered out of the fields, they took and scattered them all over them: 

And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.  But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.  (2 Kings 3:14-15)

minstrel - H5059 - A primitive root; prop to thrum, that is, beat a tune with the fingers; especially to play on a stringed instrument; hence (generally) to make music.

Used 15 times in 12 verses...Used in 1 Samuel in reference to David and his playing.  In the Psalms of playing  skillfully or with a loud noise.  (I had to laugh at that one...definitely need to research that loud portion.)  In Isaiah of making a melody, singing a song.

And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.  (2 Kings 4:4)

My notation on this one...a witness to her sons.  How am I representing Father to my children, friends, family?  Am I giving a proper estimate of Him?  Trusting Him in and through all of life and its challenges?

Lord, help each of Your vessels to give a proper estimate of You in all our ways.  Daily drawing closer and give a better reflection of You.

Day 167-11

Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.  (2 Kings 1:14)

If the other 2 groups were burned up, was the knowledge based solely on the fact that they did not return?

And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. (2 Kings 2:2)

Who else said:  "I will not leave thee."?

And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. (2 Kings 2:3)

In today's language?  Don't remind me, I already know. I don't want to think about it.  LEAVE me alone!

Interestingly, Elisha states 3 times he will not leave...2 Kings 2:2 and then:

And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.  (2 Kings 2:4)

And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.  (2 Kings 2:6)

Which made me ponder...just the phrase 'not leave' - found 22 times.  First occurrence:

Gen 28:15  And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. 

A mother desiring healing/restoration of her dead son:

2Ki 4:30  And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

Foretelling of our Savior:

Psa 16:10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Encouragement for those sealed and kept by the power of God:

Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

An echo of Psalm 16:10 - Act 2:27  Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 

I was actually thinking of Ruth's proclamation to not leave Naomi, but it did not come up in the search.  So for the consolation of my inquisitive mind:

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.   (Ruth 1:16-17)

O Lord, that we Your people, would cling with such fervency to You, willing to forsake all for the sake of Your call upon us.  Lord, the world bites, and calls, nags and entices, help us to be steadfast in our devotion to and for You.  Give us an ever growing desire to love You, to want to please You in all areas of our lives.

Day 166-11

I thought this encouraging.


God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.  There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.  Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.  (Psalm 46:1-11)


To conflict rejoicing?  One of the headings - what an exhortation.


And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.  And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.  (2 Chronicles 20:20-21)

This is a much needed reminder that when trials come (and they always do!) that I am to keep my focus upon Him.

Day 165-11

:-)  Perhaps, I will come back and rework my notes and include them.  Appreciate prayer for me to be diligent in my time spent with HIM.  That all would be to draw closer to Him, appreciating and learning how to be a better reflection of HIS glory.  That I be not focused on self, but serving and giving glory to the One who was, is and will always be Sovereign.

Day 164-11

Ahab repented?  Still working on reading, reflection, diligence with my time.  Please continue to pray.

Day 163-11

The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much...

Day 162-11

Still working on managing my time efficiently, and in a manner which is pleasing to Him.  Please continue to pray for me.

Day 161-11

Well, then...confession time...I am reading, but not being as diligent to study out all those questions I have!  Appreciate prayer for me and my time with Him.  For diligence and obedience.  :-D

Day 160-11

And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. (1 Kings 16:31)

As if walking after Jeroboam was not bad enough, he married HER?!?!

Wicked Jezebel! AND went and served Baal…and worshipped him!

He who finds a good wife, finds a good thing…amen…Ahab obviously was not looking well, or was willing to settle, or worse, was so blind by he could not discern.  God help those who are making mate choices to not have on rose colored glasses, nor to settle for anything less than God's best, but more important:  O Lord, help them to have discernment and godly counselors.  A multitude of prayer warriors, as well.

But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. (1 Kings 21:25)

wife - H802 - The first form is the feminine of H376 or H582; the second form is an irregular plural; a woman (used in the same wide sense as H582).

