King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Saturday, July 15, 2023
Chapters: II CHRONICLES 28, II KINGS 16-17
Study: Vain Worship
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
First of all, I need to apologize for getting the devotionals out so late this past week, I would like to tell you that married life is what has delayed me, but that is not the case. I have so many things on my mind that it has me out of focus. I must have reread the chapters a dozen times today to get something out of it, but I think that God has finally gotten me to settle down in my mind to figure out what He is saying to me. And it is actually something that a blind man’s parents said when they were asked why their son who was born blind could now see when Jesus healed him.
[John 9:18-22 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.]
Do you see how the parents reacted? They did not want to be put out of the synagogue so they feared telling them that they believed in Jesus. I will tell you that I mostly have church on my mind, and am sad and disappointed that the pastor that married us and whom had become like a father to me, has sold himself and the church in what I believe is his fear of being put out of the church. My wedding, while it was beautiful, was rushed and could have been more beautiful if the church really had put some effort into their “volunteering” to help. I quote volunteering because they said they wanted to help, but could care less that my day was perfect. I can see why God gets upset whenever His people serve Him halfheartedly, [Matthew 15:8-9 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.]
I do not know what is going on with these men of God, these days, they are quick to tell you that they will stand before Jesus and give an account for their watching over His sheep, but they have no clue that they are helping them jump over the fence. As we return to the reading of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, we learn of Ahaz, king of Judah, he not only forsook God, he worshiped every god he could find, even sacrificed his own children.
[2 Chronicles 28:1-4 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father: 2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. 3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.]
[like David his father.] Notice that Ahaz is being compared to David unlike the others had been since Solomon. It was to be an honor that he was of the lineage of David as it was a reminder of God’s covenant with David. That was not the case, as he has disgraced that honorable name by worshiping the gods of these heathen nations that were driven out when they first came into Canaan. Saved, born again Christians who think it is okay to live among those who are worshiping the world gods are fools because trey will end up following suit. It is rare that a God fearing man or woman who dwells among the wicked turns them to Jesus, it is usually them turning on Jesus, [2 Peter 2:20-21 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.]
Now, with both nations making up and or following other gods, God, in all his jealous rage has had enough, He no longer wants to see them in such an evil state, and begins breaking up the kingdoms. First, God, put judgment upon Judah to try and get them to fear Him and return to Him by using Israel to attack them, only a man named Pekah took it too far and took thousand of them captive.
[2 Chronicles 28:8-11 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria. 9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven. 10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God? 11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.]
[even with you, sins against the LORD your God?] These were the very gods that God had Israel remove from the country when they came in from Egypt and now they are back and doing things more abdominal to God than the heathens. God, does everything He can to remove corruption and temptation from us, but those who are determined to continue on that path to destruction will suffer, and not only them, but everyone around them. Now, Ahaz, was about to disgrace David’s name even more when he paid the king of Assyria to help him defeat them using treasures out of the temple to pay him with.
[2 Chronicles 28:16-21 At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him. 17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives. 18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there. 19 For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD. 20 And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not. 21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.]
2 Kings, goes into more detail of what Ahaz took out of the temple and used for an altar to worship yet another false god. He shut up the temple, and forced Urijah to build an altar to worship these false gods, using the very vessels from the Temple. To make matters worse, while at Damascus, he found an altar and was so struck with its beauty that he calls for Urijah, his priest, to make one exactly like it and bring it into the temple.
[2 Kings 16:12–13,15 And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon. 13 And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar. 15 And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king’s burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.]
[And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering,] So, this fool has an altar made for his false god, then proceeds to bring it into the temple and offer offerings upon it. On top of that, he proceeds to have daily sacrifices made upon it. Talk about an insult not only to God, but David’s name as well. It is one thing to worship false gods, if that is the god you choose, then so be it, but it is another thing to use God’s place of worship to do it. I side with Joshua, [Joshua 24:14-15 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.]
