The Small Stuff

Scripture(s): Genesis 317:12

"You know that I have served your father with all my strength. "Yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times; however, God did not allow him to hurt me. "If he spoke thus, 'The speckled shall be your wages,' then all the flock brought forth speckled; and if he spoke thus, 'The striped shall be your wages,' then all the flock brought forth striped. "Thus God has taken away your father's livestock and given {them} to me. And it came about at the time when the flock were mating that I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which were mating {were} striped, speckled, and mottled. "Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob,' and I said, 'Here I am.' "He said, 'Lift up now your eyes and see {that} all the male goats which are mating are striped, speckled, and mottled; for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you.

Commentary:
Jacob worked for his uncle Laban, and he was a very hard and diligent worker. However, Laban had changed Jacobs wages ten times, and tried to give to Jacob as wages livestock that had flaws. Everytime that Laban changed his way of doing business with Jacob by switching livestock, God intervened in Jacobs favor. God also increased Jacob's livestock each time, by changing the characteristics of the livestock of Laban; therefore Laban's attempts of deceit and unfair business practices failed.

Reflection:
God sees when we are treated unfairly, and he knows how we feel. God's desire is that we prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers. Anything, or anyone, that would try to come up against us; our purpose, or the spoken word over our lives, will be dealth with by God. We do not have to take matters into our own hands. We do not have to be upset about it, and allow it to steal our productivity, and or creativity. Let us use the strength, and the energy that God gives us; to glorify him in everything that we do; and let him deal with the small stuff.

Prayer:
Father God, I thank you for taking care of  me, and that you see everything that concerns me. I thank you for not allowing anyone to take advantage of me. I do not have to take matters into my own hands to resolve issues that are unfair. I can trust, and depend on you to handle it for me. Thank you so much for your protection, and your grace. In Jesus Name, I pray, Amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions: Genesis 31:12

Lift: 5375
1) to lift, bear up, carry, take

a) (Qal)
1) to lift, lift up
2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure
3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive
b) (Niphal)
1) to be lifted up, be exalted
2) to lift oneself up, rise up
3) to be borne, be carried
4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away
c) (Piel)
1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist
2) to desire, long (fig.)
3) to carry, bear continuously
4) to take, take away
d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself
e) (Hiphil)
1) to cause one to bear (iniquity)
2) to cause to bring, have brought

up now: 4994
1) I (we) pray, now, please

a) used in entreaty or exhortation

your eye: 5869
1) eye
a) eye
1) of physical eye
2) as showing mental qualities
3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
2) spring, fountain

for I have seen: 7200
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

a) (Qal)
1) to see
2) to see, perceive
3) to see, have vision
4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe,
watch, look upon, look out, find out
5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
6) to look at, gaze at
b) (Niphal)
1) to appear, present oneself
2) to be seen
3) to be visible
c) (Pual) to be seen
d) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to see, show
2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
e) (Hophal)
1) to be caused to see, be shown
2) to be exhibited to
f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face

all: 3605
1) all, the whole

a) all, the whole of
b) any, each, every, anything
c) totality, everything

has been doing: 6213
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
a) (Qal)
1) to do, work, make, produce
a) to do
b) to work
c) to deal (with)
d) to act, act with effect, effect
2) to make
a) to make
b) to produce
c) to prepare
d) to make (an offering)
e) to attend to, put in order
f) to observe, celebrate
g) to acquire (property)
h) to appoint, ordain, institute
i) to bring about
j) to use
k) to spend, pass
b) (Niphal)
1) to be done
2) to be made
3) to be produced
4) to be offered
5) to be observed
6) to be used
c) (Pual) to be made
2) (Piel) to press, squeeze

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Beginnings - Genesis 31 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 13 Jan 2010.  http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=31&t=NASB

Higgins, S. (2009). The Small Stuff. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com

The Source of the Celebration

Scripture(s): 2 Chronicles 15:1-7

Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded,  and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. "Listen to me, Asa!" he shouted. "Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The LORD will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. For a long time, Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without God's law. But whenever you were in distress and turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him out, you found him. During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the nation on every hand. Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling you with every kind of problem. And now, you men of Judah, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded."


Background:
Asa and his army were now returning in triumph from the battle, laden with spoils and adorned with the trophies of victory, the pious prince, we may now suppose, studying what he should render to God for this great favour. He knew that the work of reformation, which he had begun in his kingdom, was not perfected; his enemies abroad were subdued, but there were more dangerous enemies at home that were yet unconquered—idols in Judah and Benjamin: his victory over the former emboldened him vigorously to renew his attack upon the latter (Henry, 1996).

Now here we have, I. The message which God sent to him, by a prophet, to engage him to, and encourage him in, the prosecution of his reformation (v. 1-7). II. The life which this message put into that good cause, and their proceedings in pursuance of it. Idols removed (v. 8). The spoil dedicated to God (v. 9–11). A covenant made with God, and a law for the punishing of idolaters (v. 12–15). A reformation at court (v. 16). Dedicated things brought into the house of God (v. 18). All well, but that the high places were permitted (v. 17). And the effect of this was great peace (v. 19).

Commentary:
It was a great happiness to Israel that they had prophets among them; yet, while they were thus blessed, they were strangely addicted to idolatry, whereas, when the spirit of prophecy had ceased under the second temple, and the canon of the Old Temple was completed (which was constantly read in their synagogues), they were pure from idolatry; for the scriptures are of all other the most sure word of prophecy, and most effectual, and the church could not be so easily imposed upon by a counterfeit Bible as by a counterfeit prophet. Here was a prophet sent to Asa and his army, when they returned victorious from the war with the Ethiopians, not to compliment them and congratulate them on their success, but to quicken them to their duty; this is the proper business of God’s ministers, even with princes and the greatest men. The Spirit of God came upon the prophet (v. 1), both to instruct him what he should say and to enable him to say it with clearness and boldness (Henry, 1996).

I. He told them plainly upon what terms they stood with God. Let them not think that, having obtained this victory, all was their own for ever; no, he must let them know they were upon their good behaviour. Let them do well, and it will be well with them, otherwise not. 1. The Lord is with you while you are with him. This is both a word of comfort, that those who keep close to God shall always have his presence with them, and also a word of caution: "He is with you, while you are with him, but no longer; you have now a signal token of his favourable presence with you, but the continuance of it depends upon your perseverance in the way of your duty.’’ 2. "If you seek him, he will be found of you. Sincerely desire his favour, and aim at it, and you shall obtain it. Pray, and you shall prevail. He never said, nor ever will, Seek you me in vain.’’ See Heb. 11:6. But, 3. "If you forsake him and his ordinances, he is not tied to you, but will certainly forsake you, and then you are undone, your present triumphs will be no security to you; woe to you when God departs (Henry, 1996)."

Reflection: 
King Asa was a king that was instructed of God by His prophets. The majority of his life king Asa obeyed what God spoke through the prophets. However, after one victory, the prophet of God gave a warning that the king nor the people should become to comfortable in their place of celebration. He prophesied that they should remember to be diligent to seek the Lord, and to continue with Him. As long as they continued with the Lord, the Lord would continue with them. If they departed from the Lord through idol worship, or for any other reason, the Lord would depart from them. This incident is a reminder to continue with the Lord, especially in times of victory, when one can quickly forget the victor; in the celebration of the occasion. Let us remember to remember the Victor; the one who gave His life, so that we would have life, and have it more abundantly. Let us celebrate the savior of our souls, and not get so caught up in the temporary celebration that we forget the source of the celebration.



References:

Blue Letter Bible. "Book of 2 Chronicles 15 - (NLT - New Living Translation)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 28 May 2010. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Ch&c=15&t=NLT >

Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on 2 Chronicles 15." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 28 May 2010.
http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=4&contentID=1022&commInfo=5&topic=2%20Chronicles&
ar=2Ch_15_1 >

Higgins, S. (2010). The Source of the Celebration. Devotions For Thought. Higgins Publishing. http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com/, http://www.higginspublishing.com/

You Are "Defined" by God

Scripture: Genesis 2:22-23 , 3:20

Gen 2:22 The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.

