After the death of Rehoboam, Abijah, his son reigned in his stead for two years (916-914 BC), and Asa, his son by his wife Michaiah (daughter of Uriel of Gibeah), became king of Judah, he was faithful unto the Lord and reigned for three years in Jerusalem. But there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam and "and God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. And Abijah slew them . . ." (2.Chr. 13:2b...15b-18). "And Abijah waxed mighty, and married 14 wives, and begat 22 sons, and 16 daughters." 2.Chr.13:21). Thus his life ended with selfish desires and there is no remark that he remained faithful to the Lord. The seeds of sin would multiply eventually.

After the parting of the short reigning king Abijah, his son Asa became king of Judah (914-872 BC). His reign was marked at the beginning by doing that which was acceptable and right in the eyes of God for he did away with the pagan high places and images. He also strengthened his cities just in time before Zerah, the Ethiopian, invaded his land and they battled in the valley of Zephathah at Maresha, probably located between Hebron and Ashdod. And Asa, overwhelmed by some 1,000 1,000 (a million?) and 300 chariots cried unto the Lord and the Lord smote the Ethiopians that they fled.

Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he began to reign over Judah. He might have had a coregency with his father Asa (914-874 BC) whose reign went from faithful (2.Chr.15:1-16) to unfaithful (2.Chr. 15:17-19; 16:1-13) to the Lord God. Jehoshaphat may have had a coreign of 1 to 3 years with his father. And Jehoshaphat began to reign in his 35th year.

During his reign the armies of Moab, Ammon and the Ammonites (Luther: Meuniter) gathered to battle Judah. During this time the Lord tested, tried, and fixed the faith of Jehoshaphat. What happened when he heard that a battle was imminent?

20:3 "Jehoshaphat was frightened and prayed to the Lord for guidance. Then he gave orders for a fast to be observed throughout the country.
20:4 From every city of Judah, people hurried to Jerusalem to ask the Lord for guidance,
20:5 and they and the people of Jerusalem gathered in the new courtyard of the Temple. King Jehoshaphat, went and stood before them
20:6 and prayed aloud, "O Lord God of our ancestors, you rule in heaven over all the nations of the world. You are powerful and mighty, and no one can oppose you.[2]
20:7 You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs forever.
20:8 They have lived here and have built a temple to honor you, knowing
20:9 that if any disaster struck them to punish them - a war, an epidemic, or a famine - then they could come and stand in front of this Temple where you are worshiped. They could pray to you in their trouble, and you would hear them and rescue them.
20:10 "Now the people of Ammon, Moab, and Edom have attacked us. When our ancestors came out of Egypt, you did not allow them to enter those lands [5] , so our ancestors went around them and did not destroy them,
20:11 This is how they repay us - they come to drive us out of the land that you gave us.
20:12 You are our God! Punish them, for we are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help."
20:13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children, were standing there at the Temple." 2.Chronicles 20:3-13, GNB.

This prayer of Jehoshaphat has ever since been a model on how to come before the Lord in prayer. It is a model on how to repent, pray to God Almighty, praise and glorify Him, and be heard.

Waggoner recognized the following:

1. First Jehoshaphat recognized God as God in heaven, and therefore having all power.
   He acknowledges God.
   
2. Next he claimed all this power as his own by claiming God as his own God.
   
3. Then he was ready to make known his need and proffer his request,
   
4. with full assurance of faith - how could he fail?

To one who prays in that way, all things are possible. Too many offer prayer to God, without any just sense of His existence, as though they were praying to an abstract name, and not to a living, personal Saviour, and of course they receive nothing, for they do not really expect anything. Everyone who prays should first contemplate God, before thinking of himself and his own needs. It is doubtless the case that most people when they pray think more about themselves than they do of God; instead of that, they should become lost in contemplation of God's greatness and His kindness; then it is not difficult to believe that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. As the Psalmist said, "They that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee." Ps. 9:11. [10]

How often are we surrounded by apparent impossiblities?

How often are we overwhelmed by mountains of circumstances we can't firgure out on our own?

"God was the strength of Judah in this crisis, and He is the strength of His people today. We are not to trust in princes, or to set men in the place of God. We are to remember that human beings are fallible and erring, and that He who has all power is our strong tower of defense. In every emergency we are to feel that the battle is His. His resources are limitless, and apparent impossibilities will make the victory all the greater." [15]

How would the Lord answer his prayer?

Was it, that there was no need to worry, it is not our battle, but the Lord's?

20:17 "You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait; you will see the Lord give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid. Go out to battle, and the Lord will be with you!"
20:18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low, with his face touching the ground, and all the people bowed with him and worshiped the Lord.
20:19 The members of the Levite clans . . . stood up and with a loud shout praised the Lord, the God of Israel." 2.Chr. 20:17-19, GNB.

