1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:06,000 Speaker 1: Life Audio. Howdy and good morning, friends and faith listeners. 2 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:07,800 Speaker 1: My name is Jen I'm the host of the Bible 3 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:10,200 Speaker 1: Explain podcast, and I'm so excited that you're here to 4 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: share a cup of coffee or a cup of tea 5 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:22,239 Speaker 1: with me this morning as we discuss Second Chronicles thirteen. So, 6 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:25,000 Speaker 1: as you guys know, because I put out a special 7 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:29,240 Speaker 1: podcast episode on Friday explaining the change in the podcast, 8 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:33,479 Speaker 1: today is my integration day with Life Audio. So that 9 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: is an exciting development that is going to be taking 10 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:38,080 Speaker 1: place now. If you didn't catch the memo, go back 11 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:40,640 Speaker 1: and listen to the Friday episode that I did, and 12 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 1: you'll be up to date with everything before today. Let's 13 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:46,680 Speaker 1: go ahead and read Second Chronicles thirteen the entire chapter. 14 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:48,960 Speaker 1: And I'm kind of excited to talk about this chapter 15 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:51,840 Speaker 1: because there's definitely a few things we can get into 16 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:56,280 Speaker 1: about King Abaijah. He's a lesser known king in Israel's history, 17 00:00:56,800 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: but certainly a lot we can discuss. He was kind 18 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 1: of a weird, as were most of the kings. So 19 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:06,360 Speaker 1: let's read the Second Chronicles thirteen the entire thing. As usual, 20 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 1: I'll be reading from the w E B. Grab your 21 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:10,560 Speaker 1: cup of coffee or your cuppatit this morning. Let's go 22 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:15,080 Speaker 1: ahead and jump into scripture together. In the eighteenth year 23 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 1: of King Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah. He 24 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 1: reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Makaiah, 25 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:25,480 Speaker 1: the daughter of Yuriel of Gibeah. There was war between 26 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 1: Abijah and Jereboam. Abijah joined battle with an army of 27 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 1: valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men, 28 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 1: and Jereboam set the battle in array against him with 29 00:01:35,920 --> 00:01:39,279 Speaker 1: eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor. 30 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: Abijah stood up on Mount Zamaram, which is on the 31 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 1: hill country of Ephriam, and he said, hear me, Jeroboam, 32 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:48,480 Speaker 1: and all Israel ought you not to know that Yahweh, 33 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:50,960 Speaker 1: the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to 34 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 1: David forever, even to him and his sons by a 35 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 1: covenant of salt. Yet Jereboam, the son of Nebat, the 36 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 1: servant of Solomon, the son of David, rose up and 37 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:03,559 Speaker 1: belled against his lord. Worthless men were gathered to him, 38 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: wicked fellows who strengthened themselves against Raeboam, the son of Solomon, 39 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 1: when Rayaboam was young and tender hearted and could not 40 00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: withstand them. Now you intend to withstand the kingdom of 41 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 1: Yahweh in the hand of the sons of David. You 42 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:18,840 Speaker 1: are a great multitude, and the golden calves which JEROBOAMH 43 00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:21,680 Speaker 1: made you for gods are with you. Haven't you driven 44 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:23,960 Speaker 1: out the priests of Yahweh, the sons of Erin, and 45 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 1: the Levites, and made priests for yourselves according to the 46 00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 1: ways of the people of other lands. Whoever comes to 47 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:32,360 Speaker 1: consecrate himself with a young bull in seven rams may 48 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 1: be a priest of those who are no gods. But 49 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:37,240 Speaker 1: as for us, Yahweh is our God, and we have 50 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 1: not forsaken him. We have priests serving Yahweh, the sons 51 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,239 Speaker 1: of Erin and the Levites. In their work they burn 52 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 1: to Yahweh every morning and every evening, burnt offerings and 53 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:49,399 Speaker 1: sweet incense. They also set the show bread in order 54 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:52,040 Speaker 1: on the pure table, and care for the gold lamp 55 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 1: stands with its lamps to burn every evening. For we 56 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:57,840 Speaker 1: keep the instruction of Yahweh, our God, but you have 57 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 1: forsaken him. Behold, God is with us at our head, 58 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: and as priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound, 59 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 1: and alarm against you, children of Israel. Don't fight against Yahweh, 60 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 1: the God of your fathers, for you will not prosper. 