Tag: Israel

Jehovah’s accusations against Judah

July 6, 2020

As Isaiah 1 begins Jehovah comments that Judah is not as attentive to Him as an ox or donkey. Why can they not understand that their disobedience causes their failure to succeed? The Lord does not accept the sacrifices, offerings, and worthless assemblies that are part of their tradition. He has stopped listening to their prayers because of the evil habits they practice.

Instead of sacrifice and false worship God desires us to be just, defend the oppressed, and care for orphans and widows. Willingness and obedience will give us the opportunity to become what Yahweh wants us to become. The time to have a second chance is up and the wrath of our sovereign Lord will be dispensed not just to the Judeans, but also the northern tribes of Israel.

The mountain on which the Temple was originally built is in Isaiah 2. Today we know that many diverse groups have used this parcel of land for their worship including the Islamic community that has a mosque there as this time. A prophecy of peace is proclaimed.

The day will come when the land of Judah and its people will be rejected. These are the things that the authorities refused to believe. The devastation of Israel was predicted and the time when the same would happen in Jerusalem.

The judgment prophecy continues in Isaiah chapter 3. Jerusalem and Judah will suffer lose, famine, and starvation. The righteous will not be forgotten, but the wicked will not escape forever. A courtroom setting is described, and Jehovah is the magistrate. Even the women of the land will be held responsible for their sin. 

A day is predicted when the city of Jerusalem and Judah will recover in Isaiah 4. Just as Jehovah can restore a devastated city, he can and will restore you. If you need to know how, message me.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Rehoboam and the split of Israel

June 25, 2020

Jeroboam had been a thorn in the side of Solomon and returns in 1 Kings chapter twelve. Rehoboam goes to Shechem to become his father’s successor. Jeroboam returns from Egypt and is asked to join them at Shechem. Israel asks to have the tax and labor burden reduced. Remember the King’s comments in Ecclesiastes about everything he had built and accomplished. The people think they have completed these projects.

After three days, Rehoboam answers Jeroboam and his supporters. The younger advisers disagreed with Solomon’s men. The new King follows the youthful answer. Often older heads are more conservative. In this situation that could have prevented a split between Israel and Judah.

Shechem is the seat of Jeroboam’s new government. To prevent the people from returning to Jerusalem to worship Jehovah, he had two golden calves made and established worship of idols. Nothing he did was to worship the one true Creator God.

1 Kings 13 tells of Jeroboam and a man of God who came from Judah and announced Jehovah’s displeasure with the new altar that has been built to worship the golden calves. When the Israelite King tries to take him, the altar is split in two and the hand of Jeroboam shrivels. The King repents, and his hand is restored.

Yahweh has instructed His man not to accept anything from the Israelites and to return to Judah by a different route. An older prophet intercepts him and lies to him. We all need to listen to God and sometimes ignore others if they try to contradict what God has told us. This man of God’s disobedience is punished by death. The old prophet has no remorse but does bury him.

Jeroboam does not correct his mistake, and this is the reason his line is removed from the rule in Israel. His sin is followed by all the other Kings of the Northern Kingdom. It will ultimately result in the fall of the country.

Has God ever told you something that was going to happen? In 1 Kings 14 Jeroboam sends his wife to the prophet Abijah to ask for his son’s healing. The Prophet knows that she is coming because Jehovah told him. He also has a message for the King of Israel. He is the last of his line. Israel itself will fall because of the idolatry the Kings allow. Jeroboam is the first of many evil rulers. The next monarch is Nadab, the son of Jeroboam.

Rehoboam was not much better in Judah. Shishak, who was the Egyptian Pharaoh attacked them. He took the gold items from the Temple that Solomon had dedicated. Abijah took over for his father when Rehoboam died.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Blessings for the twelve sons of Israel

January 30, 2020

JACOB BLESSING HIS SONS

The blessings of Israel on Joseph’s sons are given in Genesis 48.  Manasseh and Ephraim are brought to their Grandfather to be blessed and he crosses his arms to give the blessing for the elder to the younger as he tricked his Father into doing with, he and Esau.  Jacob tells his son that any more children born to him will be counted as the sons of these two boys who become his own sons instead of their Father.  This increases the Israelite tribes to thirteen.  We will see the reason for this in Exodus.

The promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are passed to the next generations.  The land of Canaan is not all that is included.  Many nations will come from this line, including these two youngsters.

The blessings that Jacob gives to his sons are in chapter forty-nine of Genesis. Reuben, the oldest is strong, but will not excel. Levi and Simeon are violent and will be scattered throughout Israel. Judah will be a ruler. This is the clan that produces David and his heirs.

Zebulun will live by the sea. Issachar will submit to forced labor. Dan will provide justice. Gad will be attacked and defend himself. Asher will feed a King. Naphtali will have beautiful children.

God’s blessings will fall on Joseph. Benjamin is described as a wolf.

Just before Israel dies, he requests his sons to return him to Canaan and bury him where Abraham and Sarah are buried. He will not be the last to rest there.

We have reached the end of the first book of the Bible. The fiftieth chapter of Genesis sets the scene for Moses’ second book, Exodus.

Israel’s death brings up the problem of revenge by Joseph against his ten brothers.   After the burial of their father, the brothers believe their lives are in danger. They beg Joseph to spare their lives and make them his slaves. The second highest ruler in Egypt informs them that God planned this for good despite their evil intentions.

Joseph requested that his remains be taken to Canaan when the Israelites return home.  We leave The Beginnings to go to The Exit in two days.

Tomorrow we make a detour, to be chronological. Be ready for some riveting reading.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger