2 Kings 12:1:3

 

October 6, 2021

 

 

Jehoash Reigns in Judah

Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.

 

2 Kings 12:1-3

In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.   And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.  Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings in the high places.

From almost Jehoash's birth, he was under the protection of Jehoiada and he taught Jehoash from a child the ways and will of God.  You will read of few leaders that it can be said; “he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days.”   I have experienced the effect of having men mentor me, and as we read the last part of the quote above it states; “because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.”

God has set up a plan for the older men to teach and instruct the young men, and for the older women to teach and instruct the younger women.  When a man steps out of the design God has set up often we find a person who had good desires but got trapped by the evil one.  It is always wise for a pastor to have an older lady that he sends the ladies of the church to and the same thing goes for ladies do not try to mentor a man unless he is a son or your husband.  In the husband's case, he is best seeking a man as his mentor.

 

From the  Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Treason!

                                                                     2 Kings 11: 13-20

 

October 5, 2021

 

 

When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she went into the house of the Lord to the people.   And when she looked, there was the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. And Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!”   Then Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains who were set over the army, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to death with the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest said, “Let her not be put to death in the house of the Lord.”   So, they laid hands on her; and she went through the horses' entrance to the king's house, and there she was put to death.

And Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people, that they should be the Lord's people, and also between the king and the people.   Then all the people of the land went to the house of Baal and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest posted watchmen over the house of the Lord.   And he took the captains, the Carites, the guards, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king down from the house of the Lord, marching through the gate of the guards to the king's house. And he took his seat on the throne of the kings.   So, all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword at the king's house.

 

It is my personal belief that history often repeats itself when a nation allows self-seeking and godless people to take control.  Athaliah's action was to kill off her competition, to allow the house of Baal to be restored, and to turn the hearts of the people from God.

 

We often today believe falsely that our problem lies with ignorant people in leadership like AOC, or the Muslims in our Congress, many believe it comes from no leadership from the office of the President.   Some truth in all of those thoughts, but all of the above are just empty suits that are doing the will of special interest groups.  All of these groups have the same goal, to get what they want by buying off those in leadership.  They only care about themselves with no regard for what is good for others.

 

Now that brings me to those who go by the name of Christians, do you run your life in the same way, are you taking care of the old number one interest and not seeking the will of the LORD?

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice 

 

 

 

Joash Anointed King in Judah

  

2 Kings 11:4-12

 

October 4, 2021

 

 

Joash Anointed King in Judah

But in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent and brought the captains of the Carites and of the guards, and had them come to him in the house of the Lord. And he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the Lord, and he showed them the king's son.   And he commanded them, “This is the thing that you shall do: one-third of you, those who come off duty on the Sabbath and guard the king's house  (another third being at the gate Sur and a third at the gate behind the guards) shall guard the palace.   And the two divisions of you, which come on duty in force on the Sabbath and guard the house of the Lord on behalf of the king,  shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand. And whoever approaches the ranks is to be put to death. Be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

The captains did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded, and they each brought his men who were to go off duty on the Sabbath, with those who were to come on duty on the Sabbath and came to Jehoiada the priest.   And the priest gave to the captains the spears and shields that had been king David's, which were in the house of the Lord.   And the guards stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the south side of the house to the north side of the house, around the altar and the house on behalf of the king.   Then he brought out the king's son and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony. And they proclaimed him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!”

 

The high Priest had been grooming and teaching this little boy almost from birth the ways of God, and at seven years of age, he made him public to the captains of the Carites.  We do not know who the Carites were but it is believed they were foreign mercenaries who had some loyalty to  David.  He got them into the house of God and showed them the boy king and made them agree to an oath to protect him. 

 

As stated we do not know much about them but they understood the oath they made with Jehoiada and the value of having a man of the lineage of David on the throne.   That brings me to ask a question or you an oath keeper?  God takes our oath very seriously, “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’   But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.   And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.   Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:33-37)

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Athaliah Reigns in Judah

  

2 Kings 11: 1-3

 

October 2, 2021

 

 

Athaliah Reigns in Judah

 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family.   But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah so that he was not put to death.   And he remained with her six years, hidden in the house of the Lord, while Athaliah reigned over the land.