61 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:13,399 Speaker 1: But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come about behind them. 62 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 1: So they were before Judah, and the ambush was behind them. 63 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:19,480 Speaker 1: When Judah looked back, behold the battle was before and 64 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 1: behind them. And they cried to Yahweh, and the priests 65 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,920 Speaker 1: sounded with trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout. 66 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:28,240 Speaker 1: As the men of Judah shouted, God struck Jeroboam in 67 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 1: all Israel before a Bijah and Judah. The children of 68 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 1: Israel fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hand. 69 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:38,240 Speaker 1: Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter. 70 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 1: So five hundred thousand chosen men of Israel fell down slain. 71 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:45,200 Speaker 1: Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, 72 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: and the children of Judah prevailed because they relied on Yahweh, 73 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:52,960 Speaker 1: the God of their fathers. Abijah pursued Jeroboam and took 74 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 1: cities from him. Bethel with its villages, Jashana with its villages, 75 00:03:57,320 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 1: and Ephron with its villages didn't recover strength again. In 76 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:05,080 Speaker 1: the days of Abaijah, jahways struck him and he died. 77 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 1: But Abijah grew mighty and took for himself fourteen wives 78 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 1: and became the father of twenty two sons and sixteen daughters. 79 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 1: The rest of the acts of Abaijah, his ways, and 80 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:18,279 Speaker 1: his sayings are written in the commentary of the Prophet Ido. 81 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 1: So it's been a little bit since we've done an 82 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: episode on the Old Testament side of stuff. But if 83 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 1: you remember last time, we talked about King Jeroboam and 84 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:32,880 Speaker 1: King Rayaboam, kind of confusing because their names are very similar. 85 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,880 Speaker 1: But King Jeroboam became the king of the northern tribes 86 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:40,480 Speaker 1: of Israel, and then King Rayaboam, who kind of started 87 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:44,160 Speaker 1: this big civil war, ended up only with two tribes, 88 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 1: Judah and Benjamin. So Israel has become split. They have 89 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 1: two separate kings, and they're now essentially two separate nations. Rayaboam, 90 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:56,200 Speaker 1: the king of Judah, was actually going to go to 91 00:04:56,240 --> 00:05:01,200 Speaker 1: war against Jeroboam of the Northern Kingdom, but God told Rayaboam, 92 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 1: you cannot do that. This thing is from me. In fact, 93 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:07,359 Speaker 1: let's go ahead and read that real quick second. Chronicles 94 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:12,040 Speaker 1: eleven verses one through four says this, when Rayaboam had 95 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:14,400 Speaker 1: come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and 96 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 1: Benjamin one hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who are 97 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: warriors to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom again 98 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 1: to Raya Boam. But Yahwai's word came to Shemeah, the 99 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:27,160 Speaker 1: man of God, saying speak to Raaboam, the son of Solomon, 100 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:29,839 Speaker 1: king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and 101 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 1: Benjamin saying, yahwe says, you shall not go up nor 102 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 1: fight against your brothers. Every man returned to his house, 103 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 1: for this thing is of me. So they listened to 104 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:43,359 Speaker 1: Yahwai's words and returned from going against Jereboam. So that 105 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:47,400 Speaker 1: makes it pretty clear that God was behind the splitting 106 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:52,839 Speaker 1: of Israel because of the sin of David's family. You know, 107 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 1: David was a pretty righteous man. He had his sins, 108 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:59,839 Speaker 1: of course, but Solomon was the one who really caused 109 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 1: Israel to sin. And because of Solomon's sin of introducing 110 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 1: all of this idle worship into Israel, that was when 111 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 1: God ended up punishing the line of David and splitting 112 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 1: the kingdom from them essentially, So he gave the northern 113 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:19,920 Speaker 1: parts to Jeroboam, and then Raye Boam, Solomon's son ended 114 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:23,360 Speaker 1: up having Judah or the southern part of Israel. So 115 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:25,920 Speaker 1: Rae Boam, you know, he wasn't a very good king 116 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:29,039 Speaker 1: in his lifetime, and he ended up dying last time 117 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:32,960 