Jehoshaphat, leading Israel, worshiped the Lord in humble gratitude for his goodness to them, thus praising the Lord God because of their love and trust in His leading of their people.

"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." 2.Chr. 20:20, KJV.

What was this battle for? Was it not a test of their faith in God? Sure. It was at least that, for we know the devil works always through people, and in order to help His people against the devil using those angry nations, he had to expose any devilish designs among His own people before taking on the devil of the invaders.

"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.Chr. 20:21.

It is like saying to the young one's at your table, `The desert comes after the vegetables are eaten.'

Many look at it in a deserving way - that they deserve the desert, instead of looking at the process - what must come first.

These are sometimes hard lessons to learn when they were not presented at a young age. Some, nay, many, seem to have never learned them.

This is a lesson for us in our conflicts with our adversaries--principalities and powers and wicked spirits. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you;" but we are to "resist steadfast in the faith." Only such resistance will cause him to flee, for he knows that he is stronger than we; but when he is resisted in the faith of Jesus, he must flee, for he knows that he has no strength at all against Christ. And so we learn again that "the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion." In such experiences as that just considered, the Lord was showing Israel how they should overcome, and that He was always waiting and anxious to complete the promise made to the fathers. [30]

20:23 "For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
20:24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
20:25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
20:26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah (near Tekoah) ; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.
20:27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
20:28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.
20:29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel." 2.Chr. 20:23-29, KJV.

Resist the devil, and he will flee.

How do we resist the devil?

We resist the devil in the steadfast faith of Jesus. We study His life and learn of Him, who saves us.

What does it take?

Does it take devotion?

Is devotion necessary? Is it required? Do we think we lose our blessing when we think that God expects it?

4:14 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebr. 4:14-16

We are to do what? We are to pray "without ceasing" (1.Thess. 5:17.), at all times.

What will happen then? It enables us to . . .

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23.

Is there ever a time, when there is no need to plead for the Lord to help us?

"In the work of heart-keeping we must be instant in prayer, unwearied in petitioning the throne of grace for assistance. Those who take the name of Christian should come to God in earnestness and humility, pleading for help. The Saviour has told us to pray without ceasing. The Christian can not always be in the position of prayer, but his thoughts and desires can always be upward. Our self-confidence would vanish, did we talk less and pray more. [50]

Could it be ever the case that we have help even when we don't know how to pray?

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26,27.

Today we have the privilege to know exactly where Jesus is and what He does. It is taught for us in what we learned about the sanctuary. Those concepts are among the most precious concepts that will help us in the coming days.

The Spirit that so successfully made supplication in Christ still lives and makes intercession for us. Jesus has gone into the heavens "there to appear in the presence of God for us;" but by His Spirit He is still on earth dwelling with men. So by the Spirit in us we ourselves have access to the heavens, in the person of Jesus we ourselves are in the holiest, close by the throne of grace, boldly making our requests to God. And He has called us there for the express purpose of supplying all our need according to His riches in glory. Surely if we know this we shall never more go empty. [60]

Did you catch the impact of what was said?

It is just so great to know that the Lord can help us just as mightily as he helped Israel and Jeshoshaphat against their enemies. [62] It is the same power Jesus experienced, for we read . . .

"Rising from his prayer, he went back to the disciples and found them asleep, worn out by their grief.
He said to them, `Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you will not fall into temptation.'" Luke 22:45,46, GNB.

Temptations may be all around you, yet you are safe as long as you do not enter into them. Many of us are overcome by Satan because we walk right into temptation. . . . It is your business to keep aloof from everyone and everything which will have a tendency to lead you away from duty and divert your mind from God. . . . If compelled to be in the society of those who are evil, you are not compelled to enter into or engage in their evil. You can, by prayer and watching, remain unsullied by the evil manifested about you.

"Watch and pray" is an injunction often repeated in the Scriptures. In the lives of those who obey this injunction there will be an undercurrent of happiness that will bless all with whom they are brought in contact. Those who are sour and cross in disposition will become sweet and gentle; those who are proud will become meek and lowly.

A man cannot be a happy Christian unless he is a watchful Christian. He who overcomes must watch; for with worldly entanglements, error, and superstition, Satan strives to win Christ's followers from Him, and to keep their minds employed with his devices. It is not enough that we avoid glaring dangers and perilous, inconsistent moves. We are to keep close to the side of Christ, walking in the path of self-denial and self-sacrifice. We are not to allow our spiritual perceptions to be blinded, as they often are, by a strong, determined will. And in order to detect the artifices of Satan and to withstand his unexpected attacks, we must have the grace of Christ and the impartation of His Spirit. . . .

