Category: King Ahab

No Shepherd for Israel! #9

Saturday, July 20, 2024

“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace” (2 Chronicles 18:16 KJV).

Why does Israel have no shepherd?

Like every nation of the world, Israel’s history abounds with leaders who were spiritual losers. That is the heavy price of sin—and it is a heavy price indeed. All nations could have been spared an incomprehensible amount of pain, suffering, ignorance, and turmoil. Yet, the LORD God created us as free moral agents, not robots, and that means letting man do what he wants. Still, we can be thankful that is not the way things will always be in creation. Before situations and circumstances improve on Earth, though, they will have to deteriorate even more than what we see now.

With each passing day, the world grows closer to the Antichrist’s appearance. This last self-serving, diabolical shepherd—the worst of them all—must operate in Israel’s government before the Lord Jesus Christ comes back to destroy him, sit on David’s throne, and appoint His righteous shepherds (the 12 Apostles). Jesus Christ the “Good Shepherd” is in stark contrast to those shepherds who scatter the sheep, those who do not care about the wellbeing of the sheep (John 10:11-14). Ultimately, Christ will give up His life to save the sheep—a clear reference to Calvary (see John 10:15,17-18). In addition to being the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life at the cross (John 10:11 corresponding to Psalm 22); Jesus Christ is also the “Great Shepherd” who cares for and blesses the sheep (Hebrews 13:20 matching Psalm 23); Christ is also the “Chief Shepherd” who brings the sheep into His Millennial Kingdom (1 Peter 5:4 corresponding to Psalm 24).

The Lord Jesus will lead the lost sheep of Israel back to Himself, as in 1 Peter 2:25: “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” Psalm 79:13, Psalm 95:7, and Psalm 100:3 all look to that Millennial Reign of Christ as well. In that day, “no shepherd for Israel” will never be true again!

No Shepherd for Israel! #8

Friday, July 19, 2024

“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace” (2 Chronicles 18:16 KJV).

Why does Israel have no shepherd?

At His Second Coming, the LORD Jesus Christ will destroy the corrupt pastors/shepherds of Israel (the Antichrist and all his predecessors) and replace them with His 12 Apostles in preparation for the Millennial Kingdom.

Jeremiah 23:1-4: “[1] Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. [2] Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. [3] And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. [4] And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.” Pay close attention to verse 4, which now leads us to the 12 Apostles and the close of John’s Gospel Record.

See the “lambs” and “sheep” of John 21:15-17: “[15] So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. [16] He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. [17] He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

No Shepherd for Israel! #7

Thursday, July 18, 2024

“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace” (2 Chronicles 18:16 KJV).

Why does Israel have no shepherd?

Through the centuries, most of Israel’s spiritual “leaders” were that in name only: they were not guiding the nation into the words and ways of JEHOVAH God. Yet, the LORD would not leave His people in the hands of satanic religious leaders forever. Read Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 40, verses 9-11: “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

Messiah Jesus, who is the JEHOVAH God of Isaiah, offered to be Israel’s Shepherd during His earthly ministry of Matthew through John. See John chapter 10, verses 12-16: “But he that is an hireling [false teachers leading Israel], and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf [more false teachers] coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

With Israel rejecting and killing Jesus in unbelief, now the Antichrist can enter to further destroy the nation, therefore necessitating Jesus come back in power and great glory so as to reign as Israel’s Shepherd….

No Shepherd for Israel! #6

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace” (2 Chronicles 18:16 KJV).

Why does Israel have no shepherd?

Moving up through Israel’s history, the nation’s religious leaders habitually filled its people with centuries of worthless religious tradition. Whether apostate Levites (the priestly tribe, who should have been teaching and copying Scripture), or false prophets (whose empty words distracted them from God’s pure words), or formalistic Pharisees (who were obsessed with works-religion and self-righteousness), or aristocratic Sadducees (who wallowed in skepticism, doubting the supernatural), all were shepherds who had failed miserably to communicate spiritual knowledge, spiritual wisdom, and spiritual understanding to their people. We also recognize the negligence of many of Israel’s kings (north) and Judah’s kings (south), who themselves were quite busy in being poor spiritual examples.

As touching King Ahab, whose evils his heathen wife Jezebel had inspired (1 Kings 16:29-34; 1 Kings 21:25,26), the LORD would (and did) eliminate him from the throne because his idolatry contributed to Israel’s Assyrian Captivity (part of the curses of the violated Law of Moses). Ahab was no true spiritual shepherd, but, now, he would be gone physically too (see today’s Scripture). He is a preview or type of the Antichrist, who will be the final satanic spiritual-political leader of Israel.

The Antichrist is known as “a foolish shepherd” and “the idol shepherd:” “And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened” (Zechariah 11:15-17).

When Christ returns and destroys the Antichrist, Israel will again be without a shepherd….

No Shepherd for Israel! #5

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace” (2 Chronicles 18:16 KJV).

Why does Israel have no shepherd?

Back up in Ezekiel chapter 34 to now read: “[1] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? [3] Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. [4] The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. [5] And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. [6] My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

“[7] Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; [8] As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; [9] Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; [10] Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.”

God is most displeased with Israel’s religious leaders who selfishly govern His sheep-nation and lead them astray….

No Shepherd for Israel! #4

Monday, July 15, 2024

“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace” (2 Chronicles 18:16 KJV).

Why does Israel have no shepherd?

Ezekiel 34:11-16: “For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.”

