Letter From God 17
Israel DividedThe Lord's Prophets
WRITING "LETTER FROM GOD" 17
In Book 17, we discovered the mistake of King Rehoboam
in raising Israel's taxes — the kingdom divided into two parts. The northern
ten tribes were called Israel with Jeroboam as their king. The southern
two tribes were called Judah with King Rehoboam on the throne.
Instead of the northern tribes going down to Jerusalem to worship, King
Jeroboam introduced a false worship of the Lord with a golden calf in
Bethel and one in Dan. Many of the believers and Levites moved to the
southern kingdom. This strengthened Judah and weakened Israel.
In Book 17 we traced the kings of the divided kingdoms. We noted how
God used his prophets to give messages to the kings and the people. The
prophets gave warnings to try to get the people to return back to God.
Without faithful kings who served the Lord, the kingdoms suffered under
terrible disasters. With faithful kings the kingdoms had peace and prosperity.
The northern kingdom moved deeper and deeper into idolatry — especially
under the wicked kings Omri and his son Ahab. King Ahab married the evil
Jezebel who was the daughter of the king of Sidon. She brought 950 false
prophets and priests of the idol Baal with her.
We saw how the Lord's prophet Elijah stunned King Ahab with the dramatic
message "There will be no rain in Israel for three and one-half years!"
We watched as the Lord protected and provided for Elijah with powerful
miracles. The Lord was preparing Elijah for the incredible showdown on
Mount Carmel. The showdown was really between Satan and the prophets of
Baal against the Lord and his one prophet Elijah.
We well remember Elijah's booming words, "Choose you this day whom you
will serve, Baal or the Lord!" The challenge is still going on today.
We saw how, during the ministry of the Lord Jesus on earth, his two heralds,
Moses and Elijah, had a briefing with the Lord on the mount of Transfiguration.
The Lord's three disciples, Peter, James and John, observed this amazing
event.
We studied about the future prophecy of Moses and Elijah when they will
return to earth during the seven years of the Great Tribulation on earth.
We noted that from Jerusalem their messages of the second coming of the
Lord Jesus will be heard on worldwide communication.
At the end of their powerful mission, Moses and Elijah will be assassinated.
As the world watches, their bodies will lie on the streets of Jerusalem
for three days! Then a demanding voice from heaven will call out, "Come
up." With life restored to their bodies, they will rise up!