Speaker 1: we talked. And so his son is a Bijah, and 118 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:36,160 Speaker 1: this guy is who we're talking about today. So if 119 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: he turned to Second Chronicles thirteen, it says in the 120 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,719 Speaker 1: eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, you know, the guy in 121 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 1: the northern part, Abijah began to reign over Judah. He 122 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 1: reigned three years in Jerusalem. So that right there actually 123 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:54,640 Speaker 1: shows that Abijah was a terrible king. But what's funny 124 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:57,719 Speaker 1: is Second Chronicles, if you read this, does not say 125 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:01,600 Speaker 1: anything about that. It does doesn't say anything about Abijah 126 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:04,799 Speaker 1: being a bad king. We find that out in First 127 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 1: King's chapter fifteen, where Abijah is briefly mentioned. But even 128 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 1: though Second Chronicles thirteen doesn't mention how bad of a 129 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 1: king Abijah is, we can kind of figure it out 130 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 1: just based upon verse two, which says he reigned for 131 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 1: three years in Jerusalem, meaning that God did not bless 132 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:24,840 Speaker 1: his reign. You know, he reigned for only three years 133 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 1: and then he died. And a lot of times when 134 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 1: kings died very early into their reign, it was because 135 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 1: God was not blessing their rule. His mother's name was Makaiah, 136 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 1: the daughter of Uriel of Gibea. Now I'm not going 137 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:42,280 Speaker 1: to get into it right now, but actually Makiah the 138 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:47,200 Speaker 1: daughter of Uriel of Gibea. It's real gross what ends 139 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:49,840 Speaker 1: up happening there. We will talk about that once we 140 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:56,000 Speaker 1: discuss King Asa. But just remember that Abijah's mother was 141 00:07:56,080 --> 00:08:00,600 Speaker 1: named Makaiah, also known as maka Okay. Just remember that. 142 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 1: It says there was war between Abijah and Jereboam, So 143 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 1: the two kingdoms of Israel were constantly at war. Even 144 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: in the days of raye Boam, Northern Israel and Southern 145 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 1: Israel or Judah were fighting with each other all the time, 146 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 1: and this continued with King Abijah. It says Abijah and 147 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 1: Jereboam were at war. Abijah joined battle with an army 148 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 1: of valiant men of war, four hundred thousand chosen men, 149 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 1: and Jereboam set the battle in a ray against him 150 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 1: with eight hundred thousand chosen men who are mighty men 151 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 1: of valor. So Abaijah had half the amount of men 152 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:39,320 Speaker 1: that Jereboam had, and you can imagine that's kind of scary. 153 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 1: But what's interesting is Abaijah does not seem super scared 154 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:47,960 Speaker 1: of Jereboam. In fact, he preaches a sermon to him. 155 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:51,200 Speaker 1: A lot of times. We see that. You know, even 156 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:55,040 Speaker 1: though kings end up falling away from God later on 157 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:58,559 Speaker 1: in their rule, when they first start out, they actually 158 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:03,359 Speaker 1: do have some faith. They do try to follow Yahweh 159 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 1: in some way, even if it's superficial, and then later on, 160 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 1: once things get comfy for them, they end up worshiping 161 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:13,959 Speaker 1: some other God or falling away from Yahweh something along 162 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:16,679 Speaker 1: those lines. So Abijah was very similar to these other 163 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 1: kings where he kind of did start out, okay, where 164 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:25,240 Speaker 1: he preaches this sermon to Jereboam and to all of 165 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:30,079 Speaker 1: northern Israel. It says, Bijah stood up on Mount Zamarim, 166 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:32,679 Speaker 1: which I have no clue if I'm pronouncing that right, 167 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:35,800 Speaker 1: So forgive me for that which is in the hill 168 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:39,080 Speaker 1: country of Ephriem. And he said, hear me, Jereboam and 169 00:09:39,160 --> 00:09:42,360 Speaker 1: all Israel ought you not to know that Yahweh, the 170 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 1: God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, 171 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:49,040 Speaker 1: even to him and to his sons by a covenant 172 00:09:49,120 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 1: of salt. So he's going back to the very beginning, 173 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 1: you know, when God first gave the kingdom to David, 174 00:09:55,640 --> 00:10:02,079 Speaker 1: which would have been a Bijah's great grandm father. He's saying, 175 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 1: God gave this kingdom to the line of David, and 176 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:08,760 Speaker 1: so this kingdom belongs rightfully