Journal Through the Bible: Week 52 Friday

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Obadiah

A prophecy concerning Edom. There are various opinions as to when the troubles of Judah referred to in this book took place. Some suggest that this refers to the Babylonian invasion and consequent captivity but the notes of my Open Bible suggest that it was during the reign of King Jehoram when the Philistines and Arabians invaded Judah (see II Chronicles 21:16, 17 which is a parallel passage to what we have been reading in II Kings). Whenever it was, Edom was not a quiet observer but a willing participant who was helping to destroy Judah. God noted their treachery and declared that such would happen to them also.

Does God issue any commands?

• God commanded Obadiah to prophesy against Edom.

Does God make any promises?

• Even though Edom was proud the LORD promised to bring him down.
• God promised destruction to Edom, the country of Esau, for their violence against the Jews, the children of Jacob. The passage indicates that when the land of Judah was distressed by her enemies Edom hunted down any Jew who escaped and executed him.
• The people of the south would possess the mount of Edom, the people of the plains would possess Philistia and the fields of Ephraim and Samaria. Benjamin would possess Gilead.

Does this book teach anything about Jesus?

• "The day of the Lord" refers to judgment, in this case upon several nations. Jesus is that judge.
• In verse 21, the very last verse, it states that saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau. Again, Jesus is the judge. He is also the Lord over the kingdom.

Does this book teach anything about yet-future events?

•  We are told in New Testament prophecy of another "Day of the Lord" that is yet to come.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 52 Thursday

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II Kings chapter 8

This chapter is full of politics and Elisha was in the middle of most of it! Syria's king Benhadad was murdered in his bed while recovering from illness. Elisha foretold this evil and what the murderer, who declared himself king, would do to Israel. Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, married into the household of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD. Edom rebelled and refused to pay tribute to Judah. They set their own king upon their throne. Libnah also revolted from being led by Judah. When Jehoram, king of Judah died (also called Joram, but not to be confused with King Joram of Israel who was his brother-in-law), his son Ahaziah reigned. His mother was Athaliah, the daughter of the wicked Ahab. The twenty-two year old Ahaziah went with his uncle, King Joram of Israel, to battle against Hazael of Syria.

Does God issue any commands?

• It is not stated, but it appears that God sent Elisha to Syria to prophesy the death of Benhadad and the evil that Hazael would do to Benhadad and to the people of Israel.

Does God make any promises?

• God announced to Elisha that He would send a 7 year famine to Israel.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• When she petitioned him, the king of Israel restored to the woman of Shunem all the land that was hers as well as any increase taken from it during the famine while she was away. King Jesus restores life to all who petition Him. Old things pass away and all things become new.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Although Jesus makes all things new in our lives we do not yet see the full increase that is ours because we are yet living in the land of famine. Someday this world will pass away and we will share the new Earth with God. As the Alpha and Omega, Jesus is already there in the future and decrees that these things are ours even though we are waiting for the time to come when we can occupy our land and eat the increase from it.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 52 Wednesday

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II Kings chapter 7

Because of God, the Syrians were hearing things! They fled in haste and left all their food and belongings behind!

Does God issue any commands?

• No.

Does God make any promises?

• Through Elisha God promised that on the very next day there would be abundant food being sold.
• One of the king's chief lords who doubted God's promise was told that he would see the food that God provided but that he would not eat it.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• God miraculously provided for the hunger and thirst of the people. Jesus told all who are hungry and thirsty to come to Him because He is both the Bread of Life and the Water of Life. Those who come to Him will never be spiritually hungry or thirsty again.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Those of us who have exchanged spiritual leprosy and starvation for the Bread of Life will one day eternally feast upon the bounty that God so richly provides for His people!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 52 Tuesday

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II Kings chapter 6

The horses and chariots of fire return but this time they were there to protect Elisha and not to take away his mentor, Elijah.

In the first part of the chapter a king of Syria sends raiding parties into Israel in order to capture the king of Israel. Elisha is seen by the king of Israel as the hero of that story. Later in the chapter Benhadad, king of Syria, besieged the capital city of Samaria with all of his troops thus causing great starvation of the inhabitants. Elisha is seen by the king of Israel to be the villain at that time.

Does God issue any commands?

• We are not told that God commands Elijah to do anything however we are told that God answered the requests of Elijah to open they eyes of Elijah's servant and to alternately blind and open the eyes of the enemies around them. Since this is the type of prayer of faith that Jesus told His followers would be answered by God if the petitioner had faith as a grain of mustard seed and the prayer was in the will of God it would seem likely that Elisha knew the heart of God before he ever asked.

Does God make any promises?

• The only thing I saw that could be considered a promise was that God was telling Elisha the strategic attack plans of the king of Syria against the king of Israel. As long as the king of Israel took the information seriously and sent troops against the raiders he was safe.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Like Elisha, Jesus dwells with His disciples. That's why he is "God with us" (Emmanuel).
• Like Elisha, Jesus knows all innermost thoughts and plans. He told His disciples that one day everyone will be held accountable for every word they have spoken.
• Like Elisha, Jesus was popular as long as everything was going well. But let circumstances and fortunes change and He is marked for death!
• Like Elisha, Jesus communed with the rulers of the people concerning the plight of the people. In Elisha's case it was physical food that the people were lacking. In Jesus' case He told them that the people were spiritually starving.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• None that I identified.