Author: Dave Dishman (Page 256 of 458)

I never tire of reading the fascinating endings people in the Bible encountered. Queen Jezebel met a particularly grisly end—tossed from an upstairs window, trampled by horses and left for the dogs to eat.

Her death fulfilled this prophecy spoken by Elijah years earlier: Dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh. Jezebel’s body will be like dung on the ground…so that no one will be able to say, “This is Jezebel.”

Jezebel ended up as stinking piles of dog sh*t discharged around town, just like the Lord promised. Be careful where you walk—don’t step in Jezebel!

Now that’s a bad end.

Jezebel murdered the prophets of Yahweh and introduced the nationwide worship of Baal and Asherah. Think of her as a person who, along with her husband Ahab, turned the hearts of millions of people from the one true God to a pack of devils. Few in the Bible, and even the history of the world, match her evil.

The infinitely creative God made a seriously nasty object lesson out of Jezebel. I learn from her story that turning people away from the Lord toward the father of lies carries massive consequences. Sadly, some engage in the same work today.

Remember, God is not mocked. Pray for their change of heart before they meet a fate similar to Jezebel’s.

2 Kings 9 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

The Death of Jezebel by Gustave Doré, 1866

Few kings took power like Jehoram. In his first act he put all of his brothers to the sword. Jehoram canceled the lives of possible rivals to his throne, along with any hope of a long and prosperous reign.

Elijah delivered a message from the Lord to the black-hearted king which included disaster on the nation as well as a lingering disease of the bowels for Jehoram, progressing until his intestines oozed from his body (maybe colorectal cancer?).

Invaders soon sacked Judah and carried off all the wealth of the nation. Jehoram died in great pain in the midst of his ravaged people. The chronicler states he passed away to no one’s regret.

Jehoram knew of the faith of the kings proceeding him to the throne. He heard the stories of David and his devotion to the Lord. The prophet Elijah lived close at hand, a man who spoke messages from God. But Jehoram instead took up with false prophets and lying gods, snubbing his nose at Jehovah.

Consequences follow those who flaunt the Lord (and unfortunately innocent people around them)—either in this life or in the next.

2 Chronicles 21 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Blogging Guide

I often discuss matters of scripture with friends. Occasionally one expresses a perspective common these days, believing certain parts of the Bible found in the New Testament, but shunting aside the Old. They accept the words of Jesus, but everything else descends in various levels of suspicion.

Jesus poked holes in this logic: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, nor the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Not one iota of the law given to Moses will disappear—not a jot or tittle as the King James Version puts it. It’s foolish to accept the words of Jesus while ignoring the Old Testament, when Jesus clearly pointed us to the wisdom and direction found there.

Most people who claim to believe Jesus but not the rest of the Bible simply don’t know much about Jesus. They see Jesus as a great moral teacher while failing to consider his actual teachings. You cannot follow Jesus and ignore the Law of Moses.

It requires reading and study and effort to dive into the Bible and gain greater depths of understanding. Plus, we need the illumination of the Holy Spirit as we do so. Those who jabber on about their biblical knowledge without doing the hard work live only in the shallows.

I hope to move into deeper waters.

Matthew 5 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Aaron Burden

Few aromas prove more delightful than fresh bread from the oven. A large, industrial bakery operates not far from where I live. They bake thousands of loaves of bread there a day. To drive by when bread fills the ovens and the wind’s just right is to experience a slice of heaven. I’m surprised more people don’t close their eyes and run off the road.

After Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness, the devil pitched the idea of fresh, warm bread. I wonder if Jesus smelled its aroma at that moment?

Jesus rebuked that temptation with man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. He referenced Deuteronomy 8:3, where bread refers to manna the children of Israel enjoyed during their own wilderness experience.

Jesus underscored the value of God’s Word in my life. My soul needs the word of God just like my body needs food and water. The hunger I experience throughout the day reflects the craving my soul experiences for the scriptures. Next time you power into a meal, remember your soul patiently waits its turn at the table.

Perhaps the angst we experience in this world points to a hangry soul. When I fail to keep my body nourished I slide into a crabby version of myself. I lose willpower and grab handfuls of junk food. My body softens, and I realize I need to eat better. Likewise, my soul only flourishes and grows vibrant with a steady diet of God’s Word.

Like God surprised the people of Israel with manna in the desert, God’s Word will delight your soul. It’s like adding sweet, creamy butter to warm bread. Nothing compares.

Matthew 4 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Monika Grabkowska