Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel

2 Kings 5:15-27

Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” 

The prophet answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.

If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord. But may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant for this.”

“Go in peace,” Elisha said.

After Naaman had traveled some distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

“Everything is all right,” Gehazi answered. “My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent[d] of silver and two sets of clothing.’

When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”

“Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered.

But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves? Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow.

The army of the chief of Syria becomes a follower of the God of Israel. Gehazi's greed might have ruined everything, and could not go unpunished.

Why?

This event let the commander of Syria become a follower of the Lord of Israel. And he asked the Lord to forgive him when he company with the king to the temple have to bow down with his master, forgive this sin. Elisha said "Go in peace", This is acceptable for what God needs is our heart!

It is not the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards. To be a servant of the Lord is serving for the peace and grace of the Lord, but not to earn any profit from others.

We serve the Lord because God loves us, so our serving is to express our love to the Lord, there is no space to earn profit for ourselves. 

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服事神怎麼可以收人家的禮物，何況是原來不信主的人，神的僕人不是為了貪財服事，更受乃縵敬重！

乃縵只承認耶和華是神，而且願意為主奉獻財物！而且乃縵在乎神，對於罪敏感，所以提出陪國王在廟裏拜的事！

基哈希向要一他連得銀子，相當於台幣80萬元，乃縵給他而他連得！對一個剛信主的，我們豈可向他要錢奉獻嗎？我們的見證、榜樣是很重要的！

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How?

Humble me before the Lord, I love the Lord and serve the Lord for God has loved me. I do my best to honor the Holy Name of the Lord.

How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!

2 Kings 5:1-14

Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. 

Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”

So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”

When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 

Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

This story, which Jesus refers to in luke, like many others in both the Old and New Testaments show that God's concern is not limited to Israel. Syria was often at war with Israel, and Naaman was the commander of the enemy army. A young Israelite slave girl, captured in a border raid, tells her Syrian master of Elisha's power. A visit is arranged through diplomatic channels. The prophet's instructions are not what Naaman expected. But his staff persuaded him to try, and he is healed. 

Why?

Even a slave girl under the master of the commander of the Aram army can do good suggestions to reveal the power of God's prophet.

Listen and do it is the action of faith to the Lord! Sometimes it looks unreasonable or it is not common sense, But the way of the Lord is beyond our imagination.

Blessed are the commander Naaman and the slave girl of Israel. Do not look down our position or our job, it could be used as God's good widness.

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由這小女子，不小看自己的地位卑微，卻能傳揚神的作為，雖然以色列是戰敗國，但是神永不失敗。

乃縵帶這麼多禮物，令你不能拒絕我，也有高高在炫燿的含義。乃縵寫好劇本先知來醫治他！他認為怎麼做這麼荒謬的事，我們自己心裏有方法，神提出方法，還是我覺得自己的方法好，這是一般人的想法。

以利沙不受金銀影響，不受權勢影響。只是單純照著神的吩咐講，表現出先知的本色。今天如果一個大人物來教會，我們會如何歡迎，另外是衣衫襤褸的一個人來教會，我們會如何接待。

先知吩咐做大事你是會做?何況是洗澡的小事。關鍵在他願意謙卑下來！拉下臉來洗澡7次。不是直接禱告就可以了?神的做法與人想的不同，常常令人難相信，要克服自己理性的想法。

我們向神禱告不要預設立場！

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How?

Do our best and listen to the word of the Lord, put my trust in the Lord, for God is good!

 

As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you

 2 Kings 4:27:44

When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, “Look! There’s the Shunammite! Run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’” “Everything is all right,” she said.

When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me why.”

But the child’s mother said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord.

As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He put it into the pot and said, “Serve it to the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

But Elisha answered, “Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over. ' according to the word of the Lord.

Why?

The woman has faith in the prophet Elisha, only he can restore the life of her son, so she didn't say anything to her husband, the servant of Elisha, but to Elisha. This is the faith to our Lord Jesus either. We don't have to cry to others, for they could not solve our problem.

When we brought our problem before the Lord and prayed to the Lord, we should obey the word God has told us, don't ask others, for the word of the Lord will come true.