God's Word warns us that we have manifold enemies, not open and avowed, but enemies who come with smooth words and fair speeches, and who would deceive if possible the very elect. Thus Satan comes. And again, when it suits his purpose, he goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Man's will, unless kept in subjection to the will of God, is as often on the enemy's side as on the Lord's side. Therefore watch unto prayer; watch and pray always. [68]

Praise

Much can be said about praising God.

We read,

"Let us, then, always offer praise to God as our sacrifice through Jesus, which is the offering presented by lips that confess him as Lord." Hebrews 13:15, GNB.

And we are reminded of the song, `Standing on the promises of Christ the king ...'

Our Saviour wants you to keep in close relation to Himself, that He may make you happy. When Christ lets His blessing rest upon us, we should offer thanksgiving and praise to His dear name.
But, you say, `If I could only know that He is my Saviour!'
Well, what kind of evidence do you want? Do you want a special feeling or emotion to prove that Christ is yours? Is this more reliable than pure faith in God's promises? Would it not be better to take the blessed promises of God and apply them to yourself, bearing your whole weight upon them? This is faith. [75]

That kind of faith Israel and Jehoshaphat had in the face of a vastly larger army than their own.

And when Jehoshaphat 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 20:21.

It was a singular way of going to battle against the enemy's army--praising the Lord with singing, and exalting the God of Israel. This was their battle song. They possessed the beauty of holiness. If more praising of God were engaged in now, hope and courage and faith would steadily increase. And would not this strengthen the hands of the valiant soldiers who today are standing in defense of truth?

They praised God for the victory, and four days thereafter the army returned to Jerusalem, laden with the spoils of their enemies, singing praise for the victory won.

When we have a deeper appreciation of the mercy and loving- kindness of God, we shall praise Him, instead of complaining. We shall talk of the loving watchcare of the Lord, of the tender compassion of the Good Shepherd. The language of the heart will not be selfish murmuring and repining. Praise, like a clear, flowing stream, will come from God's truly believing ones. . . .

Why not awake the voice of spiritual song in the days of our pilgrimage? . . . We need to study God's Word, to meditate and pray. Then we shall have spiritual eyesight to discern the inner courts of the celestial temple. We shall catch the notes of thanksgiving sung by the heavenly choir around the throne. When Zion shall arise and shine, her light will be most penetrating, and songs of praise and thanksgiving will be heard in the assembly of the saints. Little disappointments and difficulties will be lost sight of. [80]

"Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you." Psalms 63:3, ESV.

Do we recall . . . True faith comes from what?

"Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength. We will sing and praise your power." Psalms 21:13, ESV.

Power

12:6 "For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2.Corinthians 12:6-10, KJV.

You see, God doesn't consult with us when He helps us. He knows all our needs.

We, ... we, can now learn to wait on Him by faith.

The plans of the enemies of His work may seem to be firm and well established, but He can overthrow the strongest of these plans, and in His own time and way He will do this, when He sees that our faith has been sufficiently tested and that we are drawing near to Him and making Him our counselor.

In the darkest days, when appearances seem so forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God. He is working out His will, doing all things well in behalf of His people. The strength of those who love and serve Him will be renewed day by day. His understanding will be placed at their service, that they may not err in the carrying out of His purposes.

There is to be no despondency in God's service. Our faith is to endure the pressure brought to bear upon it. God is able and willing to bestow upon His servants all the strength they need. He will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him. He will give them the wisdom that their varied necessities demand. [100]

Has this study given you confidence and courage in the Lord?

It should have. If not, study it carefully all over again and again until you are sure.

106:1 "Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
106:2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can show forth all his praise?
106:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
106:4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
106:5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance." Psalms 106:1-5, KJV.

Let us pray:

Lord, our God, strengthen our spiritual life. Help us to say no to the devil, and accept Jesus in our life and every hour in the day. Forgive us our trespasses and as we forgive others. Help us to remember to study Thy Word every day and keep it uppermost in our thoughts so we can live by it and be one with You. Amen.

A House Falling

The history of God's people ran from faithful to unfaithful, from good to bad, and from bad to worse. When they got a piece of something, they wanted the whole thing - they lived as the rulers lived in the neighboring nations instead of remaining faithful to the Lord. It was in particular the case that the problems leaked over time especially from Israel to Judah. The factors involved we want to explore.

The House of Judah from the line of David, was changed in character after the period when Jehoshaphat (872-848 BC) was faithful to the Lord and all the surrounding nations knew that the Lord was fighting their wars for them. And the Lord gave peace to his kingdom and "the realm of Jehosphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about." (2.Chr. 20:30).

After the death of Ahab, and concomitant with Ahazia (853-851), Joram, his son reigned over the ten tribes of Israel (852-840), while Jehoram reigned over Judah (853-841) after the death of Jehoshaphat.

