DAILY ⓂANNA* SATURDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER, 2022
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DAILY ⓂANNA* SATURDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER, 2022
*<div> *THERE IS A RECORD*</div><div>
</div><div>📜TEXT:2 KINGS 15:13-26📜</div><div>
</div><div>🔑📖KEY VERSE:
_*”And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy…, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah…” (2 KINGS 15:15, 21, 26).*_</div><div>
</div><div>In Washington, USA, there is a pair of scale maintained by the government that is so sensitive to record the weight of paper and what is written on a paper separately. If the technological prowess of mortal man could develop such a delicate equipment which could “see” the weightless “weight” of the word written on a paper, would God’s superior knowledge not notice the most imperceptible of man’s activities?</div><div>
</div><div>The text reveals the reign of three kings of Israel who reigned at different times in the history of Israel. Their activities were recorded in the chronicles of the kings of Israel. King Shallum, the son of Jabesh reigned for only a month before he was slain by Menahem, the son of Gadi who reigned in his stead. Menahem reigned for ten years in Samaria and perpetuated evil in the sight of the Lord, following the example of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. His son, Pekahiah succeeded him and continued in disobedience to the word of the Lord. His reign was short-lived, as he was murdered by his captain, Ramaliah. All the activities of these kings, whether short or long, were all recorded.</div><div>
</div><div>Man sometimes thinks he can hide so securely in the bunker of philosophical, scientific and technological inventions, believing God cannot see through. They forget that God is omniscient; He sees and knows everything.</div><div>
</div><div>Jesus Christ, the great Judge, will judge everyone in righteousness according to their works. Those found wanting, who have not repented of their sins and accepted Him as Lord and whose names are not recorded in the book of life would be punished. People, whose names are found in the Book, will spend eternal bliss with Christ in heaven. We, therefore, need to live under the consciousness of God’s presence every day of our lives.</div><div>
</div><div>✍🏽THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
_*God keeps infallible record of men’s action.*_</div><div>
</div><div>📜THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:*NUMBERS 22-25*📜</div><div>
</div><div> *MEDITATION*</div><div>
</div><div>*Comparing Judah and Israel: Some lessons*</div><div>
</div><div>1. Have you taken time to make a comparison between the nations Judah and Israel? “All these things are written for our learning”.</div><div>2. Do you notice that the history of the kings of Israel and that of Judah were written _pari passu_ in the book of the Kings and Chronicles? Why? For the same reasons that we may learn from them🤷♂️</div><div>3. *Quick check:* Judah comprised of Judah and Benjamin while Israel had the remaining 10 tribes. The division happened immediately after the death of Solomon because his son could not manage the situation wisely even though his father was the wisest of all kings. The wisdom was not transferable. How could Solomon had done that when he did not have time for his children except 1000 wives🤔</div><div>4. The 10 tribes under Jeroboam thought that Jerusalem was too far for annual temple worship and there was need to build a replica of the temple in Israel which eventually led to 2 groves or idols. Israel since then had been going there for worship which eventually degenerated to idol worship. That became the “sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat”.</div><div>5. The effect of this deviation from God’s word did not manifest immediately until many years after. Now we see part of the effect in the text.</div><div>6. Zechariah the son of Jeroboam II reigned for 6 months and was assassinated by Shallum (v10); Shallum reigned for one month and was assassinated by Menahem (v14); he also reigned for only 10 years; his son only reigned for 2 years and was assassinated (vv23,25).</div><div>7. In addition, there was always rebellion, lawlessness, conspiracies and oppressors not so common compared to Judah, vv16, 20,25.</div><div>8. Also observe vv9, 18,24 and note the inspired writers always connected their evils to the sins of Jeroboam.</div><div>9. Israel eventually went into captivity over 100 years before Judah followed.</div><div>10. Check the cases of the kings of Judah in the text and you will notice a marked difference.</div><div>
</div><div>*Questions*</div><div>a. What can you learn from the effect of subtly replacing the temple of God in a “far place” by Israel with two groves at Bethel and Dan? A little deviation from the word of God will eventually result into heresy and if not checked on time will result to apostasy. None can be wiser than the word of God. </div><div>b. It is a matter of time, the effects of our righteousness or unrighteousness will soon be manifest. If it does not show in your generation, it will show in the succeeding generations.</div><div>c. Lasting peace comes only through godliness.</div><div>d. Never compare yourself with sinners who appear to be doing well with their families. Time and eternity will tell. Keep following God no matter what.</div><div>
</div><div>*Assignment*</div><div>Check the preceding chapters and books, immediately after the death of Solomon, to verify the facts above.</div><div>
</div><div>*Prayer points*</div><div>Praise God because it always pay to follow and serve Jesus🙏</div><div>Commit your life to Him afresh and promise never to back out with your children🙏</div><div>Pray for God to help your church never to adjust, modify or change the word of God to suit the modern carnal world🙏</div><div>Pray for your nation that He will cause righteousness to be chosen by both citizens and foreigners🙏</div><div>
</div><div>*HYMN* No Turning back</div>
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