DAY 1: King Ahab Invites Evil Into Israel
Have you ever traveled to another city or town and thought about just how different it was compared to your own? Maybe the people showed a lot more hospitality and manners, or maybe they showed a lot less. Maybe the town was clean and the people seemed more content, or maybe they seemed depressed or miserable.
For ancient Israel, there was a significant cultural difference between the Northern Kingdom: Israel, and the Southern Kingdom: Judah.
Last week, you read about king Asa and how he brought peace to Judah. Late in Asa’s reign, king Ahab takes control of the Northern Kingdom. And to say that Ahab was different than Asa would be an understatement.
Instead of destroying the things that were offensive to God, Ahab invites evil into Israel. Ahab worshiped the god Baal, which represented a desire for power and sexual pleasure. His decision to lead the people of Israel astray would have long-lasting consequences.
As you read today, consider this: Are you currently inviting (welcoming) anything ungodly into your life?
READING & JOURNALING:
Ahab invited (welcomed) evil into his own life, his family, and the entire nation of Israel. Are you currently inviting (welcoming) anything ungodly into your life? Your family’s lives? The lives of others?
What would be some good checks and balances to have in place to ensure you’re not inviting evil into your life?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Exodus 8 & 9
Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, admittedly, I don’t like to think that I may be inviting or welcoming evil into my life. Yet I know there are likely people, books, movies, music, or other things that may seem innocent, but which can lead away from You and Your Word. Continue to provide me the wisdom to see the things that get in the way of knowing you better, and the courage to eliminate them from my life. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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