We recall how the prophet Elisha delivered the Syrians to Jehoram, successor son of Ahab, and how he wondered what to do, asking the prophet, `Shall I kill them?' And Elisha told him, "set bread before them that they might eat and drink," and when they were satisfied to send them away. 2.Kings 6:22, 23). This kind deed brought a period of peace for Israel.[120]

We may ask, `Why did the Lord spare the Syrians, their enemies?' `Why would the Lord help them who had come to destroy them?'

Instead they were to bless them and feed them. And we are reminded of the words of Jesus when he said,

"... love the ones hostile to you, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be much; and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the unthankful and the evil ones, therefore be merciful even as your father also is merciful." Luke 6:35,36 LITV.

However, later Ben Hadad descended upon Israel to attack it. He laid siege to Samaria and it became so bad inside the city that people ate their children, 2.Kings 6:28-31.

Who would be blamed for this turn of events?

"And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, [he had] sackcloth within upon his flesh.
Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day." 2.Kings 6:30,31.

All things that ever happened to the kings were designed to let them experiene situations that will test the character of those who know or knew the name of the Lord God of Israel and Judah.

When a calamity came, they were to flee to the Lord and confess and repent of their sins and He would help them. Instead people had fallen far away from remaining faithful to the Lord, even as today, where there is not even a tiny awareness left of this knowledge about the principles of how God wants to help his people. Even those in America. They have all fallen away from God because false prophets, theologians, pastors, historians, teachers, told them their lies about God, the Bible and history. (Lies about the Bible, theology, history)

The reason for the blame is given as,

"Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria." 2.Ki. 7:1.

What was the attitude of the King's officer?

"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?" 2.Ki. 7:2a.

The officer could not imagine such a thing. He had blamed Elisha for the invasion of the Syrians, claiming, `if he would have let me kill the Syrians, we wouldn't have this problem.' A reaction many of us might have exhibited too, for we are all fallen far away from a knowledge of the true God and weak in our reasoning and understanding about who God is. Like many today, the officer had no concept of how God had led His people in the past with a mighty hand. He must have attributed all those accounts to some fortunate circumstance thus he was in denial of the existence of God. He was an atheist, and bonified unbeliever as many are today. - Because of that, was the Lord able to convert him? No. There was no more hope. He had made his free will decision that there was no God who could do anything. - And Elisha knew that as his veiled reply shows . . .

"And he (Elisha) said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof." 2.Kings 7:2.

As it turned out the words of Elisha were fulfilled, for the Syrians accompanying Ben Hadad had the following experience,

"For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life." 2.Kings 7:6,7.

Because of their hasty departure they left all their food supplies behind and Israel could buy a measure of fine flour for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.

It was Jesus who explained how things work for us on earth as we seek the blessings of God.

"The nobleman (Joh, 4:50ff) wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises. When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us "exceeding abundantly," "according to the riches of His glory," and "the working of His mighty power." Ephesians 3:20, 16; 1:19. {DA 200.4}

Like individuals so too nations can experience the blessings of God in mighty ways. Because of sin and consequently centuries of turning away from a close relationship with the only true God, people and nations have lost sight of how things were supposed to work for the good of mankind. The Lord wanted Israel and He wants us especially today to trust in His promises completely.

How often those who trusted the word of God, though in themselves utterly helpless, have withstood the power of the whole world,

1. Enoch, pure in heart, holy in life, holding fast his faith in the triumph of righteousness against a corrupt and scoffing generation (Gen. 5:22-24);
   
2. Noah and his household against the men of his time, men of the greatest physical and mental strength and the most debased in morals (Gen. 6:8,22; );
   
3. the children of Israel at the Red Sea, a helpless, terrified multitude of slaves, against the mightiest army of the mightiest nation on the globe (Ex. 12:29,30; 14:8,28)
   
4. David, a shepherd lad, having God's promise of the throne, against Saul, the established monarch, bent on holding fast his power;
   
5. Shadrach and his companions in the fire, and Nebuchadnezzar on the throne;
   
6. Daniel among the lions, his enemies in the high places of the kingdom;
   
7. Jesus on the cross, and the Jewish priests and rulers forcing even the Roman governor to work their will;
   
8. Paul in chains led to a criminal's death, Nero the despot of a world empire. {Ed 254.2}

All these heroes of faith, in the end of their life won against sin by remaining faithful to God. Their life we are called to emulate in our days and circumstances.

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God?" 2.Sam. 22:31,32.

Even though the `House was Falling', and need not be so with us for we have all these case histories to help us find our source of faith and strength.

21:20 "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did.
21:21 And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:
21:22 And he forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the Lord.
21:23 And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.
21:24 And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.
21:25 Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
21:26 And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead." 2.Kings 21:20-26.

What was it that brought `the House' down?

The influence of Jezebel over Ahab was greater than the influence of the Spirit of God, however powerful and convincing the evidence from heaven.{2BC 1033.9}

As for Ahab, he was by his own choice totally given over to Jezebel not God. She did bewitch him for she was a witch (2.Ki. 9:22), and trained her children as such.