Sometimes we can't listen or hear the word of the Lord, we have to calm down our hearts before the Lord, God will tell us in his way and not by our way. So as Elisah said: "according to the word of the Lord".

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神要使用誰行神蹟，不是人可以決定！基哈希服事人的目的為了錢！

以利沙做的已經超過以利亞了。神使用僕人，一代勝過一代！不要去比較或是自嘆不如！

本來沒有孩子，有了孩子卻又失去孩子！人會質疑這樣的苦難！孩子復活是重新得著新生命的孩子！富足又有孩子，不正是人們所求的，神不僅給我們生活上，神還要給我們復活的生命！屬靈的生命必須經過苦難才能有新生命！我們不要僅滿足於生活上的無慮，而要經歷死藝的幽谷才能得到更豐盛的生命！不要怕經歷這些苦難，因為神帶領我們經歷復活的生命！有主的同在！

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How?

God is my way. my hope and my strength!

Keep following the Jesus is our hope and salvation, like Elisha did

2 Kings 4:1-26

The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.  Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

“What can be done for her?” Elisha asked. Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.” Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.”

But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

Elisha's miracles, like those of Jesus, show God's care for ordinary people and their needs. The first two resemble those of Elijah, perhaps to underline God's choice of Elisha as the true successor of the great prophet. The account is not necessarily in time order.

The widow whose children were to become slaves to discharge her debts; the childless woman of Shunem who gave Elisha generous hospitality and the feeding of the hungry.

Why?

What Elisha did miracles like Jesus did, let the dead child get a life, let the empty jars filled with olive oil to solve the problem of his servant family. Give birth to a woman who serves Elijah. Give bread to one hundred people, and release the death in the pot.

The woman of Sunammites said As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you. She knows only this prophet can save her son. So Elisha went with her to save her son.

Treat the servant of the Lord, it is possible to treat the angel of the Lord, like Elisha.

The Lord takes care of all of his servants, so don't worry about our life and what we eat, wear, and live. God will prepare it for us.

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呈現兩個不同社會階層的婦女的信心，足為後世的榜樣！

借空罐及挖溝有異曲同工之妙！不合理，就是憑信心去做！你相信神有多少，神的能力就有多大，經歷多大恩典！借空瓶的時候也會面臨他人的質疑！

神使被擄的得釋放，欺壓的得自由！神所提供的不但足夠而且有餘！賣油不僅可以還債，還可以供生活！

書念的婦人樂意接待以利沙，並且無所求！即使有無子的最大遺憾！這是真奉獻！如同奉獻給耶穌的打破香膏的婦人。婦人的孩子死了心情卻很鎮定說平安，不讓她丈夫知道，不讓基哈希知道，她只求神，不求人！只有神才是唯一的幫助。

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How?

Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left. The gives us not only may let us pay our debt, but also could living! The grace of the Lord is more than we can imagine.

This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord

2 Kings 3:1-27

So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. After a roundabout march of seven days, the army had no more water for themselves or for the animals with them. 

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?”

An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”

Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. But now bring me a harpist.” While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came on Elisha and he said, “This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. 

This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. You will overthrow every fortified city and every major town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up all the springs, and ruin every good field with stones.”

When the king of Moab saw that the battle had gone against him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they failed. Then he took his firstborn son, who was to succeed him as king, and offered him as a sacrifice on the city wall. The fury against Israel was great; they withdrew and returned to their own land.

Joran reigned for 12 years. A punitive expedition against Moab by the allied forces of Israel, Judah, and Edom, is made hazardous by drought. Elisha, his faculties stimulated by music a common prophetic custom, promises an end to the drought, and victory.

The sacrifice of the king's son so heartened the Moabites, or so appalled the Israelites, that the advance was halted.

Why?

The Lord won't listen to the asking of unbelievers or those who do not obey his words. But because of the king Jehoshaphat so Elisha help them to ask the Lord.

Music may stimulate our hearts and minds to turn and focus on the Lord! So worship the Lord with songs and music before our prayer is good. It calms down our hearts and mind.