Gen 2:23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man."

Gen 3:20 Now the man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all {the} living.

In the renaming of Woman, to that of Eve; Adam did not just change her name, he changed the relationship between him and his wife. The original meaning of the name Woman came from the heart, and mouth of Adam; when he first lay eyes on her. Everything within him knew she was his helper, and he receivd her as such. However, after the fall in Genesis chapter 3; when Adam was reprimanded by God because of his sinful state; Adam made a conscious decision to rename the wife that God had given to him. The words that he originally spoke over her "Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh," means in essence the substance of who he was, and a part of himself. However, now, his view of her had changed. He renamed her based on how he seen her, and not on who she was originally created to be.

When Adam changed the name of his wfe, he changed her position in his heart. He changed who she was to him; and he confused her purpose. That is what sin will do to the heart. Sin will change one's perspective of the perfect divine will of God of his or her life. Sin will also change one's view of what God has originally said, and subconsciously trick us into believing the opposite of what God has already spoken.

Reflection:
After God has spoken a thing in your heart, make sure to be careful not to change the purpose of what He has spoken; for in renaming, or trying to reclassify something in our life, does not reverse what God has said. What God has said will be, even if it takes a lifetime for Him to reshape, and remold our hearts to agree with what He has purposed in our lives. The rib of man was used for a specific purpose, and no matter how He tried to rename the rib created to protect his heart, from Woman to Eve; her purpose was already set, and could not be changed, nor redefined. Her sin was not what defined her, because she was destined to be what God had spoken! So be encouraged to know that God will continually mold you into who He has said you will be, and there is nothing that can reverse, nor redefine who you are in Him.

Prayer:
Dear God, help me to speak life over the people that you have put into my life. Help me to speak purpose over those that you have entrusted to me, and help me to see people as you see them. From this day forward, I will speak purpose, vision and destiny into the lives of others that you have assigned me to. I refuse to speak words that are contrary to your will over my life, or the lives of others. Thank you Father God, for the right word to speak, in the right season. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Strong's Cocordance Definition:
Genesis 2:23

This: 2088
1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such
a) (alone)
1) this one
2) this...that, the one...the other, another
b) (appos to subst)
1) this
c) (as predicate)
1) this, such
d) (enclitically)
1) then
2) who, whom
3) how now, what now
4) what now
5) wherefore now
6) behold here
7) just now
8) now, now already
e) (poetry)

1) wherein, which, those who
f) (with prefixes)
1) in this (place) here, then
2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter
3) thus and thus
4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus
5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side
6) on this account
7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

said: 559
1) to say, speak, utter
a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

is now: 6471
1) stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence
a) foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep
b) anvil
c) occurrence, time, stroke, beat
1) one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another

of my bones: 6106
1) bone, essence, substance
a) bone
1) body, limbs, members, external body
b) bone (of animal)
c) substance, self

and flesh: 1320
1) flesh
a) of the body
1) of humans
2) of animals
b) the body itself
c) male organ of generation (euphemism)
d) kindred, blood-relations
e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God)
f) all living things
g) animals
h) mankind

she shall be called: 7121
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
a) (Qal)
1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
3) to proclaim
4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
6) to call, name, give name to, call by

b) (Niphal)
1) to call oneself
2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Woman: 802
1) woman, wife, female
a) woman (opposite of man)
b) wife (woman married to a man)
c) female (of animals)
d) each, every (pronoun)

She was taken: 3947
1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away
a) (Qal)
1) to take, take in the hand
2) to take and carry along
3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away
4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept
5) to take up or upon, put upon
6) to fetch
7) to take, lead, conduct
8) to take, capture, seize
9) to take, carry off
10) to take (vengeance)
b) (Niphal)
1) to be captured
2) to be taken away, be removed
3) to be taken, brought unto
c) (Pual)

1) to be taken from or out of
2) to be stolen from
3) to be taken captive
4) to be taken away, be removed
d) (Hophal)

1) to be taken unto, be brought unto
2) to be taken out of
3) to be taken away
e) (Hithpael)
1) to take hold of oneself
2) to flash about (of lightning)

Out of man: 376
man
a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)
b) husband
c) human being, person (in contrast to God)
d) servant
e) mankind
f) champion
g) great man
2) whosoever
3) each (adjective)

Genesis: 3:20

Name: 8034
1) name
a) name
b) reputation, fame, glory
c) the Name (as designation of God)
d) memorial, monument

Eve: 2332
Eve = "life" or "living"
1) the first woman, wife of Adam

She was the mother: 517
1) mother
a) of humans
b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.)
c) of animals
2) point of departure or division

of all: 3605
1) all, the whole
a) all, the whole of
b) any, each, every, anything
c) totality, everything

the living: 2416
1) living, alive
a) green (of vegetation)
b) flowing, fresh (of water)
c) lively, active (of man)
d) reviving (of the springtime)

n m
2) relatives
3) life (abstract emphatic)
a) life
b) sustenance, maintenance

n f
4) living thing, animal
a) animal
b) life
c) appetite
d) revival, renewal
5) community

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Beginnings - Genesis 2 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 1 Jan 2010.  http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=2&t=NASB

Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Beginnings - Genesis 3 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 1 Jan 2010.  http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=3&t=NASB
 
Higgins, S. (2010). You Are Defined by God (RP-R). Devotions for Thought Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, Http://www.higginspublishing.com

The Gift Within You is Priceless

Scripture(s): Matthew 14:1-8

When Herod Antipas heard about Jesus, he said to his advisers, "This must be John the Baptist come back to life again! That is why he can do such miracles." For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod's brother Philip). John kept telling Herod, "It is illegal for you to marry her." Herod would have executed John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias's daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with an oath to give her anything she wanted. At her mother's urging, the girl asked, "I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!"

Background:
John the Baptist had said concerning Christ, He must increase, but I must decrease, Jn. 3:30. The morning-star is here disappearing, and the Sun of righteousness rising to its meridian lustre. Here is, I. The martyrdom of John; his imprisonment for his faithfulness to Herod (v. 1-5), and the beheading of him to please Herodias (v. 6–12). II. The miracles of Christ. 1. His feeding five thousand men that came to him to be taught, with five loaves and two fishes (v. 13–21). 2. Christ’s walking on the waves to his disciples in a storm (v. 22–23). 3. His healing the sick with the touch of the hem of his garment (v. 34–36). Thus he went forth, thus he went on, conquering and to conquer, or rather, curing and to cure (Henry, 1996).

Commentary:
(1.) The humouring of Herod by the damsel’s dancing upon a birth-day. It seems, Herod’s birth-day was kept with some solemnity; in honour of the day, there must needs be, as usual, a ball at court; and, to grace the solemnity, the daughter of Herodias danced before them; who being the queen’s daughter, it was more than she ordinarily condescended to do. Note, Times of carnal mirth and jollity are convenient times for carrying on bad designs against God’s people. When the king was made sick with bottles of wine, he stretched out his hand with scorners (Hos. 7:5), for it is part of the sport of a fool to do mischief, Prov. 10:23. The Philistines, when their heart was merry, called for Samson to abuse him. The Parisian massacre was at a wedding. This young lady’s dancing pleased Herod. We are not told who danced with her, but none pleased Herod like her dancing. Note, A vain and graceless heart is apt to be greatly in love with the lusts of the flesh and of the eye, and when it is so, it is entering into further temptation; for by that Satan gets and keeps possession. See Prov. 23:31–33. Herod was now in a mirthful mood, and nothing was more agreeable to him than that which fed his vanity (Henry, 1996).

