The Real Meaning of Life

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/2_chronicles/18.htm

As we continue, we see similarities between the Book of Kings and the Book of Chronicles, but it to read both because one may add a bit more information than the other and vice versa.

We review the pact made between Jehoshaphat and Ahab, we review the death of Ahab, and now we see where Edom rises up against Judah. This is probably where Obadiah, the chapter we just finished, comes in. God surely sent Obadiah to Edom to warn them of their behaviors. And while I don’t know this, I would venture to guess that He picked Obadiah, in all of His wisdom, because Obadiah was also an Edomite that had converted, and perhaps God felt Edom would be more receptive to His word if it came from one of their own.

Then we read about the end of Jehoshaphat reign and eventually his death. And for the most part, Jehoshaphat while not perfect, was a good king. He followed in the footsteps of his father, he honored God, but he didn’t tear down the “high places”, the places where idols were once worshiped.

And in 2 Chronicles 20, Verse 20, I always love reading, ““Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.” My how Christianity can contradict itself. Out of one corner of their mouth they praise God saying “His mercies endure forever”, and out of the other corner of their mouth, they say “God is angry and will send you to a burning hell forever for your sins.” You can’t have both, God cannot be a sadistic punisher and enduringly merciful at the same time. And for me, I believe that “His mercy endures forever.”

Finally we read about the death of Jehoshaphat and that his son Jehoram takes over the throne. And we can tell Jehoram will not be a man of God because right at the onset, we see where he killed all of his brothers.

You know, spats among family are common, even though we may be related by blood, we are prone to having disagreements. But for the majority, we don’t kill each other. We don’t kill our siblings over disagreements, or jealously, or pride. And we continue our studies, we will see good kings and bad kings. It all depends upon the strength of the individual to resist the temptations of Satan.

Happy Sabbath!