The Lord giving water to his people is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord, God will give us more great things out of our thought. God gave victory to his people.

The king of Moab believed that the attack by the three kings was caused by Chemosh's anger, and he sacrificed his firstborn son to please his god (cf. 16:3).

"The Israelites were met with the wrath of the LORD" in the original text without the word "of the LORD". "Furious" means "disgusting" and "shocked", which can be interpreted as the Israelites were both shocked and disgusted when they saw this scene; although the purpose was not fully achieved, they still decided to return to the country.

The king of Moab sacrificed his son to their god! Find the dark forces. The king of Israel and the king of Edom had a breach, so they withdrew their army. Joram was not blessed. Although King Jehoshaphat was blessed, Joram did not fear God. Joram thought that he could continue to take Jehoshaphat’s light without fearing God, and God would still judge those who did not fear God.

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以色列王想到的是神要滅掉他，敬畏神的士約沙法王求問神！是否有神的人想法不同。

摩押王把兒子獻祭給他們的神！造成神明大怒！

為何去打仗，連補給，糧食、水居然不夠，顯然自以為武力強大，以致疏忽最重要的東西。有忖無恐！人愈自信滿滿時，易在最不可能的地方犯錯，我們可能有我們沒有想到的地方。把一切都交託給神！這次約沙法王沒有像去打亞蘭王前先求問耶和華！萬事俱備只缺禱告神！

神會因為基督徒祝福這個地方!相反的基督徒敬畏神，神會降禍這個地方。

挖溝是信心的行為，順服，相信。沒有風、沒有雨，天氣熱要挖溝是難的，承受恩典之前必須以行動來證明信心。溝愈深表示信心愈強，恩典也愈多。

溝深以致水滿溢，同時產生水如血，造成摩押人的錯覺。信心順服愈多、徹底，雖然挖溝是不合理的事！

摩押王把兒子獻祭給他們的神！找黑暗勢力。以色列王、以東王有破口，所以他們撤軍。約蘭不蒙祝福，雖然因為約沙法王蒙祝福，但是約蘭不敬畏神，約蘭以為可以不敬畏神繼續沾約沙法的光，神仍然要審判不敬畏神的人。

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How?

No matter what we are doing, we should go with the Lord, even our companions are non-christian, but because our hearts belong to the Lord, God's blessing will be with us, and we bless the others because God is with us. May we could be others' blessings because of our love and faith in the Lord!

摩押王相信遭三王攻擊是基抹發怒所致，獻長子為祭，以取悅其神（參十六3）。

    “以色列人遭遇耶和華的大怒”原文無“耶和華的”字樣。“大怒”有“噁心”、“驚愕”之意，可以解作以色列人見此情景，既驚愕又噁心；目的雖未全達，仍決定班師回國。

Enthusiasm is good but the direction has to be on the right way

2 Kings 2:1-25

When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.”

But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

the Lord has sent me to Jericho;  the Lord has sent me to the Jordan. 

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”

“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.

“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.

But they persisted until he was too embarrassed to refuse. So he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him. When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”

Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’” And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken.

Elijah seems to want to face this last experience alone. But Elisha stays with him right through the journey. The final scene - the whirlwind which catches up the prophet, and Elisha's vision of a fiery chariot and horses - is played out east of the Jordan, close to the place where Moses died. It is a remarkable end to a remarkable life. Elijah's reappearance at the transfiguration of Jesus underlines the unique position of this man amongst all the prophets of God, Elisha, left alone, takes up his task straight away.

Why?

Elisha followed Elijah for he hopes to get the same power from the Lord, he likes to know the source of the power of the Lord. Even a double portion of Elijah's spirit.

Elijah can't answer the question of Elisha, for this is the right of the Lord, but after they separated Elijah did many miracles, which proved Elijah has the double portion of Elijah from the Lord.

Elisha called Elijah the chariots and horsemen of Israel, for Elijah with the power of the Lord is more than the chariots and horsemen of Israel.

We should have the desire and hope like Elisha to get the Holy Spirit with us. For we are working by the Holy Spirit instead of our fresh efforts.