 

Is evil ever condoned by God?  He allows evil, and we find two words being used in the Old Testament, ra’ah such evil as found in “calamity,” “disaster,” “misfortune,” or “hardship”.  The other is “evil,” Rasha – “wickedness” or evil in the moral sense.  

One would be very foolish to say God does not allow such things to bring about His will on earth, it is my personal belief that both are a form of judgment on people who have turned to put anything above God.  It was sin that caused Athaliah to destroy all the royal family, it was not God making her do so, but He did put it in the heart of Jehosheba the daughter of King Joram, the sister of Ahaziah to take Joash the son of Ahaziah, and hide him for six years in the house of the Lord.

It is my personal belief that what is taking place in the United States of America, will not be fixed by money, nor a president, not even by honest election.  We are under the judgment of God and only when we the Church come to grips with what we have allowed the world system to mold us into its mold, and we have not been about our Father's business will things change.  

We the people of God must come to God with our confession of our sins, and that is called repentance, yes, and then turn away from the little gods of this world and follow Jesus.  For our victory is only in Christ.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

I am a rose of Sharon

  

 Song of Solomon

 

Chapter 2

 

December 25, 2022

 

I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.  (People say this is referring to Christ.  I have been taught that from a child, but cannot find it in the Scriptures.)

He

As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women.

She

As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men.  With great delight, I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.  He brought me to the banqueting house,  and his banner over me was love.  Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love.  His left hand is under my head, and his right-hand embraces me!  I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.

The Bride Adores Her Beloved

The voice of my beloved!  Behold, he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills.  My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.  Behold, there he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, looking through the lattice.  My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.  The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance.  Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.  O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.  Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.”  My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes^[ among the lilies.  Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag.

 

As I’ve alluded to often, I’m a very simple, uneducated man, who learns in sales the word, “Kiss, Keep it simple stupid.”  So shall we deal with what is clear in the Scripture, for our Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise, and worship?  Let us begin with Isaiah Prophecy - “For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). And Isaiah gave this prophecy; “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1).  The fulfillment of those words by Jesus; is found in Luke's gospel.  And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.  And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”  Luke 4:17-21  Now this brings all people to make a choice, as C.S. Lewis states, Jesus was either a lunatic or He is the Son of God.  I am a witness that He is the Son of God, and not only is He my Lord, but He is also Creator John 1:3, and my Redeemer, on this special day of our celebrating His birth, and life, and knowing that death had no hold on Him, for He arose as stated in the Scripture, and sit at the right hand of the Father, making intersession for all who by faith have bow a knee to Him.

This would be a great day to do that and enter into Christ, and He into you.

Merry Christmas,

Bob Rice

Why Pray

  

Why Pray 

 

A friend sent me this, and I am a fan of Paul Harvey, Paul Harvey is a great American.  I am in total agreement with Paul that we need to retake America.  What a shame it has been to our Lord and our forefathers to let a few atheists and their lawyers take away our rights to public prayer. How did that happen?  I believe it happened when we began to honor stuff more than we honor Jesus Christ.  Our need to be seen as tolerant people became more important that our need to honor the Lord Jesus Christ.  It also did not happen overnight, it took years of putting self first, seeking our kingdom, and not obeying the command of our Lord; to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then all the stuff will be added to us that we need to live life, yes life in harmony with God and man.  

 

The very small part of this message from Paul that puts a bur, so to say under my saddle,  "Unfortunately, one or two will make that call.  One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations."  If you don't think a short prayer is going to shake the world's foundations, why pray?  I understand what Paul Harvey is saying and I agree but I also believe we Christians have stopped believing that our prayers can change the world.  This I know, when I pray my Father in heaven hears my prayers, He knows my heart, He loves me, and I am His Child.  As His child, I have the right to ask, I do not have the right to order.  So since we have such a great Father, let us come to Him with an open heart, seeking first His kingdom and His will, first for our families and churches and then for the USA. 