The record says about Jehoshaphat that he gave his children "great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things . . ." (2.Chr. 21:3), but the kingdom he gave to his firstborn son Jehoram, 2.Chr. 21:3b, and that "... he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord. Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers." 2.Chr. 20:32,33.

King Jehoram of Judah

When Jehoram became king, what was his first royal action?

"Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel." 2.Chr. 21:3.

And we ask, `Why, why would he do such a thing?' What could have caused him to be so callous and deceived to commit murder against his own six brothers?

And we go back to the record and what do we find? We find that Ahab had more than one wife for we read,

"And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children." 1.Kings 20:5

Aside from that detail we find important historical recognitions from the Bible and studies about the whole set of relationships between Ahab and the `House of Omri', of which Jezebel, daughter of Ben Hadad, was a member, which helps us understand the situations and shed light on the historicity of these individuals.

Why is defensible revised history important? Because up to now, historians have not been able to find Biblical characters in secular understanding of history in their excavations and chronological order of things, because their history is based on questionable sequential data which were put together and solidified long before all the evidence or enough evidence was in.

Here is a List of Links of Written Evidence rather than Relying on Pottery
(Some of the evidence may require some reading to get the connections, however, all our presentations defend the Bible. Please be aware that secular history takes much of the Bible as myth and we try to make them aware that the characters and events in the Bible do have a real place in world history once the conventional chronolgy is revised.)

1. Placing the Old Kingdom kings on the BC time scale to account for the era of Abraham, Joseph and Moses/Israel in Egypt.
   
2. The era between the Exodus and King Saul.
   
3. What we learn about Solomon in secular and Bible history.
   
4. What we learn about David in secular and Bible history.
   
5. What we learn about the era of King Ahab and who his contemporaries were and in which period in secular history belongs into.
   
6. The written evidence about the Queen of Sheba visit to Solomon.
   
7. The written evidence about Shishak who plundered or looted Jerusalem (shift right and left using your mouse) in the days of Rehoboam.
   
8. The written evidence about the delusive Ben Hadad in secular, Omride history.
   
9. The written history of Pharaoh Ramses II often considered the Pharaoh of the Exodus.
   

Continuing our presentation on `A House Falling'.

The Bible tells us that Jehoram, walked in directions strange to a king of Judah, residing in Jerusalem.

We read,

"And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord." 2.Chr. 21:6.

Jehoram had married the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. No doubt this daughter of the witch Jezebel had learned from her mother the tricks on how to bewitch their husbands, leading to Jehoram eliminating any and all competition to the throne, a phenomena also detectable in the days of King David.

Why is that?

From the Biblical point of view that is the case because Satan has a vested interest to destroy God's people because he knew that the Saviour would be born from among them.

Therefore, Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel because he had the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel for his wife.

"And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord. Howbeit the Lord would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever." 2.Chr. 21:6,7.

As we can realize now, Jezebel's scheming was in the end unsuccessful.

"With her seductive arts, Jezebel made Jehoshaphat her friend. She arranged a marriage between her daughter Athaliah and Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat. She knew that her daughter, brought up under her guidance and as unscrupulous as herself, would carry out her designs. But did she? No; the sons of the prophets, who had been educated in the schools which Samuel established, were steadfast for truth and righteousness." {2BC 1038.1}

Satan is against everything that God has established. Without the revelation of God in His word we would be unable to discern the powers at work in this world. Consequently, those who disregard His word, are unable to discern what goes on behind the scene and why the Bible is being fulfilled to their consternation and so they just overlook these types of facts and find some other human explanations to quiet their conscience.

As the young king just barely starts his reign, we read,

21:10 "So Edom revolted from the rule of Judah to this day. At that time Libnah also revolted from his rule, because he had forsaken the Lord the God of his fathers.
21:11 Moreover, he made high places in the hill country of Judah and led the imhabitants of jerusalem into whoredom and made Judah go astray.
21:12 And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, "Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father, `Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
21:13 but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel and have enticed Judah as the inhabitants of Jerusalem into whoredom, as the house of Ahab led Israel into whordeom, and also you have killed your brothers, of your father's hoise, who were better than yourself,
21:14 behold, the Lord will bring a great plague on your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions,
21:15 and you yourself will have a sever sickness with a disease of your bowels, until your bowels come out because of the disease, day by day." 2.Chr. 21:10-15, ESV.

Jehoram forfeits God's gifts as vital divine principles are ignored.

For "when you please the Lord, you can make your enemies into friends." For "it is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income, dishonestly gained." Proverbs 16:7,8, GNB.

It was not long after Jehoram began to reign that Edom revolted and they had their own king. So did Libnah revolted against his royal rule. Now his revenues came more and more from the few towns left in Judah.

