“Jehoram son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah began to rule over Judah in the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel. 17 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.” 2 Kings 8:16,17
“Joash began to rule over Judah in the seventh year of King Jehu’s reign in Israel. He reigned in Jerusalem forty years.” 2 Kings 12:1
“Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to rule over Israel in the twenty-third year of King Joash’s reign in Judah.” 2 Kings 13:1
“Amaziah son of Joash began to rule over Judah in the second year of the reign of King Jehoash of Israel.” 2 Kings 14:1
“Uzziah son of Amaziah began to rule over Judah in the twenty-seventh year of the reign of King Jeroboam II of Israel. 2 He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years.” 2 Kings 15:1,2
God of our ancestry,
It becomes confusing trying to follow the order of Kings in Judah and Israel and whose relations they were! And who was reigning in one when the other changed. Even the scholars can only show it in complicated charts and spreadsheets. Do we need to know the detail? I must confess I find I read it and do not really take the dates in! But we need to know You are in the detail. You know intimately who assassinated who. Who murdered possible heirs and who was not a good king.
Nothing escapes Your notice and no-one can ultimately ruin Your plans. No king, no ruler, no evil despot. And we too have to trust You, God in our present and our future. As Paul explains in Philippians (2:12,13), “Therefore, my dear friends . . . continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Your people in Israel and Judah continued to be a split family and they did not totally return to worship You in these generations. Though You were always there calling them to return to You. And it cost Your spokespeople greatly. Then You sent Your living Word and spoke into all nations. Now we have believers all around the world giving testimony and Your Holy Spirit as our strength and guide. And still nothing will or can stop You working Your purposes out.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 4th July 2025
God is working this purpose out,
as year succeeds to year;
God is working this purpose out,
and the time is drawing near;
nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be:
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.
From utmost east to utmost west,
where human feet have trod,
by the mouth of many messengers
goes forth the voice of God:
“Give ear to me, ye continents,
ye isles, give ear to me,
that the earth may be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.”
All we can do is nothing worth
unless God blesses the deed.
Vainly we hope for the harvest-tide
till God gives life to the seed.
Yet nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.
Lyrics: Arthur Campbell Ainger