November 10

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR NOVEMBER 10, 2025: 2 KINGS 1, JAMES 5, PSALM 118:19-29                                2 KINGS 1 This is a story that Ezra chose not to retell in Chronicles. It is an interesting interaction between a powerful man in the governmental realm, King Ahaziah of Israel/Samaria and a powerful man in the spiritual realm, the prophet Elijah. As we will see in this story and as is true today, a person may officially be the leader of a nation, but the greater power from God could be elsewhere.  In this case, it resides with Elijah, a lone man sitting on a remote hill wearing a leather belt.  Paul shows us where to find God’s power today: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16).

King Ahaziah experienced a terrible fall, something all too common for those of us getting older and losing our sense of balance. Ahaziah’s fall was especially bad in that he fell through an upper window. Our initial reaction to a crisis always reveals our true beliefs. Ahaziah’s first instinct was to seek help from a false god of a neighboring location. To whom or what do we first turn in times of great need? 

As his messengers were in route to consult with this god, they met Elijah, the prophet of the true God. He conveyed God’s message that Ahaziah would not recover. While it is always best to know the truth, sometimes we don’t accept it. The truth is we all will die, and it is best to prepare for this reality now by seeking God. Ahaziah, not willing to accept this truth, sent a captain and 50 men to order Elijah to meet the King. Apparently, the manner of this order was inappropriately arrogant, so Elijah called down fire to consume this group. After this happened again, a third captain approached Elijah with greater humility, and the Lord approved Elijah’s going.  We must not approach the Almighty God or His spokespersons with arrogance. 

Verse 16 explains the reason for God’s judgment on Ahaziah: “Since you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? Therefore, you will not get down from the bed upon which you have lain, but you shall certainly die.”  Fol- lowing another god is a violation of the first commandment and always results in judgment. Our functional god might not be a god of a locality, but it might be a philosophy currently in vogue. King Ahaziah died and was replaced by Jehoram of Israel, who began his rule during the time of King Jehoram of Judah. Yes, it’s confusing having two kings with the same name.

JAMES 5 The first six verses of this chapter appear to be warnings directed against wealthy people who have either put too much trust in wealth or have not fairly obtained or wisely used their wealth. Those who have hoarded their wealth will find that it has no value in the end. Those have not paid their workers decently will learn that this exploitation has been noticed

READING FOR NOVEMBER 10, 2025 CONTINUED: JAMES 5, PSALM 118:19-29                        and will be Judged by God. Those who have live luxuriously through ill-gotten gain will be equated with those who killed good people. This last warning may mean that the money used to fund a lavish lifestyle could have supported the sustenance of righteous people who died due to basic needs. Do professional financial advisors factor James 5:1-6 into their financial plans? We should.

So then, how should we live? James gives several nuggets of wisdom by way of an answer:

  • Patiently wait for Jesus’s return and strengthen our hearts while we wait. Keep reading and obeying.
  • Don’t complain about others but instead take the great Hebrew prophets as examples to follow.
  • Reframe what it means to be blessed; consider enduring hardships as Job did as a blessing.
  • Be totally honest and clear in all our communications, not only when we are legally required to do so.
  • When we are sad, we should pray. When we are happy, we should sing.
  • When we are sick, we should contact the church leadership to anoint us with oil and pray for us.
  • We should confess our sins to each other and pray for each other. Prayer can trigger miracles.
  • We are responsible for not letting our Christian friends stray from faith! That’s real love in action.

PSALM 118:19-29 These prophetic verses can only be fully understood in light of the new covenant. The gate of the Lord (verse 20) is not completely identified until Jesus explains it to the Pharisees: “Therefore Jesus said again, ‘Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture’” (John 10:7:9). It is not our righteousness that allows us to be saved. It is only through faith in Jesus that we can ever be seen as righteous or saved in the sight of a totally holy God. Again, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me” (John 14:6). JESUS IS THE GATE.

Jesus quotes verses 23-24 regarding the stone that the builders (Jewish leaders) rejected becoming the cornerstone as referring to Himself in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10-11, and Luke 20:17. The apostles connected these verses to Jesus in Acts 4:11, Ephesians 2:20, and 1 Peter 2:7. JESUS IS THE CORNERSTONE.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem the week before his crucifixion (John 12:13), the plea for salvation in Ps. 118:25 was repeated by the crowds as they shouted Hosanna (save us) at Him. Then they quoted verse 26 about His coming in the name of the Lord. Also, Jesus fulfills verse 27 by being the Light to mankind (John 1:4) and the ultimate sacrifice (Heb. 10:12).The Psalm ends with verbatim repeat of verse 1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His mercy is everlasting.” God’s mercy has a name: JESUS.