Ezekiel 8:6 "He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations."
I believe I have it right that Ezekiel is at the river Chebar but is carried in the spirit to see the things he saw at this time. And so Scofield agrees that these were visions of Ezekiel looking back to what 'had' happened so that Israel would know why they were in captivity.
v3 "And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy."
I picked up on three verses which tell of particular sins:
v9 "And he said unto me Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. v10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about."
That reminds me of the tombs of Egypt which have been opened where drawings were found on the walls and images were set up. Israel was suppose to be worshipping the one true God but at least Egypt did not pretend.
v5 "...and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry." I should have listed that first but I do not know what the image of jealousy was.
v14 "Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD's house which was toward the north; and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz."
This shows us that it was not just some few sneaking off to do a bad thing, it was all of them. Tammuz was a Syrian idol.
v16 "And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house, and behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshiped the sun toward the east."
Ezekiel is sitting with the elders of Israel. No doubt, these images will be told them and therefore spread throughout Israel in captivity, so that they (the new generation) will know why they are in captivity.
v18 "Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them."
That's the end of this chapter. I was thinking that when Israel does come back to God and leaves captivity to rebuild Jerusalem, they should have a hate for idol worship in their hearts. If they can see that it was because of idol worship or rather turning from God that caused them to loose their great nation and become subjects, THEN it should keep them from turning to idols ever again.
Showing posts with label idols. Show all posts
Showing posts with label idols. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
They Shall Know... - Ezekiel 6
Ezekiel 6:14 "So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I am the LORD."
The people have forgotten. In one place, it says that the people have turned their back toward the Lord. A nation that has known God is more likely (or so it seems to me in scripture) to reap the judgment of God. It would take many scriptures to explain what I mean by that.
In this chapter, there is a description of the horror of judgment upon Israel. Some nations, like people, seem to harden themselves even more rather than learn from chastisement. It is sad.
The one theme that starts in this chapter is the phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD..." it is repeated over and over.
v3 "And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God; Thus saith the Lord God to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a swrod upon you, and I will destroy your high places."
The high places are where Israel worshipped idols.
The people have forgotten. In one place, it says that the people have turned their back toward the Lord. A nation that has known God is more likely (or so it seems to me in scripture) to reap the judgment of God. It would take many scriptures to explain what I mean by that.
In this chapter, there is a description of the horror of judgment upon Israel. Some nations, like people, seem to harden themselves even more rather than learn from chastisement. It is sad.
The one theme that starts in this chapter is the phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD..." it is repeated over and over.
v3 "And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God; Thus saith the Lord God to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a swrod upon you, and I will destroy your high places."
The high places are where Israel worshipped idols.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Idols - Jeremiah 10
Jeremiah 10:5 "They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not; they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good."
The prophet is telling the people that idols are inert and can do nothing for themselves. I suppose this would have enraged the heathen around there. It is as if the Lord had to start over with this generation and teach them the basics.
v2 "Thus saith the the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them."
That is a good verse. He says to them that even those who make and worship the signs and idols don't understand them and are no doubt amazed that with all their attention they give to them, still they do not respond. It would seem logical to throw them out.
v8 "But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities."
brutish: showing little intelligence stock: the word has many definitions but one of the that they all have the same origin. Makes sense, since we know the devil is the father of lies and deceit.
v11 "Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, event hey shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens."
Pretty good preparations for a people who are going into captivity and will be subjected to idol worship on a daily basis. They are given an answer to give those over them.
On the other hand, they can refer to their God who is a God of action and power.
v12 "He hath made the earth by his power...v13 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures."
They are being prepared mentally and physically to be uprooted.
v17 "Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress."
The enemy must have been close by when the prophet uttered these words.
v22 "Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons."
Then Jeremiah laments over his people.
v24 "O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing."
It is a chapter that tells of the goings on while in other books of the Bible we see the action.
The prophet is telling the people that idols are inert and can do nothing for themselves. I suppose this would have enraged the heathen around there. It is as if the Lord had to start over with this generation and teach them the basics.
v2 "Thus saith the the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them."
That is a good verse. He says to them that even those who make and worship the signs and idols don't understand them and are no doubt amazed that with all their attention they give to them, still they do not respond. It would seem logical to throw them out.
v8 "But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities."
brutish: showing little intelligence stock: the word has many definitions but one of the that they all have the same origin. Makes sense, since we know the devil is the father of lies and deceit.
v11 "Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, event hey shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens."
