Ironworks

           Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, like David his father. But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Jehovah cast out from before the children of Israel.   And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree . 2 Kings 16:2-4                   When was the first time you drove a car? What about the first time you jumped off a diving board or gave a speech? After that first time, it certainly became easier. What about the first lie you told? Did it become easier? King Ahaz of Judah was evil and far from the example of David. Ahaz was the first to offer child sacrifices to the false god Molech. This unfortunately was not a one-and-done situation. This practice continued as Ezekiel and Jeremiah address

          There came against the land Pul the king of Assyria; and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. 2 Kings 15:19-20                   Are people truly free if they are under the cruel hand of a foreign oppressor? Most would agree that that is not true freedom. Menahem reigned for ten years in Samaria after he murdered Shallum. However, it was Pul, the king of Assyria, who was truly ruling the northern kingdom of Israel. Menahem decided it was safer to pay off his greatest foe than to try and fight him.   Verse 20 tells us that he exacted the money of Israel. He taxed all, including his most valiant of warriors, fifty shekels each to keep Pul away.                   Sadly, this is the p

                Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned the space of a month in Samaria.    And Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead . 2 Kings 15:13-14                         What would you do if you were king for a month? Would you be able to right some wrong. Would you try to enact policies and decrees to fix some of the issues ailing mankind? King Shallum of Israel reigned for the space of a month; that was it. His reign was so inconsequential that all that is said of him is that he reigned for a month and then Menahem executed him and took over the throne. It is certainly not the happiest of outcomes, but remember the sinful origins of the Northern kingdom seemed to bring continual bloodshed. This is how Shallum came to power.                         The Scripture does not even say if he did

        In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months. And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin. And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.  2 Kings 15:8-10                   King Zechariah is yet another blip on the radar of the evil kings of Israel. He did evil in the sight of Jehovah. His short description tells us that he continued in the sins of Jeroboam and influenced Israel to sin. Shallum saw an opportunity and disposed of Zechariah.                   While most of this seems pretty straightforward, let us remember that no verses of the Bible are insignificant. This marked the end of the dynasty of Jehu. In 2 Kings 10:30, the Lord promised Jehu that his sons would reign for four g

        So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before Jehovah his God         2 Chronicles 27:6              This last week concluded our sermon series entitled strong and courageous. This has been an enjoyable study and a much-needed one as the Lord's church has been challenged by and continues to be challenged by Satan to be weak and ineffective. How appropriate it is to study King Jotham of Judah this week. I want you to take a quick note of what the Word says above.   He became mighty because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God.              The Word denotes earlier how he did so. First, it is noted that he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah (cf. 27:2). Jotham had the right view and perspective which set the standard for his reign. Secondly, his achievements are listed in verses 4-5. He built the upper gate of the Temple, worked on the wall of Ophel, built cities in the hill country, and had building projects in the forests. He also is