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“I have had enough LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” I Kings 19:4b (I Kings 18-22:40) This is a story worth reading!

Baal was the god of Jezebel. Her weak husband Ahab, king of Israel, saw no problem with the One True God sharing a little space in the temples, just to keep peace in his household. These two gods were believed to have power over fertility, land, the weather. It is not random that God chose a drought as the consequence for Israel’s great sin. This adulterous worship involved temple prostitution among all genders and ages. Infant sacrifice was common. After God brings rain and ends the drought in Israel and the surrounding areas, Elijah has all 900 prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth, who were child molesters and murderers, killed.

Elijah lived on the run, surviving on God’s miraculous power and provision.  He was fed by ravens, and a jar of oil and flour that did not empty. He raised the dead, called down thunder and lightening from Heaven, and brought rain to a barren land. All of this failed to turn Ahab and Jezebel toward correct behavior. Jezebel’s anger sent Elijah running once again. He fell exhausted, under a broom tree. There, angels ministered to him with rest and food.

When Elijah was able, God called him to the same mountain top where Moses had received the Law.  There, Elijah confessed, “I’ve done no good, Israel still doesn’t believe. Now I’m all alone and they want me dead.”  Instead of declaring Elijah washed up and worthless, God gave him a higher calling, a hope for the future.  He sent him to anoint, not only the next king of Israel, but the king of a neighboring country as well. And best of all, Elijah ordained his successor, Elisha.

Don’t ask more of yourself than God does.  He knows your limits and doesn’t exploit them or your resources.  Being tired doesn’t mean done.  Lacking spiritual vision doesn’t imply the absence of a call. God would say, “Get some rest, let’s talk in the morning, for the best is yet to come!”

Love,

Gretchen

You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you. I Kings 17:4 (I Kings 16-17)

With Asa and his son Jehoshaphat, Judah remained mostly faithful to God. Israel refused moral enlightenment and turned further and further into idolatry. King Ahab did more evil than any before him, with a trivial attitude toward offending God. He martyred God’s prophets and along with his spiteful and vengeful wife Jezebel, turned God’s people toward the worship of Baal.

God’s answer to these despicable behaviors was the obedient and courageous Elijah. This amazing Biblical figure is first found being fed by ravens and a babbling brook, amidst a devastating drought throughout Israel. When the stream dried up, God sent Elijah to a widow.  The widow had only enough flour and oil to feed her young son one last time, but Elijah instructed her to go home and make everyone some food. Miraculously, her supply did not diminish for the length of time she fed God’s messenger. As time went on, the young boy became ill and brushed death. His mother cried out to Elijah. Elijah took the boy to his room, called to the LORD and the child lived.

God answered evil! He did not react with oblivion to man’s pain, need or despair, but with a mighty, purposeful and relevant response. For those who chose to hear with their ears, see with their eyes and trust with their mind, God WILL change the course of calamity.

Have a Great Weekend,

Gretchen

 You have done more evil than all who lived before you. You have made for yourself other gods, idols made of metal; you have provoked Me to anger and thrust Me behind your back. I Kings 14:9 (I Kings 14-15 and II Chronicles 11-13)

Israel’s king, Jeroboam turned out to be a wicked king. He and his wife devised a plan to trick God’s prophet. They failed and their son, the only thing good found in their house, died. In response to obedience God promised peace and prosperity. The wonder of God’s love was put aside for the passing moments of earthly self rule.

Judah, with Rehoboam on the throne, did no better. Using tax money for debauchery is a proven way to please the masses and temple prostitution became a practice. Abijah followed in all the evil of his predecessor.  In honor of David, Abijah’s son, Asa, became his heir. Asa did right in the eyes of the LORD. He cleaned the perversions and idolatry out of the Temple and in spite of an ongoing war with Israel, Judah prospered.

These kings really (I mean REALLY) expected God to adjust His definition of justice and Holiness with respect to their desires. God did not. For those who wish to negotiate right and wrong, God Law can seem incredibly frustrating and brutal, but for those who accept Him as Sovereign and Savior, He is Love. 

Mercy and Grace is amazing. Chose wisely!

Love,

Gretchen

If you do whatever I command you and walk in My ways and do what is right in My eyes by keeping My statutes and commands, as David My servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you. I Kings 11:38 (I Kings 11-13 and II Chronicles 10-11)

For all Solomon’s glorious beginning, his ending was one of failure.  Idolatry made a pathway for adversaries to interrupt Israel’s peace. His heir, Rehoboam, rejected the early advise of Solomon’s elders and turned to the words of the young and entitled. Rehoboam oppressed his own people, who in turn rebelled and joined Jeroboam. The prophecy of Ahijah the priest of Shiloh was complete.

Israel lasted 120 years. Throughout this time petty rivalries led to unrest and civil war created an atmosphere for the splitting of the Kingdom. 10 tribes formed the Northern Kingdom, ‘Israel’ leaving Judah and Benjamin to form the Southern Kingdom, ‘Judah’. Jerusalem was in geographical confines of Judah, so in an act of insecurity, Jeroboam set up a temple of worship with golden calves and idols of baal and created a unordained priesthood (out side the tribe of Levi) leading the people away from Jerusalem and the One True God.

The words above were spoken to Rehoboam. Obviously he did not heed God’s call. Moving forward as two nations, each kingdom had some good kings that were a little bad and some bad kings that were good from time to time. The problem is, good and bad cannot coexist. There is no such thing as ‘sort of holy.’