(2.) The rash and foolish promise which Herod made to this wanton girl, to give her whatsoever she would ask: and this promise confirmed with an oath, v. 7. It was a very extravagant obligation which Herod here entered into, and no way becoming a prudent man that is afraid of being snared in the words of his mouth (Prov. 6:2), much less a good man that fears an oath, Eccl. 9:2. To put this blank into her hand, and enable her to draw upon him at pleasure, was too great a recompense for such a sorry piece of merit; and, I am apt to think, Herod would not have been guilty of such an absurdity, if he had not been instructed of Herodias, as well as the damsel. Note, Promissory oaths are ensnaring things, and, when made rashly, are the products of inward corruption, and the occasion of many temptations. Therefore, swear not so at all, lest thou have occasion to say, It was an error, Eccl. 5:6 (Henry, 1996).
(3.) The bloody demand the young lady made of John the Baptist’s head, v. 8. She was before instructed of her mother. Note, The case of those children is very sad, whose parents are their counsellors to do wickedly, as Ahaziah’s (2 Chr. 22:3); who instruct them and encourage them in sin, and set them bad examples; for the corrupt nature will sooner be quickened by bad instructions than restrained and mortified by good ones. Children ought not to obey their parents against the Lord, but if they command them to sin, must say, as Levi did to father and mother, they have not seen them (Henry, 1996).

Reflection:
The daughter of Herodias danced before the king to please her mother, and to fulfill her mother's wicked scheme. Herodias did not conduct herself in a Godly manner and was in a relationship that was not approved by God. Her relationship choice was made public by John the Baptist. Herodias was of course not happy about this open and public rebuke; therefore she set out to take matters into her own hands to stop the mouth of the prophet, through the manipulation and control of her daughter’s gift.

The daughter of Herodias danced before the king, and he was so pleased with her that he said she could have anything that she asked for. At that point, she could have requested anything that her heart desired. But instead, she asked for something that someone else wanted. Unfortunately, she was influenced by an evil scheme that her mother had concocted. Instead of her mother being an example for her daughter in a good way, her mother planted the seed of manipulation, control, and murder within her daughter’s heart. Now, the daughter was conditioned to use her gift of dance to control other people to get them to do what she wanted them to do. Because her mother taught her how to prostitute her gift; the original purpose of her gift to bless, was twisted into a gift to curse. Our heavenly Father is sorrowful when we settle for less than what He has for us by allowing others to influence the way we use the gifts, talents and abilities that He has given to us. When we allow others to make decisions for our lives, instead of seeking God for his direction and guidance; we miss out on the blessings that have been prepared for us. The next time someone tries to influence you to use your gift in a direction in which God has not released you to do; deny them access to the gift within you. Make sure that you use your gift to glorify God, and do not allow anyone to prostitute your gift; because your gift possesses a value that is priceless.


There was nothing that the king would have held back from this young girl with the gift of dance, who blessed his soul with delight, in his drunken state. He was willing to give her whatever she asked for. Therefore he committed to her with his own personal oath, in the presence of his guests; that she could ask anything, and he would give it to her. Undoubtedly, she had been dancing for years, and had perfected her skill; with hours and hours of training and practice. Yet, she used her gift for evil instead of good. Just imagine the shock on the king’s face when she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. But, because he was the king, and he gave her his word, he granted her request; even though he was sorrowful because of it.
• Who is it that tries to replace the authority of God in your life?
• What do you gain by someone’s control over you?
• What do you gain by God’s hand in your life?
• What are the abilities, talents and gifts that God has give you?
• Do you believe that God will grant your request?

Knowing the answers to these questions will keep us on guard against ungodly influences that would try to induce us to prostitute our gifts, talents and abilities.

Strong’s Concordance Definitions (1988): Matthew 14:6-8

Asked: (154) crave, desire, require

Give: (1325) bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), grant, make

Promised: (3670) covenant

Whatever: (1437) provided

Webster’s Dictionary Definitions (2004):

Boundary: something that indicates fixes a limit or extent, a bounding or separating line, or point.

Control: to exercise restraining or directing influence over: regulate, to have power over.

Manipulate: to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means esp. to one’s own advantage, to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one’s purpose.

Anytime someone is trying to get you to do something that you do not want to do, it’s called manipulation and control to influence your decision, and to cross boundaries that should not be crossed. Therefore, it is important that we have a grasp on setting boundaries of what we will do and what we will not.

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Gospel of Matthew 14 - (NLT - New Living Translation)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 26 May 2010. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=14&t=NLT >


Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Matthew 14." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 26 May 2010.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=4&contentID=1609&commInfo=5&topic=Matthew&
ar=Mat_14_1 >

Higgins, S. (2010). The Gift With You is Priceless. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. http://www.higginspublishing.com/, http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com/

Resources:

Boundaries: when to say yes, when to say no, to take control of your life by Dr. Henry Cloud
and Dr. John Townsend.

The Balance of Life

Scripture: I Timothy 4:8

For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life, and also for the life to come.

Exercise and eating healthy are beneficial for the body; however, we should not get so wrapped up in disciplining ourselves physically that we neglect our spiritual walk with Christ. Even though our schedules are extremely demanding in this day and age, our life requires balance in all areas as much as possible. Taking care of ourselves is essential in order for us to be able to fulfill our God-ordained purpose in life.

Therefore, having a daily schedule that includes exercise as well as a healthy diet, will help us keep physically fit for the things we need to do. Exercise alone, or just eating healthy alone, is not enough for us to keep our bodies in balance. If we exercise and we do not eat healthy, the benefits of exercise are diminished. If we eat healthy and do not exercise, eating healthy is not maximized to the fullest potential, and the nutritional values that we could have gained, or limited (USDA, 2009).

If we continue to be physically and nutritionally out of balance, then our bodies will begin to shut down, because of the lack of paying attention to the bodies that God has given us. If we neglect our spiritual life with Christ, we will begin to shut down spiritually; thereby stagnate the purpose in which we are created for.

Therefore, it is important to have balance in all areas of our lives, including, spiritually, physically, and nutritionally, to fulfill our earthly purpose toward earthly and eternal blessings.

Reflections: 

• What areas in your life need balance?
• How can you help balance members in the body of Christ?
• What is your definition of balance?
• How can you be more balanced: spiritually, physically and nutritionally? 

Balancing our life according with the Word of God begins before our feet hit the floor, and our minds begin to race about the responsibilities of the day. When the God of our salvation wakes us with the morning air, and we think about Him, let us remember to keep Him in the forefront of our minds, and He will give us balance in all things.

Prayer:
Lord God, I thank you that you are the source of the air that I breathe, and you are the director of my steps every step of the way. I thank you for balance in every area of my life. Even in areas that appear to be off balance, you balance me. I know that you are in total control, and you are the center of the scale that balances me spiritually, physically, nutritionally, and every other area that I need to be balanced. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

For bodily: 4984
1) corporeal, bodily
 a) having a bodily form or nature
 b) pertaining to the body

Discipline: 1129
1) the exercise of the body in a palaestra or school of athletics
2) any exercise whatever

a) the exercise of conscientiousness relative to the body such as is characteristic of ascetics and consists in abstinence from matrimony and certain kinds of food

 Is of little: 3641

1) little, small, few

a) of number: multitude, quantity, or size
b) of time: short

c) of degree or intensity: light, slight

Godliness: 2150

1) reverence, respect

2) piety towards God, godliness

For all - 3956
1) individually

a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything

2) collectively

a) some of all types
 

Since it holds - 2192
1) to have, i.e. to hold

a) to have (hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have (hold) possession of the mind (refers to alarm, agitating emotions, etc.), to hold fast keep, to have or comprise or involve, to regard or consider or hold as

2) to have i.e. own, possess

a) external things such as pertain to property or riches or furniture or utensils or goods or food etc.

b) used of those joined to any one by the bonds of natural blood or marriage or friendship or duty or law etc, of attendance or companionship

3) to hold one's self or find one's self so and so, to be in such or such a condition

4) to hold one's self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to

a) to be closely joined to a person or a thing

Promise - 1860
1) announcement

2) promise

a) the act of promising, a promise given or to be given

b) a promised good or blessing

Life - 2222
1) life

a) the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate

b) every living soul

2) life

a) of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic "logos" and to Christ in whom the "logos" put on human nature

b) life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.