 

Just my thoughts on this,

 

Bob

 

P.S.  Looking for something else and ran across this from 2008

P.S.  If Paul Harvey was alive today he would have a few more burs under his saddle.

Jehu Reigns in Israel

                                                                  2 Kings 10: 28-36

 

October 1, 2021

 

Jehu Reigns in Israel

Thus, Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel.   But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin—that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan.   And the Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.”   But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin.

In those days the Lord began to cut off parts of Israel. Hazael defeated them throughout the territory of Israel:  from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the Valley of the Arnon, that is, Gilead and Bashan.   Now the rest of the acts of Jehu and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?   So, Jehu slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his place.  The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.

 

How many times as we study the kings of Israel and Judah do we see them beginning to do and seek God’s will, only to allow the sinful world to turn their hearts away from the ways of God?  But it is also found in the leadership of the Church, often a man will begin strong, and yet he does not finish the assignment that God has given him.  In fact, we have seen many bring shame in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

It is my belief they all set out to do the will of God, but somewhere they tuned into what I call the deceptive channel, and listen to that old serpent who still uses, the same lie, (Did God really say)  and the answer is always yes, God did say that and Jesus help me to not become another victim the one you tell us about in John 10:10.  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

 

We do have an offensive weapon that God has given us, found in Ephesians 6:10-20.  Each of these weapons listed is to protect our minds and hearts from the power of evil in the heavenly place, but verse 17, is our offense weapon;  ^”and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Put the word of God in your heart and mind to be equipped to stand against the schemes of the devil.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Jehu Strikes Down the Prophets of Baal

  

2 Kings 10:18-27

 

September 30, 2021

 

 

Then Jehu assembled all the people and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much.   Now, therefore, call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers, and all his priests. Let none be missing, for I have a great sacrifice to offer to Baal. Whoever is missing shall not live.” But Jehu did it with cunning in order to destroy the worshipers of Baal.   And Jehu ordered, “Sanctify a solemn assembly for Baal.” So, they proclaimed it.   And Jehu sent throughout all Israel, and all the worshipers of Baal came so that there was not a man left who did not come. And they entered the house of Baal, and the house of Baal was filled from one end to the other.  He said to him who was in charge of the wardrobe, “Bring out vestments.” So, he brought out the vestments for them.   Then Jehu went into the house of Baal with Jehonadab the son of Rechab, and he said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search, and see that there is no servant of the Lord here among you, but only the worshipers of Baal.”  Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings.

Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and said, “The man who allows any of those whom I give into your hands to escape shall forfeit his life.”   So as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guard and to the officers, “Go in and strike them down; let not a man escape.” So, when they put them to the sword, the guard and the officers cast them out and went into the inner room of the house of Baal,  and they brought out the pillar that was in the house of Baal and burned it.   And they demolished the pillar of Baal, and demolished the house of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day.

 

The Scripture tells us Jehu used cunning to con the worshiper of Baal, but he also used fear to any that worshiped Baal that did not show up would be hunted down and killed.  He forgot to share that those who showed up would be put to the sword.  Jehu also made sure that no one who was a worshiper of the Lord was killed and that no one who worshiped Baal was not by having them wear the vestments for all the worshipers of Baal.

 

Take a moment to check what is happening to our brothers and sisters in much of the world, some are being hunted down and killed, and others are given a choice to deny Jesus as Lord, yes renounce Jesus, or die.  

 

Now before you make a quick judgment on anyone that does that be very careful, what would you do if faced with that question?  

 

I want to believe I would choose death, if not I must recall these words from our Lord; ^“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

 

I cannot help but ask questions, that what I did for over 40 years in sales, so this question came to mind; could that be one of the reasons we are instructed to study the word of God?  Yes, but also so we can walk upright and with integrity before man and God in this world. 

