Week 25 June 18-24

Day 1

Ahab is reigning over Israel.  He is doing evil, erecting altars for Baal and made Asherah poles. He did more to provoke The Lord to anger than all the Kings of Israel before him. He acted abominably. Jezebel (Ahab's wife) cut off all the prophets but Obadiah hid them and took care of them.

King Asa is diseased in his feet. His disease gets worse but he did not seek The Lord, but physicians.

Jehoshaphat reigns in fathers place (Asa). Walked in same ways as father but didn't remove all the high places. Jehoshaphat sook The Lord and his heart was courageous in the ways of The Lord. He sent his officials out to teach the law of The Lord. He had many riches and mighty men. He made a marriage alliance  with King Ahab. (Bad move)

Elijah tells Ahab that there will we be a drought and the Lord took care of Elijah. Lord sent him to a widow to give him food. She had only enough for her last meal for her and her son and then she would die. She did as he told her and the oil and flour never ran out. The widows son becomes ill but Elijah prays over him and he lives. 

Day 2

Elijah is told to go to Ahab. Ahab and Obadiah went out in search of food.  They meet and Elijah tells Ahab to call on his Baals to provide for him and Elijah will call of The Lord. Baals do nothing. Elijah pours 12 jars of water on his sacrifice and Lord sent fire down and consumed it all. He then seized all the prophets of Baal and slaughtered them. Jezebel said that Elijah would be dead like the prophets by the next day. Elijah feared and ran. God again took care of him and fed him for 40 days & nights. God told him then to anoint Hazael king of Syria, Jehu king of Israel, and Elisha prophet in his place. 
After God showed Himself to be amazing with the sacrifice, Elijah ran and was scared of Jezebel.  Sometimes God shows us amazing things and we get scared too.  God can take care of the scary stuff in our lives.  We just need to trust and allow Him to. 

Day 3

3 years with no war between Israel and Syria. 

Naboth had a vineyard but Ahab wanted it. So he asked if he could buy it but Naboth said no, it was his inheritance. Ahab pouted and whined. Jezebel finds out why he is pouting and has Naboth killed so Ahab can have vineyard. Elijah goes to Ahab and tells him he has done evil and he and all of his family will die. Ahab humbled himself so Lord said that He wouldn't bring this trouble in his days but in the days of his son.

Jehoshaphat and Ahab were going to go to war together. The prophets told them to go but

Jehoshaphat said they should inquire of The Lord.  Micaiah, the prophet, told them not to go but Ahab had him put in prison. Ahab disguised himself and they went out to war. A random arrow hit Ahab and killed him, Ahaziah , Ahab's son, reigned in his place. 

Day 4

Jehoshaphat returned home from war and Jehu, the prophet, encouraged him and he feared God. 

Ps. 82 Rescue the weak and needy - deliver them from the hand of the wicked. 

Jehoshaphat appointed Levites and priests - told them to do their work in the fear of The Lord with their whole heart. When people came up against him he had all the people, including women and children , fast and stand before The Lord. 

Day 5

Don't be silent or still Lord, go after Your enemies. Fill their faces with shame that they may seek You, that they may know that You alone, whose name is The Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.

God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.  Be still and know that I Am God. 

Don't be afraid the battle isn't yours but the Lords. You don't need to fight, stand firm and hold your position. Don't be afraid or dismayed, The Lord will be with you.

Day 6 

Ps. 48 Great is The Lord and greatly to be praised. 

Dread of God is on all kingdoms because God fought on behalf of the Israelites. Jehoshaphat and Azaziah allied together to make ships to go to Tarshish. God didn't agree so he didn't allow ships to sail. King Azaziah sent 50 men to Elijah three times. The first group all died, second group died, third group asked for their lives to be spared.  Elijah said, " Is there no God that you try to inquire of Baalzebub  the false god?"

Elisha together with Elijah. Elijah is about to be taken up to heaven but Elisha doesn't want to leave his side. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. It was given to him.

Day 7
Jehoram and Jehoshaphat went out to war and allied together.  There was no water so they called upon Elisha.  Elisha told them that he would only help because of Jehoshaphat  Because did he right in Gods eyes.  They were successful because of this.  Sometimes when unbelievers hang out with Christians they will be blessed.

Happy Reading - Jeannie