Day 311 – War

1 Kings 15:1 In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam became king over Judah. 2 He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maachah, the granddaughter of Abishalom. 3 He walked in the sins of his father, which he did before him; his heart was not loyal to JEHOVAH his Elohiym, as was the heart of his father David. 4 Nevertheless, for David’s sake JEHOVAH his Elohiym gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, by setting up his son after him and by establishing Jerusalem; 5 because David did what was right in the eyes of JEHOVAH and had not turned aside from anything He commanded him throughout the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. 6 There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout the days of his life. 7 Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and everything he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? There was war between Abijam and Jeroboam. 8 Thus, Abijam rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the City of David. Then Asa, his son reigned in his place.

 9 In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king over Judah. 10 He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His grandmother’s name was Maachah, the granddaughter of Abishalom. 11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of JEHOVAH, as did his father David. 12 He banished the perverted persons from the land and removed the idols his fathers had made. 13 Also he removed Maachah his grandmother from being queen mother, because she made an obscene image of Asherah. Asa cut down her obscene image and burned it by the Brook Kidron. 14 However, the high places were not removed. Nevertheless, Asa’s heart was loyal to JEHOVAH throughout his days. 15 He also brought into the house of JEHOVAH the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which he himself had dedicated: silver and gold and utensils. 16 Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days.

 17 Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

 18 Then Asa took the silver and gold left in the treasuries of the house of JEHOVAH and the treasuries of the king’s house and delivered them into the hands of his servants. King Asa sent them to Ben-Hadad the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, 19 “Let there be a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a present of silver and gold. Come and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”

 20 So Ben-Hadad heeded King Asa and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel. He attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maachah, and Chinneroth, with the entire land of Naphtali.

 21 Now it happened, when Baasha heard it, he stopped building Ramah and remained in Tirzah.

 22 Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout Judah; none was exempted. They took away the stones and timber of Ramah, which Baasha used for building; and with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

 23 The rest of all the acts of Asa, his might, everything he did, and the cities he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? However, in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet. 24 Thus, Asa rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the City of David his father. Then Jehoshaphat, his son reigned in his place.

 25 Now Nadab the son of Jeroboam became king over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. 26 He did evil in the sight of JEHOVAH, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin by which he had made Israel sin.

 27 Then Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him. Baasha killed him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, while Nadab and Israel laid siege to Gibbethon. 28 Baasha killed him in the third year of Asa king of Judah and reigned in his place. 29 It happened, when he became king, that he killed the entire house of Jeroboam. He did not leave to Jeroboam anyone who breathed, until he had destroyed him, according to the word of JEHOVAH which He had spoken by His servant Ahijah the Shilonite, 30 because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he had sinned and by which he had made Israel sin, because of his provocation with which he had provoked JEHOVAH Elohiym of Israel to anger.

 31 Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and everything he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

 32 There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days.

 33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah became king over Israel in Tirzah and reigned twenty-four years. 34 He did evil in the sight of JEHOVAH, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin by which he had made Israel sin.

God’s names:

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Elohiym – Supreme God

Yeshuwa – Jesus

Kurios – Supreme Authority

God’s character:

Promise Keeper

Kings

Israel – Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Ahijah

Judah – Rehoboam, Abijam, Asa, Jehoshaphat

War has been around since time began. It began when Cain killed Abel and continues to this day. The reasons for war become cloudy over time. However, as long as there is hate in the world, there will be war.

Israel and Judah warred with each other through four of their kings. Israel didn’t have any kings who followed JEHOVAH, while Judah had two kings who followed Him: Asa and Jehoshaphat. The kings who followed JEHOVAH had longer reigns than those who didn’t. Jeroboam’s lineage lasted four generations according to the Word of JEHOVAH. Another fact about the kings is that you know who the mothers were for the kings of Judah. There is no mention of the mothers for the kings of Israel.

What do people know about you? Before you accepted Yeshuwa as Savior and Lord, your friends could tell a lot about you from your behavior. After you accepted Yeshuwa as Savior and Lord, new facts became known about you. As soon as you accepted Yeshuwa as Savior and Lord, Satan began his war with you. How are you holding up? Have you gotten rid of the idols of your former life? Do you spend time in Bible study and prayer every day? Do you go to church so you can receive encouragement in your walk with Yeshuwa from other believers? The Christian life isn’t easy. It’s filled with traps and snares to take you away from Yeshuwa.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (NKJV)

Yeshuwa told Peter Satan wanted to sift him like wheat.

Luke 22:31 And the Kurios said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 However, I prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Yeshuwa prays for you. He knows your weaknesses, even when you tell Him you will follow Him to death.

Luke 22:33 He said to Him, “Kurios, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”

 34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

Simon means, he heard. Peter means rock. Yeshuwa acknowledged that He heard Simon when He told him Satan wanted to sift him as wheat. However, when He replied to Simon, He called him Peter, rock, because he would become stronger after he fell and could strengthen his brethren because his faith was tested.

Peter also acknowledged Yeshuwa’s authority by calling Him, Kurios.

You are in a war, just as much as the kings of Israel and Judah were in a war with each other. When you stand with Yeshuwa, even when you fall, He will pick you up, dust you off, and remain close to your side no matter what Satan does or tries to do to you.

As a Christian, war is inevitable. You need to remain faithful to Yeshuwa. He will never leave you or forsake you in the war you face as a child of Yeshuwa.

Let’s pray: Father, You know the war I face every day as Your child. Help me to remain faithful to You and confess my failings when I fall for one of Satan’s lies. Help me stand on Your promises as I stand on the truth of Your Word and banish Satan from my life with Your Word on my lips. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 25 November 2024 by Valerie Routhieaux