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Bethany Tolley (i.e. The Doctrine Lady) is a blogger, writer, speaker, presenter, teacher, songwriter, and artist. She has a multitude of experiences and credentials. But, what she values most is the opportunity to share her testimony of truth through the talents and gifts God has blessed her with. To read more click here.
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When we don’t like what someone asks of us, or if we fear what they may ask of us; if we feel uncomfortable or stifled by the presence of someone in our lives, we normally distance ourselves. We do things that drive that other person away or make it easy for us to avoid them. That distance allows us to draw closer to the things and people we prefer or like better. If we distance ourselves from someone negative and destructive to our lives, this is a good thing. But, if we distance ourselves from the people in our lives who are positive and who try to raise us up, then this is a bad thing. If we don’t like people trying to help raise us up, we run away and are usually carried off by people who nurture our most selfish and progression-stifling behaviors.
The Israelites (both kingdoms at this point) wanted a relationship with God on their terms. Which was, “Give us all your protection and love even if we give you nothing in return and ignore all your help in trying to raise us up to be a better people.” They avoided reconciling with Him. They distanced themselves from His call, His voice (by casting out prophets), and His requests to “come unto Him” by seeking out other gods, idols, their own pleasures.
By distancing themselves from the Almighty and nurturing their relationships with “things of naught” they also distanced themselves from God’s protection, guidance, and power (which are benefits of a true relationship with Him). Thus, in 2 Kings 15 the kingdom of Israel (10 tribes) is carried away at last by Assyria. The kingdom of Judah is placed in peril by the same enemies.
A lot of times we distance ourselves from God, but we don’t really want to lose out on His blessings. But, if we make this mistake of distancing ourselves, we are priming ourselves to be “carried off” by those who will nurture our destruction.
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While reading 2 Kings 13 I felt like it repeatedly brought up the actions of the current king’s forbears and how that king was repeating the sinful actions of his forbears. Illustrating, clearly, that the current king’s actions were strongly influenced by the systems and beliefs cultivated by those who had gone before him.
Then, in verse 23 we see the Lord showing mercy “because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob…” Illustrating the positive effects of the righteous forbears and how they are staying God’s hand. Full judgment against the kingdoms of Judah and Israel are being delayed because of the righteous actions of Abraham.
God doesn’t punish us for the sins of others. But, if we succumb to the sinful influence of parents, or other relatives (either living or dead) and commit sin of our own accord, that is the sin we are held accountable for—our own. So, it does no good to justify our sins by blaming our forebears. Our sin is on us. Their sinful influence is on them. But if we know better, we know better. No excuses.
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Our relationship with God is our primary reason for being on this earth. If that relationship is broken or in disrepair, God invites us to “repair the breaches.” This is an expensive process, but not in monetary fashion. It is expensive in that it requires us to take the payments of allegiance and time we give to other things and turn them to strengthening our relationship with God.
This can’t be a half-hearted process. Jehoash, King of Judah began repairing the breaches in the temple but didn’t continue. Political issues and fears led him to forgo repairing that relationship between himself and God (and also God and the people of Israel). He fell short of repairing the breaches and instead took from the money and objects in Lord’s house and gave them away to bribe a foreign king. He took from God to appease a mortal.
There is no relationship on earth more important than our relationship with God. Our relationship with our company, boss, political party, friends, etc. should never be built at the expense of our relationship with the Almighty. Repair the breaches!
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Would I rather be scattered by people who wish to conquer, destroy, and/or control me? Or would I rather be led away to safety by the Lord? Even when the world (or our environment) is in turmoil, we can be preserved if we will serve the Lord. He can (and will) protect us or lead us to places that He has prepared for us.
The preservation of a child who is born to lead/reign in Israel is a common pattern in scripture. Most notable are that of Moses and Jesus Christ. But, from the Book of Mormon we see Mulek (one of King Zedekiah’s sons” who is preserved (thought the Bible records it not, because they were led away by God). Lehi’s family is led away from Jerusalem to the Americas to preserve a “people” to God. The Jaredites, etc…
So, here in 2 Kings 11 we see another child preserved from destruction that he may live to reign and lead Israel back to God, which he does (in 2 Kings 12). Patterns… (1 Nephi 22:4, 2 Nephi 10:22, 2 Nephi 29:12, Jacob 5:8…) God frequently leads the righteous away while the wicked are scattered by their enemies.