to me. It says, David 177 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:11,560 Speaker 1: and God made this covenant together, and it was a 178 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:15,040 Speaker 1: covenant of salt, is what he says. So the covenant 179 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: of salt that is talked about in Leviticus two, verse thirteen, 180 00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:23,480 Speaker 1: it says, every offering of your meal offering you shall 181 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 1: season with salt. You shall not allow the salt of 182 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:29,400 Speaker 1: the Covenant of your God to be lacking from your 183 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: meal offering. With all your offerings, you shall offer salt. 184 00:10:33,679 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: So essentially the covenant that David and God made, David 185 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 1: sealed it with a sacrifice of some sort that included salt. 186 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 1: And notice in Leviticus too, it specifically says, you shall 187 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 1: not allow the salt of the Covenant of your God 188 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:51,080 Speaker 1: be lacking from your meal offering. So there was something 189 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:55,000 Speaker 1: special about the salt and covenants specifically, you know, the 190 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:57,960 Speaker 1: covenant is just a fancy word for a promise. So 191 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 1: David made a promise with God God. This was a 192 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:05,679 Speaker 1: covenant of salt, is what Abijah says. And going back 193 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:08,960 Speaker 1: to our passage for today, verse six. Yet Jereboam, the 194 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 1: son of Nabat, the servant of Solomon, the son of David, 195 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:15,640 Speaker 1: rose up and rebelled against his lord. Worthless men were 196 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:19,600 Speaker 1: gathered to him, wicked fellows who strengthened themselves against Raeboam, 197 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:22,560 Speaker 1: the son of Solomon. When Raaboam was young and tender 198 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:27,000 Speaker 1: hearted and could not withstand them. So raa Boham completely 199 00:11:27,040 --> 00:11:30,719 Speaker 1: started that civil war. If you guys, remember that Raabaham 200 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 1: was a unwise individual and refused to listen to good advice, 201 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:41,880 Speaker 1: and so he caused a civil war to take place 202 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:45,080 Speaker 1: in Israel three days after he became the king. And 203 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 1: so what's funny is Abijah here is putting all of 204 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 1: the blame on Jereboam. He's like Jereboam, this servant ended 205 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:57,120 Speaker 1: up rebelling against my father and taking the kingdom away 206 00:11:57,160 --> 00:12:00,839 Speaker 1: from him. But it rightfully belongs to David. Interesting about that, 207 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:03,839 Speaker 1: remember when we read second Chronicles eleven. At the very 208 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 1: beginning of this episode, God himself said that he caused 209 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 1: this thing to happen because he was punishing the line 210 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:14,360 Speaker 1: of David, and so Abaijah is not realizing or caring. 211 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: I suppose that God was the one who actually took 212 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:21,080 Speaker 1: the kingdom away from his family. Abijah doesn't want to 213 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 1: realize that because of the sin of his fathers, God 214 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 1: gave half of the kingdom, more than half of the 215 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:32,640 Speaker 1: kingdom over to Jereboam. So Abijah is not seeing the 216 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:36,080 Speaker 1: full picture here. He is not recognizing the sin of 217 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:38,600 Speaker 1: his fathers. But the next part of his sermon is 218 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:41,200 Speaker 1: actually much better. The first part is not so good 219 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:44,320 Speaker 1: because he doesn't recognize his own sin, but the second 220 00:12:44,320 --> 00:12:47,000 Speaker 1: part is actually quite good. It is starting in verse eight. 221 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:50,320 Speaker 1: Now you intend to withstand the kingdom of Yahweh in 222 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:52,360 Speaker 1: the hand of the sons of David. You are a 223 00:12:52,360 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 1: great multitude in the golden calves which Jereboah made you, 224 00:12:55,880 --> 00:12:58,840 Speaker 1: for Gods are with you. So this was a very 225 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 1: common thing to do. Actually, back in these days was 226 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 1: the nations. When they went out to war or battles, 227 00:13:06,040 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 1: they would carry their gods with them for protection. And remember, 228 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 1: you know, jereboem pretty bad king of the northern tribes 229 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:18,880 Speaker 1: of Israel. He ended up making a state run religion 230 00:13:18,920 --> 00:13:22,200 Speaker 1: where he fashioned these golden calves and put them in 231 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 1: different areas around Israel to make it more convenient for 232 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:28,920 Speaker 1: the Israelite people to not have to go down to 233 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:33,520 Speaker 1: Judah and worship God at the temple. He thought that 234 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 1: if his people were going down to Judah that eventually 235 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:40,560 Speaker 1: he'd lose control of Israel, so he made a state 236 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 1: run religion. So these golden calves became a snare for Israel. 