And also for the life to come - 3195

1) to be about
a) to be on the point of doing or suffering something
b) to intend, have in mind, think to

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Paul's Epistle - 1 Timothy 4 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 8 Dec 2009. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ti&c=4&t=NASB >

Higgins, S. (2009). The Balance of Life. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing, http://www.higginspublishing.com, http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com (RP)

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2009). My Pyramid Tracker. Center of Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Retrieved on December 8th, 2009 from
http://www.mypryamidtracker.com

He is His Word

Scripture: Genesis 45: 5

"Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Commentary:
Joseph is speaking with his brothers, whom he had not seen since they had sold him into slavery to the Midianites. He recognized his brothers when they came to the land of Egypt in which he was now in the position of authority for the house of Pharoah. However, his brothers did not recognize him at all.

The main purpose for the brothers going to Egypt in the first place was to get food for their household at the order of their father; because of the famine. When Joseph seen them he came up with a plan to find out if his younger brother Benjamin was still alive. When his brothers departed and came back with Benjamin, he was moved with compassion to see his younger brother, and they celebrated.

The next morning the brothers were sent away to return home. However, the plan was not fully completed. On their way back home they were stopped in their tracks and their sacks were searched for the missing cup. They had no idea that the Joseph cup was in the younger brother's sack. They made a vow to return as slaves if the cup was found, not know that it had been planted by Joseph; as a way to find out for sure if his father was still alive.

When they returned, Judah pleaded with Joseph not to keep the younger brother, but to keep him instead. Joseph could not longer contain himself, and he opening wept in their presence, and let them know that he was their brother in whom they had sold into slavery. He told them not to be grieved or angry with themselves because it was God's plan to put him in a position of authority, in order to take care of his family in a time of famine.

His position of authority was given to him for the purpose of perserving life, and that he would make sure that his entire household was provided for; because God had put him in the position to do so. His dream of ruling and reigning over them, was not a dream of conceit for his purpose.

The dream that Joseph had was a sign of what God would do in the future; to make sure that his family was taken care of. They had no idea that a famine would be in the land for seven years, and they were not prepared for it. However, God knew; and He orchestrated a sequence of events, in order to make sure that their needs were met; well in advance by making Joseph a slave, and servant, to someone in a high position of authority.

After some time had passed, Pharoah cared for Joseph; and took care of him, like he was his own son. Therefore, when Joseph found his family, Pharoah was pleased, and told him that all of their needs would be met. It did not make any difference that Joseph was an Hebrew as well as his family, and Pharoah was an Egyptian; God set in motion the deliverance of his entire family through a foreign people, and land. There was nothing that Joseph could not ask for, that would withheld from him.

Reflection:
The life of Joseph shows us that no matter what we go through in life, God has already worked out our deliverance through a sequence of events; that he has already orchestrated to manifest, throughout a given time period. Even though we cannot see the whole picture, God loves us so much that He would not leave us barren, broken hearted, and without provision and protection. We can find comfort in knowing that God is truly a good God; and it is not in Him to be who He is not. He is His Word, and His Word is Him.

Prayer:
Father God, I thank and praise you for always taking care of me. Even though I cannot see the whole picture of what you have already worked out in my life, I know that you Oh God, have already worked it out. I give you praise and honor for what you have already done in my life; in order to perserve the life of my family, my friends and my neighbors. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

do not be greived: 6087
1) to hurt, pain, grieve, displease, vex, wrest
a) (Qal) to hurt, pain
b) (Niphal) to be in pain, be pained, be grieved
c) (Piel) to vex, torture
d) (Hiphil) to cause pain
e) (Hithpael) to feel grieved, be vexed
2) to shape, fashion, make, form, stretch into shape, (TWOT) worship
a) (Piel) to shape, form
b) (Hiphil) to form, copy, fashion

or angry: 2734
1) to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled
a) (Qal) to burn, kindle (anger)
b) (Niphal) to be angry with, be incensed
c) (Hiphil) to burn, kindle
d) (Hithpael) to heat oneself in vexation
with yourselves: 5869
1) eye
a) eye
1) of physical eye
2) as showing mental qualities
3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
2) spring, fountain

for God: 430
1) (plural)
a) rulers, judges
b) divine ones
c) angels
d) gods
2) (plural intensive - singular meaning)
a) god, goddess
b) godlike one
c) works or special possessions of God
d) the (true) God
e) God

Sent: 7971
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
a) (Qal)
1) to send
2) to stretch out, extend, direct
3) to send away
4) to let loose
b) (Niphal) to be sent
c) (Piel)
1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
2) to let go, set free
3) to shoot forth (of branches)
4) to let down
5) to shoot
d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled
e) (Hiphil) to send

me before: 6440
1) face
a) face, faces
b) presence, person
c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
d) face (of animals)
e) face, surface (of ground)
f) as adv of loc/temp

1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
g) with prep
1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

you to perserve: 4241
1) preservation of life, sustenance

a) preservation of life
b) sustenance
c) reviving
d) the quick of the flesh, live flesh, tender or raw flesh

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Beginnings - Genesis 45 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 18 Jan 2010.  http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=45&t=NASB
 
Higgins, S. (2009) He is His Word! Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com (RP) The Missing Cup.

The Garments of Purpose

Scripture(s): Numbers 20:23-26

Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying, Aaron will be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the sons of Israel, because you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah. "Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up to Mount Hor; and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar. So Aaron will be gathered to his people, and will die there."

Commentary:
Moses and Aaron had previously been disobedience to the instructions of the Lord. The children of Israel had started to complain again, about their daily sustenance not being met. They complained about not having water, not having figs to eat, not having pomegranates, and so on. The pressure that Moses and Aaron were under as leaders caused them to really call out to the Lord in prayer. God answered their prayer, and told them exactly what to do to remedy the situation. He told Moses to do one thing only. However, Moses was so irritated by the people that he did what he wanted to do. Instead of speaking to the rock that God told him to speak to, he struck the rock twice. Not only did he strike the rock twice, he also yelled at the people; and told them that they were rebels, and made it look like he and Aaron had the ability to do something, that only God could do. Thus, neither Moses are Aaron made it into the promise land.

On their way toward the promised land, God instructed Moses to strip the priestly garments off of Aaron, and give his garments to his son Eleazar. Upon the stripping of the garments of purpose that were Aaron's livelihood, Aaron openly died on a high place, in the sight of all the people. Aaron could no longer fulfill the purpose in which he was called to do, and the garments in which he wore were of no effect on him, because of his disobedience. Once his purpose could not be fulfilled, Aaron died.

Reflection:
God has assigned tasks for each of us to do. Sometimes, when He gives us assignments we wonder how in the world can we do what He is telling us to do. Nevertheless, if God has given us an assignment, we should completely and totally depend upon Him to complete the tasks. We should not allow pure pressure to make us become irritated by the current circumstances. If God says to do something one way, we should not create another way to do what He has already instructed us to do. Going against what God has said pulls us out of line of our purpose. When we are out of balance with the purpose in which God has created us, we become non-effective in what He has given us; thereby producing no fruit. Therefore, let us take into consideration the cost of the garment of purpose that we wear, and what it will take to maintain it.

Prayer:
Father God, I thank you that I am obedient to what you have spoken to me. I thank you for putting the ability within me to do exactly what you have spoken, and that I will not be pressured into risking the anointing that you have placed on my life. I thank you for wisdom, and knowledge, in all that you give me to do, and I thank you for blessing every thing that my hands touch; for your glory, honor and praise. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen. 