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What has God promised you most recently through His prophet? Doctrine & Covenants 1:37-38
What commandment or prompting have you avoided following lately? Doctrine & Covenants 82:10, Alma 12:9
Have you replaced God to any extent with false gods or idols? Exodus 20:3,5
Jehu fulfilled his divine mandate to fulfill God’s prophecy (through Elijah) regarding the posterity/house of Ahab. And, while he went on to remove Baal worship, he failed to do away with the idols Israel had taken to worshipping in place of, or as a substitute for, the temple in Jerusalem. He maintained that political mistake began by Jeroboam. What other blessings might he have qualified for had he fulfilled “all the law of the Lord”? #thedoctrinelady #dailydoctrines #bible #bibleverse #biblequote #daily #dailyquotes #oldtestament #doctrine #faith #inspirationalquotes #Jesus #1Kings #biblejournaling #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #truth #godislove #commandments #leapoffaith #sacrifice #prophets #trustingod #faithingod #whatgodislike
There is a significance to the order in 2 Kings 9 that might be missed on a cursory read.
First, Elisha the prophet anoints Jehu king over Israel (Amos 3:7). Second, Jehu is commanded to enact God’s justice on Ahab and Jezebel and their posterity (D&C 1:38). Third, Jehu shares his anointing and those he commands submit to the account, accept that he is now king (2 Corinthians 13:1, etc.). Fourth, Jehu begins right away to fulfill the command of God in the capacity of king of Israel (D&C 21:5). If this order is tampered with, all sorts of problems arise. If Jehu had tried to enact justice without both the authority of kingship and the sanction of God he would have been simply a murderer. If he had proceeded without first gaining other witnesses of his divine anointing and mandate to enact justice, he wouldn’t have been able to complete the commandment. He needed help to enact justice. Finally, Jehu did as he was called, commanded, and asked to do.
It is important to note that God does often make initially counterintuitive and difficult requests of His people. The scriptures are replete with such commands and requests. How the command comes and the order of actions matters immensely. It is only from God if it comes first, through the mouth of God’s prophet, second, if there are witnesses who have gained a testimony of the request and can testify that it is from God, and third, if God prepares the way for the very difficult command to be accomplished (1 Nephi 3:7). All this in one chapter. Incredibly cool and incredibly important as we try to come to understand God.
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If God asked, what one thing do you think you would be unwilling or unable to give up for Him?
This is a frightening question to consider. Abraham had to consider it. Christ had to consider it. All those we read about in the scriptures had to consider it. Abrahamic trials or requests from God…they will come. My Abrahamic trials will be different from others in every way. But, one thing is certain, they come to us all (Doctrine & Covenants 101:4-5). Often we try to offer God all the things we are willing to sacrifice, and then we carefully protect those few things we hope He won’t ever ask for. Within scripture we see that God frequently asks many to sacrifice those things which are most dear to them: their fortunes, their riches, their titles, their renown, their social circles, their comfort, their professions, and many times even their family members, homes, food, and lands.
But, scripture also testifies that no sacrifice goes unrewarded. Even if we are asked to give up everything we get everything (and more) back in return. In 2 Kings 8 the Shunamite woman is commanded to forsake everything (to protect her from the 7-year famine) and she does. Then, when the famine passes, she returns and is able to reclaim all that she gave up, in perpetuity.
If we are unwilling to sacrifice then we will always be left in horrific suspense as to what we might have received had we had the faith to do so. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven…not only in stuff, but in character, gratitude, faith, mercy, charity, perspective, and in spiritual power. We can’t give up anything for God and not get it all back + more in return. Take the leap! Trust in God!
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I don’t think I can recall any time in my life when the Lord has bless me exactly “how I expected.” I’ve prayed for help. Help came. But, not the way I’d imagined it. I’ve prayed for answers. But, the answers came very directly as I did other things the Lord commanded me to do first. Which, was not how I’d expected them to come. In fact, these days, I try very hard not to spend any time thinking how the Lord may, can, or might bless me. Because, what I’ve learned is that HE WILL. HE ALWAYS DOES. And, without fail He blesses me in ways that are far better than anything I was able to put together in my own head. His blessings make more of me than the blessings I’d imagined. And, His blessings and help pertain not only to my current dilemmas but help and prepare me for future ones.
Elisha, at the worst part of a siege/famine, prophesies that the very next day food and products will be so plentiful that all the inflation (supply and demand costs) will disappear and things will be so plentiful that they’ll be dirt cheap. The King of Israel and some nobles scoff. Why? Because they can’t imagine how God could possibly make that happen. It would take a miracle! And yet, several other very simple things take place that end the siege that night. Poof!
God always (at least in my experience) solves problems and fixes issues and delivers us from trials in ways that we can’t imagine. Why? Because He knows all. He sees all. We need to trust in Him. No matter what He asks of us, His promises are sure.
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