237 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:48,440 Speaker 1: Is what it says. They started worshiping these golden calves, 238 00:13:48,720 --> 00:13:51,959 Speaker 1: and so the golden calves are now with them in battle. 239 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:55,480 Speaker 1: Then in verse nine, Abijah continues, haven't you driven out 240 00:13:55,640 --> 00:13:57,599 Speaker 1: the priests of Yahweh, the sons of Aaron, and the 241 00:13:57,679 --> 00:14:00,560 Speaker 1: Levites and made priests for yourselves according to the ways 242 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:03,960 Speaker 1: of the peoples of other lands. Whoever comes to consecrate 243 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:06,480 Speaker 1: himself with a young bull and seven rams may be 244 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 1: a priest of those who are no gods. Actually really 245 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:13,840 Speaker 1: like that verse. Like Abijah, even though he can't see 246 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:17,040 Speaker 1: his own sin, he sees the sin that Israel is doing, 247 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 1: and He's like, you guys aren't worshiping Yahweh the way 248 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 1: you're supposed to. You're carrying these other gods with you. 249 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: You've abandoned Yahweh, your god. You abandon the levitical priest. 250 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 1: They're all down here in Judah with me. Which is 251 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:37,120 Speaker 1: actually true because after Jereboham like instituted this state run religion, 252 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:39,920 Speaker 1: the levitical priests got pretty angry and a lot of 253 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:43,160 Speaker 1: them left, like a huge majority ended up leaving and 254 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:47,160 Speaker 1: going down to Judah to practice Yahwism the way it 255 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:50,840 Speaker 1: was supposed to be practiced. So the levitical priests were 256 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 1: no longer in northern Israel. And Abijah is reminding the 257 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 1: Israelites of this. He's like, you, now, just let anybody 258 00:14:59,640 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 1: become a priest. Anybody who sacrifices a young bull and 259 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 1: seven rams can become a priest to things that are 260 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:11,040 Speaker 1: no gods. But as for us, continuing in verse ten, 261 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: Yahweh is our god. We have priests serving Yahweh, the 262 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: sons of Aaron and the Levites in their work, they 263 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:20,760 Speaker 1: burn to Yahweh every morning and every evening, burnt offerings 264 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 1: and sweet incense. They also set the show bread in 265 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:26,360 Speaker 1: order on the pure table, and they care for the 266 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,200 Speaker 1: gold lamp stands with its lamps to burn every evening, 267 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 1: for we keep the instruction of Yahweh, our God, but 268 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 1: you are forsaken him. Behold, God is with us at 269 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: our head, and his priest with his trumpets of alarm 270 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 1: to sound and alarm against you, children of Israel. Don't 271 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:42,360 Speaker 1: fight against Yahweh, the God of your father's, for you 272 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:45,280 Speaker 1: will not prosper. And that, honestly is a really good 273 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 1: speech that Abaijah gave. You know, the first part was 274 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,760 Speaker 1: a little iffy, but he gets better as it goes on. 275 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:54,680 Speaker 1: He was getting his footing, I suppose. So he tells Israel, 276 00:15:54,720 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 1: you know, stop abandoning Yahweh or God. God is being 277 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 1: worshiped down here in Judah. We worship God, and God 278 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:05,160 Speaker 1: is going to protect us through this battle, even though 279 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 1: you have twice the army size that we have. But 280 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 1: in verse thirteen, here's what happens. Jeroboam caused an ambush 281 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 1: to come out behind them, so they were before Judah 282 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 1: and the ambush was behind him. So Jerobom actually played 283 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:24,040 Speaker 1: really dirty here. He was a dirty fighter because it 284 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: was pretty common for kings to try to talk with 285 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 1: each other before these battles took place. And you can 286 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:34,640 Speaker 1: see here that you know, Abijah is trying to get 287 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 1: his point across, is trying to talk things through, maybe 288 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:42,000 Speaker 1: even come to some sort of agreement with Jerobom, who 289 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 1: knows what was going on. But Jeroboam doesn't allow a 290 00:16:46,760 --> 00:16:51,840 Speaker 1: Bijah to finish his speech. He ambushes Judah so that 291 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 1: they were in front of them and behind them. Four 292 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:57,080 Speaker 1: hundred thousand people in front of you and four hundred 293 00:16:57,120 --> 00:17:01,200 Speaker 1: thousand people behind you fighting against you. Man, that would 294 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:05,200 Speaker 1: be really scary, it says. When Judah