Did a search on just the word wife - 407 hits - H802?  780 hits.  Went surfing, on the internet, some seriously odd sites out there.  Found this one, think I have posted something from this website before.  Did not browse the article in its entirety.

BE A BEREAN.... :-)

And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.  (2 Chronicles 16:12)

...sought not the Lord, but to the physicians...

physicians - H7495 - A primitive root; properly to mend (by stitching), that is, (figuratively) to cure.

Used 68 times in 63 verses.  The first usage refers to God ~ physicians embalmed Israel ~ God refers to himself as the Lord that heals ~ restitution (healing) from the one who has caused harm ~ a scall is healed ~ plague of leprosy healed ~ plagued house healed ~ Moses requested God to heal Miriam ~ the Lord can smite so as to NOT be healed ~ Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord ~ Elisha healed waters with salt ~ Joram wounded and went to Jezreel to be healed ~ God heals Hezekiah ~ Hezekiah requests God's healing of the people ~ the Psalmist requests the Lord's healing ~ the preacher recognizes that there is a time to heal ~ people deaf and blind to be healed ~ foretelling of the Messiah's healing for us ~ God prophesied to cure ~ waters healed.

Thought these worth sharing:

Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? (2 Kings 6:11)

For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. (Job 5:18)

And my life verse:

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  (2 Chronicles 7:14)

What must the people do?

Humble ~ pray ~ seek ~ turn

Lord, cause Your people to be humble and contrite before You.  Cause the thoughts of our mind to turn to You in prayer, seeking You, turning from our wickedness.  Lord, this nation deserves not the least of Your mercies, but petition Thee I shall, seeking that You would bring a sweeping reformation upon and across this land, opening blind eyes and deaf ears.  Raising up a multitude of people to proclaim Your truth and to call for repentance.

Rock on Asa:  And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land. (1 Kings 22:46)

And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.  (2 Chronicles 7:16)

Greater intimacy with the Lord results in a deeper desire to give a proper estimate of Him in and through all.  How are you spending the first fruits of your day?

Day 159-11

Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.  (2 Chronicles 16:10)

Gill's commentary -

Then Asa was wroth with the seer,.... For this faithful reproof of him, which was another instance of his sin and folly: 

and put him in a prison house; in a very strait place, in which he could not turn himself, what we call "little ease"; some say it was the stocks, others a pillory he put him into: 

for he was in a rage with him because of this thing; his passion rose very high, and to which he gave way, and was his infirmity: 

and Asa oppressed some of the people the same time; by fines and imprisonments, such as perhaps expressed their disapprobation of his league with the king of Syria, and of his ill usage of the prophet.

Temper, temper.  Hmmm....those 3 fingers keep pointing back at me.

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  (Ephesians 4:26)

Day 158-11

And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. (1 Kings 15:12)

How?  Gill:

And he took away the Sodomites out of the land,.... Which were in the times of Rehoboam, 1Ki_14:24, and continued in his father's reign; those he took away, either by driving them out of the land, or by putting them to death according to the law of God, Lev_20:13 even as many of them as he had knowledge of, for some remained, see 1Ki_22:46.

In this season of civilization it would be politically incorrect to even suggest such a thing as a holy standard.  To say something against someone who chooses to live a life style which is contrary to nature is considered, (ahem) evil.  It is a sad state of affairs, but well documented in the Word.

Evil = good, good = evil by the world's standard, what saith HE?

Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.  (Proverbs 17:3)

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  (Isaiah 5:20)

Those who practice lawlessness:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  (Galatians 5:19-21)

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Only by the saving grace of God can one turn from being a wicked, depraved individual.

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:  (Hebrews 3:7-8)

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  (Matthew 4:17)

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.  (Mark 1:15)

Today is the day of repentance...call out to those who are perishing...be not fearful or afraid, for what can man do to you?  Nothing...be more afraid of displeasing the one who stepped down from majesty on high, who sacrificially laid down HIS life, pouring out His blood for atonement to purchase you from the enemy.  Pour out your life unto Him, reaping rewards that were never made for this earthly abode.

