King Jeroboam of Israel and King Rehoboam of Judah

3 months ago

Two Wrongs Did Not Make it Right “Rehoboam … forsook the advice of the elders” (1 Kings 12:12‑13, texts from NASB). By Brad Sweeney Great as King Solomon was at the beginning of his reign, his rule degraded in time when he failed to put God first in his personal life and in governing policies. Although no rebellion took place during his reign, dissatisfaction was felt. His compromises to God’s laws would be a catalyst in the spiritual decline and division of […]

Ahab, Errant King of Israel

3 months ago

Lessons from Ahab’s Life “Who shall entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth‑Gilead?” (1 Kings 22:20 ASV. Other texts from the Christian Standard Bible.) King Ahab was Israel’s 7th king, a significant number in Hebrew theology and tradition. He was a skilled general, an active administrator, a relentless negotiator, and a pursuer of alliances that seemed to benefit Israel’s stability in the short term. On occasion he exhibited humility, and even repentance, when confronted by God’s prophets or […]

King Jehu, the Anointed of Israel

3 months ago

Anointed for a Mission “Look out there Jehu … Then take the vial of oil, and pour it out on his head, and say, Thus saith Jehovah, I have anointed thee king over Israel” (2 Kings 9:2-3 ASV). By Austin Williams This is the story about King Jehu in 2 Kings 9 and 10. He is not talked about much in spite of the important role he played in Old Testament history, during Israel’s recurring worship of false idols. Jehu, who started […]

News and Views

3 months ago

Religious Northern Ireland has more Catholics than Protestants for the first time, census results showed, a historic shift that some see as likely to help drive support for the region to split from Britain and join a united Ireland. — Reuters, 9/22/2022 Members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom criticized a recently renewed Vatican deal with China, saying it emboldens the Chinese government to crackdown on Christian communities. The secretive provisional agreement originally signed in 2018 and renewed Oct. 2, […]

Today in Prophecy

3 months ago

Changes in Christianity “For a season will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 RVIC). In 2014, Ligonier Ministries and LifeWay Research began a biennial survey seeking what Americans believe about God, salvation, ethics, and the Bible. In this year’s report, titled, The State of Theology, the survey found a […]