Respect the servants of the Lord, no matter what he looks like. Respect the servants of the Lord is honor the name of the Lord.

Even Elisha had told the 50 men don't go out to search for Elijah, but they insisted, so Elisha allowed them, they went out for three days, which proved Elisha is right. People like to prove something or like to show their enthusiasm. Sometimes enthusiasm only can't complete the work, but with the wisdom of the Lord can make it.

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以利亞考驗以利沙事奉的心智，是否永遠跟隨?是否辛苦?我們跟隨主的路也不是那麼好走，也很辛苦！不管往那裏去都願意跟隨嗎？

緊緊且安靜的跟隨！不作聲也是代表順服！

以利沙不僅接續以利亞的工作，他不是以利亞第二，他希望神使用他超過他的師父。不須要完全做的和以利亞一樣。以利沙知道他不如以利亞，所以希望神加倍感動他！師徒二人都知道這是神的工作。神給每個人的託付都不同。我們跟隨主的引導，不是跟隨某個牧者或是長老！用衣服打水過河，是以利亞最後一個神蹟，也是以利沙第一個神蹟。無縫接續以利亞。

以利沙年少禿頂，被這群年輕人嘲笑。少年人質疑他先知的身份，權柄，即質疑神的揀選、帶領，不承認他是先知。這些少年人從伯特利來，可能是巴力的假先知，向以利沙挑戰他的職份。因此他必須為此對付這些人。神的職份不可挑戰，更不可用外表來批評人，何其膚淺！

50個壯士想要去找以利亞！人常常看見、聽見還是懷疑！人說眼見為憑，許多人眼見還是不信！

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How?

Enthusiasm is good but the direction has to be on the right way.

This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah 願他們知道自己不過是人 2 Kings

2 Kings 1:1-18

But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’” So Elijah went. 

“If I am a man of God,” Elijah replied, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.

So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. “Man of God,” he begged, “please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!”

He told the king, “This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!” So he died, according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.

Ahaziah reigned for two years, during which time Moab seizes independence. Ahaziah consults the Philistine god after a fall from the roof of his palace and Elijah pronounces God's judgment on his idolatry. It takes three military posses to bring Ekujah to the king. But nothing can alter the sentence.

Why?

Because the King of Israel didn't know the Lord, he sent a messenger to ask Baal-Zebub. Our God is the great Lord in the universe. So we need to deliver this good news to our neighbor!

The Lord interrupted the messenger to Baal-Zebub and send the prophet Elijah to warn the king. God let the people of Israel know that the Lord is still with them.

The king did not humble himself but ordered his captain with fifty men went to bring Elijah to the king.

The third captain with humble altitude so he may execute his mission, bring Elijah to meet the king.

Even working under a non-Christain boss, we still obey his command, but humble ourselves and do the right thing, God is with us. Like the third captain.

Elijah said if I am a man of God... Elijah humbles himself to say if I am a man of God may... It means there is not my power, but it is the power of the Lord. The servant of the Lord is not under the control of the king, but under the Lord in heaven.

Even though Ahaziah can't change his destination before the Lord.  The word of the Lord will be done, the word of the Lord never fails.

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在以色列境內就有許多先知，亞哈謝卻跑很遠去問巴力。我們常常遇到問題，先想到我該怎麼辦?到處求人問什麼意見?我們怎麼沒有來找神?

神給亞哈謝機會悔改！亞哈謝也認識以利亞，卻派人要去帶以利亞下來。以興師問罪的命令口氣來!亞哈謝卻四次機會都沒有悔改，把握機會！

我們不過是人！若不是神，我們什麼都不能做。神是烈火！

詩9:20 耶和華啊，求你使外邦人恐懼；願他們知道自己不過是人。

詩78:39 他想到他們不過是血氣，是一陣去而不返的風。

詩103:14 因為他知道我們的本體，思念我們不過是塵土。

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How?

Trust in the word of the Lord, the word of the Lord never fails. Humble me before the Lord! I belong to the Lord, no belong to this world!

Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David

 1 Kings 22:41-53

Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. In everything he followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.