Pretty good preparations for a people who are going into captivity and will be subjected to idol worship on a daily basis. They are given an answer to give those over them.
On the other hand, they can refer to their God who is a God of action and power.
v12 "He hath made the earth by his power...v13 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures."
They are being prepared mentally and physically to be uprooted.
v17 "Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress."
The enemy must have been close by when the prophet uttered these words.
v22 "Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons."
Then Jeremiah laments over his people.
v24 "O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing."
It is a chapter that tells of the goings on while in other books of the Bible we see the action.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Israel's Future Isaiah 2
Isaiah 2:2 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it."
According to Scofield's reference Bible notes, mountain can mean kingdom which would clarify this passage.
It will be a great disappointment to the ego's of present day nation giants when they are not the center of attention and commerce but rather all nations look to Jerusalem as the center of things. Similar to the days of David and Solomon except the King of Kings will reign there.
v3 "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."
Remember when Jesus was twelve and he was found in the temple talking to the doctors: Luke 2:47 "And all that heard him were astonished, at his understanding and answers."
The promises of the kingdom and the gospel often get me a little confused or at least makes me pay more attention to how a passage applies when I read it. All the promises made to Israel by the LORD will be fulfilled just as all the promises of the gospel will be fulfilled for Christians.
Romans 11:26-28 "And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes; but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes."
There are many scriptures which describe the Father's tender care of Israel and his love for Israel. See Ezekiel 16:10 "I clothed thee also with embroidered work, and shod thee with badger's skin and I girded thee about with fine linen and I covered thee with silk. I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. v11 and 12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ear, and a beautiful crown upon thine head."
It goes on to say that Israel was carried away by its own beauty and was unfaithful to the one who rescued and cared for her. They turned to another.
v8 "Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made."
Isaiah is a plea for Israel to turn or more specifically Judah and Jerusalem. They did not turn and judgment came.
Although Israel was very stiff necked then, there will be a different day:
v20 "In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats,"
Until that day, judgment is pronounced as we will see in the next chapter as well.
Isaiah 3:13 "The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people."
According to Scofield's reference Bible notes, mountain can mean kingdom which would clarify this passage.
It will be a great disappointment to the ego's of present day nation giants when they are not the center of attention and commerce but rather all nations look to Jerusalem as the center of things. Similar to the days of David and Solomon except the King of Kings will reign there.
v3 "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."
Remember when Jesus was twelve and he was found in the temple talking to the doctors: Luke 2:47 "And all that heard him were astonished, at his understanding and answers."
The promises of the kingdom and the gospel often get me a little confused or at least makes me pay more attention to how a passage applies when I read it. All the promises made to Israel by the LORD will be fulfilled just as all the promises of the gospel will be fulfilled for Christians.
Romans 11:26-28 "And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes; but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes."
There are many scriptures which describe the Father's tender care of Israel and his love for Israel. See Ezekiel 16:10 "I clothed thee also with embroidered work, and shod thee with badger's skin and I girded thee about with fine linen and I covered thee with silk. I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. v11 and 12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ear, and a beautiful crown upon thine head."
It goes on to say that Israel was carried away by its own beauty and was unfaithful to the one who rescued and cared for her. They turned to another.
v8 "Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made."
Isaiah is a plea for Israel to turn or more specifically Judah and Jerusalem. They did not turn and judgment came.
Although Israel was very stiff necked then, there will be a different day:
v20 "In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats,"
Until that day, judgment is pronounced as we will see in the next chapter as well.
Isaiah 3:13 "The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people."
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Dedication of Wall Nehemiah 12
Nehemiah 12:47 "And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron."
We again see a list of names. I think this chapter is retro and is a summary of the people and the events of the time.
The book of Ezra covers about 80 years and Nehemiah covers about 11 years. Nehemiah came up after Ezra (14 years)and set things in order. I do not quite get the time frame of Zerubbabel but it seems he was the strong man of the people who returned.
In reading these books we should do some remembering. Israel was redeemed out of Egypt as slaves. The wondered in the wilderness where they were taught to trust in the one true God and learned the law there. They rose to the greatest nation on earth under David and Solomon. They turned from God and worshipped idols and as a result were taken away into captivity. They were granted permission to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild it. Most of the people choose to stay in Babylon and Assyria because they prospered there. A remnant, with a heart for God, came back and did the rebuilding of Jerusalem. These books are their stories.
v27 "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgiving and with singing with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps."
It is a flashback to the procedures set up by David to praise the LORD. The people were divided into two groups and they climbed the steps above David's house and joined at the top to dedicate the wall.
v43 "Also that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off."
The chapter places emphasis on the singers set up by David and Solomon, Asaph was chief in the old days. His descendants carry on the talent for the LORD. Looking in the book of Psalms, you will see the name of Asaph on many of the chapters.
v46 "For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God."
So to some degree we see now the shame taken away. The destroyed city of Jerusalem represented the nation Israel and the shame they bore for turning from the LORD. It is a physical sign of their spiritual revival.
Next we have the last chapter of Nehemiah.
Malachi 1:5 "And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel."
Dedication of the wall of Jerusalem.
Who will live in Jerusalem?
We again see a list of names. I think this chapter is retro and is a summary of the people and the events of the time.
The book of Ezra covers about 80 years and Nehemiah covers about 11 years. Nehemiah came up after Ezra (14 years)and set things in order. I do not quite get the time frame of Zerubbabel but it seems he was the strong man of the people who returned.
In reading these books we should do some remembering. Israel was redeemed out of Egypt as slaves. The wondered in the wilderness where they were taught to trust in the one true God and learned the law there. They rose to the greatest nation on earth under David and Solomon. They turned from God and worshipped idols and as a result were taken away into captivity. They were granted permission to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild it. Most of the people choose to stay in Babylon and Assyria because they prospered there. A remnant, with a heart for God, came back and did the rebuilding of Jerusalem. These books are their stories.
v27 "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgiving and with singing with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps."
It is a flashback to the procedures set up by David to praise the LORD. The people were divided into two groups and they climbed the steps above David's house and joined at the top to dedicate the wall.
v43 "Also that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off."
The chapter places emphasis on the singers set up by David and Solomon, Asaph was chief in the old days. His descendants carry on the talent for the LORD. Looking in the book of Psalms, you will see the name of Asaph on many of the chapters.
v46 "For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God."
So to some degree we see now the shame taken away. The destroyed city of Jerusalem represented the nation Israel and the shame they bore for turning from the LORD. It is a physical sign of their spiritual revival.
Next we have the last chapter of Nehemiah.
Malachi 1:5 "And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel."
Dedication of the wall of Jerusalem.
Who will live in Jerusalem?
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Action Ezra 10
Ezra 10:10 "And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. v11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives."
Israel had been told not to intermingle with the people of Canaan, yet they did to the point of marrying them and having children. The problem is the people of Canaan worshipped idols. It seems to always be the case that when a wife who worships idols is involved, that the husband is swayed toward that worship. Even Solomon built some places for his wives that were not pleasing to God.
Isaiah 1:4 "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward."
It was a day of much rain and the people sat in the streets. See 1 Samuel 12:18 . They decided the matter would take a long time to resolve so they appointed a time that the leaders would get together and speak for the people.
v19 "And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass."
I know it was tough to do that. The fact is, the LORD told them not to marry the locals before they did it. I suppose some of the wives may have come from Babylon as well. Israel was picked by the LORD to be special. They were worshippers of only one God and were given a special place to live. The LORD expected them to follow the law.
So a list is given in the last part of this chapter. We will now go on to Nehemiah. He too had a great part in building the wall of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 2:5 "Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?"
Strange wives are put away.
Israel had been told not to intermingle with the people of Canaan, yet they did to the point of marrying them and having children. The problem is the people of Canaan worshipped idols. It seems to always be the case that when a wife who worships idols is involved, that the husband is swayed toward that worship. Even Solomon built some places for his wives that were not pleasing to God.
Isaiah 1:4 "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward."
It was a day of much rain and the people sat in the streets. See 1 Samuel 12:18 . They decided the matter would take a long time to resolve so they appointed a time that the leaders would get together and speak for the people.
v19 "And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass."
I know it was tough to do that. The fact is, the LORD told them not to marry the locals before they did it. I suppose some of the wives may have come from Babylon as well. Israel was picked by the LORD to be special. They were worshippers of only one God and were given a special place to live. The LORD expected them to follow the law.
