Month: February 2022

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

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

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

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

Mercy and Grace is amazing. Chose wisely!

Love,

Gretchen

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

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

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

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

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

Love,

Gretchen

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

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

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

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

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

Love,

Gretchen

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

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

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

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

Love,

Gretchen

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

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

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

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

LOVE,

Gretchen