looked back, behold 295 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:07,760 Speaker 1: the battle was before and behind them, and they cried 296 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:11,879 Speaker 1: to Yahweh, and the priests sounded the trumpets. Then the 297 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 1: men of Judah gave a shout. As the men of 298 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:18,920 Speaker 1: Judah shouted, God struck Jeroboam in all Israel before a 299 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 1: Bijah and Judah. You know that shouts That reminds me 300 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:29,119 Speaker 1: of Joshua fighting the battle at Jericho. You know where 301 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:31,359 Speaker 1: God told the people, He's like, you don't even have 302 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: to lift a finger against the walls of Jericho. All 303 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:36,640 Speaker 1: you have to do is shout. And when I hear 304 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:40,399 Speaker 1: your shout, and the trumpets sounding, I am going to 305 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:44,080 Speaker 1: strike Jericho with everything that I have. And God ended 306 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:46,359 Speaker 1: up helping Israel at that time, and he's helping Israel 307 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:50,160 Speaker 1: the same way here as well. And it's because they 308 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:53,639 Speaker 1: relied on Yahweh, the God of their fathers. They relied 309 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:56,800 Speaker 1: on God. So I don't think this shout that the 310 00:17:57,400 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 1: men of Judah were making was a shout of I 311 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:04,840 Speaker 1: think they were bolstering their trust in God when they 312 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:09,240 Speaker 1: heard the trumpets being sounded by the priests. Even though 313 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:11,199 Speaker 1: there was a huge army in front of them and 314 00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:15,800 Speaker 1: a huge army behind them, they trusted in God and 315 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:19,640 Speaker 1: because of that, God saved them. And I would also 316 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:23,160 Speaker 1: say that God saved them because you know, Israel had 317 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:28,600 Speaker 1: gone so astray from Yahweh. They were carrying false idols 318 00:18:28,680 --> 00:18:32,360 Speaker 1: into battle with them, not even remembering Yahweh their god. 319 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:37,160 Speaker 1: So Israel gets slaughtered by Judah. Essentially, it says that 320 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:40,719 Speaker 1: Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter. 321 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:45,160 Speaker 1: So five hundred thousand chosen men of Israel fell down slain. 322 00:18:46,160 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 1: That is a huge number of people, because don't forget 323 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:51,439 Speaker 1: how many they started out with eight hundred thousand, and 324 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 1: now five hundred thousand of them have been killed, leaving 325 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,960 Speaker 1: Jereboam with an army of only three hundred thousand men. 326 00:18:58,119 --> 00:19:00,719 Speaker 1: That is a very small army. Thus, the children of 327 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:03,760 Speaker 1: Israel were brought under at that time, and the children 328 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:06,360 Speaker 1: of Judah prevailed because they relied on Yahweh, the god 329 00:19:06,359 --> 00:19:10,440 Speaker 1: of their fathers. Abijah pursued Jereboam and took cities from 330 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:13,960 Speaker 1: him Bethel with its villages, Joshana with its villages, in 331 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 1: Ephron with its villages. So Judah gained some land back, 332 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 1: is what it says. And Jereboam, who was fully defeated 333 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:26,359 Speaker 1: in battle, he never regains the strength that he once had. 334 00:19:26,520 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 1: You know, Israel was pretty strong, but now after this, 335 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:32,720 Speaker 1: it says, Jeroboam didn't recover strength again in the days 336 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:35,520 Speaker 1: of Abijah. So he didn't die in that battle, you know, 337 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 1: he fled, but his reign was extremely weakened. After that, 338 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 1: the king of Judah, it says, grew mighty. It mentions 339 00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:46,240 Speaker 1: in verse twenty one that he took for himself fourteen 340 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:50,040 Speaker 1: wives and became the father of twenty two sons and 341 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:54,359 Speaker 1: sixteen daughters. Now we know that the amount of wives 342 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:57,359 Speaker 1: a man had back in these days was a show 343 00:19:57,560 --> 00:20:02,280 Speaker 1: of prosperity because that more mouths to feed, obviously, and 344 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:04,760 Speaker 1: not to mention the amount of children you're going to 345 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:08,119 Speaker 1: have with these wives. The bigger your family, the wealthier 346 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:11,200 Speaker 1: you were. So the fact that he had fourteen wives 347 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:14,280 Speaker 1: in just three years of his reign shows that he 348 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:17,560 Speaker 1: was very rich and very powerful. But also his heart 349 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:19,919 Speaker 1: was let astray very early on because, as we know, 350 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:24,199 Speaker 1: because I hound you guys with this, the rules for 351 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:27,120 Speaker 1: kings in the Old Testament laws was that a king 352 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:30,600 Speaker 1: should not have multiple wives. So the fact that he 353 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:35,119 Speaker 1: had fourteen wives is unfortunate, but he also had many 354 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:37,640 Speaker 1: sons and daughters. It says. The rest of the acts 355 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,199 Speaker 1: of Baija, his ways and his sayings are written in 356 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:43,920 Speaker 1: the commentary of the prophet Ido, and we don't have 357 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 1: that commentary any longer. That has been lost to history. 