TODAY’S READING IN THE ONE YEAR BIBLE
JUNE 20- 1 Kings 22:1-53; Acts 13:16-41; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 17:17-18
OLD TESTAMENT READING: 1 Kings 22
Today we come to the last chapter of 1 Kings.
The Book of First Kings begins with the death of King David and ends with the death of King Ahab. In the century and a half of history recorded in the book we see a contrast between the rule of God and the rule of men. The government of God is unfailing. The government of men apart from God is disastrous.
God is Yahweh and He is worthy to be the King of kings and Lord of lords. But His rule has been rejected by the kings of this world. By covenant, He is the God of Israel. He is their true king. But His rule is not mirrored in their governments.
Israel disliked its distinction as a theocracy and had asked for a king that it might be like the other nations (1 Sam 8:20). First God gave them a king after their own heart (Saul), then a king after His own heart (David). Then came the son of David, Solomon who was appointed to build the temple which his father had planned and provided for.
Solomon’s reign brought a period of peace, prosperity and affluence that fueled his pride, deceived his heart, generated apostasy and initiated a despotic rule. He made the people’s yoke burdensome, hard and grievous (1 Kings 12:4).
Rehoboam succeeds his father Solomon as a more severe dictator. Due to the corruption of the house of David in Judah, God appoints Jeroboam, the son of Nebat to lead the breakaway northern kingdom of Israel. Although given an opportunity to be blessed and to prosper, Jeroboam turns from the worship of Yahweh only, and in turning to other gods, he causes Israel to sin. In seeking to please people, he displeased God. He initiated a popular, “have it your way” religion of convenience and promoted idolatry, with golden calves at Bethel and Dan and built a capital city at Tirzah. (After the destruction of the King’s house at Tirzah, King Omni would establish the new capital at Samaria).
In the southern kingdom, Abijah, Asa and Jehoshaphat succeed Rehoboam. For David’s sake, God would not remove this dynasty. Abijah was not devoted to the Lord. Asa brought limited reform, in this respect doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord (15:11) with significant compromises, including making an unholy alliance with the king of Aram (15:18). Jehoshaphat did the same, making an unholy alliance with King Ahab.
The spiritual condition of the northern kingdom goes from bad to worse. Jeroboam had caused the people of Israel to sin, and the kings that came after him continued to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. These leaders did nothing to promote the welfare of the kingdom. They saw the throne only as a means of satisfying their own ambitions. Jeroboam’s son, Nadab is assassinated by Baasha. Elah succeeds his father, Baasha, but is murdered by Zimri. Zimri’s 7 day reign is ended with suicide. Omri leads Israel in war with Syria (Aram). The dynasty of Omri is characterized by apostasy. Omri’s son Ahab marries the Sidonian princess, Jezebel, and builds a temple for the worship of Baal at Samaria.
In contrast to the rule of these flawed kings is the rule of God. The rule of God is now communicated through the prophets.
As we have been reading through the Bible, we have seen the foreshadowing of the Messianic office in the mediatorial work of the priest (and his sacrifices), the king (and his rule), and the prophet (and his message). In this way Aaron, David and Elijah have pointed to a Greater Priest, King and Prophet. The role of the prophet now comes to the fore in the history of Israel. At this time of history, it is the prophet and not the king who most accurately communicates the rule of God.
We see this function in the prophetic role of Samuel and Nathan, In the Book of I Kings God makes His will known through Ahijah (11:26-29), Shemaiah (12:21-24), the unnamed “man of God from Judah” (13:1-10), Jehu (16:1-4) Elijah (17-21) and Micaiah (22:8-28).
Today we read of Micaiah.
Godly Jehoshaphat, although he had a heart for God and His Word, foolishly agreed to help King Ahab in an ungodly pursuit in battle (2 Chron 19:1-3). (Jehoshaphat married his son to a daughter of Ahab (2 Chron 18:1;21:4-7; 1 Kings 22:44; 2 Kings 8:16-19). But before joining King Ahab in an attempt to capture Ramoth-Gilead, Jehoshaphat asks that they first inquire of the Lord (22:5).
