2 Kings 15 & 16: Written In The Book
Verse of the Day: (15:36) Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

1. Women (15:1-31)
Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up. (15:16)

Throughout man’s history, God’s principle of sowing and reaping prevails even until today. When Shallum conspired and killed King Zachariah of Israel, he too was subsequently killed by Menahem from Tirzah. Menahem even ordered the killing of all including pregnant women who opposed him. During the time of wicked King Jeroboam of Israel, King Azariah, the son of Amaziah, of Judah, was righteous before God. However, even righteous Azariah reaped the consequences of his sins when he allowed Judah to worship idols. God afflicted him with leprosy until his death. Indeed, God shows no favouritism, and the only way to please Him is to trust and obey Him. (Galatians 6:7-8)

2. Written (15:32-38)
In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah. (15:37)

King Jotham of Judah, succeeded his father, Azariah or Uzziah, and he was righteous before God. However, like his father, he allowed Judah to worship idols, and God then judged him for his sins. God knows the works of His people and through the Holy Spirit, He inspired His men to record the works of His people so that today we have His book, the Bible, to learn how to live righteously in this wicked world. Another of God’s books is the book of life which He writes the names of all who believe in Him, and in which He promises us that we shall have a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. (Revelation 20:12-15)

3. Walk (16:1-20)
But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. (16:3)

King Ahaz, the son of Jotham, of Judah, walked in the ways of all the wicked kings of Israel, and even sacrificed his son as an offering to the idols just like the unbelievers of this world. God then punished him as He sent King Rezin of Syria to besiege Judah. Ahaz then gave King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria silver and gold, and sought him to help Judah. King Tiglath-pileser consented, and defeated Syria, and killed Rezin. However, God punished Ahaz, because he did not seek Him. Indeed, let us seek God and not man, and walk in His Spirit and not our flesh, so as to receive eternal life and peace. (Romans 8:1-6)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that my name is in Your Book because I believe in You.