358 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:51,560 Speaker 1: But we do have First Kings fifteen that I'd like 359 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:54,520 Speaker 1: to go over real quick. First Kings fifteen talks about 360 00:20:54,560 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 1: the evils that Abijah did as king, and like I said, 361 00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:01,560 Speaker 1: you know Second Chronicles, even though it's telling the same story, 362 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:05,439 Speaker 1: it focuses on different aspects than First and Second Kings. 363 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: Did you know first and Second Kings was really focused 364 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:12,720 Speaker 1: on the kings of Israel specifically, not of Judah as much, 365 00:21:12,960 --> 00:21:15,800 Speaker 1: though they did mention the Kings of Judah every once 366 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:18,960 Speaker 1: in a while, as we read here in First Kings fifteen, 367 00:21:19,359 --> 00:21:23,000 Speaker 1: but generally it talked about the evils that the kings 368 00:21:23,040 --> 00:21:25,960 Speaker 1: of Israel did. That was what the Kings are focusing on. 369 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:30,200 Speaker 1: But the chronicles are focusing far more on the worship 370 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:33,800 Speaker 1: of Yahweh and also the mercy of Yahweh as well. 371 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:37,399 Speaker 1: So let's read First Kings fifteen one through eight to 372 00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 1: conclude about how bad of a king of Baijah was. 373 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:44,160 Speaker 1: Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboah, the son 374 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:47,720 Speaker 1: of Nabat, a Baijam or a Baija, began to reign 375 00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:51,320 Speaker 1: over Judah. He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's 376 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:54,919 Speaker 1: name was Maka, the daughter of Abishalam. He walked in 377 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:56,920 Speaker 1: all the ways of his father, which he had done 378 00:21:56,960 --> 00:21:59,720 Speaker 1: before him, and his heart was not perfect with Yeahweh 379 00:21:59,720 --> 00:22:03,920 Speaker 1: his goad God as the heart of David his father. Nevertheless, 380 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:07,000 Speaker 1: for David's sake, Yahweh his God gave him a lamp 381 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:09,720 Speaker 1: in Jerusalem to set up his son after him and 382 00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:13,320 Speaker 1: to establish Jerusalem. Because David did that which was right 383 00:22:13,359 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 1: in Yahweh's eyes, and didn't turn away from anything that 384 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:18,479 Speaker 1: he commanded him all the days of his life, except 385 00:22:18,520 --> 00:22:22,320 Speaker 1: only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. So that's 386 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:25,480 Speaker 1: why God blessed Abijah and gave him power in the 387 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:27,840 Speaker 1: three years he was king. Was because of his mercy. 388 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:30,439 Speaker 1: It wasn't because a Bijah was a great king, but 389 00:22:30,520 --> 00:22:35,080 Speaker 1: because God had promised to David something two generations before 390 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:38,240 Speaker 1: a Bijah, and God was going to fulfill his promise 391 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:41,560 Speaker 1: to David. So that's why God allowed a Bijah to 392 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:44,480 Speaker 1: become such a strong king in his three years of 393 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:48,439 Speaker 1: rain Verse six. Now, there was war between Reyaboam and 394 00:22:48,520 --> 00:22:51,760 Speaker 1: Jereboam all the days of his life. The rest of 395 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:54,000 Speaker 1: the acts of a Baijam and all that he did, 396 00:22:54,119 --> 00:22:56,040 Speaker 1: aren't they written in the book of the Chronicles of 397 00:22:56,040 --> 00:22:59,000 Speaker 1: the Kings of Judah. There was war between a Bijam 398 00:22:59,119 --> 00:23:02,960 Speaker 1: and Jereboam. Abijah slept with his father's and they buried 399 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:05,919 Speaker 1: him in David's city, and Asa, his son, reigned in 400 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:08,919 Speaker 1: his place. Now, if you keep on reading about a 401 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:13,560 Speaker 1: Bijah's son Asa, You're gonna notice something real disgusting. Okay. 402 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:19,320 Speaker 1: In verse ten, it says Asa reigned forty one years 403 00:23:19,320 --> 00:23:22,720 Speaker 1: in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maka, the daughter of 404 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:26,000 Speaker 1: a bi Shalam. Remember at the beginning of this episode 405 00:23:26,320 --> 00:23:29,200 Speaker 1: that I told you guys to remember who a Bijah's 406 00:23:29,280 --> 00:23:33,960 Speaker 1: mother was. Abijah's mother was Maka, the daughter of a Bieshlam, 407 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:38,440 Speaker 1: and Asa the son of a Baijah. His mother's name 408 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:43,800 Speaker 1: was also Maka, the daughter of a bi Shalam. Who's 409 00:23:44,119 --> 00:23:47,359 Speaker 1: that's nasty. I don't know if you guys caught that, 410 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:51,679 Speaker 1: but man, that is disgusting. There was very likely some 411 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:55,840 