He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa. There was then no king in Edom; a provincial governor ruled.

Then Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David his father. And Jehoram his son succeeded him as king.

Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, because he followed the ways of his father and mother and of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. He served and worshiped Baal and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father had done.

Jehoshaphat is a good king. He reigns for 25 years.

The strong north winds may have blown the fleet onto the rocks.

Why?

Jehoshaphat is a good king in Judah, he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. But Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel and did evil in the eyes of the Lord, he followed the ways of his father and mother. So he reigned over Isreal for two years.

Here the writer defines good kings or bad kings according to their behavior following the way of the Lord or not. For Israel and Judah are the nations given by the Lord. They are the people of the Lord, so God will judge them and punish them for they are children of the Lord. And there is much love and grace from the Lord!

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約沙法信仰與宗教改革：敬畏神，除孌童但是丘壇沒有廢去！與北國結盟！

丘壇已經深植社會，不易除去，怕影響政權，時間久了影響愈來愈大！丘壇是圖自己方便，方便敬拜神的做法，屬於世俗的東西。以致後來引進巴力的敬拜。

約沙法居然和與耶和華為敵的人（亞哈、耶洗別）結盟，神不喜悅！所以後來神破壞他造的船！以為有造船及航海技術就可以重新掌握貿易。所羅門主要原因是因為敬畏神，所以國家強盛！

不是依靠勢力、才能，而是依靠萬軍之耶和華。

我們跟從主就要把世俗的東西捨乾淨，不要微小的東西沒有關係，漸漸會影響增大，以致最後會完全失去主的恩典！

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How?

To be a son of the Lord, the Father will train his sons to walk on the right way for the Love.

I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes

 1 Kings 22:29-40

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.

Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.” When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “Surely this is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but when Jehoshaphat cried out, the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel and stopped pursuing him.

But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died.

They washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria (where the prostitutes bathed), and the dogs licked up his blood, as the word of the Lord had declared.

Ahab cannot cheat death by being disguised and he dies in battle at Ramoth-Gilead, cast of the Jordan, as God had said. (for true and false prophets)

Why?

NO one can escape the destiny the Lord has defined.  

Ahab disguised himself hoping the enemy go to kill king Jehoshaphat and asked him to wear his royal robe. This is a very strange strategy in battle.

Even in this arrangement someone draws his bow at random and hit the king of Israel. This is the word of the Lord come truth. And it distinguishes the true and false prophets.

How dramatic result happened, our God is great and beyond our imagination, God has given Ahab many chances to repent, to turn to the Lord. But he chose his own way.

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出於神的必定成就，怎麼聰明，小技巧，都躲不掉。按照人的想法一定成功，最聰明的亞哈栽在一個最笨的士兵手上。以為自己可以避開神的旨意嗎？

亞哈死有喪身之地因為戰車要洗，在外面洗，所以狗會舔亞哈的血，這些預言都成就了！讓我們無比放心，也讓神的敵人害怕。連這麼微小的事情，都是神在掌權！

亞哈在北國也有一些建設，但是這些在主裏都沒有價值。離了主做的事沒有價值。敬畏神即使是小事，一點小錢，寡婦的一點麵都留下恩典，神的紀念。

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How?

Be aware of the word of the Lord, humble myself, and let my heart calm down to listen to the word of the Lord.

病毒的危機, 牧人與戰士之間

 阿摩司9:11-15

牧人(神僕) 忠心

詩人(先知) 憂心

軍人(戰士) 信心

1.建立(堵住破口) 摩9

  我必建立大衛倒塌的帳目

  為何有敵人，因為裡面有破口

2. 歸回(從新恢復)  賽40

  我必使我民以色列被擄的歸回

3. 栽植(不再抜出) 賽37

   他們不再從我所賜給他們的地上抜出來

成為公義樹

苦毒比病毒更可怕

自義比苦毒更危險

鬆懈比自義 更是隱形的殺手

但，伯特利，別士巴

路19 無奈這事現在是隱藏的

As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me

 1 Kings 22:10-28

All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. “Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious,” they said, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”

But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.” 