But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days. (1 Kings 15:14)

All...his days.  His heart was perfect with the Lord.  O Lord, let these words be spoken of me, that my heart was more desirous of being in one accord with You more than anything else in the world.

And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.  (2 Chronicles 15:9)

They left their earthly inheritance to be in the place where God had chosen, Jerusalem.  What will we need to sacrifice in order to serve Him where He leads?  O God, help us to keep our eyes upon You, not upon the earthly things of this world.  Train us to savor that which will bring about a delicious aroma of You to all who see, hear and know us.  A savor of life unto life, to those who are Yours.

And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. (2 Chronicles 15:12-13)

Covenant...cutting or parting of flesh.  Not something to be undertaken lightly...how did they enter into a covenant with God?

Gill - And they entered into a covenant,.... Asa and all his people; that is, as Piscator remarks, they went between the pieces of the calf cut asunder, for the confirmation of the covenant, see Jer_34:18.

We, as an advanced civilization have lost the uniqueness and solemnity of what it means to be in a covenant.  Definitely a topic worth studying in depth.

And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.  (1 Kings 15:13)

He who loves father and mother more?  Maachah did not set a very good example.  Demoted, publicly humiliated by having her *idol* destroyed and burnt by the brook Kidron.  What else happened there?

I was actually thinking of when Moses burnt the golden calf and strawed it upon the water (different water), but just a preliminary search of the word, Kidron yielded this find:

2Ki 23:6  And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.

2Ch 29:16  And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.

2Ch 30:14  And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.

Jer 31:40  And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the LORD; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.

Kidron - H6939 - From H6937; dusky place; Kidron, a brook near Jerusalem

• H6937 - A primitive root; to be ashy, that is, dark colored; by implication to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments).

And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.  (Mark 3:33-35)

Would Christ say the foregoing about us?  Are we willing to confront even those closest to us?  Have we the fortitude of Asa?  O Lord, help Your people to be bold, courageous, willing to stand for You in a generation who are more concerned about serving self, versus laying down their lives for You.  God give us courage and moral fortitude to stand in this evil day.

Day 157-11

Thought it interesting that both the Northern and Southern kingdom had Abijah's.

Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?  (2 Chronicles 13:5)

Covenant of salt?

Gill - even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt? that is, a perpetual one, which was inviolable, and never to be made void; called so, because salt preserves from corruption and putrefaction, and because made use of in sacrifices offered when covenants were made; the Targum is,"as salt waters, which never lose their saltness.''

Okay...so searching for that exact phrase...

All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.  (Numbers 18:19)

That was the only other verse with the exact wording.  Looking for a variation:

And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.  (Leviticus 2:13)

I found this site, which appeared to be reasonably okay, until the last few paragraphs, so reader beware.

Most of the sites I came across (some were not worth sharing) quoted this verse. Wonderful encouragement:

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.  (Colossians 4:6)

Day 156-11

Thank you Lord for your gracious mercies which are new every morning!  A few verses which caught my attention.

And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.  (2 Chronicles 11:16)

"...set their hearts to seek the Lord God..." ~ Do I do that?  Not set my heart, for in and of myself I would never have sought the Lord, but do I seek Him?  Really and truly desire to be conformed into His likeness?

And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.  (1 Kings 14:24)

Is this the state of America?  Israel went in to cleanse the land, for the nations were an abomination.  God used Israel to judge, yet they became perverse as those nations they overthrew.  How are we any different?  Do we really, truly desire a righteous and holy standard?  Are we willing to adamantly conform to HIS standard, even when the world does not.  Even if we suffer persecution for doing so?  O Lord, in and of ourselves we have not the power to say or do ought, but by Thy strength and Thy good mercy, help us, Your people to be bold witnesses and lights for Your kingdom.

Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.  (2 Chronicles 12:5)

Shemaiah - H8098 - From H8085 and H3050; Jah has heard; Shemajah, the name of twenty five Israelites.

• H8085 - A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively to tell, etc.).
• H3050 - Contracted for H3068, and meaning the same; Jah, the sacred name.
• H3068 - From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.