During His earthly ministry, Christ thus commissioned His 12 Apostles: “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). Also, “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). Israel is like a shepherd-less flock of sheep, wandering around, straying from the proper path. Read Luke 15:1-7, the Parable of the Lost Sheep—how one sheep recognizes its lost estate (Israel’s believing remnant) whereas the 99 sheep (national Israel) are too self-righteous to realize they need the shepherd’s guidance too. Why are all these sheep out of the way, not where they should be?

Israel’s spiritual leaders have been negligent for centuries….

No Shepherd for Israel! #3

Sunday, July 14, 2024

“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace” (2 Chronicles 18:16 KJV).

Why does Israel have no shepherd?

In keeping with the Jews’ agrarian or agriculturally-based way of life, the Bible makes multiple references to shepherds and their sheep. Of course, just about everyone knows (or, used to know, anyway) Psalm 23:1: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Also, Psalm 79:13: “So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.” Or, Psalm 95:7: “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,….” Finally, Psalm 100:3: “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

Then, we come across other passages, and these are quite dreadful. “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:1). “My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace” (Jeremiah 50:6). “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day” (Ezekiel 34:12).

During Christ’s earthly ministry, the situation is just as bad. “But when he saw the multitudes, he [Jesus] was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). “And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34).

Again, there is no shepherd for Israel….























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No Shepherd for Israel! #2

Saturday, July 13, 2024

“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace” (2 Chronicles 18:16 KJV).

Why does Israel have no shepherd?

Referring to the context of today’s Scripture, let us see the pitiful end of Ahab, King of Israel: “[33] And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. [34] And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.” You can also read 1 Kings 22:34-40. Despite all the precautions he took to avoid the terrible fate God’s prophet foretold about him, the gaps in Ahab’s armor proved to be his downfall in the day of the war. Flying arrows marked the violent end to the 22-year reign of a sinful, idolatrous, diabolical monarch. With Ahab’s demise, Israel (northern 10 tribes) was now without a shepherd or leader (see today’s Scripture).

Interestingly, some centuries prior, Moses had feared Israel (all 12 tribes) was facing a similar fate once the LORD notified him that he, because of his sin, was not being allowed to lead the nation into the Promised Land. Numbers chapter 27: “[15] And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, [16] Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, [17] Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. [18] And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;….”

We can pick out other biblical references to this “no shepherd for Israel” theme….






































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No Shepherd for Israel! #1

Friday, July 12, 2024

“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace” (2 Chronicles 18:16 KJV).

Why does Israel have no shepherd?

In 2 Chronicles chapter 18, believing King Jehoshaphat of Judah (Southern Kingdom) has foolishly joined forces with unbelieving King Ahab of Israel (Northern Kingdom). You can also refer to 1 Kings chapter 22 for additional background. Ahab aims to fight the Syrians so as to win back the land of Ramoth Gilead (on the eastern side of the Jordan River). While Ahab’s nearly 400 (false) prophets support the war and promise Ahab victory, skeptical Jehoshaphat wishes a prophet of the LORD would advise him and Ahab. Enter Micaiah the Prophet of JEHOVAH God.

Today’s Scripture is an excerpt of Micaiah’s sermon, which we can read in a fuller context now: “[11] And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. [12] And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of their’s, and speak thou good. [13] And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

“[14] And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand. [15] And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD? [16] Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.”

Israel will have no shepherd because Ahab will be slain in the war….






































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No Shepherd for Israel! #1 “Then he said, I did see all Israel
scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD
said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in
peace” (2 Chronicles
18:16 KJV). Why does Israel have no shepherd? In 2 Chronicles chapter 18, believing King
Jehoshaphat of Judah (Southern Kingdom) has foolishly joined forces with unbelieving
King Ahab of Israel (Northern Kingdom). You can also refer to 1 Kings chapter
22 for additional background. Ahab aims to fight the Syrians so as to win back
the land of Ramoth Gilead (on the eastern side of the Jordan River). While Ahab’s
nearly 400 (false) prophets support the war and promise Ahab victory, skeptical
Jehoshaphat wishes a prophet of the LORD would advise him and Ahab. Enters
Micaiah the Prophet of JEHOVAH God. Today’s Scripture is an excerpt of Micaiah’s
sermon, which we can read in a fuller context now: “[11] And all the prophets
prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall
deliver it into the hand of the king. [12] And the messenger that went to call
Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to
the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of
their’s, and speak thou good. [13] And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even
what my God saith, that will I speak. [14] And when he was come to the king,
the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or
shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be
delivered into your hand. [15] And the king said to him, How many times shall I
adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD? [16]
Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that
have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return
therefore every man to his house in peace.” Israel will have no shepherd because Ahab
will be slain in the war….

Only One Left? #4

Saturday, February 19, 2022

“And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:14 KJV).

Was the Prophet Elijah really “the only one left?”

The Bible always tells the truth—even about its heroes. Whereas Elijah was spiritually victorious in chapter 18 because he relied on JEHOVAH God, by the time of chapter 19, he was terrified of unbelievers because he was depending on his flesh. God had taken care of him for years prior, protecting him in chapter 17, but once he doubted the LORD he started wallowing in self-pity and became depressed, his spiritual life disintegrating. He actually asked the LORD to kill him (19:4)!

Elijah started focusing on himself. “I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts…. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (verse 10). Again, “I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts…. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (verse 14, today’s Scripture). The LORD responds, “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him” (verse 18). Paraphrased, “Oh, Elijah, though you find it difficult to comprehend, I have 7,000 other Jewish believers just like you on My side. You do not know about them, but they have neither kissed nor genuflected/bowed before Baal’s statues.”

Paul summarizes in Romans chapter 11 about a believing remnant in Israel, “[2] …Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, [3] Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. [4] But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. [5] Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”

Now, let us see a modern parallel….