Approximately 400 of the prophets are ear-tickling “possibility thinkers” and supply “positive affirmations”, uniformably bringing favorable reports to King Ahab. Their message brought encouragement to the king. They were similar to motivational speakers who proclaim-“Whatever the mind can believe you can achieve!”(22:6,10-12), but do not bring the mind of the LORD.
Jehoshaphat recognized that these prophets were not of the LORD (22:7). Ahab knew that there was one man “by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil...he is Micaiah, son of Imlah.
14 But Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I shall speak." (1 Kings 22:14 (NASB)
He predicts the death of Ahab. “These have no master. Let each of them return to his house in peace.” (22:17)
Micaiah speaks of God’s sovereign will that recognizes the king’s propensity to deception. The LORD tells the truth: proclaiming disaster. The popular prophets are permitted to continue to proclaim lies. But God’s purpose is not thwarted.
The true prophets were called by God to communicate the mind of Him who sits on the Throne. They paid a price for their obedience. Micaiah was imprisoned and given a diet of bread and water.
The prophet Micaiah saw the state of affairs as they truly were. Jesus would echo these words as he looked upon apostate Israel. “They are like sheep which have no shepherd”, “scattered on the mountains”. (1 Kings 22:17; Matt 9:36; Mk 6:34)
The word of the Lord came true. Ahab took precautions and went into battle in disguise while King Jehoshaphat went out in his true kingly garments. Ironically, Jehoshaphat is spared and Ahab is killed by what appeared to be “ a certain man” who “drew his bow at random” (22:34).
The words of Elijah also came true:
1 Kings 21:19 (NASB) 19 'Thus says the LORD, "In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth the dogs will lick up your blood, even yours."'
Ahaziah, son of Ahab reigned for two years and was succeeded by his brother Joram (otherwise called Jehoram). The precise prophecy of the dogs licking blood on Naboth’s property was fulfilled in the death of Joram (21:29; 2 Kings 9:25-26)
Let us learn the lessons from I Kings. We do not put our trust in the governments of men. Like the prophets of old we are called to be subject to the Word of God and faithfully communicate it to others.
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Acts 13:16-41
How wonderful it is to hear the apostles preach the gospel. Paul begins with what we have been reading, God’s story in the Old Testament, a story that they were in some ways familiar. He recounts their history beginning with their bondage in Egypt where God made from the 12 sons of Jacob a great people. He speaks of their deliverance at the Exodus, their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, their conquest of the seven nations of Canaan, the allotment of land for the tribes in a period of approximately 450 years. Then came the period of the Judges until Samuel the prophet. The people ask for kings and we read of Saul being raised up and removed and then David , A MAN AFTER MY HEART, being raised up. God makes a covenant with David and promises that a descendent will reign upon the throne forever. This, Paul declares, refers to Jesus, whom John proclaimed to be the Savior.
What is the gospel? It is the message of this salvation that has come in Jesus Christ (13:26). Paul preaches that Jesus was crucified by those who lived in Jerusalem and their rulers who neither recognized Him nor the prophecies they read every Sabbath. (Jesus was crucified according to the Scriptures- 1 Cor 15:3). He was buried (v 29) and raised from the dead as the firstborn from the dead, the representative of a new deathless humanity, fulfilling Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 55:3 and Psalm 16:10.
7 "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. (Psalm 2:7)
Paul announces that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant who is promised everlasting life and an everlasting kingdom.
Paul concludes with the gospel promises:
Acts 13:38-39 (NASB) 38 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.
Isaiah 55:3 (NASB) 3 "Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David.
Paul warns them not to ignore this truly marvelous message but to obey its command- to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
PSALM 138:1-8
One great promise, one great fact and one great prayer:
Psalm 138:8 (NASB) 8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
PROVERBS 17- Thank God for true friends.
Proverbs 17:17-18 (NASB) 17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. 18 A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.
