1 Kings 14 – Jeroboam’s son, Abijah, becomes ill and Jeroboam sends the mother to Shiloh to
consult with the prophet Ahijah (the
one who told him he should be king). Ahijah can’t see but when the woman comes
to him, he knows it is she even though she pretends to be someone else. He
gives her the following message—the Lord is not pleased with Jeroboam because he has not been like David. He has made idols and provoked God,
so God will bring evil on Jeroboam’s house—when the woman returns her child will
die (14:12). But beyond that, “the Lord will strike Israel. . .he will root up
Israel out of this good land that he gave to their ancestors, and scatter them
beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their sacred poles, provoking the
Lord to anger” (14:15). It happens as Ahijah predicts. Jeroboam reigns 22
years. His son Nadab succeeds him.
In Judah, Rehoboam reigns 17 years in Jerusalem, but Judah too “did what was evil in the
sight of the Lord” (14:22). They set up high places and sacred poles too,
instituted temple prostitution for males.
During his reign the Pharaoh of Egypt comes and takes the treasure of
the king’s house—the shields Solomon had made. Also, there is war between Jeroboam and Rehoboam
continually. When Rehoboam dies,
his son Abijam succeeds him.
Philippians 4 - Continuing his
loving conclusion, Paul urges his readers to help those who have shared in
Paul’s work: women co-workers Euodia and Syntyche, Clement and others “whose
names are in the book of life” (4:3).
He
admonishes his readers once again to “Rejoice
in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” (4:4). “The Lord is near. Do
not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:5-7). And finally, in
those now famous words, Paul urges us to cultivate and contemplate everything
that is worthy in life:
“[W]hatever is true,
whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is
pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is
anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (4:8).
He
thanks them for the support they have sent to him and especially tells them
that it is the benefit to them their generosity entails in spiritual reward
that makes him the happiest.
Throughout this lovely letter, we not only hear how we are to grow
in the depth and breadth of love, and come to know the resignation to God’s
will that brings complete peace and equanimity of mind, but we see it in Paul
and hear it in the tone and feeling of his words.
No comments:
Post a Comment