Ironworks

    And Jehosophat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. And Jehu the And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to king Jehosophat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? Therefore is wrath upon From upon the Lord.   2 Chronicles 19:1-2               Jehosophat was a good king (cf. 1 Kings 22:43) but when you read the words of Jehu son of Hanani you would not think that was true. These were certainly sharp words but what else would you expect from one tasked with reproving a king? Our society is full of so many who have become passive and ineffective. These individuals would rather just keep their head down and take whatever is dealt out to them from the powers at be. We have become so passive that our attitude has been “go along to get along” even in the Lord’s church. Things must change. The writing is on the wall if we do ...

  And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house over him with fire, and died, For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin. 1 Kings 16:18-19                    Treason is a crime so vile in the eyes of men that it has been met with the stiffest of punishments, namely death. A nation cannot survive with great turmoil and chaos in leadership. This type of rancor was ever present in the northern kingdom of Israel. Zimri became king after he committed treason and murdered King Elah.                    One might assume Zimri’s treason was justified. It was prophesied by Jehu son of Hanani that all of Baasha...

  In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah . 1 Kings 16:8-9 Remember Baasha? The Word of the Lord came to the prophet Jehu son of Hanani who declared, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat (1 Kings 16:3). God’s prophecy would come true. It is not surprising though that Elah was not doing himself any favors with his choice in entertainment. He was not a righteous king by any means but consider the opportunity that Elah gave for Zimri. Elah was said to be drinking himself drunk. What could go wrong? When one partakes in alcohol, he opens himself up to all sorts of folly. Proverbs 23:20-21 reads , Be not among winebibbers; among...