 

It seems clear to this writer that Jehu was a tool used by God to fulfill what God has said through His prophet.  You and I need to spend more time in a quiet place in prayer and with the word of God if we hope to overcome the cunning of the enemy of our soul.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

About God’s business

                                                                     2 Kings 10:12-17

 

September 20, 2021

 

 

About God’s business

Then he set out and went to Samaria. On the way, when he was at Beth-eked of the Shepherds,   Jehu met the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah, and he said, “Who are you?” And they answered, “We are the relatives of Ahaziah, and we came down to visit the royal princes and the sons of the queen mother.”   He said, “Take them alive.” And they took them alive and slaughtered them at the pit of Beth-eked, forty-two persons, and he spared none of them.

And when he departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him. And he greeted him and said to him, “Is your heart true to my heart as mine is to yours?” And Jehonadab answered, “It is.” Jehu said, “If it is, give me your hand.” So, he gave him his hand. And Jehu took him up with him into the chariot.   And he said, “Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord.” So, he had him ride in his chariot.  And when he came to Samaria, he struck down all who remained to Ahab in Samaria, till he had wiped them out, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke to Elijah.

A man on a mission but would the Church today see Jehu's mission as doing God’s will?  Many would not, in fact, many would not touch this subject, and if they did how would Jehu be treated, as a murderer and trader but not doing the will of our God.

 

A man of like zeal for the ways of God met up with Jehu and together they set out to fulfill his calling on their lives.  Has God called you to do something, then be about it, after you have fasted and prayed and made sure it is God and not the evil one who is always about doing harm, and he is never about following the written words of our great Father, and Lord.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

But God!

  

2 Kings 9:21-29

 

September 16, 2021

 

 

Joram said, “Make ready.” And they made ready his chariot. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah set out, each in his chariot, and went to meet Jehu, and met him at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite.   And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be, so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?”  Then Joram reined about and fled, saying to Ahaziah, “Treachery, O Ahaziah!”   And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and shot Joram between the shoulders so that the arrow pierced his heart, and he sank in his chariot.   Jehu said to Bidkar his aide, “Take him up and throw him on the plot of ground belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember, when you and I rode side by side behind Ahab his father, how the Lord made this pronouncement against him:   ‘As surely as I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons—declares the Lord—I will repay you on this plot of ground.’ Now, therefore, take him up and throw him on the plot of ground, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”

When Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled in the direction of Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him and said, “Shoot him also.” And they shot him in the chariot at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo and died there.   His servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the city of David.

In the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab, Ahaziah began to reign over Judah.

As one reflects on how God sent a young son of a prophet to anoint Jehu as king of Israel and how God’s word was carried out with Ahab's son Joram as to the plot of ground belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite.  I am sure you recall how Ahab want to buy the land from Naboth, but that, it was an inheritance he would not sell and how Jezebel told lie about Naboth using evil men to lie and say he had said things against God and the king.  The people took him and his sons and stone them, and Ahab took his land.  But God, yes God had the last word, and that is just as true today, so wait on the Lord, He alone is your refuge.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Do not put your Trust in man

 

Psalm 146:1-10

 

December 18, 2022

 

Put Not Your Trust in Princes

Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord, O my soul!  I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.  Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.  When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.  Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.  The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.  The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.  The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations.  Praise the Lord!

 

Put not your trust in man, nor government, nor anything but God.  This has been a tough year for me, it began going south on January 26, 2022, and I came home on April 18, I had missed almost three months of the year, and yet I was so blessed, by the prayers of so many.  I had friends that came to see me and family that was there for me.  But I miss my wife, I missed her being next to me at night, I missed my neighbors, and my ability to work in my garden and woodshop.  And I miss the instruction and teaching of God’s word, and the fellowship with other followers of Christ.

 

But I was blessed to have some very special doctors and nurses, and people who clean my room.  But most of all I had long nights when I had time to pray and be grateful for the many blessing.  I also found that I had a lot of growing to do and my dependence was not on man but on God.  Many a night I would cry out to the Lord, Father, I do not know what to do, please show me how to trust you more.