Did God forsake him? No. Elijah sent Jehoram a letter.

"The Lord, the God of your ancestor David, condemns you, because you did not follow the example of your father, king Jehoshaphat, or that of your grandfather, King Asa. Instead you have followed the example of the kings of Israel and have led the people of Judah and Jerusalem into being unfaithful to God, just as Ahab and his successors led Israel into unfaithfulness. You even murdered your brothers, who were better men than you are. As a result, the Lord will severly punish your people, your children, and your wives, and will destroy your possessions. You yourself will suffer a painful intestinal disease that will grow worse and worse day by day." 2.Chr. 21:12-15, GNB.

Not long after this a probably prolapse of his digestive tract came out and he died in great agony as the following verses say.

What options did he have? Why, he could have repented. Why did he not?

There are cases like what music is appropriate in church and what is not. To set the tune, a young minister started out to venture on this subject by preaching about the parables of Jesus, including the `lost son who later returned,' using those accounts as the reason to allow music bands and a more upbeat sound into the church for then music just expresses the joy of those worshiping the Lord.

Is that really so simple? - Listen closely now to yourself as you read the following observations.

If those who are headstrong and full of self-esteem go on unchecked in their course, what will be the condition of things in the church? How are the wrongs to be corrected which exist in these strong-willed, ambitious ones? By what means will God reach them? How will He set His church in order? Differences of opinion are constantly arising, and apostasies often afflict the church. When controversy or division comes in, all parties claim to be right and to have a conscience void of offense; and they will not be instructed by those who have long borne the burden of the work and who, they have reason to know, have been guided by the Lord.

Do we still have those among us who have long born the burden of the work and are guided by the Lord?

Well, many times it seems that the most popular sway will win it out - often it seems that it is rather a coalition of the will which is willing to support each other, rather than an effort to pray and inquire of the Lord how he counsels in the Bible how to resolve issues which affect everybody.

But then, after some study when ... light has been sent to dispel their darkness, (but) they are too proud of heart to accept it, and they choose the darkness. They despise the counsel of God because it does not coincide with their views and plans, and favor their wrong traits of character. The work of the Spirit of God, which would bring them into the right position if they would accept it, has not come in a way to please them, and to flatter their self-righteousness. The light which God has given is no light to them, and they wander in darkness. They claim that no more confidence is to be placed in the judgment of one who has had such a long experience, and whom the Lord has taught and used to do a special work, than in that of any other person. Is it God's plan that they should do thus, or is it the special working of the enemy of all righteousness to hold souls in error, to bind them in strong delusions that cannot be broken, because they have placed themselves beyond the reach of means that God has ordained to deal with His church? {5T 688.3}

Will we, the members of churches where such things take place, be led by the Holy Spirit in a way that will not please the membership? Will we be chastised and rebuked by the Lord?

But then those novices in office, they come and say, we should celebrate, we should lighten up a bit, ... we should enjoy church and each other more. Is that so? Is this side of heaven such a state of things supposed to take the upper hand? I thought we have to wait for that until the `Feast of Tabernacles,' . . . for now we should labor and make our salvation sure so we will not serve the flesh but the spirit only. Until that feast we cannot give flesh a day off, a break so that something inside of us which wants to have its way, can have it.

Do we serve a hard task master? No, but one who knows our weak flesh, how easily we are turned into directions which lead away from the Lord, rather than closer to Him. For deep down inside, many still love the lurid looks, the tempting smile, the earthly processions, rather than the heavenly quiteness and calm.

The interests of the cause of God are not to be committed to men who have no connection with heaven. Those who are disloyal to God cannot be safe counselors. They have not that wisdom which comes from above. They are not to be trusted to pass judgment in matters connected with God's cause, matters upon which such great results depend. If we follow their judgment, we shall surely be brought into very difficult places, and shall retard the work of God.

Those who are not connected with God are connected with the enemy of God, and while they may be honest in the advice they give, they themselves are blinded and deceived. Satan puts suggestions into the mind and words into the mouth that are entirely contrary to the mind and will of God. Thus he works through them to allure us into false paths. He will mislead, entangle, and ruin us if he can. {3SM 300.2, 3}

Yet we may think we do not deserve problems and issues coming up in churches.

Who is a save counselor?

There stands among you the mighty Counselor of the ages, inviting you to place your confidence in Him. Shall we turn away from Him to uncertain human beings, who are as wholly dependent on God as we ourselves are? Have we fallen so far below our privileges? Have we not been guilty of expecting so little that we have not asked for what God is longing to give? {HP 257.5}

We may think, to die to self and loving Him is more than I thought. . . . What now?

Jehoram and the other kings did not ask, is there a prophet with a word from the Lord?

Neither does this question seem to come up much today.

