Elijah Denounces Ahaziah

 1 Kings 22: 51-53

 

August 12, 2021

 

 

Ahaziah Reigns in Israel

Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel.   He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.   He served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger in every way that his father had done.

Two years, one wonders were his sins great than those of his father Ahab.  What happened to him, 2 Kings 1 has those answers.

 

Elijah Denounces Ahaziah

After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel.

Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so, he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.”   But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?   Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So, Elijah went.

We now have a little better understanding of the shortness of his kingship, and why he sent to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron.  He knows who God’s man is but he also likes his fathers has disdain for the God of Israel because his ways and thoughts are on evil.  God has spoken of such men in the book of Romans 1:19-23, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.   For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse.   For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.   Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”

 

It is one thing to be thought a fool by man, and yet another for the Lord to call you a fool.  Ahaziah was such a man, but today you have a choice, the little gods of this world, that cannot add one day to your life or the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, the Creator of everything that has been made.  It is your choice, and you will make that choice today.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

Abide

 Abide

 

It was March 30, 2007, and if my math is correct that was 15 years ago, and I had the same problem as I have today, not being able to sleep.  It was before my friend Rod Cadenhead talked me into writing "From the Back Porch".

 

 

Good morning, it is very early and most of you are enjoying a good night of rest, I hope.  But that is not the case with me, so I am going to let you in on a big word that has been on my mind for some time.  

 

The word is “ABIDE”; now I know it does not seem to be that large of a word, it is only five letters, but do you know what it means?  My friend Webster; defines the word (“abide” as; to stand fast; remain; go on being. And the word “abiding” is defined as; continuing without change; enduring; lasting.)

 

Why do I believe it to be such a “big” word?  Because as I look around it seems that so little in my world is standing fast, or continuing without change.  It seems as if the things we valued, not that long ago, do not carry the same worth.  Big things like the love of family, the love of truth, honesty, and doing what you said, even the love of God and country.  

 

I have come to this conclusion, is it because we, and I mean you and me are no longer abiding by the truth?  We talk about truth, but where is the source of this truth?  Is it from TV, Fox, and friends, Rush, or some other talk show, where is the source of your truth?  Many years ago, Pilate ask this question of Jesus, “What is truth,” it was in reply to a statement Jesus had made; “You say that I am a king.  For this purpose, I was born and for this purpose, I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

 

Is Jesus the truth?  Can I abide by this truth?  Jesus did not leave any wiggle room, He is God or he is a liar, or worst a lunatic.  I must confess that I believe He is God and that He is the only way to the Father and I must “abide” only in Him.  After making that statement, I need to once more look at that very large word, “abide”.  I must stand fast, I must remain in the only source of truth and I believe that is the God-man, Jesus Christ.

 

In the book of John, we find in the fifth chapter that the Jews were seeking to kill Jesus because He was calling God his own Father, making Himself equal with God.  Later in this same chapter, Jesus replies in this way; “and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.  You search the Scripture because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”  It sure reads as if this man Jesus has the ability to give life, to those who come to Him.

 

Often I ask this question; “But How”, how can I abide, or stand fast?  I have established that the Bible is a great starting place.  I like to think of it as the “manufacturers' handbook on living life on planet earth”, it is a great place to look for answers.  In John 8:31, Jesus is talking to Jews who had believed in Him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  Once more the big word abide comes into play, those who stand fast in Christ.  That is becoming more unpopular in our world, and it is coming to a place where those who abide in Christ will or may already be paying a price for abiding in the Truth.

 

Jesus often makes a statement that seems strange to those who are not of the faith.  Statements like, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.”  Jesus did not mean He was a vine but was using a word picture that we could understand.  In John 15 we see this statement; “Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  I believe the great news is that I am not the only one who is abiding.  Jesus is abiding in me.

