DAY 255 -BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE UNITED MONARCHY

by Gillian D'achada October 22, 2021

“AHAZIAH SERVED BAAL AND WORSHIPED HIM, AND PROVOKED THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL TO ANGER, ACCORDING TO ALL THAT HIS FATHER HAD DONE” (NKJV).

1 KINGS 22:53

Reading: 1 Kings 22:51-2 Kings 1:18

Today’s devotion looks at Ahaziah, son of Ahab, King of Israel. He was an example of a son who acted like his father Ahab. The text says that he followed the way of his father and his mother and that he provoked the LORD to anger.

What a bad start to his reign. Covenant curses were sure to happen in his reign. In the book of 2 Kings, chapter 1, we read that Ahaziah was injured and that he sent messengers to enquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether he would recover or not. The Angel of the LORD became involved at this point and commissioned Elijah to rebuke him for consulting with Baal-Zebub or Beelzebub, another name for Satan. Who is this mysterious “Angel of the Lord”? The Angel of the LORD is quite likely the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus and He is involved in the judgement of Ahaziah. After Ahaziah’s messengers meet with Elijah, they returned to Ahaziah. Ahaziah sent army captains and their men after Elijah, who were killed by fire from Heaven. Ahaziah and the first two captains did not respect the word of the LORD or His messenger Elijah and paid the consequence for it, death. We are reminded of the seriousness of taking God’s word to heart here and to use it as our source of guidance. The Kings of Israel were ignoring the word of the LORD and had turned to demons for guidance. Fortunately Jehoshaphat, King of Judah at this time followed the LORD.

Looking forward to the next King of Israel, Jehoram, we see that he stopped serving the Baals, although he did not stop doing evil or practicising other forms of idolatry. The northern Kingdom of Israel was nearing the end of its existence because of all their evil kings.

Prayer

Dear Father, we learn from Ahaziah that we should live by Your word and not to follow Satan’s lies and philosophies. To treat the Angel of the LORD or the Prophet of the LORD, who brings His word, with contempt, is foolishness. Please have mercy on us and write Your word in our hearts by Your Holy Spirit.

For the family

Play one of these listening games with the kids

Listening games

https://www.encourageplay.com/blog/listening-games-for-kids

...now explain how things went wrong in Israel when the kids didn’t listen to the word of the Lord.

What does listen mean? Listen mean to hear...and to respond or obey.