Learning from God’s Provision for Elijah

The reign of Ahab was indeed very wicked. I could imagine all the sex rites and human sacrifices going on in this wicked new religion. It’s often said that all religions serve the God of the Bible. Well, the Bible says otherwise. Baal-Hammon was a god considered to be a weather god. It’s often said people who believe only their religion is right are wrong. Well, it’s not about my religion but what the Bible says. The facts are facts except about religion, right? Well, religious relativism will soon label Jezebel as merely a fanatic. It would also wrongly condemn Elijah. Now, we must look at Elijah’s war against what might be the wedding of Jeroboam’s religion with the worship of Baal-Hammon.

The Rise of the Omride Dynasty

After Jeroboam’s house was destroyed by Baasha, we also read of Baasha’s reign which was succeeded by Elah. The reign of Asa lasted for 41 years. Asa was able to reign during the short reign of Jeroboam’s unrighteous son Nadab, the reign of Baasha for 24 years, and Elah also reigned for two years only like Nadab. Is there any strange pattern here? Jeroboam reigned for 22 years. Baasha reigned for 24 years. The sons that succeeded them reigned for a very short time. Even more ironic is that Elah was killed by Zimri. Yet, Zimri only reigned for seven days. We can talk about how wicked Baasha was. Baasha got rid of Jeroboam but clung to the sins of Jeroboam. Now, we have another wicked king and a wicked dynasty.

The Evil Religion of Jeroboam Persisted Even After Its Founder’s Demise

As I’m currently blogging about the kings of Israel and Judah, it might be important to backtrack on the sin of Jeroboam, son of Nebat. 1st Kings 11 tells us of the event of Solomon’s backsliding and Jeroboam to becoming anointed king of the Northern Kingdom of Judah. Like Saul, Jeroboam the son of Nebat was anointed and raised by God Himself. We can even read in 1st Kings 11 that God also promised to give Jeroboam a good kingdom if the latter followed the ways of David. Unfortunately, like Saul, Jeroboam chose to follow wickedly. Saul perverted the offerings by making sacrifices only meant for the Levites. Later, Jeroboam perverted the offerings by making his own wicked religion with priests who weren’t Levites. Both were anointed as prophets but never followed the God of the prophet.

When Emotional Responses of the Catholic Mass Reveal a False Convert

There’s a saying you can grow up in a Christian home, a Christian church, went to a Christian school, and still be unconverted. The video above talks about how a former Protestant, named Jessica, goes Catholic based on an emotional response. I could hear how they attended the Roman Catholic mass and they decided to convert. She even mentioned she did a Google search and found out that Jesus is the founder of the Catholic church. Yet, it says “according to Catholic tradition”. Tradition, in itself, isn’t evil but if tradition is in conflict with the Bible–run!

King Asa’s Reign as a Reformer

We read how the Southern Kingdom of Judah wasn’t in much better shape. We need to trace back the family tree. Solomon severely backslid causing a son and a grandson not to rule properly. Rehoboam married a half-cousin of his, Maacah, who was a daughter of Solomon’s older half-brother Absalom. Later, they had a son named Abijah who only reigned for three years. Was the incest the reason why Abijah of Judah died so early? Charles II of the Hapsburgs died at only 38. Abijah of Judah was said to have died also at 38. Though Charles II was far more inbred and never even reproduced. After two kings who didn’t prepare to seek their hearts to the LORD, we would have Asa as a reformer. The story of Asa can be found in 1st Kings 15 and 2nd Chronicles 14-16.

When Jeroboam’s Godly Son Fell Sick

Life can be so unfair, right? Just as I was about to proceed to write about the reign of Asa, I did feel I leave some details out. We have the account of Jeroboam I’s son, Abijah of Israel, who fell sick. It would be interesting to know both Rehoboam and Jeroboam both had a son named Abijah. Abijah of Judah soon rose to succeed the throne but only reigned for three years. Meanwhile, Abijah of Israel got sick and was cut short. There are many times life feels unfair especially when an ungodly king is alive and well while his godly son is sick.

Jeroboam I’s Defeat Proves a Few with God is the Majority

After the reign of Rehoboam for 17 years and died at 58 years old. Now, we have Abijah who reigned for only three years. Historical records say that Abijah was born in 950 B.C. and died in 911 B.C. How he died doesn’t seem to be revealed either by Scripture or by history. I wanted to read through The Antiquities of the Jews and found no information on how or why Abijah died so young and reigned so short. A historical source mentioned in the Bible was the book of Iddo which I think may be missing today.