So a list is given in the last part of this chapter. We will now go on to Nehemiah. He too had a great part in building the wall of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 2:5 "Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?"
Strange wives are put away.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Hezekiah Part 2 II Chronicles 30
II Chronicles 30:1 "And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel."
Hezekiah is the king of Judah but he is now reaching out to the whole nation to observe the passover. He is a man with a broader view that just his immediate area. He is considering the law as it applies to all Israel. It is a profound move on his part if you consider the history we have studied concerning the wars and killing between the two nations (or the two divisions of the original nation).
v5 "So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written."
The posts went out and were met with scorn and laughter in Israel. Yet it did have some effect for many showed up from these places, although not as a unified nation.
v11 "Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem."
They were not disappointed for it was a grand occasion. In fact, it is described as the best event since Solomon's time.
There is a demonstration of grace in this chapter. The LORD was pleased with the effort of his people to honor his commandment by observing the passover. After all, it represented their deliverance from death while judgment was being executed on the firstborn of Egypt.
When some were not cleansed, as they were taught, the LORD heard Hezekiah's prayer for them and healed them so that they could observe the passover. Hezekiah prayed in v18 "...The good LORD pardon everyone."
v20 "And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people." See Exodus 15:26 James 5:16
Hezekiah did not miss the opportunity but had great patience with the Levites who were taxed greatly by all the work involved in preparing the sacrifices.
v22 "And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD:..."
It went so well that they extended it seven more days as Solomon did in I Kings 8:65.
v27 "Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people; and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven." See Numbers 6:23
One thing that stands out in the reign of Hezekiah is that there was a lot of praying going on. The Bible plainly says that the LORD heard them.
note: Although the kingdoms of Judah and Israel were often drawn to idols and away from the LORD, there were prophets in the land which warned them and counseled them. Isaiah was available to Hezekiah while Elijah and Elisha were in Israel.
Isaiah 32:17 "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever." See Luke 2:14
Hezekiah and the people observe the passover.
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Hezekiah is the king of Judah but he is now reaching out to the whole nation to observe the passover. He is a man with a broader view that just his immediate area. He is considering the law as it applies to all Israel. It is a profound move on his part if you consider the history we have studied concerning the wars and killing between the two nations (or the two divisions of the original nation).
v5 "So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written."
The posts went out and were met with scorn and laughter in Israel. Yet it did have some effect for many showed up from these places, although not as a unified nation.
v11 "Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem."
They were not disappointed for it was a grand occasion. In fact, it is described as the best event since Solomon's time.
There is a demonstration of grace in this chapter. The LORD was pleased with the effort of his people to honor his commandment by observing the passover. After all, it represented their deliverance from death while judgment was being executed on the firstborn of Egypt.
When some were not cleansed, as they were taught, the LORD heard Hezekiah's prayer for them and healed them so that they could observe the passover. Hezekiah prayed in v18 "...The good LORD pardon everyone."
v20 "And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people." See Exodus 15:26 James 5:16
Hezekiah did not miss the opportunity but had great patience with the Levites who were taxed greatly by all the work involved in preparing the sacrifices.
v22 "And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD:..."
It went so well that they extended it seven more days as Solomon did in I Kings 8:65.
v27 "Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people; and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven." See Numbers 6:23
One thing that stands out in the reign of Hezekiah is that there was a lot of praying going on. The Bible plainly says that the LORD heard them.
note: Although the kingdoms of Judah and Israel were often drawn to idols and away from the LORD, there were prophets in the land which warned them and counseled them. Isaiah was available to Hezekiah while Elijah and Elisha were in Israel.
Isaiah 32:17 "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever." See Luke 2:14
Hezekiah and the people observe the passover.
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Thursday, January 22, 2009
Amaziah II Chronicles 25
II Chronicles 25:1 "Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. v2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart."
It gets a little confusing with the names. Some families go with 'A' and others with 'J', and so on. I expect it reflects the time and events. The list goes like this: Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah...
The difference in the first and last is the letter 'h' is replaced with the letter 'm'. You will also notice that sons with the same name were written about in later places. It is important to get the whole picture and know how the name fits in history.
v3 "Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father."
He went by the letter of the law but I am not sure he was justified in killing the servants, although not killing the children was what the law said. Joash was in rebellion against God.
Amaziah numbered the fighting men of Judah and also hired some from Israel which he was rebuked for because Israel was in rebellion.
v7 "But there came a man of God to him, saying O King, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim."