When he arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or not?”

Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’”

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?”

“So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.”

Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. “Which way did the spirit from the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you?” he asked.

 Micaiah replied, “You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room.”

The king of Israel then ordered, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.’”

Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”

The Warning is ignored. 

Why?

Most people don't like the truth word, but like the beautiful words, grace word, and joyful words.

Poison-wrapped candy looks delicious, but it kills people's life.

Micaiah said what the Lord tells him, so he was suffering in that situation.

To be a Christian, we have to say the truth, no matter what the situation is.

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假先知說預言的方式很像真先知，使用道具。

米該雅仍然堅持要說出神的話，民主不一定代表真理，民主殺死了耶穌。真先知勇於不掃大家的性。亞哈知道米該雅第一次說的預言是假的。亞哈在乎的是自己兵力夠不夠。400先知是要欺騙亞哈王，他仍然不信，他完全不在意神說什麼，只相信他的兵力足以打敗亞蘭王。基督徒知道道的話，聽了似乎像亞哈王一樣，在乎自己的能力、喜好、想法在生活。最後我們的生活、家庭、事業與神無關。

米該雅的預言： 以色列民沒有主人，亞哈不就是他們的王，這個王和沒有是一樣的。不能保護百姓，陷百姓於危險當中。我們的智慧、判斷何等不足，求神幫助我們安靜下來聽主的聲音，柔軟我們心，放下我們自己的想法。以免我們還自以為聰明。

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How?

Be honest, be strong to honor the Holy Name of the Lord!

Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?

1 Kings 22:1-9

So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” 

“Go,” they answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?”

The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”

So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”

Jehoshaphat's son Joran has married Ahab's daughter Athaliah. Israel and Judah are, temporarily, allies against Syria. It is Jehoahaphat's request which brings Micaiah to the king with his fateful prophecy one long true voice against 400.

Why?

The truth word people don't like, but the beautiful and good word people like to hear. God's word is the truth and with the power. It is not meet people's hearts but leads people the right way.

Micaiah against 400 false prophets, the result will prove it.

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以色列與亞蘭結合約，3年無征戰，本來要還以色列的失土，但是基列的拉末亞蘭卻一直沒有還給以色列。所以以色列王想去攻打基列的拉末。

約沙法王知道這400個先知不是真先知。這400先知是亞哈養的。

人常常變來變去。基列的拉末可能影響國本，亞蘭王卻不履行契約。神要我們把最寶貴的獻給神，我們願意嗎？把我對主常常有些保留，以致有些福氣沒有臨到。

亞哈的考量是人力資源是否足夠?約沙法考量是否有神的同在?

亞哈是問給別人看的，我們禱告是為什麼?還是為了給別人看?禱告求問不是改變神，而是改變自己。

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How?

Don't be afraid, say the truth, God's blessing is with us.

So you have found me, my enemy!

1 Kings 21:17-29

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’”

Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!” “I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord.

“And also concerning Jezebel the Lord says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”

The criminal's lands are forfeit. Elijah, the old prophet of doom, is the only fly in the ointment. But Elijah speaks true and for once the king takes notice, winning a story of judgment for his lifetime.

Why?

This is a land of criminals. Elijah points out the evil thing before king Ahab, so Ahab looked at Elijah as an enemy, the enemy of crime.

But this time Ahab realized his sins and humble himself so the mercy of the Lord comes upon him once more.

How great is the Love of the Lord, under any situation, if we may humble ourselves and give honor to the Lord. The salvation of the Lord is existing upon us.

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以利亞對亞哈王的警告和預言！和耶羅波安，巴沙的下場一樣！

神差遣不知名的先知去告訴亞哈王，卻沒有透過以利亞，有關軍國大事神已經不再交給以利亞傳講了。不要以為只有我，教會不是缺了我不行！

現在是下場臨到他自己而嚇到了，才悔改、醒悟！

無論亞哈如何壞?他真心悔改神就接納他，這就是福音。其實我們和亞哈一樣，也會因一些事離開神，悔改又犯罪！

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How?

The destination is defined by our behavior, but be aware, that the love and mercy of the Lord are beyond what we can imagine.

Bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king

1 Kings 21:7-16

So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. In those letters she wrote: 

“Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.”

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard.

While her husband sulks like a spoilt child, she quietly arranges for Naboth's liquidation. She has only to contrive a blasphemy charge - backed of course by the statutory number of witnesses - and the statutory number of witnesses - and the 'criminal's lands are forfeit.

Why?

Selfish and greedy minds control man's behavior, Ahab and his wife did evil things even using the way of the judgment of the Law.

Law protects the righteous men, but now it killed the good man. It is not the problem of the Law but the men.

How?

May the Lord keep me with a pure heart and righteous spirit in me!

Is this how you act as king over Israel?

1 Kings 21:1-7

Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.”

But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.”

So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.

Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

Seizure of compulsory purchase of land was illegal in Israel. A man's generation. But other people's rights do not bother Jezebel.

Why?

Ahab acts like not the king of Israel, there are so many lands in his hands, why does he ask his people for land?

Land in Isreal is the inheritance of the ancestors, so it is forbidden to sell it.

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亞哈王想要拿伯的葡萄園做為御花園。

拿伯為什麼不想把土地轉讓出去?和各支派要保留自己的支派的產業，買賣嫁娶也要在自己支派當中，不是禁止買賣土地。土地也不能賣出，到了禧年要歸還地主。神的心意不希望人買賣土地。拿伯不願賣地，為了守律法的底線，更高在遵守神的話語，進一步討神的喜悅。土地可以買賣，只是不能永遠買賣。

不受王權的威脅利益的引誘。

亞哈王為自己的喜好，要向百姓買土地，買賣土地不是罪！亞哈王不在乎神是否喜悅。一般人常問基督徒可不可做這個、那個。我們不是只遵守，而是更積極的討神歡欣。神沒有規定我們不可做這個、那個。其實進一步我們要討神喜悅。當人來問是否可以做，其實問的人，自己知道不好！

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How?

What I have is the grace of the Lord! Why do we have to search others for our hearts always are greedy.  Be humble!

That is your sentence

1 Kings 20:22-43

Afterward, the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, “Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring the king of Aram will attack you again.”

Meanwhile, the officials of the king of Aram advised him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they.

The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Arameans think the Lord is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.’”

His officials said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful. Let us go to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.” Wearing sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-Hadad says: ‘Please let me live.’”

Ahab said, “On the basis of a treaty I will set you free.” So he made a treaty with him, and let him go.

So the prophet said, “Because you have not obeyed the Lord, as soon as you leave me a lion will kill you.” And after the man went away, a lion found him and killed him.

Then the prophet went and stood by the road waiting for the king. He disguised himself with his headband down over his eyes. As the king passed by, the prophet called out to him, “Your servant went into the thick of the battle, and someone came to me with a captive and said, ‘Guard this man. If he is missing, it will be your life for his life, or you must pay a talent[b] of silver.’ While your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared.”

“That is your sentence,” the king of Israel said. “You have pronounced it yourself.”

Then the prophet quickly removed the headband from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets. He said to the king, “This is what the Lord says: ‘You have set free a man I had determined should die. Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people.’” Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went to his palace in Samaria.

Ahab spares his life, but in doing so stores up trouble for Israel. He has made the same mistake as Saul: in a 'holy war' everything is made over to God in sacrifice. This was meant to demonstrate that hills and plains alike are under God's dominion.

Why?

God is the Lord of all universal, Our God is beyond all.

God has made good chances for Ahab, but Ahab didn't listen to the word of God, he has no sense to honor the Holy God.

That is your sentence, everyone has to face his own sentence before the Lord.

Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people. This is the destination of Israel. Because they turned away from the Lord to idols.

神來的話是就是是，不是就是不是，我們常因為不合理，而打折扣，因為真情，因為愛心，因為愛國情操，因為人情而扭曲神的話，神的話不見得合我們的理！謹記！我們是否就像亞哈王一樣考慮事情?

How?

My God is the only God in this world. Obey the word of the Lord and honor God's Holy name is my honor and joy.