Several times in today’s Bible reading* we read that the people “feared the Lord, but …” (2 Kings 17:32-33, 41) The people appointed their own priests, worshiped their own gods, and served their own idols. How is it possible to say that someone “feared the Lord” and follow that statement with “, but”? Wouldn’t that…
With today’s Bible reading* we read the first half of the book of Hosea. God command this prophet to marry a prostitute. And to no surprise, his wife, Gomer, acts just like a prostitute, leaving her husband to follow other lovers. Hosea learns that his life is an object lesson demonstrating God’s relationship with His…
In today’s Bible reading* we see a familiar theme: A king comes to power and “does what is right in the eyes of the Lord”. However, the king isn’t wholly committed to walking with God; he allows idolatry in the land. It’s a paradox of leaders of God’s people. As I mentioned earlier and in…
In today’s Bible reading* we see the fulfillment of Elijah’s prophecy to annihilate Ahab and Jezebel and their descendants. King Jehu was God’s anointed king and appointed for this purpose. (2 Kings 9:6-7) And fulfill it he did! Ahab had seventy sons, all of whom were beheaded at Jehu’s request. (2 Kings 10:7) Jezebel was…
Today’s Bible reading* is one of my favorite stories in the Bible: the showdown between Elijah and the Prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. The story is a familiar one for those of us who have been around church for very long. In it, Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal (the fertility god) to accept…