1 Kings 15:25-16:34, 2 Chronicles 17

Posted on Jun 27, 2016 in Reading the Bible in 2016 |

Monday
Today’s reading begins with Nadab (Jeroboam’s son) becoming king. What sort of king will he be?
Well let me tell you, verse 26 says that Nadab walked in the ways of his sinful father and because he did, he caused Israel to sin, as well. Nadab is followed by Baasha who was not a nice person and he was a terrible leader. He killed all of Jeroboam’s family. This fulfilled what the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite said to Jeroboam.  Wiping them out meant that there would be no question of who was the entitled ruler. (Pretty sure I would not want to be in such a position of power that I would have to watch my every movement for fear someone was out to kill me.)

On a side note, did you notice who is Baasha’s father? Yep, Ahijah the prophet. Hmmmm.

Again, Baasha, causes the people to sin.

Here’s the deal with leaders, when they are true and obedient to God, the rest of the nation seems to follow their lead, but when they do evil, guess what? The people again follow their lead. Now I am sure there are good and bad people living in both situations, but the majority of the people will follow their leaders example. It is a big responsibility to lead others and we must be very careful not to lead others away from God. Jesus tells us in Mark 9:42

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”

So, dare I get into the politics of our country today? I think you can see the truth in the saying “as the leader goes, so go the people.” Those in leadership will be held accountable for their actions. Baasha’s actions provoked the anger of God and so, let me just say, his reign did not end well.

And neither did the reigns of the Elah, Zimri, Tibni and Omri. Its seems like each one is more evil than the one before. How God must have wept over his children. But as bad as it seems with these guys, wait til Ahab becomes ruler.

In the Chronicles reading, we follow the line of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Asa has passed away. Asa had started out strong, but he was not always faithful to God and chose to put his trust in Aram for support and protection, so his life ends with a reprimand from Hanani the seer. Asa had forgotten how faithful God had been to him before and instead put his trust in man.

Jehoshaphat his son becomes the next king of Judah. In his early years Jehoshaphat is faithful to God. Oh if only he could stay that way. What I see happening to these leaders and to many leaders, is that all this power gets to them and they become full of pride. When Jesus was in the wilderness, this was the same tactic, the same temptation that Satan used on Him. He promised Jesus power and wealth if Jesus would only worship Satan, but Jesus rebuked him by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, “Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.”

I think it would have been well for all of the kings in our reading to remember this. I think it is well for us to never forget whom we serve and whom we worship.

If you put anything else in your life before God, you are walking a very thin line that can easily be crossed over. Instead focus your day on Him.

Worshipping the Lord our God

Pastor Kathy

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