His father had given Jehoram power, wealth and property. This is the stuff that drives lots of people today–and Jehoram had it all by those standards. Yet he killed off his brothers and other would-be competition … and some of the people turned against him … and he encouraged others to sin.
10 Even so, Edom has been independent from Judah to this day. The town of Libnah also revolted about that same time. All this happened because Jehoram had abandoned the Lord, the God of his ancestors. 11 He had built pagan shrines in the hill country of Judah and had led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to give themselves to pagan gods and to go astray. 2 Chronicles 21:10-11 NLT.
Eventually, everything was taken from him: wealth, family, health.
18 After all this, the Lord struck Jehoram with the severe intestinal disease. 19 The disease grew worse and worse, and at the end of two years it caused his bowels to come out, and he died in agony. His people did not build a great funeral fire to honor him as they had done for his ancestors.
20 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. No one was sorry when he died. They buried him in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery. 2 Chronicles 21:18-20 NLT.
In Zechariah, wickedness is put on a pedestal. And in Revelation, a refusal to repent and turn to God.
20 But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk! 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts. Revelation 9:20-21 NLT.
As far back as Jehoram’s day, Jesus’ name shines:
7 But the Lord did not want to destroy David’s dynasty, for he had made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would continue to rule, shining like a lamp forever. 2 Chronicles 21:7 NLT.
When the adulterous woman is caught in sin and brought before the Lord, his mercy covers. Her accusers were prepared to kill her, but Jesus sets her free.
10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11 “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11 NLT.
This light …
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT.
Sets free.
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NLT.
I want to live in light and walk free. Lord, I pray that I keep my eyes on you.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 