 

Most nights before our prayer time, Jan and I sing hymns to the Lord, and even now I’m having a tough time breathing, so I’m looking to the Lord to open my air passages and lower my high blood pressure.  In that, I know He is my refuge at all times and especially in times like these.  It is almost Christmas and our daughter and family will be in Colorado with the grandsons, but Jan and I  are so blessed to know they will be celebrating the blessing that our Lord has given them.  Both Nat and Byron are in new endeavors and looking forward to the new year, and so is John Mark, a graduated from College and is ready to be God’s man in the business world.  Whereas Zach has two more years of College and he doing great.

 

If it sounds like the little things, such as the messed-up world and not being as healthy as I was for 79 years, are getting us down, you are so wrong, we are so grateful to our Big God for His amazing love and mercy, and the blessing of family and friends.  When you understand that Salvation is found in Christ alone, you will not be looking to anyone else.

 

Do not waste time worrying about all the crooks in Washington D.C., for you have this assurance, the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.  If I told you I was happy about the lies this administration has told, and the evil that our Congress and Senate, the F.B.I., and the others in government are doing, I would be lying.  But in that I know God who loves all and shows mercy to all is going to bring the wicked to ruin, I can trust His timing and not let their action mess with my head.  So shall we just give Praise to our God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?  And have Merry Christmas and look to Jesus.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Jehu Assassinates Joram and Ahaziah

                                                                      2 Kings 9:14-20

 

September 15, 2021

 

 

Jehu Assassinates Joram and Ahaziah

Thus, Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram with all Israel had been on guard at Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Syria,   but King Joram had returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that the Syrians had given him when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) So, Jehu said, “If this is your decision, then let no one slip out of the city to go and tell the news in Jezreel.”   Then Jehu mounted his chariot and went to Jezreel, for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to visit Joram.

Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came and said, “I see a company.” And Joram said, “Take a horseman and send to meet them, and let him say, ‘Is it peace?’”   So,  a man on horseback went to meet him and said, “Thus says the king, ‘Is it peace?’” And Jehu said, “What do you have to do with peace? Turn around and ride behind me.” And the watchman reported, saying, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.”   Then he sent out a second horseman, who came to them and said, “Thus the king has said, ‘Is it peace?’” And Jehu answered, “What do you have to do with peace? Turn around and ride behind me.”   Again, the watchman reported, “He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously.”

 

Often we are on guard for the wrong enemy as was Joram, that could be the answer to why so many have been taken victim of fear and hate in the Church.  We believe and put trust in people in leadership, in the media, and in science and refused to look to the Truth, Jesus is the truth.  All through the Scriptures, we are ordered to fear not, the only one we should fear is God.  Often we have misplaced faith in those of title and role of leadership in our nation and have forgotten that God said all men are liars, and only God is true.  It is time for the Church to be like the Berean in Acts 17:11, “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

 

What kind of man was Jehu, a Commander of many in the army of Israel, a man with knowledge of what the prophets had forecast and one who drives furiously, very fast?  When the men were sent out by the king there is a good chance he was a military man and when Jehu told him to fall in behind him he did as the Commander instructed.  We could learn a lot as followers of Christ from the military, for we also are part of the Army of Christ.  And in our military we teach to follow orders, could that be why the Christian Army has little power?  Only follow a leader who follows Christ, and make sure his talk holds to his actions.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

Jehu Anointed King of Israel

 

 

 

2 Kings 9:1-13

 

September 14, 2021

 

Jehu Anointed King of Israel

Then Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tie up your garments, and take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead.  And when you arrive, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. And go in and have him rise from among his fellows, and lead him to an inner chamber.  Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, ‘Thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and flee; do not linger.”

So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.   And when he came, behold, the commanders of the army were in council. And he said, “I have a word for you, O commander.” And Jehu said, “To which of us all?” And he said, “To you, O commander.”   So, he arose and went into the house. And the young man poured the oil on his head, saying to him, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, I anoint you king over the people of the Lord, over Israel.   And you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord.   For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel.   And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah.   And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her.” Then he opened the door and fled.

When Jehu came out to the servants of his master, they said to him, “Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the fellow and his talk.”   And they said, “That is not true; tell us now.” And he said, “Thus and so he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel.’”   Then in haste, every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps, and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king.”