So Amaziah sent those he had hired home. They were not happy with him and attacked some cities on their way home taking spoil. Meanwhile Amaziah went out to battle.
v14 "Now it came to pass after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them."
We know from our studies that this brings the wrath of God on him. It is hard to understand how these people could be so prone to worship idols after all the judgments brought on them for doing so. But modern man is no different in that they tend to go back to the same sin they were brought out of previously.
v22 "And Judah was put to the worse before Israel and they fled every man to his tent. v23 "And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits. v24 And he took all the gold and the silver..."
Amaziah's kingdom was ruined. Notice that Joash of Israel had the same name as Joash (father of Amaziah) in Judah.
Next chapter King Uzziah.
Ecclesiastes 9:15 "Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man."
Amaziah turns from God to idols.
It gets a little confusing with the names. Some families go with 'A' and others with 'J', and so on. I expect it reflects the time and events. The list goes like this: Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah...
The difference in the first and last is the letter 'h' is replaced with the letter 'm'. You will also notice that sons with the same name were written about in later places. It is important to get the whole picture and know how the name fits in history.
v3 "Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father."
He went by the letter of the law but I am not sure he was justified in killing the servants, although not killing the children was what the law said. Joash was in rebellion against God.
Amaziah numbered the fighting men of Judah and also hired some from Israel which he was rebuked for because Israel was in rebellion.
v7 "But there came a man of God to him, saying O King, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim."
So Amaziah sent those he had hired home. They were not happy with him and attacked some cities on their way home taking spoil. Meanwhile Amaziah went out to battle.
v14 "Now it came to pass after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them."
We know from our studies that this brings the wrath of God on him. It is hard to understand how these people could be so prone to worship idols after all the judgments brought on them for doing so. But modern man is no different in that they tend to go back to the same sin they were brought out of previously.
v22 "And Judah was put to the worse before Israel and they fled every man to his tent. v23 "And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits. v24 And he took all the gold and the silver..."
Amaziah's kingdom was ruined. Notice that Joash of Israel had the same name as Joash (father of Amaziah) in Judah.
Next chapter King Uzziah.
Ecclesiastes 9:15 "Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man."
Amaziah turns from God to idols.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Asa Reform II Chronicles 15
II Chronicles 15:8 "And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD."
Asa has returned from his battle with Zerah where the LORD smote the Ethiopians which out numbered Judah by almost 2 to 1. The prophet Oded came to Asa after the battle and told him that the LORD was with him so long as Asa sought the LORD. The situation is Israel is lacking though which this verse indicates.
v3 "Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law."
The king of Israel (ten tribes) had replaced the Levite priest with just about anyone who stepped forward. They ministered for false gods of idols. So Israel had pretty much forgotten the law of God given by Moses. This is a challenge for Asa and he sets out to clean things up, even to the point of unseating his own other.
v16 "And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron."
He also removed the high places that were in Judah. He also rebuilt the treasury of the house of the LORD from the spoils of war. v18
Asa ends this chapter in his 35th year as king and it was said of him that his heart was perfect.
v17 "But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days."
Up to this point Asa trusted in the LORD fully. We will see him falter though in the next chapter as many of us humans often do.
Psalm 15: 1-2 "LORD who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness and speaketh the truth in his heart."
Asa takes down idols in Judah.
Asa has returned from his battle with Zerah where the LORD smote the Ethiopians which out numbered Judah by almost 2 to 1. The prophet Oded came to Asa after the battle and told him that the LORD was with him so long as Asa sought the LORD. The situation is Israel is lacking though which this verse indicates.
v3 "Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law."
The king of Israel (ten tribes) had replaced the Levite priest with just about anyone who stepped forward. They ministered for false gods of idols. So Israel had pretty much forgotten the law of God given by Moses. This is a challenge for Asa and he sets out to clean things up, even to the point of unseating his own other.
v16 "And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron."
He also removed the high places that were in Judah. He also rebuilt the treasury of the house of the LORD from the spoils of war. v18
Asa ends this chapter in his 35th year as king and it was said of him that his heart was perfect.
v17 "But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days."
Up to this point Asa trusted in the LORD fully. We will see him falter though in the next chapter as many of us humans often do.
Psalm 15: 1-2 "LORD who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness and speaketh the truth in his heart."
Asa takes down idols in Judah.
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