Judah's Queen Athaliah

     While Jezebel was the wife of northern Israel’s king Ahab, southern Judah also experienced a woman in the predominant role as queen.  Her name was Athaliah.

     Athaliah’s lineage is very significant.

     Much care needs to be exercised when studying the kings of both the north and the south.  For example both the north and the south had kings named Ahaziah and Joram (Jehoram) and they served during the same time period.

     At the present time we’ll be discussing the kings of the south, i.e. Judah.  If kings of the north are part of this narrative, they will be clearly identified and delineated.

     In 853 BC king Jehoram began his reign over Judah.

      “He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.  And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife, and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.”  2 Kings 8:17-18

     What a situation.  The king of Judah married a daughter of Ahab and Jezebel whose name was Athaliah.  It is little wonder that Jehoram followed in the ways of Ahab, his father-in-law.

     In all this the LORD would fulfill his promise to Abraham and David.

     “Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah, for the sake of his servant David, as He promised him to give a lamp to him and his sons forever.” 

2 Kings 8:19

     Little more is said about the activities of Jehoram, except that he had a son named Ahaziah to succeed him.

     “Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem.  His mother’s name was Athaliah…and he walked in the way of the house of Ahab…for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab.”  2 Kings 8:26-27

     Inasmuch as Ahaziah was of the house of Ahab, he was killed by Jehu at the same time that Jehu killed Israel’s king Joram with the arrow through the heart.

     At this time Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother took extreme action.  Remember Athaliah was a daughter of Ahab and Jezebel while being married to Judah’s king Joram. 

     “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs.”  2 Kings 11:1

     In her rage she killed all those in the royal line of Judah.  What she didn’t realize was that there remained one small child name Joash (Johash) who was preserved to continue the royal line.

     A sister of Ahaziah, an aunt of Joash, took the child and hid him in the house of the LORD for six years while Athaliah reigned over Judah.

     What a marvelous providential act!

     The name of the aunt of Joash who hid him away was Jehosheba who was married to the High Priest Jehoiada.

     In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign Jehoiada acted.  He revealed the young king to the people and there was great jubilation.  The event was also accompanied with great security inasmuch as the queen did not at this time know what was going on.

     “Then the escorts stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, all around the king…and he (Jehoiada) brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him…they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, ‘Long live the king!’”  2 Kings 11:11-12

     When the queen heard the commotion and saw what was going on she cried out, “Treason! Treason!”

     At that point the High Priest Jehoiada commanded the officers of the army:

     “Take her outside under guard, and slay with the sword whoever follows her’…So they seized her; and she went by way of the horses’ entrance into the king’s house, and there she was killed.”  2 Kings 11:15-16

     King Joash reigned forty years in Jerusalem.

     God’s sovereignty in the affairs of man is incomprehensible.  He had promised Abraham and his descendants Isaac and Jacob that Israel’s future Messiah would be born of Jacob’s son Judah and so it was.

     Nothing did, or will, thwart God’s immutable purpose for His chosen.

     “…Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah…has prevailed…” 

Revelation 5:5

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com

    

This same God ruled in Cleveland and Philadelphia

     Let’s place the recent conventions in proper perspective by refreshing our memories on the incomprehensible sovereignty of almighty God.  Not only is God involved in politics, He exercises absolute control over all.

     Consider the following detailed example of God’s sovereignty. 

     Recall King Josiah ruled Judah between 640 - 609 BC; however, Josiah was introduced prophetically to Judah and Samaria (northern ten tribes of Israel) right after the nation was divided following Solomon’s reign which ended in 931 BC.

     Solomon’s servant Jeroboam then ruled over the northern ten tribes; however, worship was to remain in Jerusalem in southern Judah.

     That caused much concern for Jeroboam.  He devised a way to offer worship in the north so as to keep his citizens from wanting to rejoin the south.  So he made two golden calves. 

     “Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan.  He (Jeroboam) made shrines on the high places, and made priests...who were not of the sons of Levi.”  1 Kings 12:30-31

     So the people began to worship idols in pagan shrines and Jeroboam made priests from people other than the tribe of Levi.  Both were great sins against God’s ordinances.  But Jeroboam didn’t stop there.

     “Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar.  So he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made.  And at Bethel he installed the priests of the high places which he had made.”  1 Kings 12:32

     Jeroboam instituted a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month; however, God had ordained the final three feasts on the Jewish calendar during the seventh month.  In addition he did at Bethel what he had done at Dan including idol worship and installing non-Levite priests.

     Such altering of God’s laws and statutes would/will be dealt with in God’s time.

     “And behold, a man of God went from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.  Then he (the man of God) cried out…and said...‘Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you.’”  1 Kings 13:1-2

     Summarizing then, in approximately 931 BC God sent a prophet from southern Judah to proclaim that there would be a child born from the family of David who would utterly destroy the altar and those who burned sacrifices on it.  A specific man named Josiah would burn the priests on the altar as well as other’s bones.

     While the prophet was addressing the altar, Jeroboam was burning incense and overheard it all.

     Finite details are included in the account, but let’s fast forward 300 years to approximately 622 BC, i.e. the 18^th year of the reign of King Josiah.

     “Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam…had made, both that altar and the high place he (Josiah) broke down…And he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar, and defiled it according to the word of the LORD…He executed all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned men’s bones on them…”  2 Kings 23:15-16, 20

     Notice the exact fulfillment of the 300 year old prophecy! 

     Jeroboam, with his own wisdom, had devised a plan that was contrary to God’s plan. God responded to such folly through the prophet Isaiah.

     “For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”  Isaiah 29:14

     God had previously derided those who sought counsel, but not of Him. 

     The above immutable passage from Isaiah was quoted 700 years later by Paul in his first letter to the church at Corinth.

     So then, how significant is the wisdom of those who devise campaign strategies?  How significant are polling numbers?

     In Cleveland and Philadelphia, Josiah’s God unquestionably reigned omnipotently.  

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com

Significant Women in Isral's Political History

     Approximately 35 years after the death of Israel’s king Jeroboam, Ahab began his reign over the northern 10 tribes (Samaria).

     “…and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel…Now Ahab…did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him.”  1 Kings 16:29b-30

     Omri had been an evil king and it is said that he followed in the steps of Jeroboam by promoting unfettered idolatry.

     Not only did Ahab imitate the ways of his father, he married a foreign woman from an enemy nation even though God had previously forbidden such marriages.  Ahab then set up altars for Baal worship.

     “And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam…that he took as wife Jezebel…”  1 Kings 16:31

     The stage was set for chaos.  And thus it was.

     Jezebel was a powerful influence on her husband Ahab who became more evil and steeped in idolatry than his father Omri.

     “But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up.  And he behaved very abominably in following idols…”  1 Kings 21:25-26a

     Because of Jezebel’s negative influence on her husband, God had already pronounced her fate.

     “And concerning Jezebel the LORD also spoke, saying, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’”  1 Kings 21:23

     After Ahab’s death God appointed one of Ahab’s sons Ahaziah to be king over Israel whose reign lasted for just one year and he died.  Ahaziah also did ‘evil in the sight of the LORD.’  Ahaziah had no son to take his place so another of Ahab’s sons, Jehoram (Joram) ruled the northern tribes for 12 years.

     Jehoram also followed in the ways of his father Ahab.  Subsequently the prophet Elisha was told to go to the house of Jehu with a significant message.

     “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the LORD, over Israel.  You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets…at the hand of Jezebel.’”  2 Kings 9:6b-7

     Jezebel still had a powerful influence on the northern 10 tribes.

     And so it was that Jehu obediently did as he was told and conspired against Joram, then king of Israel.  The two in their respective chariots met face to face. 

     As they confronted each other Joram asked Jehu if he had come in peace.  Jehu’s response?

     “What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?”  2 Kings 9:22

     At that point Joram attempted to flee, but Jehu shot an arrow which entered between Joram’s arms and ‘came out at his heart.’

     Then Jehu went to Jezreel to deal with Jezebel.

     Jezebel was looking through an upper level window as Jehu approached.  Jehu looked up and asked if anyone among those accompanying Jezebel was on his side.  At that point several eunuchs responded.

     “So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot.”  2 Kings 9:33 

     After Jehu’s horse trampled Jezebel he went in the building and ate and drank which gave the dogs time to ravage her body.

     Afterward Jehu ordered his servants to bury her seeing she had been a king’s daughter.

     “So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palm of her hands.”  2 Kings 9:35

     Upon hearing this Jehu replied:

     “This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke… ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field…’”  2 Kings 9:36-37

     But the infamy of Jezebel did not end there. 

     While the church at Thyatira exercised love, service, faith, and patience she also participated in deception.

     “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel…to teach and seduce My servants…”  Revelation 2:20

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com

Is God Involved in Politics?

     The time was approximately 930 BC.  The rule of King Solomon had come to an end in shame.  Called the wisest man on earth at one time, Solomon married many foreign wives who enticed him to give allegiance to their pagan gods.

     Solomon had been warned in advance not to intermarry with daughters of Israel’s enemies, but to no avail.

     “For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.”  1 Kings 11:4

     Enter Jeroboam and Rehoboam.

     Upon Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam was considered to be the natural successor; however, it was not widely known that God had previously promised Solomon’s servant Jeroboam rule over 10 of Israel’s tribes.

     Solomon knew of that promise and had sought to kill Jeroboam while he was still living.

     Upon Solomon’s death the elders of Israel, who had served Solomon, suggested to Rehoboam that his leadership style be different from that of his father. 

     “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.”  1 Kings 12:4

     Rehoboam was advised to soften his leadership style.  The Hebrew word ‘yoke’ has several illustrative synonyms including ‘mock’ and ‘abuse.’