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

Aaron: 175
Aaron = "light bringer"

1) brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest

Shall be gathered: 622
1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in

a) (Qal)
1) to gather, collect
2) to gather (an individual into company of others)
3) to bring up the rear
4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw
b) (Niphal)
1) to assemble, be gathered
2) (pass of Qal 1a2)
a) to be gathered to one's fathers
b) to be brought in or into (association with others)
3) (pass of Qal 1a4)
a) to be taken away, removed, perish
c) (Piel)
1) to gather (harvest)
2) to take in, receive into
3) rearguard, rearward (subst)
d) (Pual) to be gathered
e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves

Unto his people: 5971
1) nation, people

a) people, nation
b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
2) kinsman, kindred

shall not enter: 935
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

a) (Qal)
1) to enter, come in
2) to come
a) to come with
b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
c) to come to pass
3) to attain to
4) to be enumerated
5) to go
b) (Hiphil)
1) to lead in
2) to carry in
3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon
4) to bring to pass
c) (Hophal)
1) to be brought, brought in
2) to be introduced, be put

Into the Land: 776
1) land, earth

a) earth
1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
3) earth (inhabitants)
b) land
1) country, territory
2) district, region
3) tribal territory
4) piece of ground
5) land of Canaan, Israel
6) inhabitants of land
7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world
8) city (-state)
c) ground, surface of the earth
1) ground
2) soil
d) (in phrases)
1) people of the land
2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)
3) level or plain country
4) land of the living
5) end(s) of the earth
e) (almost wholly late in usage)
1) lands, countries
a) often in contrast to Canaan

which I have given: 5414
1) to give, put, set
a) (Qal)
1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend
2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate
3) to make, constitute
b) (Niphal)
1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned
2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted
c) (Hophal)
1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up
2) to be put upon

because ye rebelled: 4784
1) to be contentious, be rebellious, be refractory, be disobedient towards, be rebellious against

a) (Qal) to be disobedient, be rebellious
1) towards father
2) towards God
b) (Hiphil) to show rebelliousness, show disobedience, disobey
my word: 6310
1) (peh) mouth
a) mouth (of man)
b) mouth (as organ of speech)
c) mouth (of animals)
d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
e) extremity, end
2) (pim) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1 Sa. 13:21

at the water: 4325

of Meribah: 4809
Meribah = "strife" or "contention"
1) a fountain at Rephidim, in the desert of Sin; so called because the Israelites murmured against God
2) the name of the water supply at Kadesh on the southern border of the promised land; the people also murmured here against God

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Numbers 20 - (KJV - King James Version)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 1 Mar 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Num&c=20&t=KJV

Higgins, S. (2010). The Garments of Purpose. Devotions For Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, Http://www.higginspublishing.com

Jezebel's Plan

Scripture(s): I Kings 21:1-7.

And it came to pass after these things, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which [was] in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it [is] near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; [or], if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee [another] vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

Background:
Ahab is still the unhappy subject of the sacred history; from the great affairs of his camp and kingdom this chapter leads us into his garden, and gives us an account of some ill things (and ill indeed they proved to him) relating to his domestic affairs. I. Ahab is sick for Naboth’s vineyard (v. 1-4). II. Naboth dies by Jezebel’s plot, that the vineyard may escheat to Ahab (v. 5–14). III. Ahab goes to take possession (v. 15–16). IV. Elijah meets him, and denounces the judgments of God against him for his injustice (v. 17–24). V. Upon his humiliation a reprieve is granted (v. 25–29) (Henry, 1996)


Commentary:
Here is, 1. Ahab coveting his neighbour’s vineyard, which unhappily lay near his palace and conveniently for a kitchen-garden. Perhaps Naboth had been pleased that he had a vineyard which lay so advantageously for a prospect of the royal gardens, or the vending of its productions to the royal family; but the situation of it proved fatal to him. If he had had no vineyard, or it had lain obscure in some remote place, he would have preserved his life. But many a man’s possessions have been his snare, and his neighbourhood to greatness has been of pernicious consequence. Ahab sets his eye and heart on this vineyard, v. 2 (Henry, 1996.)

It will be a pretty addition to his demesne, a convenient out-let to his palace; and nothing will serve him but it must be his own. He is welcome to the fruits of it, welcome to walk in it; Naboth perhaps would have made him a lease of it for his life, to please him; but nothing will please him unless he have an absolute property in it, he and his heirs for ever. Yet he is not such a tyrant as to take it by force, but fairly proposes either to give Naboth the full value of it in money or a better vineyard in exchange. He had tamely quitted the great advantages God had given him of enlarging his dominion for the honour of his kingdom, by his victory over the Syrians, and now is eager to enlarge his garden, only for the convenience of his house, as if to be penny wise would atone for being pound foolish. To desire a convenience to his estate was not evil (there would be no buying if there were no desire of what is bought; the virtuous woman considers a field and buys it); but to desire any thing inordinately, though we would compass it by lawful means, is a fruit of selfishness, as if we must engross all the conveniences, and none must live, or live comfortably, by us, contrary to the law of contentment, and the letter of the tenth commandment, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house. 2. The repulse he met with in this desire. Naboth would by no means part with it (v. 3) (Henry, 1996).

The Lord forbid it me; and the Lord did forbid it, else he would not have been so rude and uncivil to his prince as not to gratify him in so small a matter. Canaan was in a peculiar manner God’s land; the Israelites were his tenants; and this was one of the conditions of their leases, that they should not alienate (no, not to one another) any part of that which fell to their lot, unless in case of extreme necessity, and then only till the year of jubilee, Lev. 25:28. Now Naboth foresaw that, if his vineyard were sold to the crown, it would never return to his heirs, no, not in the jubilee. He would gladly oblige the king, but he must obey God rather than men, and therefore in this matter desires to be excused. Ahab knew the law, or should have known it, and therefore did ill to ask that which his subject could not grant without sin. Some conceive that Naboth looked upon his earthly inheritance as an earnest of his lot in the heavenly Canaan, and therefore would not part with the former, lest it should amount to a forfeiture of the latter. He seems to have been a conscientious man, who would rather hazard the king’s displeasure than offend God, and probably was one of the 7000 that had not bowed the knee to Baal, for which, it may be, Ahab owed him a grudge (Henry, 1996).

3. Ahab’s great discontent and uneasiness hereupon. He was as before (ch. 20:43) heavy and displeased (v. 4), grew melancholy upon it, threw himself upon his bed, would not eat nor admit company to come to him. He could by no means digest the affront. His proud spirit aggravated the indignity Naboth did him in denying him, as a thing not to be suffered. He cursed the squeamishness of Naboth’s conscience, which he pretended to consult the peace of, and secretly meditated revenge. Nor could he bear the disappointment; it cut him to the heart to be crossed in his desires, and he was perfectly sick for vexation (Henry, 1996).

Note, (1.) Discontent is a sin that is its own punishment and makes men torment themselves; it makes the spirit sad, the body sick, and all the enjoyments sour; it is the heaviness of the heart and the rottenness of the bones. (2.) It is a sin that is its own parent. It arises not from the condition, but from the mind. As we find Paul contented in a prison, so Ahab discontent in a palace. He had all the delights of Canaan, that pleasant land, at command the wealth of a kingdom, the pleasures of a court, and the honours and powers of a throne; and yet all this avails him nothing without Naboth’s vineyard. Inordinate desires expose men to continual vexations, and those that are disposed to fret, be they ever so happy, will always find something or other to fret at (Henry, 1996).

1Ki 21:5-16

Nothing but mischief is to be expected when Jezebel enters into the story—that cursed woman, 2 Ki. 9:34.
I. Under pretence of comforting her afflicted husband, she feeds his pride and passion, and blows the coals of his corruptions. It became her to take notice of his grief and to enquire into the cause of it, v. 5. Those have forgotten both the duty and affection of the conjugal relation that interest not themselves in each other’s troubles. He told her what troubled him (v. 6), yet invidiously concealed Naboth’s reason for his refusal, representing it as peevish, when it was conscientious—I will not give it thee, whereas he said, I may not. What! says Jezebel (v. 7), Dost thou govern Israel? Arise, and eat bread. She does well to persuade him to shake off his melancholy, and not to sink under his burden, to be easy and cheerful; whatever was his grief, grieving would not redress it, but pleasantness would alleviate it (Henry, 1996).

Her plea is, Dost thou now govern Israel? This is capable of a good sense: "Does it become so great a prince as thou art to cast thyself down for so small a matter? Thou shamest thyself, and profanest thy crown; it is below thee to take notice of so inconsiderable a thing. Art thou fit to govern Israel, who hast no better a government of thy own passions? Or hast thou so rich a kingdom at command and canst not thou be without this one vineyard?’’ We should learn to quiet ourselves, under our crosses, with the thoughts of the mercies we enjoy, especially our hopes of the kingdom. But she meant it in a bad sense: "Dost thou govern Israel, and shall any subject thou hast deny thee any thing thou hast a mind to? (Henry, 1996).