Speaker 1: inbreeding going on here. Or some people do say that 412 00:23:56,359 --> 00:24:00,720 Speaker 1: Maka gained so much power as the queen that she 413 00:24:00,960 --> 00:24:03,439 Speaker 1: claimed to be the mother of Asa so that she 414 00:24:03,480 --> 00:24:06,480 Speaker 1: could remain on the throne as the queen mother. Because 415 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:09,160 Speaker 1: the queen mother was actually a very important role, you'll 416 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 1: often see scriptures talk about the queen mother. They don't 417 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:15,040 Speaker 1: often talk about like one of the wives as being queen, 418 00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:18,600 Speaker 1: but they do talk about the queen mother. So it 419 00:24:18,720 --> 00:24:22,240 Speaker 1: is the possibility there is no incest happening here and 420 00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:26,160 Speaker 1: Maka just forced herself into the role as queen mother. 421 00:24:27,560 --> 00:24:32,200 Speaker 1: But scripture says Maka was ASA's mother, and scripture also 422 00:24:32,240 --> 00:24:38,040 Speaker 1: says that Maka was Abijah's mother as well, So something 423 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:40,720 Speaker 1: fishy is happening there. Not to mention the fact that 424 00:24:40,760 --> 00:24:43,560 Speaker 1: if you keep on reading about ASA's story, Asa is 425 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:45,919 Speaker 1: one of the few good kings of Israel. And if 426 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 1: you read First Kings fifteen thirteen, it says Asa removed 427 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 1: Maka his mother from being queen because she had made 428 00:24:54,960 --> 00:24:59,159 Speaker 1: an abominable image for an Asherah. Asa cut down her 429 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:04,440 Speaker 1: image and burnt at the brook Kidrin. So twice scripture 430 00:25:04,520 --> 00:25:08,400 Speaker 1: calls Maka ASA's mother, and she was also his grandmother. 431 00:25:08,880 --> 00:25:12,359 Speaker 1: So that's just really disgusting. I don't know, something seriously 432 00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:16,359 Speaker 1: fishy was happening in that household during this time, and 433 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:18,359 Speaker 1: that could have been one of the reasons why a 434 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:21,480 Speaker 1: Baijah was such a bad king in the eyes of God. 435 00:25:21,840 --> 00:25:24,520 Speaker 1: Really strange stuff. The reason I wanted to mention this today, 436 00:25:25,119 --> 00:25:26,920 Speaker 1: even though we're not going to talk about Asa today. 437 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:30,960 Speaker 1: We'll get into that on Wednesday, it's because Second Chronicles 438 00:25:31,080 --> 00:25:35,720 Speaker 1: doesn't actually mention that. Only First Kings mentions who ASA's 439 00:25:35,760 --> 00:25:37,800 Speaker 1: mother is, And I do wonder if the author of 440 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:41,359 Speaker 1: Chronicles just left that part out, because like I said, 441 00:25:41,440 --> 00:25:45,040 Speaker 1: his focus was not so much on the sin that 442 00:25:45,119 --> 00:25:48,840 Speaker 1: Judah was committing, but on God's mercy and love to 443 00:25:48,920 --> 00:25:51,919 Speaker 1: the nation and the good things that happened in Judah 444 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:55,359 Speaker 1: before the Babylonian takeover. It does seem to me that 445 00:25:55,440 --> 00:25:58,600 Speaker 1: the author of Chronicles was far more focused on the 446 00:25:58,640 --> 00:26:02,399 Speaker 1: positives rather than the negatives, especially since, you know, think 447 00:26:02,400 --> 00:26:06,240 Speaker 1: about when this was written, the Israelites were finally coming 448 00:26:06,280 --> 00:26:11,160 Speaker 1: back home after being in Babylonian captivity for seventy years, 449 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:15,600 Speaker 1: you know, their entire lifetimes. They needed hope, They needed 450 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:18,959 Speaker 1: to remind themselves of God's mercy and grace. And I 451 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:22,720 Speaker 1: wonder if that's what the author of Chronicles was really 452 00:26:22,760 --> 00:26:25,879 Speaker 1: focusing on the grace and mercy of God to a 453 00:26:25,920 --> 00:26:31,159 Speaker 1: fallen nation. So you may not have noticed it at 454 00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:33,240 Speaker 1: the beginning, but you probably notice it now. I have 455 00:26:33,320 --> 00:26:37,439 Speaker 1: new music for the podcast, and I wrote this song. Well, 456 00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:40,119 Speaker 1: actually my husband wrote it for me, but I redid it. 457 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:42,280 Speaker 1: I kind of freshened it a little bit for you guys. 458 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:44,359 Speaker 1: And that's not because Life Audio wanted to change my 459 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:47,240 Speaker 1: music or anything. I wanted to do it. In fact, 460 00:26:47,240 --> 00:26:50,160 Speaker 1: I was working on this new rendition of my podcast 461 00:26:50,280 --> 00:26:52,760 Speaker 1: song like two months ago, before I really knew that 462 00:26:52,800 --> 00:26:55,879 Speaker 1: I was being integrated into Life Audio. I've wanted to 463 00:26:55,960 --> 00:26:57,720 Speaker 1: update the song for a while, and so I figured 464 00:26:58,040 --> 00:27:00,919 Speaker 1: now is the perfect time to up to my music. 465 00:27:00,960 --> 00:27:03,160 Speaker 1: So I hope you guys like it all right, faithful listeners, 466 00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:06,399 Speaker 1: have a fantastic and wonderful rest of your day. I 467 00:27:06,440 --> 00:27:08,800 Speaker 1: will see all of you guys tomorrow for an episode 468 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:13,159 Speaker 1: from one Timothy. Until then, happy listening and God bless. 469 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:17,800 Speaker 1: I just want to take a second to thank the 470 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:20,080 Speaker 1: team at Life Audio for their partnership with me on 471 00:27:20,160 --> 00:27:22,720 Speaker 1: the Bible Explain podcast. In fact, if you go to 472 00:27:22,760 --> 00:27:25,560 Speaker 1: lifeaudio dot com you will find dozens of other faith 473 00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:28,639 Speaker 1: centered podcasts in their network. They've got shows about prayer, 474 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:31,040 Speaker 1: Bible study, parenting, and more.