And speaking of God’s place of worship, did you know that there are Christ centered churches allowing Muslims and other religions to perform their services in their buildings? Tell me that that is not the same thing what this fool was doing? And I tell you what, God, will not stand for it. Meanwhile, back in Samaria, Assyria, gets a new king, and while he was not a faithful to his false god worship as the other kings, he fell into the same trap as Judah when he paid the new king to help him.
[2 Kings 17:1-5 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years. 2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him. 3 Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents. 4 And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison. 5 Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.]
[Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land,] God is a jealous God, He will not be mocked, shared with another god, or shrunk down to the level of some man made religion who worships Him their own way. God is angry, and has removed His protections upon these nations, and if America does not wise up right now and return to God, it too will be removed from His sight, [Exodus 34:14-15 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: 15 Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;]
Those who are lost will follow any spirit, they know that something is wrong because their lives are a mess, but they do not see God, even though He may be right in their face. I will tell you, there was a time when I like many others knew of God, but He was not prominent in my life, I had no reason to make Him a part of my life because I thought that God did not work that way. It was not until I lost everything and almost lost my life that I saw Jesus for who He really is and realized that He did not bring me here to die in my sin. God, is all about mercy and grace to help us find our way to worship Him His way. However, if we say that we believe in God and follow other gods all we do is make Him angry, and He will cast us out of His sight, which is what He did with Israel.
[2 Kings 17:7-9 For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, 8 And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. 9 And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.]
[And the children of Israel did secretly] Do you think that people are not making sacrifices to their gods today? Think again. Look at how many babies are being killed, and these fools in Congress trying to close down pregnancy crisis centers. Look at how many people are maiming their bodies in an attempt to alter their gender. These are sacrifices they are making to the god of self, [Romans 1:26-28 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;]
Remember, these were the children of God, the Israelites, the promised seed of Jacob, the ones that He had chosen to bless and keep under His blessings and protection. And yet behind His back, or so they thought, they worshiped these gods. And they wondered why God is so angry with them? God is so full of mercy and grace, so slow to anger, but He will not be mocked, it does not matter if you are a child of Israel, a Gentile, or a heathen, He will literally spue out all who worship Him in vain. Now, with most of Israel carried away and Assyria taking over the land things were a bit strange for them, there was some fierce judgments going on. Since they did not know God, but knew He existed they searched for someone who did know Him.
[2 Kings 17:22-23,25-28 For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; 23 Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day. 25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them. 26 Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land. 27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land. 28 Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.]
[therefore the LORD sent lions among them,] It was the fear of dying from combining two medicines that to fear God, can you imagine seeing people eaten by lions doing it? Nevertheless, this I exactly what happened. God is everywhere, and in every nation, He protects and defends, not to mention, reveals Himself to those He has founded. God, founded the land of Israel, and He will always be there, even if it happens to be the center for every false religion known to man. I heard someone say that God founded America to protect Israel, who happens to be Israel’s closest allies right now anyway. And speaking of, do you know why there are so many people in Congress trying to divide Israel and America? It is the same reason why Satan refuses to accept that he will be cast into the lake of fire. They think that they can overthrow the prophecies, but just like everything else came to pass so will this, [Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.]
[and taught them how they should fear the LORD.] It is time that every saved, born again Christian that has caved into the world’s versions of who God is to return to Christ. Stop disgracing His name and start worshiping Him as it please Him, no the world, [Romans 12:1-5 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for sending Jesus to give me a way to be one of Yours, I do not need to be perfect, I just need the perfect one in me. The second I believed with all my heart that Your Son paid the price of eternal death to my soul with His own life, and accepted His as my Saviour, You accepted me as one of yours, and that is something I never want to take for granted. I know we all have flesh and are capable of developing a heart that is not fully on You. Lord, Keep my heart tender, prepare my heart, and give me Your power, wisdom, and mercy, grace, and guidance to live in Your Word. Give me the strength to stand by Your Word at all times. Let me not let become unequally yoked with unbelievers, and not be ashamed to defend my faith. In fact, let me be the vessel of honor that You need me to be so that others would want to choose Your Son. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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