Art thou a king? It is below thee to buy and pay, much more to beg and pray; use thy prerogative, and take by force what thou canst not compass by fair means; instead of resenting the affront thus, revenge it. If thou knowest not how to support the dignity of a king, let me alone to do it; give me but leave to make use of thy name, and I will soon give thee the vineyard of Naboth; right or wrong, it shall be thy own shortly, and cost thee nothing.’’ Unhappy princes those are, and hurried apace towards their ruin, who have those about them that stir them up to acts of tyranny and teach them how to abuse their power (Henry, 1996).

Reflections:

Jezebel's husband "Ahab," already possessed the kingdom, but he desired something that was not his; to the point that he became depressed, and bed-ridden. That's when Jezebel took the lead in her marriage, by stepping into her husbands shoes; to handle his business. She conspired to kill an innocent man, in exchange for his land; to satisfy the greed of her husband. The influence of Jezebel, was used to kill and take; regardless of who it would affect. When her plot played out, an innocent man was murdered, and Ahab was happy to possess the land that was wrongfully gained. But wait! God showed up in the mouth of the prophet Elijah; and all would not end as they expected. Jezebel would be eaten by dogs, and Ahab would also be punished. The bad example that Jezebel and Ahab set, as husband and wife, and as leaders; is a sharp reminder to never covet what someone else has, regardless of the position of influence that one has been given. It is also a reminder to be content with what God provides, so that one is not lead into a stuper of depression, that causes one to agree with, or make bad decisions, that lead to ultimate destruction.

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of 1 Kings 21 - (KJV - King James Version)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 14 May 2010. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ki&c=21&t=KJV >

Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on 1 Kings 21." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 14 May 2010.

< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=4&contentID=949&commInfo=5&topic=1%20Kings&
ar=1Ki_21_1 >

Higgins, S. (2010). Jezebel's Plan. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com/, http://www.higginspublishing.com/

Passing & Receiving the Mantle

Scripture(s): I Kings 19:15-21
The LORD said to him, (Elijah) "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. "It shall come about, the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death. "Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him." So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, "Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?" So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.

Background:
We left Elijah at the entrance of Jezreel, still appearing publicly, and all the people’s eyes upon him. In this chapter we have him again absconding, and driven into obscurity, at a time when he could ill be spared; but we are to look upon it as a punishment to Israel for the insincerity and inconstancy of their reformation. When people will not learn it is just with God to remove their teachers into corners. Now observe, I. How he was driven into banishment by the malice of Jezebel his sworn enemy (v. 1-3). II. How he was met, in his banishment, by the favour of God, his covenant-friend. 1. How God fed him (v. 4-8). 2. How he conversed with him, and manifested himself to him (v. 9, 11–13), heard his complaint (v. 10–14), directed him what to do (v. 15–17), and encouraged him (v. 18). III. How his hands were strengthened, at his return out of banishment, by the joining of Elisha with him (v. 19–21).

Commentary:
Elisha was named last in the orders God gave to Elijah, but he was first called, for by him the other two were to be called. He must come in Elijah’s room; yet Elijah is forward to raise him, and is far from being jealous of his successor, but rejoices to think that he shall leave the work of God in such good hands. Concerning the call of Elisha observe, 1. That it was an unexpected surprising call. Elijah found him by divine direction, or perhaps he was before acquainted with him and knew where to find him. He found him, not in the schools of the prophets, but in the field, not reading, nor praying, nor sacrificing, but ploughing, v. 19 (Henry, 1996).

Though a great man (as appears by his feast, v. 21), master of the ground, and oxen, and servants, yet he did not think it any disparagement to him to follow his business himself, and not only to inspect his servants, but himself to lay his hand to the plough. Idleness is no man’s honour, nor is husbandry any man’s disgrace. An honest calling in the world does not at all put us out of the way of our heavenly calling, any more than it did Elisha, who was taken from following the plough the feed Israel and to sow the seed of the word, as the apostles were taken from fishing to catch men. Elisha enquired not after Elijah, but was anticipated with this call. We love God, and choose him, because he chose us, and loved us, first. 2. That it was a powerful call. Elijah did but cast his mantle upon him. (v. 19), in token of friendship, that he would take him under his care and tuition as he did under his mantle, and to be one with him in the same clothes, or in token of his being clothed with the spirit of Elijah (now he put some of his honour upon him, as Moses on Joshua, Num. 27:20); but, when Elijah went to heaven, he had the mantle entire, 2 Ki. 2:13 (Henry, 1996).

And immediately he left the oxen to go as they would, and ran after Elijah, and assured him that he would follow him presently, v. 20. An invisible hand touched his heart, and unaccountably inclined him by a secret power, without any external persuasions, to quit his husbandry and give himself to the ministry. It is in a day of power that Christ’s subjects are made willing (Ps. 110:3), nor would any come to Christ unless they were thus drawn. Elisha came to a resolution presently, but begged a little time, not to ask leave, but only to take leave, of his parents. This was not an excuse for delay, like his (Lu. 9:61) that desired he might bid those farewell that were at home, but only a reservation of the respect and duty he owed to his father and mother (Henry, 1996).

Elijah bade him to back and do it, he would not hinder him; nay, if he would, he might go back, and not return, for any thing he had done to him. He will not force him, nor take him against his will; let him sit down and count the cost, and make it his own act. The efficacy of God’s grace preserves the native liberty of man’s will, so that those who are good are good of choice and not by constraint, not pressed men, but volunteers. 3. That it was a pleasant and acceptable call to him, which appears by the farewell-feast he made for his family (v. 21), though he not only quitted all the comforts of his father’s house, but exposed himself to the malignity of Jezebel and her party. It was a discouraging time for prophets to set out in. A man that had consulted with flesh and blood would not be fond of Elijah’s mantle, nor willing to wear his coat; yet Elisha cheerfully, and with a great deal of satisfaction, leaves all to accompany him. Thus Matthew made a great fast when he left the receipt of custom to follow Christ. 4. That it was an effectual call. Elijah did not stay for him, lest he should seem to compel him, but left him to his own choice, and he soon arose, went after him, and not only associated with him, but ministered to him as his servitor, poured water on his hands, 2 Ki. 3:11. It is of great advantage to young ministers to spend some time under the direction of those that are aged and experienced, whose years teach wisdom, and not to think much, if occasion be, to minister to them. Those that would be fit to teach must have time to learn; and those that hope hereafter to rise and rule must be willing at first to stoop and serve (Henry, 1996).

Elijah was running from Jezebel because she made an open declaration that she was going to kill him, because he had put an open shame to her gods, and had all the prophets of Baal executed. Elijah ended up under a juniper tree, and asked God to take his life. He had, had enough. As he sat under the juniper tree, he fell asleep. Then the Angel of the Lord touched him, and told him to arise and eat. So Elijah did as the Angel of the Lord told him, but then he went back to sleep. The Angel of the Lord came to him again, and told him to arise and eat, because the journey was too great for him. So Elijah arose and ate. The food which he ate sustained him for forty days and forty nights. Then Elijah was instructed by God to go to Mount Horeb, but Elijah ended up in the cave out of fear. That's when the Lord came to him, and asked him "What are you doing here?" Elijah made an excuse as to the position of his disobedience. However, God did not condemn him, because he knew him; and gave him relief in the situation as well as a dear friend in who he would take under his tutleledge for the ministry of prophecy.

Reflection:
Even though Elijah was depressed, upset, fearful, and exhausted; God never left him. He continued to speak to Elijah, and comforted him by providing him with the knowledge that surely there were 7000 people who had not bowed to the false Gods, and that  the new kings he was instructed to anoint would rectify the situation. He also encouraged him with the passing of his mantle (cloak/glory) to one that would continue in his stead, by the name of 'Elisha.' When Elijah threw the mantel on Elisha, Elisha knew what it meant, and accepted the calling, and followed Elijah after honoring his parents, and holding a feast. When it was time to pass the mantle Elijah did so speedily, he did not hold on to the mantel out of fear. He did not linger on the words of God, and try to delay the passing of his mantel.