A monarchy is no substitute for a Theocracy. God will not share your heart with any other resident, but the rewards of His complete habitation is filled with hope, promise and assurance. He won’t rent a room, it’s all you own, or nothing at all.

Love,

Gretchen

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under Heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (Ecclesiastes)

The author is most likely Solomon. If not, a scribe wrote these words to honor Solomon and the things he taught. This book of wisdom is the opposite of Proverbs, whose portrayal of humanity is somewhat optimistic. ‘All is vain,’ is the pervading theme of this book and may indicate the writer suffered the consequences of a great sin, which would apply to Solomon’s idolatry.

Chapters 1 and 2 outline the meaninglessness of man’s endeavors.  All things of earth will pass away, especially us, so what’s the point?

God does not toy with our lives. We were made for joy. Only the Creator of the universe can know our true needs and so our provision and fulfillment must come from Him.  Nothing on earth is worthy of our trust, so don’t put life’s energy into futile accomplishments. There is a balance to all things, a time to live and a time to die, a time to keep and a time to throw away. So, eat, drink, rejoice, do good, do with might what your hands find to do and live, knowing that God is God and you are not.

God is not selfish, He is love, but He is also sovereign. This is a foundation for great faith, not rebellion. All Good comes from Him and is given to you. Enjoy it!

Love,

Gretchen

Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols. II Kings 17:40a (II Kings 17-18)

Despite God’s loving pursuit, Israel soundly rejects Him and His laws. Long gone is the covenant keeping of Jacob, the memory of Moses and the freedom from foreign powers. The Northern Kingdom of Israel has been paying homage to Assyria for some time, but on the sly, king Hoshea makes secret deal with Egypt that fails and brings the full wrath of Assyria.  The last region to fall was Samaria. The people were exiled, if they lived, taken into slavery and their towns, homes and businesses were resettled with a melting pot of people from foreign places, who brought their gods with them.

As repopulation of the Promised Land, God’s gift to His covenant people, is taking place, God allows wild lions to attack some communities. The people cry out for guidance in how to appease the God of Israel so He will spare them. Assyria returns an Israelite priest to teach these people, but they simply add the One True God to their worship rotation.

These comments are more historical than inspirational, but sin’s absolute consequence is separation from God. It is seen at its very worst as mother and child are separated and bartered into bondage and men are mutilated if not killed. Why? Because man wanted their own lusts and pleasures in the immediate far more than they wanted Holiness from now until eternity. It’s a sad story. Don’t let it be yours.

Love,

Gretchen

How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves. Song of Songs 1:15 (Song of Songs)

Song of Songs, a Hebrew expression meaning “the greatest song,” celebrates human love. Although this book never mentions God and is not associated with Jewish Law or history, it suggests that all life, including human sexuality, is holy because it is part of God’s created plan. The speakers portray a sexuality within the bonds of marriage meant to procreate and provide human companionship throughout life and through the trauma of death, exclusively between a man and a woman. Sexuality outside of marriage or in unnatural ways perverts God’s gift.

While seen by many as an allegory of Christ and His Church, this collection of love songs may have been used in a week long wedding feast. Whatever the purpose, Song of Song’s presence in the Bible enables us to see an appropriate view of sexuality when others try to cheapen, denigrate or pervert what God has ordained.

All that God wove into mankind was done for His glory and our joy. Don’t let shame/satan’s voice, take the wonder and beauty that you have been given. Those that God has given you deserve, and are in need of, your unbridled love and devotion.

LOVE,

Gretchen

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Psalm 127:1 (Psalm 72 and 127)

Solomon wrote lyrics for over a thousand songs, but only two are preserved, Psalm 72, which refers to his visit from the Queen of Sheba and alludes to a kingdom greater than any so far known, and 127, a song of ascent.

Broken into two parts, Psalm 127 talks of building the temple, then the family.  At the heart of God’s desire for each of us is that we worship and exist in functional family relationships. These things are not accomplished through man’s effort, but by allowing God to guide and provide.

Solomon’s end did not turn out the way it should have. All the wisdom in the world couldn’t stop him from turning from his adoration, to idolatry, but he did discover all things earthly are empty without God. The human race can be demanding and manipulative, and in the process we destroy our blessing and the Master Builder’s opportunity to work His miraculous plan. Put down your hammer and let God be God today.

Love,

Gretchen

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the right of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 (Proverbs 30-31)

These verses speak for themselves, but they are part of a section written by a second author. Some believe Lemuel is another name by which Solomon answered. If so, Bathsheba was the mother who taught him the oracle. Others believe these are wisdom sayings from the east that Solomon held in high regard, so he included them in his book.

Proverbs 31:10-31 is without question, accredited to Solomon. This isn’t simply an epilogue or conclusion, it is a portrait of what the woman, that has the capacity to change the world for the better, one child, one family at a time, looks like.

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28 (Proverbs 25-29)

Wisdom is the application of insight into how to live well. 200 years after Solomon penned his words to live by, King Hezekiah led a renewed interest in God’s Word and had these proverbs copied to preserve them.

When this king inherited the throne of Judah the Jewish nation was threatened with extinction by the Assyrian Empire. His father had led the nation in abandoning God. The odds were stacked against Judah, and Hezekiah knew the only hope for this doomed people was a return to correct honor, obedience and worship. Through this young king’s devotion, God produced miracles that saved his generation from annihilation.

How did this leader lead? With God’s word, and faithful action! Hezekiah knew that obedience to him would not rescue and restore his kingdom. His subjects need to subject themselves to God. When the walls are broken down, only diligence, self-control and self discipline can rebuild them.

Happy Friday,

Gretchen