As it pertains to Shemaiah and Rehoboam:

But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.  (1 Kings 12:22-24)

But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.   (2 Chronicles 11:2-4)

Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak. Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous. And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.  (2 Chronicles 12:5-7)

Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.  (2 Chronicles 12:15)

The Book of Shemaiah?

Where ya been?  Wabbit hunting.  :-D  So...I plug the book of Shemaiah into the search engine...browse a few sites and come up with this as an offering. Quite an impressive list of "missing" books and a perspective on why.

And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.  (1 Kings 14:4)

Eyes set by reason of his age?  Gill:

for his eyes were set by reason of his age; or "stood" fixed and immovable, as the eyes of blind men are; or the nerves and muscles of his eyes stood within the holes thereof, so that he could not see objects.

Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die. And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.  (1 Kings 14:12-13)

Say what?  Some good thing found in the child?

Gill:

because in him there is found some good thing towards the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam; the principles of grace were implanted, and seeds of piety and religion sown in his heart; and there appeared a disposition of mind, and desires in him to the name of God, and the remembrance of it; or to his pure worship and service; it might be discerned that he had a dislike of idolatry, and a desire to have true religion restored. The Jews say (k) that this good thing in him was, that he was the means of removing the watch or guards that were placed in the way to hinder the Israelites from going up to the feasts of the Lord.

Intriguing thought.  Scripture does not state the age of the child.  That would be an interesting study.

Day 155-11

Wow!  Rock and roll!  Whoo hoo!  Impressive!  Thank you LORD!  I know, I know, such a small, minute thing in comparison to all that is going on around us.  Still, remember to thank Him in e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g!

Israel

2Ch 10:7  And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.

The advice of the elders.  Do not forsake the counsel of the aged.  Especially do not forsake a multitude of counselors.

Interestingly, those young whipper snappers which gave Rehoboam advice?  They were probably in their 40s!  Hmmm...again, counsel from many.

Pro 11:14  Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

As I was browsing for counsellors, a few verses:

Psa 33:10  The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. 

Psa 33:11  The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

God's counsel in the matter, His judgment against Rehoboam would/did stand.  I thought it interesting that Jeroboam, though he had been anointed to be king of 10 tribes, still gave Rehoboam a chance to be honorable.

2Ch 10:12  So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day. 

Then Jeroboam leads Israel into idolatry!  You would think he would know better!

1Ki 12:28  Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 

Do I hear an echo?

Exo 32:4  And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 

And while I could (and do) point a finger at what appears to be utter ignorance of NOT learning from previous mistakes, I must remember those 3 fingers pointing back at myself.  The question then, how much have I NOT learned from my previous mistakes.  How oft do I blunder into the same sin.  Am I truly desirous of not repeating my mistakes again and again and...well you get the idea.

Israel and Judah

2Ch 10:19  And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

and

1Ki 12:19  So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. 

My note...how true...because Christ Jesus is the Messiah and the head of the house of David (or of the lineage) and yet Israel rebels against Him.  Denying (because they are blind) that Christ Jesus was the anointed one of God.  The sinless lamb, sent to take away sin, once for those whom He had chosen.

Judah

1Ki 12:22  But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 

I know :-( I cut it off in mid sentence.  Shemaiah?  Who is he?

Shemaiah - H8098 - From H8085 and H3050; Jah has heard; Shemajah, the name of twenty five Israelites.

Quite a few men so named.  25!

• H8085 - A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively to tell, etc.)
• H3050 - Contracted for H3068, and meaning the same; Jah, the sacred name.

How well did Rehoboam hear?  How well do we?  How can we hear if we are not spending time in His word, l-i-s-t-e-n-i-n-g?  O Lord, give us a passionate desire to know You, to spend the first fruits of our day with You, learning at Your feet.  Soaking up the wisdom and counsel that only You can give each of us individually for the day You have provided.  Lord, help Your people to hear and speak boldly for You, where ever You place them.