 

Jesus goes on in verse 7 of chapter 15 to say; “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”  It’s all about “standing fast,” not listening to the latest fables that Hollywood or our United States Congress has come up with.  It is also not a name it and claim it gospel, Jesus makes it clear that when we abide in Him and His word abides in us we will have new desires, that line up with His word.

 

Often it would seem that we should not have read the next verse, often it is the next verse that we are not ready to obey (continuing without change or standing fast), John 15:9 is one of those verses.   “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”  Jesus goes on to state that he has done this so that our joy may be full.  How are you at keeping rules or commandments, are you like me often trying it your way?  But have you thought that keeping commandments brings about joy in your life, and removes the fear of punishment?

 

One of the last verses on abiding or standing fast in Christ that I looked at was John 15:16.  “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”  Jesus, who is God, chose you and me and appointed us that we would bear fruit and that that fruit should abide.  Wow, and I mean Wow, we can go into the presence of the Father. 

 

What a word, and yes, Rush is right in this one area, “Words mean things”.  To abide: Webster; defines the word (“abide” as; to stand fast; remain; go on being. And the word “abiding” is defined as; continuing without change; enduring; lasting.)  My hope is that when you hear the word “abide” you will think of this letter.  Often I wish we could turn the clock back to where we as a people abide in something, that we stood fast in our beliefs at any cost.  

 

You’re Friend,

 

Bob

Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah

 August 11, 2021

 

1 Kings 22:41-50

 

Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah

Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.  Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.   He walked in all the way of Asa his father. He did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. Yet the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.  Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he warred, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?   And from the land, he exterminated the remnant of the male cult prostitutes who remained in the days of his father Asa.

There was no king in Edom; a deputy was king.   Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion-geber.   Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants go with your servants in the ships,” but Jehoshaphat was not willing.   And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father, and Jehoram his son reigned in his place.

 

Church and I’m not referring to a location, but the Body of Christ, all of us, should we not be asking the Most High God, the ruler of heaven and earth, to give us leaders that “did not turn aside from, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord.”  Jehoshaphat was such a man.  He was not above making mistakes, but his eyes were set on doing the will of God.

 

He set his mind on obeying the Lord, and not being a man-pleaser.  He reigned for twenty-five years in Jerusalem.  What if, we just had eight years of such leadership in Washington D.C., and not the evil leadership of the Democrat party.  They are some of the most Godless people, seekers of power and wealth with no regard or understanding, or fear of God.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Ahab Killed in Battle

 

1 Kings 22:29-40

 

August 10, 2021

 

 

Ahab Killed in Battle

So, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.  And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.   Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel.”  And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is surely the king of Israel.” So, they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out.   And when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.   But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore, he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.”   And the battle continued that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians until at evening he died. And the blood of the wound flowed into the bottom of the chariot.   And about sunset, a cry went through the army, “Every man to his city, and every man to his country!”

So, the king died and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria.   And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes washed themselves in it, according to the word of the Lord that he had spoken.   Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did, and the ivory house that he built and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?   So, Ahab slept with his fathers, and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.

 

I’m not sure what you would have done when Ahab told Jehoshaphat to you wear you’re your robes and will disguise myself, but I would have taken my army and gone home.  I’m sure when Jehoshaphat had all the 32 captains of the king of Syria only coming for him, he was sure that he messed up big time.  And as soon as the captains understood he was not Ahab they back off. 

 

Was this not the hand of God, for Ahab, was disguised and, in the battle, and Scriptures tell us; “But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate.”  How often are we thanking our disguise will work, we know what God has said in His word, but no one will find out, but God always has a certain man who at random shoots us down, and exposes our sin.

 

And like Ahab, all that the Lord has spoken will take place, be sure your sins will find you out.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Who will entice Ahab?

  

1 Kings 22:20-28

 

August 9, 2021

 

 

 ^“And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-Gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another.   Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’  And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’   Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.”

Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?”   And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.”   And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, until I come in peace.”  And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”

The above is what God told Micaiah his prophet to tell Ahab.  The king had many a person put in prison or killed for much less, yet Micaiah comes across as being fearless.  Could it be as simple as he feared God more than he feared the king?  All the king could do was take his life, but when one is like an Ahab with little fear of God it and eternal punishment in the place God calls hell.  

 

Do you understand the ramification of what Micaiah is saying in this verse; “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me?” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”

If Ahab returned Micaiah was not a prophet of God but a false, prophet and was to be put to death.  That brings up a question for each of us to ponder, are we willing to put our life on the line for the promise and word of God?

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

The Prophet of God, Micaiah stands alone

                                                                    1 Kings 22:10-20

 

August 3, 2021

 

 

 

Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them.   Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns and he declared, “This is what the Lord says: ‘With these, you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’”

All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. “Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious,” they said, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”  The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.  ” But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.”  When he arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or not?”  “Attack and be victorious,” he answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.” The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”  Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’”  The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?”  Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left.  And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’

 

Patrick Morley has written a book on “The Four Voices”; taking control of the conversation in your head.  I cannot put myself in Micaiah's place for I am not in the prophet business, but I can tell you that if you believe the Scriptures and do what they instructed you to do, you will often find yourself standing alone in the crowd.  The apostle and  Jesus tell us that a time will come when those who follow Christ will be persecuted.  

 

At the time of this word from the apostle, Paul was in prison in Rome, and he is feeling rejected.  But it was Christ who gave Paul this victory; “We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Cor. 4:8-10).

 

As stated, Micaiah was the odd man in this group of what I refer to as hired hands, if your pastor is your employee, fire him and find a man who cannot be bought, who does not fear you but does fear God.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

 

 

Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab

  

 

1 Kings 22:1-9

 

August 2, 2021

 

 

Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab

For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel.   But in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to see the king of Israel.   The king of Israel had said to his officials, “Don’t you know that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram?”  So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?”  Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”   But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.”  So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”  "Go,” they answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?”  The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”

“The king should not say such a thing,” Jehoshaphat replied.  So, the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”

 

Two men, from their Father Abraham, both Kings, one of ten tribes called the North Kingdom and one from the tribe of Judah referred to as the Southern Kingdom.  That is where the similarity ends, for Ahab the king of Israel is a double-minded man who has little fear of the Lord, were as Jehoshaphat is the king of Judah and still has some aspect of fear of God.  Jehoshaphat at this point wants to keep the peace with Israel and in doing so does not seek the Lord’s counsel before entering into this partnership.  One might say they were unequally yoked.  One put his trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Ahab the king of Israel put his trust in the cultural gods and their prophets.

 

It reminds me of those listening to the gods of science and their godless prophets, not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  For me and my house, we will put our trust in God.  Those gods of science are telling you to get your children stuck with the shot to save the planet, yet I just read a study that of 48 thousand children that got the virus, 0 died.

Today I read this from The Heritage Foundation

“For example, most children who are known to have been infected are either asymptomatic or, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), experience “mild” symptoms. About 1.3 percent of children diagnosed with COVID-19 have been hospitalized, and 0.01 percent have died.”

 

It is time for the Church to choose which God you will serve, the god of science or the God who loves you, the God of Promise, or the gods of this world.

 

For me and my house, we have made God our refuge and dwelling place, and by faith, He has given us, we have put faith in His promises.  Psalm 91:9-11, “Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Ahab's Repentance

 

August 1, 2021

 

1 Kings 21: 25-29

 

Ahab's Repentance

 (There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited.   He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.)

And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly.   And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”

 

The Bible has much to say about seeking a Godly woman to be your wife, it seems Ahab was looking in the wrong place for a wife.  “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30) “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” (Proverbs 31:10)  One last thing about a Godly wife, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”  (Proverbs 31:26)

It is obvious that Ahab was not looking for such a woman, he was looking for outward beauty and not inward.  First and foremost Ahab was a very weak man, who was foolish and unstable.  Scripture talks about such a man in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

 

So he married a woman without discretion.  What does the Bible tell us about such a woman?  Proverbs 11:22, “Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.”  “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.”

