The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Kings 16:1,
"Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu son of Hanani concerning Baasha..."
Jehu was a prophet the Lord used to communicate to kings of both northern and southern Israel. The Lord rebuked King Baasha through Jehu as referenced above, as well as Jehoshaphat of Judah, 2 Chronicles 19:1-3.
As we read of the kings of both kingdoms of Israel, north and south, as well as the activities of the Lord's prophets I am struck by the differences in lives of both occupations. Kings, of course, held the supreme position in society, had power, had wealth, had the best life had to offer.
On the other hand, what we read of the lives the prophets had, it doesn't sound like there was any comparison. Although there isn't much information to go on, the impression I have is that often (and I'm sure not always - as some prophets held important positions in the courts of kings) these prophets had relatively meager lives compared to the kings the Lord sent them to. Much of that service to the Lord provided by these prophets was in the form of rebuking kings the prophets were sent to. Something to consider as we read these accounts.
From the standpoint of this life, I suspect that many might be drawn to that which these kings often enjoyed. The indulgence of riches, of women, of fortune and fame, all anyone might want.
On the other hand, the prophets, as God's servants, while often living meager lifestyles in this life, looked forward to a rich reward in the next. Something most of these kings were not able to look forward to due to the choices they made. It is of the heritage of the company of prophets and others of faith the writer of Hebrews had in mind as he spoke, "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:13-16.
The writer of Hebrews goes on to say, "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." Hebrews 11:39-40.
"Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu son of Hanani concerning Baasha..."
Jehu was a prophet the Lord used to communicate to kings of both northern and southern Israel. The Lord rebuked King Baasha through Jehu as referenced above, as well as Jehoshaphat of Judah, 2 Chronicles 19:1-3.
As we read of the kings of both kingdoms of Israel, north and south, as well as the activities of the Lord's prophets I am struck by the differences in lives of both occupations. Kings, of course, held the supreme position in society, had power, had wealth, had the best life had to offer.
On the other hand, what we read of the lives the prophets had, it doesn't sound like there was any comparison. Although there isn't much information to go on, the impression I have is that often (and I'm sure not always - as some prophets held important positions in the courts of kings) these prophets had relatively meager lives compared to the kings the Lord sent them to. Much of that service to the Lord provided by these prophets was in the form of rebuking kings the prophets were sent to. Something to consider as we read these accounts.
From the standpoint of this life, I suspect that many might be drawn to that which these kings often enjoyed. The indulgence of riches, of women, of fortune and fame, all anyone might want.
On the other hand, the prophets, as God's servants, while often living meager lifestyles in this life, looked forward to a rich reward in the next. Something most of these kings were not able to look forward to due to the choices they made. It is of the heritage of the company of prophets and others of faith the writer of Hebrews had in mind as he spoke, "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:13-16.
The writer of Hebrews goes on to say, "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." Hebrews 11:39-40.
So... the pleasures of this life? Or, a breath-taking reward in the next? Here was the difference that lay between these prophets and kings. It is still the difference in choices we make for ourselves today: do we wish to enjoy the bliss of eternity in the same company as these prophets, or to enjoy the pleasures this life has to offer for a very, very short time, relatively speaking?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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