Day 154-11

X The Chronology of the Twelve Tribes ~ cont.
C. Tribe of Levi (Gen 46:11) ~ cont.
2. Descendants of Kohath ~ cont.
c. From Aaron on - 1 Chronicles 6:3-15; 6:50-52; Ezra 7:1-5
3. Descendants of Merari
a. Children - Exodus 6:19; Numbers 3:20; 1 Chronicles 6:19, 29; 23:21-23
4. Ancestors of Songmasters - 1 Chronicles 6:31-48
D. Other tribes
1. Tribe of Reuben (Gen 46:8-9) - Exodus 6:14; 1 Chronicles 5:1-9
2. Tribe of Gad (Gen 46:16) - 1 Chronicles 5:11-17
3. Tribe of Manasseh East - 1 Chronicles 5:23-24
West - 1 Chronicles 7:14-19
4. Tribe of Simeon (Gen 46:10) - Exodus 6:15; 1 Chronicles 4:24-38
5. Tribe of Issachar (Gen 46:13) - 1 Chronicles 7:1-5
6. Tribe of Naphtali (Gen 46:24) - 1 Chronicles 7:13
7. Tribe of Ephraim - 1 Chronicles 7:20-29
8. Tribe of Asher (Gen 46:17) - 1 Chronicles 7:30-40
9. Tribe of Benjamin (Gen 46:21) - 1 Chronicles 7:6-12; 8:1-28
E. Summary - 1 Chronicles 9:1

Judah - Genesis 46:12 - And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.

Levi - Genesis 46:11 - And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Reuben - Genesis 46:8-9 - And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn. And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.

Gad - Genesis 46:16 - And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.

Manasseh

Simeon - Genesis 46:10 - And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.

Issachar - Genesis 46:13 - And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.

Naphtali - Genesis 46:24 - And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.

Ephraim

Asher - Genesis 46:17 - And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.

Benjamin - Genesis 46:21 - And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.

Okay...there are only 11 tribes listed.  I realize that Joseph split between Manasseh and Ephraim.  I had to go back over the list numerous times to find the one that is missing:  Zebulun.  You would think by now I could rattle off all the tribes...but no...I have to read and re-read and highlight to find the one that is missing.  So sad.  :-(  So what happened to him?

Genesis 46:14 - And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.

His posterity is mentioned in 1 Chronicles (the main vein of verses referenced in this section).

Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.  (1 Chronicles 12:33)

Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:   (1 Chronicles 27:19)

I find that incredibly odd that Zebulun is left out of the listings in 1 Chronicles 5, 6 and 7.  Very peculiar.  Sidetracked from the couple of other verses which caught my attention.

1Ch 6:28  And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.  (1 Samuel 8:1-3)

So which is it?  Joel or Vashni?

Joel - H3100 - From H3068 and H410; Jehovah (is his) God; Joel, the name of twelve Israelites.

• H3068 - From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.
• H1961 - A primitive root (compare H1933); to exist, that is, be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary).
• H410 - Shortened from H352; strength; as adjective mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity).
• H352 - From the same as H193; properly strength; hence anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree.

Vashni - H2059 - Probably from H3461; weak; Vashni, an Israelite.

• H3461 - From H8104; preservative; Jishmerai, an Israelite.
• H8104 - A primitive root; properly to hedge about (as with thorns), that is, guard; generally to protect, attend to, etc.

Well, the commentaries allude to either a copyist error or that both Joel and Vashni or the same, but a transliteration.  Same thing when I google, either way both of Samuel's sons were not considered worthy to be judges in Israel.

And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon:  (1 Chronicles 5:8)

Joel the prophet?


The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.  (Joel 1:1)

Would not appear to be so...commentaries did not help.  Google is not assisting either.  :-(  Hmmm...will have to shelve this question, for now.


And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not many children, neither did all their family multiply, like to the children of Judah.  (1 Chronicles 4:27)

Shimei, the one who cursed David?  Apparently not:


And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.  (2 Samuel 16:5)

Since Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin, and this particular listing is under Simeon.