Beware of the type of woman you are drawn to, and run if you find she is the woman depicted in the following; Proverbs 5:6 “For she cares nothing about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it. So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say: Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house!”

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Naboth's Vineyard part 2

1 Kings 21: 8-16

 

July 30, 2021

 

Naboth's Vineyard

So, she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city.   And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people.   And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”   And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people.   And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So, they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones.   Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.”

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.”  And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

Using the line of the great Paul Harvey, now the rest of the story.  Lie and deceit sounds a lot like the time we live in, and the speaker of the House is a ringer for Jezebel.  When a person wants their way at any cost, and that person is in leadership, you have a very dangerous person.

We find such a person in Jezebel, she had no problem with having a man killed, if that man was in the way of something she wanted.  And she had a husband who also was evil, but he was not in her league.  She also cons others into doing her killing, by lies and deception, but God was not blind to her actions, nor is He blind to what is happening in Washington D.C. today. 

But this I know a Jezebel may take your life, and your vineyard, but God has set a day she will face His judgment.  When you encounter a Jezebel as a follower of Christ, what is your weapon, is it not a prayer for that evil person and asking the Father to allow her or him to come to the end of themselves, and seek His forgiveness?

No weapons on earth can equal prayer, so make sure you are not leaning on your understanding but on the Father for His will, and your prayer can change history.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

 

 

 

Naboth's Vineyard

 1 Kings 21: 1-7

 

July 27, 2021

 

Naboth's Vineyard

Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.   And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.”   But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”   And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.

But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?”  And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”   And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

 

In the account of two evil people, one acts like a small little spoiled boy, and his wife took the role of the mother who never allowed her little boy to own his own problems.  I believe they call them helicopter mothers today, always hovering and making sure their sons are never allowed to grow into manhood.  In all areas of life, we will face a situation where we must make a decision and often we choose to take risks that lead to disappointments, and sometimes real pain for both ourselves and those watching or being affected by our actions.  

 

In my case, I was given clear directions on what was right and what was wrong, but often I was not sure my parents knew what they were saying and so I made many bad discissions that cause me pain, and I never had my mother or dad try to cover my wrong choices but always allowed me to take the full punishment.  I would not be the man I am today if my mother or dad was trying to fix my disappointments as Jezebel did for her weak evil husband Ahab.

 

If you are such a person and you love your child tell them what is right and what is wrong according to God’s Word, and allow them to make mistakes but also receive punishment for their poor choices.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Elah Reigns in Israel

 

1 Kings 16:8-14

 June 29, 2021

 

Elah Reigns in Israel

In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and he reigned two years.   But his servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots, conspired against him. When he was at Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah, Zimri came in and struck him down and killed him, in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his place.

When he began to reign, as soon as he had seated himself on his throne, he struck down all the house of Baasha. He did not leave him a single male of his relatives or his friends.   Thus, Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, for all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned and which they made Israel to sin, provoking the Lord God of Israel to anger with their idols.   Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

 

No surprise, God spoke through His prophet Jehu to Baasha, and he dismissed all that the prophet said. Have you given thought to the truth that God now speaks to us through His written Word and when we ignore its direction and teaching, we are in rebellion?  One example is God’s command to assemble ourselves together for worship, many today are not doing so and are setting themselves up for heartache.  Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have the habit of doing. Rather, let us encourage each other, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  I have a good friend who has quit coming to worship, and when asked why his answer was; "I’m getting everything I need on Sundays sitting at home watching the sermon."  This man was a deacon, a greeter at the door, and an encourager to me and many others.  When he left his place in this army of Christ, he left a hole in the line.

 

Is the Church so slow to grasp, we cannot have body life if we do not meet together to encourage one another.  Body Life is the Christian Army coming together for instruction, correction, encouragement, and to pray for one another.  If you can do that sitting at home in your PJ and drinking coffee and eating breakfast, please tell me how that works?