Like Jehoram, so people today, follow the advice of family, and so on - on the horizontal level, not the vertical.

In the case of Jehorm, that is what he wanted. The sensual before the spiritual. He lived for the flesh, but God's church on earth is to die to the fleshly desires and alurements - die to self and all that has to do with it. That is what our members need instruction in, not how to enjoy the drums, and the beat, and the stancas, ...

After the painful death of Jehoram, Ahaziah his son, became king of Judah, 2.Chr. 22:1. We read,

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.
22:2 Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.
22:3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.
22:4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction." 2.Chr. 22:1-4.

The band of men, mingled with some Arabians, came to kill the sons of Jehoram. That reminds us of the Habiru mentioned frequently in the El Amarna letters.

The larger picture may reveal for us the continual attempts of Satan and his agents to try and tear down the `House of David.'

What lessons can we learn from this?

We might want to be more observant to be able to detect the workings of Satan today among God's people.

We may want to consider things like who has the principal influence in churches?

From where do we receive our inspiration and motivation?

Satan has a large confederacy, his church. Christ calls them the synagogue of Satan because the members are the children of sin. The members of Satan's church have been constantly working to cast off the divine law, and confuse the distinction between good and evil. Satan is working with great power in and through the children of disobedience to exalt treason and apostasy as truth and loyalty. And at this time the power of his satanic inspiration is moving the living agencies to carry out the great rebellion against God that commenced in heaven. {TM 16.1}

Do we find us being challenged to these ends?

If so, consider,

It is positively necessary for those who believe the truth, to be making continual advancement, growing up unto the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. There is no time for backsliding and indifference. Each one must have a living experience in the things of God. Have root in yourselves. Become grounded in the faith, so that having done all you may stand, with unwavering confidence in God, through the time that will try every man's work and character. Exercise your powers in spiritual things, till you can appreciate the deep things of God's word, and go on from strength to strength. {RH, January 10, 1888 par. 9}

Can it be that the church is under attack when we have backsliding?

And if so, in what areas may it be particularly harmful in the long run?

The subject of health reform has been presented in the churches; but the light has not been heartily received. The selfish, health-destroying indulgences of men and women have counteracted the influence of the message that is to prepare a people for the great day of God. If the churches expect strength, they must live the truth which God has given them. If the members of our churches disregard the light on this subject, they will reap the sure result in both spiritual and physical degeneracy. And the influence of these older church members will leaven those newly come to the faith. The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear? {6T 370.3}

So, we can see the effects of backlsiding are certainly significant. We read,

5:12 "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Hebrews 5:12-14.

And elsewhere we read,

10:3 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2.Cor. 10:3-5.

And . . .

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." 2.Peter 1:10.

The forbearance that God has exercised toward the wicked, emboldens men in transgression; but their punishment will be none the less certain and terrible for being long delayed. . . . While He does not delight in vengeance, He will execute judgment upon the transgressors of His law. He is forced to do this, to preserve the inhabitants of the earth from utter depravity and ruin. In order to save some He must cut off those who become hardened in sin. . . . And the very fact of His reluctance to execute justice testifies to the enormity of the sins that call forth His judgments and to the severity of the retribution awaiting the transgressor. {CC 155.4}

Every seed sown produces a harvest of its kind. So it is in human life. We all need to sow the seeds of compassion, sympathy, and love; for we shall reap what we sow. Every characteristic of selfishness, self-love, self-esteem, every act of self-indulgence, will bring forth a like harvest. {COL 84.3}

"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." Eccl. 8:11.

In His dealings with the human race, God bears long with the impenitent. He uses His appointed agencies to call men to allegiance, and offers them His full pardon if they will repent. But because God is long-suffering, men presume on His mercy. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." The patience and long-suffering of God, which should soften and subdue the soul, has an altogether different influence upon the careless and sinful. It leads them to cast off restraint, and strengthens them in resistance. They think that the God who has borne so much from them will not heed their perversity. If we lived in a dispensation of immediate retribution, offenses against God would not occur so often. But though delayed, the punishment is none the less certain. There are limits even to the forbearance of God. The boundary of His long-suffering may be reached, and then He will surely punish. And when He does take up the case of the presumptuous sinner, He will not cease till He has made a full end. {3BC 1166.1}

"Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his says be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God." Eccl. 8:12,13.

Mercy and truth are promised to the humble and penitent, but judgments are prepared for the sinful and rebellious. "Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne." A wicked and adulterous people will not escape the wrath of God and the punishment they have justly earned. Man has fallen; and it will be the work of a lifetime, be it longer or shorter, to recover from that fall, and regain, through Christ, the image of the divine, which he lost by sin and continued transgression. God requires a thorough transformation of soul, body, and spirit in order to regain the estate lost through Adam. The Lord mercifully sends rays of light to show man his true condition. If he will not walk in the light he manifests a pleasure in darkness. He will not come to the light lest his deeds shall be reproved. {2T 448.1}

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:14,15.