PRAY FOR THE NATIONS:
INDIA
(Using the Prayer Guide “OPERATION WORLD”)
Republic of India
Asia
Geography
Area: 3,166,000 sq km
A further 121,000 sq km of Kashmir, a contested area, is administered by Pakistan and China. Geographically and politically, India dominates South Asia and the Indian Ocean. There are 28 Union States and 7 Union Territories.
Population: 1,214,464,312 Annual Growth: 1.44%
Capital: Delhi
Urbanites: 30.1%
India is the most ethnically diverse nation on earth, with over 2,500 distinct people group. Community and identity are based on caste as much as on race and language. The greatest shift in India’s ethnic history remains the Indo-Aryan migration into the subcontinent over 3,000 years ago. Differing schools of thought label this mass people movement as conquest, absorption or both. Regardless, many of the original inhabitants, tribal peoples and Dravidian people were forced to endure centuries of subjugation.
Official Languages: Constitutionally there are 22 official languages. The official language is Hindi (spoken by 40% of the population). English is a subsidiary official language.
Caste
The caste system reflects ancient social and occupational hierarchies, but its origins are disputed and unclear. Ancient indo-Aryan traditions, Hindu religious texts and beliefs, Indian social structures, the British Empire and even modernization and globalization today have shaped how the caste system impacts life in India.
(Much more helpful information is available in OPERATION WORLD, pages 405-445)
Answer to Prayer
The restoration of political centrism – following the election defeat of a Hinduistic government with extremist tendencies – has returned a measure of religious freedom and has overseen economic growth and the addressing of injustices inherent to the caste system. Burgeoning numbers of indigenous NGOs, policy changes meant to uplift those in (or beneath) the lowest strata of the caste system and even legal changes all point toward a society looking to be more modern, pluralistic and humane.
Challenge for Prayer
Political, economic and social challenges to the country place a great burden upon India’s government. Much positive progress has been made in many areas; to consolidate and build on such progress, prayer is called for. Pray for India’s leaders, that they might:
a) Continue to uphold the constitution by maintaining religious freedom and protecting religious and ethnic minorities. Religious freedom and affirmative action provisions in the constitution have recently come under threat. Some state governments have a poor record for abuse of human rights and discrimination against Christians, Muslims and Dalits; several states have passed anti-conversion laws that, among other things, deny state benefits to low-caste people who become Christian.
b) Uproot corruption in all levels of government – from national to state levels and right down to the local level. Mass media is a powerful means of exposing corruption, and the Right to Information Act forces government staff to be more accountable. With 100 of the 543 members of Parliament having criminal cases pending against them in 2010, clearly the system needs transparency. Pray for courage and resoluteness to stay the course when allowing a culture of corruption to persist is a much easier and safer option.
c) Tackle the serious ills of society with greater commitment and effectiveness – reduce malnutrition, which affects 40% of the population; improve the national infrastructure; deal with widespread use of child labour, bonded labour and female infanticide; tackle the rapid spread of AIDS and serious environmental degradation.
d) Address the growing threat of Maoist/Naxalite insurgency. The stretch of rural India from Nepal down to Andra Pradesh is known as the Red Corridor. These movements threaten stability and security, both locally and regionally. They also threaten the healthy growth of the Church through Naxalite infiltration of Christian communities and the general disruption caused by violence.
e) Manage the economic situation with wisdom. India has the world’s highest number of poor, the fourth-most millionaires and the greatest disparity between rich and poor. Millions enter the workforce every year; millions of jobs must be created to sustain them. Amid a growing economy and a growing middle class, ways to reduce poverty must also be found.
f) Wisely address increasing threats to stability, including terrorism, tensions with neighbouring countries, and Hindu nationalist groups and their targets: Christians, Muslims and Naxalites/Communists.
Pastor David
So, naturally, we proclaim Christ! We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can, all that we know about him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ. (Colossians 1:28, J.B. Phillips paraphrase)
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Mailing Address: Post Office Box Five, Concord, MA 01742
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