 

When you or anyone reads the Scripture, it is important, to remember, God’s ways are not our ways, His thoughts and ways are higher than ours.  Be very careful not to get derailed trying to understand from a human understanding or culture the ways of our Lord.

 

You may wonder why Elisha picked this young man and did not go himself, or why he gave the young man the order to flee as soon as he had finished the task?  But are they of importance, and the answer is no, it was God who gave Elisha the orders and they were carried out.   It is what happens next, is very much human.

 

The young servant of the prophet enters the room where Jehu was this is what he encounters. And when he came, behold, the commanders of the army were in council. And he said, “I have a word for you, O commander.” And Jehu said, “To which of us all?” And he said, “To you, O commander.”

 

As a very young salesperson, I had the Kings Ranch as one of my accounts and had sold Bobby Shelton who was over that part of the Ranch a copy machine.  I had also cut a deal with him that I could put a number of beehives on the ranch if he got a gallon of honey each year.  One day I was at the office and I ask if Bobby was there and the young person told me yes he was in the meeting room.  I open the door to encounter him in a meeting with the Kleberg’s and one of the sons told me to get out of the room and follower me out to ask what I was up to.  It was very embarrassing and I told him I had some honey for Mr. Shelton.  He told me Mr. Shelton would not be available to meet with me and did not let me explain that I was not aware that he was in a meeting.  Now I was not there to do anything but honor a deal I had made, and it was not to anoint a new king.

 

But the servant was not received in that way, and delivered the message to Jehu, and got out of there.  What happened next was all the ones under his command wanted to know what the crazy man wanted and Jehu told them what he had done and they began to proclaim Jehu as king.

 

What we must understand is it is God who put rulers over people and often it is for our judgment, think about what we as a nation have done, mass murders of 62 + million babies and expects God’s blessing, this nation, you got to be kidding.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

A message to Dad's

  

2 Kings 8:25-29

 

September 13, 2021

 

 

Ahaziah Reigns in Judah

In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, Ahaziah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, began to reign.   Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah; she was a granddaughter of Omri king of Israel.   He also walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was son-in-law to the house of Ahab.

 He went with Joram the son of Ahab to make war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-Gilead, and the Syrians wounded Joram.   And King Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that the Syrians had given him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel because he was sick.

 

What a message to all dads, your sons and daughters are watching your actions, the way you treat your wife, if you keep your promises to them and others, and how you treat your neighbors.  I find it of interest that many a man including myself find our dads have influenced us.  Some have been to the good and others to the harm, but dads and granddads have an impact on their future.  As followers of Christ, you and I have to live a life of integrity at home, at work, and with our friends and neighbors.

 

As you read the above you should get a picture of how Ahab not only messed up his son but also his son-in-law, to do evil and not good.  The great thing about having Jesus living in you, and you living in Him, is His power to give you the faith and ability to break the mold of your dad if that mold is not a Godly one.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Being Unequally Yoked

 

2 Kings 8:16-24

 

September 12, 2021

 

 

Jehoram Reigns in Judah

In the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, began to reign.   He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.   And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.   Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant, since he promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.

In his days Edom revolted from the rule of Judah and set up a king of their own.   Then Joram passed over to Zair with all his chariots and rose by night, and he and his chariot commanders struck the Edomites who had surrounded him, but his army fled home.   So, Edom revolted from the rule of Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.   Now the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?   So Joram slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.

If the only message one comes away with from this is a wise person will not become unequally yoked.  2 Corinthians 6:14, is not a suggestion, but a command to those who follow Jesus Christ.  “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”

 

It was no secret what Ahab had done in Israel, and it was only logical that the daughter of Ahab would influence this young man in the ways of her dad.  And like Ahab Jehoram brought into Judah the evil that his wife brought from her dad.  It was why Edom revolted against the rule of Judah and set up a king of their own.  

 

Often the church has been guilty of being unequally yoked with the world system and it also has brought about revolts, competitiveness, and not unity.  It is time to put off the ways of this world and put on the ways of our Lord, to serve others.

 

From the Back Porch,

 Bob Rice