"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you." 2.Peter 3:15.

[2] A bronze crown discovered at Nahal Mishmar in Judea.

[5] The land or region of the Edomites included the southern mountainous portions along Wadi Zered, which flows westward into the Dead Sea, to the Gulf of Aqaba.

[10] Waggoner, E.J., `The Everlasting Covenant,' 1900, p. 455.4.

[15] EGW, `Conflict and Courage,' p. 217.5.

[30] EJW, EVCO, 1900, p. 458.2.

[50] Youth Instructor, March 5, 1903.; 3BC 1157.4.

[60] Waggoner, EJ, `The Present Truth UK,' June 18, 1903, Vol. 3, 1887, p. 390.3.

[62] How does secular history describe this era? We can learn that the kings of Israel lived for some of their names are found on seals and other writing surfaces. The kings of Israel from David to Hezekiah were often buried in the royal tombs near the Pool of Shelah, in Jerusalem. Josephus noted that the royal tombs were very lavishly furnished, but John Hyrcanus (son of Simon Maccabeus) robbed them of much of their treasure. (Josephus, `Antiquities,' Bk. IX, ch. iii, sec. 2 and on the royal tomb of David see Bk. XIII, ch. viii, sec. 3,4.)

[68] EGW, `Our High Calling,' p. 132.2-5.

[75] EGW, `The Faith I Live By,' p. 123.5.

[80] EGW, CC, p. 218.1-5.

[100] EGW, Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 10.4-11.1.

[120] After arranging the kings on the BC time scale we also ought to place Elijah and Elisha there, especially the time when Elisha was given the mantel of Elijah at his ascension. In the Bible we find this transition in 2.Kings 2:1ff. While we cannot put an exact year with it, it seems that the transition occurred during the reign of Jehoram or else close to the death of Ahab, in the latter years of Jehoshaphat. We also ought to remind our readers that Ahab was succeeded by Jehoram (2.Ki. 3:1) while the succession of Jehoshaphat too is a bit hard to decipher. It was Jehu, a son of Jehoshaphat, who had killed Jezebel and was named king, but not over Judah but over Israel (2.Ki. 9:13). Next thing we are told is that this Jehoshaphat was the son of Nimshi while Jehoshaphat, king of Judah was the son of King Asa, 1.Ki. 15:24; therefore, the Jehoshaphat, father of Jehu, was someone else. Next we learn that Jehu conspired against Joram the king (2.Ki. 9:19), who had been wounded in war, and was in Jezreel whereto Jehu traveled, 2.Ki. 9:16. Then we are told that Ahaziah, king of Juda, and Joram, king of Israel, together each rode out in their own chariot to meet Jehu, 2.Ki. 9:21. Jehu then tells us that Joram was the son of Jezebel, 2.Ki. 9:22. Next, Ahaziah and Joram flle and Jehu shoots his arrow and whom does it hit? We are told he smote Jehoram, 2.Ki. 9:24. So, we have here this sudden change in name from Joram to Jehoram of the same person in the KJV. Now, the Luther Bible and the ESV continues calling the victim Joram. How about the Hebrew text? There we have , Jehoram; but the same Hebrew word in 2.Ki. 9:23 has the same Hebrew letters for Jehoram, yet it is translated as Joram in the KJV. This of course confuses things quite a bit. Next we read that Jehu pursued after Ahaziah too and shot him, and he died a bit later at Megiddo. The story continues leading up to Jezebel being thrown out of her balcony and she died. Jehu had then the 70 sons of Ahab slain, 2.Ki. 10:8; when he went to Samaria he met the brothers of Ahaziah and slew them, 2.Ki, 10:14. Next Jehu gathered all the Baalists and destroyed them too, 2.Ki. 10:24,25. Jehu ended up reigning for 28 years (841-814 BC) and was succeeded by his son Jehoahaz (814-798), 2.Ki. 10:35. Next comes Athaliah, mother of Ahaziah on the scene. She slays all the royal seed. But Jehosheba, the daughter of Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the little son of Ahaziah and hid him from Athaliah for six years. In the 7th year the priest Jehoiada saw to it that Athaliah was slain, 2.Ki. 11:16, and Joash became king over Judah (835-796). But who was now king in Israel? It was still Jehu. Yet there is still this additional change in name, this time from Joash to Jehoash in the KJV but not so in other renditions, 2.Ki. 12:1. Joash ended up giving all the treasures of the Lord's house to Hazael, king of Syria who was the successor of Ben-Hadad through murder. This deed of Joash led to his murder and Amaziah became king. Let us also remember that Hazael had a son who also was named Ben Hadad, that is Ben Hadad II.