     The ‘yoke’ included excessive taxes to support Solomon’s administration and also alluded to the forced labor sent to Lebanon to gather timber for construction in Israel.

     The elders’ advice to Rehoboam:

     “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”  1 Kings 12:7

     Rehoboam was advised to give more attention to the needs of the people and ‘answer’ (consider) their needs more than seek to satisfy his own desires and agenda.  He was not to lead with an iron fist as did his father Solomon.

     The people would respond initially by serving their king gladly instead of serving by dictate.

     Rehoboam responded to the elders’ suggestion by seeking the advice of his contemporaries who he had grown up with.  Their advice was directly opposite to that of the elders.

     “Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, ‘Thus you should speak to this people… “My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist!  And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!”’”  1 Kings 12:10-11

     Which advice did Rehoboam follow?

     “Then the king answered the people roughly (harshly), and rejected the advice which the elders had given him; and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men…” 1 Kings 12:13

     The advice of the elders was rejected while the advice of the new generation was accepted and followed.  Sound familiar?

     As history unfolded Judah, under the reign of Rehoboam, slid into total apostasy; more so than any of their ancestors.

     Rehoboam had been granted kingship over Judah (and subsequently Benjamin) in order to fulfill God’s immutable promise to David that the future Messiah would come from the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah…and David.

     Jeroboam’s reign was even more disastrous.  He set up places of idol worship throughout the land of the northern tribes so the people would not journey to Jerusalem to worship. 

     Why did the division of the nation happen?   Why did Solomon’s son Rehoboam reject the advice of the elders?

     “So the king (Rehoboam) did not listen to the people; for the turn of events was from the LORD, that He might fulfill His word… spoken by Ahijah…to Jeroboam…”  1 Kings 12:15

     Recall God had told Jeroboam via the prophet Ahijah years earlier that he would rule 10 of Israel’s tribes.

     “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.”  1 Corinthians 10:11

     As Rehoboam’s father once said, ‘there is nothing new under the sun.’

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com

   

    

From 70 years to 70 'weeks'

     One of the most profound prophecies in the Bible is found in the Book of Daniel.   When Daniel considered the time of Judah’s 70 year captivity he humbled himself before God.

     “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus…in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”  Daniel 9:1-2

     Daniel realizing that the 70 year period was nearing completion set his face toward the Lord God ‘to make request by prayer and supplication, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.’

     His prayer should be the model for America today.

     “We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God…therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses…have been poured out on us because we have sinned against Him…And He has confirmed His words…by bringing upon us a great disaster…”  Daniel 9:10-12

     Israel had been warned in great detail 800 years earlier of the consequences if they did not obey God’s laws, yet they chose disobedience.  Daniel confessed that God brought on the disaster which was confirmation of His numerous warnings which Israel had ignored.

     God was pleased with Daniel’s humility and sincerity.  The angel Gabriel was dispatched to Daniel to reveal God’s plan for Israel’s future.

     “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city…”  Daniel 9:24

     The Hebrew for ‘weeks’ does in fact mean ‘seven,’ specifically a period of seven years.  Thus Gabriel was about to tell Daniel what was going to happen to the Israelites and Jerusalem in a future 490 year period.  The word ‘weeks’ also carries the meaning of ‘full.’

     The 490 year period was divided into 3 components.  The initial component was 7 weeks or 49 years.  The second component was 62 weeks or 434 years, and the final component consisted of a single week, or 7 years.

     Either the starting point or ending point of the 490 year period must be known in order to determine where on history’s time span the period is found.

     In this particular case, the beginning point is revealed.

     “Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks…”  Daniel 9:25

     Therefore, the starting point is when the command is given to return to Judah to restore the city of Jerusalem.

     The answer is found in the book of Nehemiah where he was the king’s cupbearer.

     “And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes...I (Nehemiah) said to the king…I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”  Nehemiah 2:1, 4

     Permission was granted in 445 BC.  Therefore, a fixed point on the time span was determined.

     It is believed that the initial 7 weeks, or 49 years marked the end of Malachi’s Old Testament prophecy.  Of more significance is the end of the second component of 62 weeks, or 434 years.  Adding the two components together totals 483 years.  The end of that period is marked by the first Palm Sunday, i.e. ‘until Messiah the Prince.’  Therefore, there would be 483 years from the time the command was given to restore Jerusalem until Christ revealed Himself as Messiah. 

     But beginning with 445 BC and adding 483 years places Christ’s appearance at 38 AD.  Several solutions are possible.  One is to convert from prophetic years of 360 days to Julian years of 365.25 days which places the first Palm Sunday at 32 AD.

     The Old Testament prophets weren’t aware of the church age between Christ’s death and return.  Remember the church was a ‘mystery kept hidden from the foundation of the world.’

     Therefore 1 week, or seven years remains of the 490.

     It will begin with a covenant, or treaty, for pseudo peace initiated and signed by the anti-Christ.

     “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week…”  Daniel 9:27

     The first horseman is about to ride.

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com