Day 161 - The Ups and Downs of Israel and Judah (1 Kings 13-15, 2 Chronicles 11-15) - Year 2
20:58 Share

All the info you need to START + the printable schedule + links to the Bible we use is on our website: http://dailybiblepodcast.net)!  

Join the Daily Bible Pod Coffee Club: https://dailybiblepodcoffeeclub.substack.com/

TODAY'S READING:

• 1 Kings 13, 1 Kings 14:1-24, 2 Chronicles 12:13-14, 2 Chronicles 11:18-23, 2 Chronicles 12:1-12, 1 Kings 14:25-28, 2 Chronciles 12:13-16, 1 Kings 14:29-31, 1 Kings 15:1-5, 2 Chronicles 13, 1 Kings 15:9-15, 1 Kings 14:19-20, 1 Kings 15:25-34, 2 Chronicles 14:9-15, 2 Chronicles 15

WORD OF THE DAY:

-  Steadfast

Today, we dive into the turbulent history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The kingdom of Judah consisted of only one tribe, while the kingdom of Israel comprised all the others.

God sends a prophet to confront King Jeroboam of Israel about his idolatry. The prophet Ahijah predicts the downfall of Jeroboam’s dynasty, declaring that all his male descendants will be punished due to his turn to idols. This prophecy is fulfilled with Jeroboam's son, Abijah, who becomes ill. Despite Jeroboam’s wife seeking a different outcome, Ahijah tells her that the child will die as an act of mercy, being the only good thing seen in Jeroboam’s family.

Switching to Judah, Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, initially abandons God’s ways, leading to an attack by King Shishak of Egypt. However, Rehoboam humbles himself before God, prompting God to show mercy. Although Shishak takes treasures from the temple and the royal house, Judah is not completely destroyed.

"When the LORD saw their change of heart, he gave this message to Shemaiah: 'Since the people have humbled themselves, I will not completely destroy them and will soon give them some relief. I will not use Shishak to pour out my anger on Jerusalem. But they will become his subjects, so they will know the difference between serving me and serving earthly rulers.'"- 2 Chronicles 12:7-8

Rehoboam’s son, Abijam, takes over and goes to war with Jeroboam of Israel. Despite being outnumbered, Judah’s reliance on God leads to victory.

King Asa, succeeding Abijam, brings significant reforms to Judah by removing idols and commanding the people to seek the Lord. His loyalty to God brings peace and prosperity to the kingdom.

"His heart remained completely faithful to the Lord for the rest of his life."- 1 Kings 15:14

The Word of the Day: Steadfast

Definition: Resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.

Throughout these passages, we see the stark contrast between those who remained steadfast in their faith and those who did not. The priests of Judah continued to serve God faithfully, leading to divine victory.

Asa’s reign is marked by steadfast devotion to God, resulting in peace and blessings for Judah.

God's unwavering love and faithfulness are evident throughout the scriptures. His steadfast love never ceases, offering mercy and grace to those who repent and seek Him.

We read about those who did evil against God, but those who stayed steadfast shine bright. Witnessing the change in Rehoboam’s heart likely impacted Asa, encouraging him to faithfully serve God. When the people of Judah cried out to God, He showed up. Their steadfast faith and trust in God led to victory and blessings.

This message resonates with us today. No matter the challenges, remaining steadfast in our faith and trust in God will lead to His guidance, support, and ultimately, His reward.

SOCIALS:

Tricia: Instagram) | Facebook) | Twitter)

Michelle: Instagram) | LinkedIn)

Daily Bible Podcast: Instagram) | Facebook) | Join the Community) 

DISCLAIMER: The Daily Bible Podcast, Tricia Goyer, Michelle Hill, and affiliates are not a church, pastor, spiritual authority, or counseling service. Listeners and viewers consume this content on a voluntary basis and assume all responsibility for the resulting consequences and impact.