When Elijah passed his mantle (glory/cloak) to Elisha, Elisha made no excuses as to why he could not accept it. He accepted the mantle in a time when prophets were being persecuted and killed, for what they believed in, and spoke about. Passing and receiving the mantle, requires the grace of God upon the lives of his children. If indeed God has called one to the ministry, the passing, and recieving of the mantle has to take place; so that the work of the ministry can continue to move forward. If the mantle is not passed to those that are called to the ministry, the ministry will be stagnated; and will not grow. The old traditions of yesterday will suffocate the church, if those in leadership do not discern the time in which to pass the mantle. At the same time, the mantle should not be passed out of exhaustion, desperation, or fear of what may, or may not happen. Upon the passing of the mantle, the training begins. It is important for us to understand, that the acceptance of the mantle into ministry, is not an overnight call to riches, fame or fortune; it is a call to servanthood. If the Angel of the Lord ministered to Elijah; how much more or we to minister to those who pass the mantle.

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of 1 Kings 19 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 12 May 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ki&c=19&t=NASB

Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on 1 Kings 19." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 12 May 2010.
http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=4&contentID=947&commInfo=5&topic=1%20Kings&
ar=1Ki_19_15

Higgins, S. (2010). Passing & Receving the Mantle. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, http://www.higginspublishing.com

Provision In The House

Scripture(s): I Kings 17:1-16

Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word."

The word of the LORD came to him, saying, "Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. "It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there." So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook.

It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you." So he arose and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks; and he called to her and said, "Please get me a little water in a jar, that I may drink."  As she was going to get it, he called to her and said, "Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand." But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering  a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die."

Then Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. "For thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.'" So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke through Elijah.

Background:
So sad was the character both of the princes and people of Israel, as described in the foregoing chapter, that one might have expected God would cast off a people that had so cast him off; but, as an evidence to the contrary, never was Israel so blessed with a good prophet as when it was so plagued with a bad king. Never was king so bold to sin as Ahab; never was prophet so bold to reprove and threaten as Elijah, whose story begins in this chapter and is full of wonders. Scarcely any part of the Old-Testament history shines brighter than this history of the spirit and power of Elias; he only, of all the prophets, had the honour of Enoch, the first prophet, to be translated, that he should not see death, and the honour of Moses, the great prophet, to attend our Saviour in his transfiguration. Other prophets prophesied and wrote, he prophesied and acted, but wrote nothing; but his actions cast more lustre on his name than their writings did on theirs. In this chapter we have, I. His prediction of a famine in Israel, through the want of rain (v. 1). II. The provision made for him in that famine, 1. By the ravens at the brook Cherith (v. 2-7). 2. When that failed, by the widow at Zarephath, who received him in the name of a prophet and had a prophet’s reward; for (1.) He multiplied her meal and her oil (v. 8–16). (2.) He raised her dead son to life (v. 17–24). Thus his story begins with judgments and miracles, designed to awaken that stupid generation that had to deeply corrupted themselves (Henry, 1996).

Commentary:
We have here an account of the further protection Elijah was taken under, and the further provision made for him in his retirement. At destruction and famine he shall laugh that has God for his friend to guard and maintain him. The brook Cherith is dried up, but God’s care of his people, and kindness to them, never slacken, never fail, but are still the same, are still continued and drawn out to those that know him, Ps. 36:10. When the brook was dried up Jordan was not; why did not God send him thither? Surely because he would show that he has a variety of ways to provide for his people and is not tied to any one. God will now provide for him where he shall have some company and opportunity of usefulness, and not be, as he had been, buried alive. Observe, (Henry, 1996)

I. The place he is sent to, to Zarephath, or Sarepta, a city of Sidon, out of the borders of the land of Israel, v. 9. Our Saviour takes notice of this as an early and ancient indication of the favour of God designed for the poor Gentiles, in the fulness of time, Lu. 4:25, 26. Many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, and some, it is likely, that would have bidden him welcome to their houses; yet he is sent to honour and bless with his presence a city of Sidon, a Gentile city, and so becomes (says Dr. Lightfoot) the first prophet of the Gentiles (Henry, 1996).

Israel had corrupted themselves with the idolatries of the nations and become worse than they; justly therefore is the casting off of them the riches of the world. Elijah was hated and driven out by his countrymen; therefore, lo, he turns to the Gentiles, as the apostles were afterwards ordered to do, Acts 18:6. But why to a city of Sidon? Perhaps because the worship of Baal, which was now the crying sin of Israel, came lately thence with Jezebel, who was a Sidonian (ch. 16:31); therefore thither he shall go, that thence may be fetched the destroyer of that idolatry, "Even out of Sidon have I called my prophet, my reformer.’’ Jezebel was Elijah’s greatest enemy; yet, to show her the impotency of her malice, God will find a hiding-place for him even in her country. Christ never went among the Gentiles except once into the coast of Sidon, Mt. 15:21 (Henry, 1996)

Reflection:
Elijah was taken care of by God for three years at the brook of Cherith, east of the Jordan. When the brook dried up, He sent Elijah to a poor widow, who had a son. When he arrived on the scene, he asked the widow for water. She went to get the water for him. When he asked her for bread, she said that she did not have any bread. She stated all that she had was a bowl of flour, and a jar of oil. She planned to prepare the oil and the flour with sticks, and then die. Elijah told her that God would provide continuously for her, upon her obedience of preparing a little cake for him first, and then for herself; and her son.  Even though the water had dried up at the brook, it had not dried up at the Jordan. God made sure that Elijah, and the widow were well taken care of, in the land of his arch enemy; Jezebel of Sidon. Not only was he taken care of, but so were the hundred prophets that were hidden by Obadiah, a servant in Jezebel's house. Even when enemies think they have a foothold on a situation, God has a ram in the bush; which will spring forth at the appointed time. So be encouraged to know that God is at work in the midst of a drought, and he will continually make provision in the house.

References:

Blue Letter Bible. "Book of 1 Kings 17 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 11 May 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ki&c=17&t=NASB

Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on 1 Kings 17." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 11 May 2010. http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=4&contentID=945&commInfo=5&topic=1%20Kings&
ar=1Ki_17_1 >

Higgins, S. (2010). Provision In the House. Devotions For Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, http://www.higginspublishing.com

Emulated Through Time

Scripture(s) I Kings 14:7-11

"Go, say to Jeroboam, 'Thus says the LORD God of Israel, "Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over My people Israel, and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you—yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight; you also have done more evil than all who were before you, and have gone and made for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me behind your back— therefore behold, I am bringing calamity on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam [fn] every male person, both bond and free in Israel, and I will make a clean sweep of the house of Jeroboam, as one sweeps away dung until it is all gone. "Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs will eat. And he who dies in the field the birds of the heavens will eat; for the LORD has spoken it."'

Background:
The kingdom being divided into that of Judah and that of Israel, we must henceforward, in these books of Kings, expect and attend their separate history, the succession of their kings, and the affairs of their kingdoms, accounted for distinctly. In this chapter we have, I. The prophecy of the destruction of Jeroboam’s house (v. 7–16). The sickness of his child was the occasion of it (v. 1-6), and the death of his child the earnest of it (v. 17, 18), together with the conclusion of his reign (v. 19, 20). II. The history of the declension and diminution of Rehoboam’s house and kingdom (v. 21–28) and the conclusion of his reign (v. 29–31). In both we may read the mischievous consequences of sin and the calamities it brings on kingdoms and families (Henry, 1996).

Commentary:
When those that set up idols, and keep them up, go to enquire of the Lord, he determines to answer them, not according to the pretensions of their enquiry, but according to the multitude of their idols, Eze. 14:4. So Jeroboam is answered here (Henry, 1996).
I. The prophet anticipates the enquiry concerning the child, and foretels the ruin of Jeroboam’s house for the wickedness of it. No one else durst have carried such a message: a servant would have smothered it, but his own wife cannot be suspected of ill-will to him (Henry, 1996).

1. God calls himself the Lord God of Israel. Though Israel had forsaken God, God had not cast them off, nor given them a bill of divorce for their whoredoms. He is Israel’s God, and therefore will take vengeance on him who did them the greatest mischief he could do them, debauched them and drew them away from God (Henry, 1996).

2. He upbraids Jeroboam with the great favour he had bestowed upon him, in making him king, exalting him from among the people, the common people, to be prince over God’s chosen Israel, and taking the kingdom from the house of David, to bestow it upon him. Whether we keep an account of God’s mercies to us or no, he does, and will set even them in order before us, if we be ungrateful, to our greater confusion; otherwise he gives and upbraids not (Henry, 1996).

3. He charges him with his impiety and apostasy, and his idolatry particularly: Thou hast done evil above all that were before thee, v. 9. Saul, that was rejected, never worshipped idols; Solomon did it but occasionally, in his dotage, and never made Israel to sin. Jeroboam’s calves, though pretended to be set up in honour of the God of Israel, that brought them up out of Egypt, yet are here called other gods, or strange gods, because in them he worshipped God as the heathen worshipped their strange gods, because by them he changed the truth of God into a lie and represented him as altogether different from what he is, and because many of the ignorant worshippers terminated their devotion in the image, and did not at all regard the God of Israel. Though they were calves of gold, the richness of the metal was so far from making them acceptable to God that they provoked him to anger, designedly affronted him, under colour of pleasing him (Henry, 1996).

In doing this, (1.) He had not set David before him (v. 8): Thou hast not been as my servant David, who, though he had his faults and some bad ones, yet never forsook the worship of God nor grew loose nor cold to that; his faithful adherence to that gained him this honourable character, that he followed God with all his heart, and herein he was proposed for an example to all his successors. Those did not do well that did not do like David. (2.) He had not set God before him, but (v. 9), "Thou hast cast me behind thy back, my law, my fear; thou hast neglected me, forgotten me, and preferred thy policies before my precepts (Henry, 1996)."

4. He foretels the utter ruin of Jeroboam’s house, v. 10, 11. He thought, by his idolatry, to establish his government, and by that he not only lost it, but brought destruction upon his family, the universal destruction of all the males, whether shut up or left, married or unmarried. (1.) Shameful destruction. They shall be taken away as dung, which is loathsome and which men are glad to be rid of. He worshipped dunghill-deities, and God removed his family as a great dunghill. Noble and royal families, if wicked, are no better in God’s account. (2.) Unusual destruction. Their very dead bodies should be meat for the dogs in the street, or the birds of prey in the field, v. 11. Thus evil pursues sinners. See this fulfilled, ch. 15:29 (Henry, 1996).

Reflections:
When leaders are entrusted into a position, they have a responsiblity to do what is right in the sight of God. If leaders choose not to do as God instructs them to; they will be put out of position. Someone else that will listen to, and obey the voice of God, will be put in their place. Additionally, those that are under the leadership of corrupt leaders, will unfortunately suffer because of bad leadership; until God brings a faithful leader to get them back on track. Let us be mindful to be faithful over what God has given us, because he trusts us with the responsibility; keeping in mind that the position of leadership is not to be taken lightly. We are to always remember that what leaders do, will be emulated through time; whether it be good, or bad; and we will be held responsible for how we lead others, to, and/or away from the cross.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

I Kings 14:10
therefore behold, I am bringing calamity on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam [fn] every male person, both bond and free in Israel, and I will make a clean sweep of the house of Jeroboam, as one sweeps away dung until it is all gone.

A clean sweep: 1197
1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled

a) (Qal)
1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning
2) to burn, be burning
3) to burn, consume
4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.)
b) (Piel)
1) to kindle, burn
2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.)
c) (Hiphil)
1) to kindle
2) to burn up
3) to consume (destroy)
d) (Pual) to burn

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of 1 Kings 14 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 10 May 2010.

Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on 1 Kings 14." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 10 May 2010.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm? AuthorID=4&contentID=942&commInfo=5&topic=1%20Kings&
ar=1Ki_14_7 >

Higgins, S. (2010). Emulated Through Time. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, Http://www.higginspublishing.com

The Counter Creative Heart

Scripture(s): I Kings 12:25-31
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel. And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:
If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, [even] unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. And this thing became a sin: for the people went [to worship] before the one, [even] unto Dan. And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

Background:
The glory of the kingdom of Israel was in its height and perfection in Solomon; it was long in coming to it, but it soon declined, and began to sink and wither in the very next reign, as we find in this chapter, where we have the kingdom divided, and thereby weakened and made little in comparison with what it had been. Here is, I. Rehoboam’s accession to the throne and Jeroboam’s return out of Egypt (v. 1, 2). II. The people’s petition to Rehoboam for the redress of grievances, and the rough answer he gave, by the advice of his young counsellors, to that petition (v. 3–15). III. The revolt of the ten tribes thereupon, and their setting up Jeroboam (v. 16–20). IV. Rehoboam’s attempt to reduce them and the prohibition God gave to that attempt (v. 21–24). V. Jeroboam’s establishment of his government upon idolatry (v. 25–33). Thus did Judah become weak, being deserted by their brethren, and Israel, by deserting the house of the Lord.

Commentary:
We have here the beginning of the reign of Jeroboam. He built Shechem first and then Penuel—beautified and fortified them, and probably had a palace in each of them for himself (v. 25), the former in Ephraim, the latter in Gad, on the other side Jordan. This might be proper; but he formed another project for the establishing of his kingdom which was fatal to the interests of religion in it.


I. That which he designed was by some effectual means to secure those to himself who had now chosen him for their king, and to prevent their return to the house of David, v. 26, 27. It seems, 1. He was jealous of the people, afraid that, some time or other, they would kill him and go again to Rehoboam. Many that have been advanced in one tumult have been hurled down in another. Jeroboam could not put any confidence in the affections of his people, though now they seemed extremely fond of him; for what is got by wrong and usurpation cannot be enjoyed nor kept with any security or satisfaction. 2. He was distrustful of the promise of God, could not take his word that, if he would keep close to his duty, God would build him a sure house (ch. 11:38); but he would contrive ways and means, and sinful ones too, for his own safety. A practical disbelief of God’s all-sufficiency is at the bottom of all our treacherous departures from him.

II. The way he took to do this was by keeping the people from going up to Jerusalem to worship. That was the place God had chosen, to put his name there. Solomon’s temple was there, which God had, in the sight of all Israel, and in the memory of many now living, taken solemn possession of in a cloud of glory. At the altar there the priest of the Lord attended, there all Israel were to keep the feasts, and thither they were to bring their sacrifices. Now,

1. Jeroboam apprehended that, if the people continued to do this, they would in time return to the house of David, allured by the magnificence both of the court and of the temple. If they cleave to their old religion, they will go back to their old king. We may suppose, if he had treated with Rehoboam for the safe conduct of himself and his people to and from Jerusalem at the times appointed for their solemn feasts, it would not have been denied him; therefore he fears not their being driven back by force, but their going back voluntarily to Rehoboam.

Reflection:
If we make decisions based out of fear and not on the promises of God, who then becomes our God? Our flesh has a tendency to make things bigger than they are, as if the God of our souls is too small to do what He says that He will do. Our flesh desires to drive us back into the hands of the bondage in which we have been released, and make us forget the promise of God spoken over our lives. Yes, the condition of the economy is like a giant standing right in front of us. But, will we still stand on what God has given us, or will we go back and build altars in the world that can neither save or deliver. The creativity that God has given us is for his kingdom, not to create scenarios of what could, or may happen out of fear.

References:
Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on 1 Kings 12." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 6 May 2010.

http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=4&contentID=940&commInfo=5&topic=1%20Kings&
ar=1Ki_12_25

Blue Letter Bible. "Book of 1 Kings 12 - (KJV - King James Version)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 6 May 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ki&c=12&t=KJV



Higgins, S. (2010). The Counter Creative Heart. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.higginspublishing.com