Jehoram Reigns in Judah

 

 

 

2 Chronicles 21:1-7

 

July 27, 2023

 

Jehoram Reigns in Judah

Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Jehoram his son reigned in his place.  He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. Their father gave them great gifts of silver, gold, and valuable possessions, together with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.  When Jehoram had ascended the throne of his father and was established, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also some of the princes of Israel.  Jehoram 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 the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.

It was tradition for the firstborn to get the role of leadership, and we know that by marrying Ahab's daughter, she had a stronger influence on Jehoram than his dad.  Who one marries has a large impact on the desires of their heart.  Jehoram had to see how God had fought for Judah, he had to have seen how his dad honored God and listened to the prophet of God.  He had to see the difference between Judah and Israel, and yet he went the way not of his dad but the evil Ahab.

 

I always am amazed at how the United States of America could go from its foundation to what it has become.  It did not happen overnight, it began many years ago.  It began when we allowed men and how women, to become career politicians.  It began when they realized they could become wealthy and make laws that benefitted them, both wealth and power.  They are being controlled by greed and they do not fear God.  Many of them do not believe in the Creator, they need our prayers to the God they have no use for.

 

So as a follower of Christ what should we do, Standfast, Ephesians 6:10-17, give us our marching orders; ^“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”

 

I am guilted of wrestling against flesh and blood, that is not our battle, we are to stand fast, with the armor God has provided.  It would be so easy to point out the failure of many, but first I had to take the log out of my eyes to see the truth.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice