“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands” (Prov 14:1). Her name, Athaliah, means “constrained by, or afflicted by, Jah.” Knowing the family situation, with Jezebel delivering the child and Ahab as her father, the name sounds like a charge against God. We know nothing of her childhood, but […]
As hopeless as things appear in this world, the King born in Bethlehem will one Day reign supreme. And His redeemed people shall reign with Him! A timely message as we focus on Christ this holiday season! […]
If ever there was a man whose life mocked his own name, it was Ahaziah, meaning “Jehovah holds.” It’s more than coincidence (and very confusing!) that kings Ahaziah and Jehoram ruled in Israel while kings Jehoram and Ahaziah ruled in Judah. It reveals the tangled web of baneful connections between the two kingdoms. You’ve heard […]
Read More… from December 23, 2024 — The Destruction Of Ahaziah
Christmas greetings from your friends at Uplook Ministries! This story reminds us that it’s a good time to be thankful—and thoughtful, too. […]
Some people seem to make it their ambition to demonstrate how evil the human heart can be. It’s a good thing Jehoshaphat didn’t live to see the horrendous results of his links with Ahab and Ahaziah, kings of Israel; worse still, the awful consequences of the marriage alliance he allowed between his son Jehoram and […]
One of history’s most remarkable battles had come to a glorious close. What did it all mean? Along with glory and praise to the Lord and the enrichment of the people, here’s the divine assessment of the battle’s other results. “Then they returned…to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies” (2 […]
Read More… from December 19, 2024 — Delighted Army, Disastrous Navy
There’s much more to the idea of singing our way to triumph than this story might first suggest. The singers were in front of the army and, no doubt in rhythm with the left-right, left-right, of the march, were chanting the words, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever” (2 Chron 20:21). The Hebrew for “mercy” is hesed, and […]
Read More… from December 18, 2024 — Start—And Finish—With Praise
A godly battle begins with praying, continues with praising, and ends with picking up the spoils. As Jehoshaphat concluded his masterly prayer, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel” (2 Chron 20:14). “Listen…Thus says the Lord to you: Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v […]