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad Again

 1 Kings 20: 26-34

 

July 25, 2021

 

 

Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad Again

In the spring, Ben-hadad mustered the Syrians and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.   And the people of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went against them. The people of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Syrians filled the country.   And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’”   And they encamped opposite one another seven days. Then on the seventh day, the battle was joined. And the people of Israel struck down of the Syrian's 100,000 foot, soldiers in one day.   And the rest fled into the city of Aphek, and the wall fell upon 27,000 men who were left.

Ben-hadad also fled and entered an inner chamber in the city.   And his servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads and go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.”   So, they tied sackcloth around their waists and put ropes on their heads and went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please, let me live.’” And he said, “Does he still live? He is my brother.”   Now the men were watching for a sign, and they quickly took it up from him and said, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” Then he said, “Go and bring him.” Then Ben-hadad came out to him, and he caused him to come up into the chariot.   And Ben-hadad said to him, “The cities that my father took from your father I will restore, and you may establish bazaars for yourself in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” And Ahab said, “I will let you go on these terms.” So, he made a covenant with him and let him go.

 

God's purpose for giving Ahab victory was the same reason He sent His only Son to die for the sin of the World, He wants you to know and worship Him as Lord.  It  is stated often in the Scriptures what God wanted Ahab, you and me to know, you shall know that I am the Lord.’”

Ahab was always open to God fighting his battles, but not for God to be the LORD of his life.  As you look into the mirror, do you see a little bit of Ahab in yourself?

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

 

Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad

1 Kings 20:13-26

 

July 24, 2021

 

Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad

And behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the Lord, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will give it into your hand this day, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”   And Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “Thus says the Lord, By the servants of the governors of the districts.” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.”   Then he mustered the servants of the governors of the districts, and they were 232. And after them, he mustered all the people of Israel, seven thousand.

And they went out at noon, while Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the booths, he and the thirty-two kings who helped him.   The servants of the governors of the districts went out first. And Ben-hadad sent out scouts, and they reported to him, “Men are coming out from Samaria.”   He said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive. Or if they have come out for war, take them alive.”

So, these went out of the city, the servants of the governors of the districts and the army that followed them.   And each struck down his man. The Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them, but Ben-hadad king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen.   And the king of Israel went out and struck the horses and chariots, and struck the Syrians with a great blow.

Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, “Come, strengthen yourself, and consider well what you have to do, for in the spring the king of Syria will come up against you.”

And the servants of the king of Syria said to him, “Their gods are gods of the hills, and so they were stronger than we. But let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.  And do this: remove the kings, each from his post, and put commanders in their places,  and muster an army like the army that you have lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot. Then we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.” And he listened to their voice and did so.

 

What was it the Lord wanted king Ahab to understand?  He was outnumbered, the task was impossible, outnumbered, outgunned, but God.  It matters not the odds when God enters the equation.   With God on your side, the battle is His and you just follow His orders and walk in victory.  

God had one objective to show Ahab that he needed to understand that the God of Israel is the Lord.  Could it be that you are more like Ahab than you think?  Let me be clear if you are a follower of Christ, the world is not your friend, there is a growing disregard for the Church, the world is a moral sewer, and all that people have put their trust in the government is like unto one of those wood Idol, cover with gold, it cannot see nor hear, and it’s worshipers or liars at best.  

 

Marc Nuttle said it best, “You cannot print money and buy your way out of trouble.  If governments could print and borrow forever they don’t need God.  You make your own man.”

 

And he gave two areas for the Church of the Living God to do in this time we find ourselves.

1.    Understand the truth.  “Not the spin  politician put on their truth” (My words not Mr. Nuttle's.)  What the Bible tells us is truth.

2.    Stand on it and defend it.

 

And never forget with God all things are possible.  And often God uses evil men like Ahab to accomplish His purpose.

 

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice