Jehu's Third Assignment-Ridding Israel of Ahab's Power

By Mary Vee
II Kings 10

From Jehu's Journals

Jehu anointed king of Israel to rid the country of
Ahab's rule Photo Courtesy

I have received instructions from the Lord to rid Israel of those who have been in charge and have led the people away from worshiping the one true God. The God of our fathers. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I also am to rid the country of all the false gods.

Ahab's son, king Joram, is dead. Jezebel, Ahab's wife, is dead. One of Ahab's seventy other sons may choose to usurp the throne and bring back the worship of gods and other things that do not please the one true God.

The seventy sons of Ahab live in Samaria. I wrote letters to the officials of Jezreel, the men who served as elders and guardians of Ahab's children. In the letter I said, "As soon as this letter reaches you, choose the best and most worthy of Ahab's sons and set him on his father's throne. When you have finished, prepare to fight for your master's house."

My messenger said the men became terrified. They said to each other, "If two kings could not resist him, Joram and Ahaziah, how can we?" Then he handed me this message from the men: "We are your servants and will do anything you say. We will not appoint anyone as king. You do whatever you think is best."

This was very good news to hear. I wrote another message to these officials saying, "If you are on my side and will obey me, take the heads of your master's sons and bring them to me in Jezreel by this time tomorrow."

The next day I received what I had asked for. I ordered the guards to place the heads by the city gates.

In the morning I stood before all the people and said, "You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him, but I did not kill the princes. Know then, that not a word the Lord has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail. The Lord has done what He promised through his servant Elijah." 

I finished my work by killing everyone in Jezreel who sided with Ahab and his evil ways, leaving no survivors. I then wen to Judah and did the same to Ahaziah's house, searching for those who followed Ahaziah. In some places I left no survivors.

I searched for king Ahaziah and found him hiding in Samaria. After he died, he was taken to Jerusalem and buried with his fathers in his tomb in the City of David. By the time I finished, there was no one in Ahaziah's house powerful enough to take over the kingdom.

I left Judah on my chariot and met Jehonadab along the way. I greeted him and asked, "Are you with me as I am with you?"

"I am," he said.

I reached my hand out to him. "Good, Give me your hand." I helped him up into the chariot. "Come with me and join my zeal for the Lord."

All of my work was done according to the word of the Lord as spoken to Elijah.

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1.  Jehu was to rid Israel of ____________ and ____________/
2.  What happened to the 70 sons of Ahab?
3.  Who told Jehu to do these things?
4.  Why was it done?
5. Jehu met Jehonadab along the way. What did Jehu ask him to do?
6. All of the work done was according to ___________ as spoken to ________.

Hudson Taylor- Despite The Great Debates

By Mary Vee

Year: October-February, 1868-1869 

Hudson Taylor: age 36-37

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

Photo Courtesy

The news of our problems with mobs reached Britain. The parliament looked into the issues, at first siding with us and the problems we faced.

Like so many times, the news became distorted. Newspapers printed stories saying we had asked the British Consulate to send in the gun ships and to force the Chinese people to allow the mission in Yangchow.

This was far from the truth. 

Nonetheless, the parliament argued the value of missionaries living in inland China. 

One side decided missionaries should wait and follow British businessmen. Once they sold their goods in an area, missionaries could then follow and set up a mission home. 

Another said they were afraid the problem would grow far out of proportion and create a war between China and Britain.

Another said missionaries had the right to go from city to city as any other foreigner.

Unfortunately the great debate and huge publicity in newspapers, radios, and word of mouth, created a huge issue with donations to the ministry. Many people stopped giving money, believing only the worst.

We tried our best to survive on the meager sums.

While the debates fueled angry tempers in Britain, God worked in China. 

James Williamson and I took a boat one hundred miles up the river to Qingjangpu. We left October 26, and the trip lasted about ten days. After a quick visit, we became convince this would be an important place, central to our future missionary work.

God also blessed our hearts when we met two men who walked forty miles to Taizhou to hear the about the God who loved them. Some time before that, someone had visited these men and gave them a brochure about our work and some information about Jesus. They had  read the brochures and searched for us to hear more. 

One came to me after the service. He bowed. "Mr. Taylor, we have been waiting to hear these great words about your God. There are twenty others waiting in our village for our report. They are excited to learn more."

Blessed words like these were sent to us by God to continue our work. Strong and steady despite the debates in Britain.

One last piece of good news I must share. Six days after we entered the repaired missionary home in Yangchow, my wife Maria, gave birth to our son, Charles Edward.

I don't expect the years to come to be easy. But I must admit, the works seems easier when there is good news sprinkled in with the trials.

J. Hudson Taylor

Missionary to China--Inland China!

Blessed by God even in time of torment

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr. &and Mrs. Howard Taylor.

Jehu's Second Assignment- Death of Wicked Queen Jezebel

By Mary Vee
II Kings 9

From Jehu's Journal

Photo Courtesy

King Joram was dead and I had been crowned king of Israel. My job from God: clean up the idol worship mess.

I gave chase to Ahaziah, king of Judah and wounded him. Unfortunately he escaped to Megiddo. Rather than follow him farther, I went on to the next task, to rid the country of the evil queen Jezebel.

Jezebel hid in the city of Jezreel near where Naboth's vineyard use to be. She was the one who had Naboth killed in order to give the vineyard to her husband, king Ahab. 

I commanded my troops to advance to the city. Near the city gates, I looked up toward a window and saw her. She had put on make up and fixed her hair. Hah. As though she thought she could persuade me to leave the task God had given.

I called out, "Who is on my side? Who?"

Two men looked down at me. 

I called to them, "Throw her down to the ground!"

They went to her room, broke open the door, and threw her out of her window. 

The two men invited us inside for food and drink. As we ate, I ordered a few men to go out and bury Jezebel. "Take care of that cursed woman and bury her. Even though she was evil, she was a king's daughter."

The men came back and reported. "I am sorry, my lord. When we looked, we found nothing except her skull, her feet and her hands."

Then I remembered the words of the Lord spoken through the prophet Elijah, "On the plot of ground at Jezreel, dogs will devour Jezebel's flesh. Jezebel's body will be like trash on the ground in the plot at Jezreel. No one will be able to recognize her and say, 'This is Jezebel.'"

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1. Who was Jehu?
2. Who was Jezebel?
3. What was the second job God gave to Jehu?
4. What had Jezebel done wrong?
5. How did she die?
6. What happened when Jehu went into the city to eat a meal?
7. Who was king of Israel?

Jehu-Sent to Bring Justice Back to Israel

By Mary Vee
II Kings 9

From Jehu's Journals

Photo Courtesy

The young prophet who gave his message to me ran to the door as he spoke his last words, and ran away. 

I rejoined my fellow officers. We were camped around a fire discussing tomorrow's battle plan against Hazael, king of Aram before the prophet had arrived.

"Jehu," one officer said as I sat down. "What did that young fellow want? He acted like a madman when he left. Is everything all right?"

"I laughed. You know a madman and the sort of things he says." I said.

The officer squinted and stroke his beard. "You are keeping something from us. What did he say?"

"Elisha had sent this young prophet to me to deliver a message. He said, 'The Lord asks me to anoint you king over Israel.' So he did."

The officers stood together, as if they'd been given a command. They took off their coats and put them on the step, beneath my feet. One blew his trumpet and the others shouted, "Jehu is king!"

"Since you seem to agree with what the prophet has said then no one is to slip away to Jezreel to tell Joram. He must not know that I have been assigned to take his crown."

The officers agreed.

"Gather your troops and weapons. We march to Jezreel." The officers called their soldiers and gave the command. I went to my chariot to lead the march. 

We came to a wide open field where all the troops could easily be seen by the guard of the Jezreel's city gate. Only a moment later a horseman rode to us and said, "King Joram wants to know if you have come in peace."

"You have a choice," I said. "Join me or be overtaken by this army." The messenger joined our march.

I knew the king would send a second and third messenger hoping one would return with the answer. Sure enough, not long after, a second soldier rode his horse out of the city gates to meet me. "The king wants to know if you come in peace."

Again I warned, "Joined me or be overtaken by this army." The second messenger joined our march.

Again the city gates opened. This time king Joram of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah rode out toward me, each in their own chariot. 

We met in the same place where Naboth once owned the land. Naboth was a peaceful man who had very little. King Joram's father, king Ahab, wanted Naboth's vineyard with a great passion. He told his wife, Queen Jezebel that Naboth wouldn't sell him the vineyard. Jezebel had Naboth killed then gave the land to Ahab. The punishment had not yet been given to Ahab's family for his selfishness.

Joram asked me, "Have you come in peace, Jehu?"

"How can there be peace as long as you allow the false gods and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel throughout the country. You are teaching the people to walk away from the God of our fathers."

Joram turned his chariot and screamed to Ahaziah, king of Judah, "Flee! Jehu has treachery in mind!"

I drew my bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart and he fell over in his chariot. I turned to one of the officers. "Pick him up and throw him on the field that belonged to Naboth. Remember when we rode behind king Ahab and the Lord's promise about Ahab, 'I will surely make king Ahab pay for what he did to Naboth on this very plot of ground.' Well the time has come."

 God has more work for Jehu to bring Israel back to Him. Join us next time.

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1.What did the Jehu tell the officers?
2. What did they do?
3. Where did they go? 
4. What did the first horseman ask and what did he do?
5. What did the second horseman ask and what did he do?
6. What message did Jehu give king Joram?
7. What did Jehu do?
8. Who was Naboth?

Hudson Taylor-The British Army Comes to Our Rescue

By Mary Vee

Year: September, 1868 

Hudson Taylor: age 36

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

Photo Courtesy

To our great regret, and for our safety, we moved the mission home across the river to Chinkiang. 

This did not mean that we had given up on those who needed to hear about God's love in Yangchow. No indeed. 

But when the rejection of a ministry puts so many people in harms way, a means to solve the problem must come first.

The main issue in Yangchow was the group of educated people who did not want the citizens listening to messages about God love because they would walk away from their idol worship.

According to international treaties, this educated group did not have permission to cause physical harm to foreigners. The British Consul received my letters explaining damages and injuries caused by the mob in Yangchow. British Consul General Medhurst responded right away and brought a commander and marines along with the French consul and frigate to our aid.

They all sailed to Yangchow, marched down the main street to the Prefector's house and requested to meet with him. "We are here to escort you to Nanking where you will meet with the imperial viceroy and state your reasons for not providing protection to the foreign missionaries when first asked."

I imagine this show of power scared Prefect Sun. He said, "I will go, but prefer to ride in my own boat instead of as a prisoner in yours."

The British Consul agreed. He and the soldiers marched back down the main street to their boat and sailed for Nanking. When they arrived, the viceroy greeted them. "It is my honor to welcome you, General Medhurst and those with you to Nanking." He served them tea while they waited for the Prefector.

Once the prefector arrived the meeting began. He didn't say very much in his defense. General Medurst made a list of demands to protect foreigners in Yangchow. It seemed the Chinese officials were willing to agree. 

The process took more than a day. During this time the commander of the marines became very ill. He had to be taken to Shanghai for medical treatment. 

When the meeting resumed the next day, the Chinese official served tea as before. The look on their faces, though, had changed. Without the soldiers present, the officials seemed fearless. "We don't think we can meet these demands and we no longer have time to discuss this issue."

General Medhurst returned to Shanghai to start the paperwork needed to have the Chinese do what they said they would in the treaty. This, unfortunately didn't promise any results. He wrote to his supervisors in Britain, keeping them informed of the situation.

The British military sent five gunboats up the river to Nanking to force the Chinese to follow the treaty agreement by protecting foreigners. When the Chinese officials saw the soldiers and gun boats, they immediately changed their minds and said they would honor the treaty.

On November 18, 1868 we held a huge ceremony to reopen the missionary home in Yangchow. British Consul General Medhurst and I were led through the streets of Yangchow in a parade led by the educated group of men and the mandarin. Two heralds marched ahead of us shouting to the crowd, "People-take care not to hurt the foreigners, or to call them 'foreign devils'. Give them the titles of great men."

We were taken back to our home, which had been fully repaired at the expense of the mandarin.

The leaders of the mob were arrested.

Perhaps this is a sign of peace in Yangchow where the mission can help the Chinese people in Yangchow not only with food and medicine, but also to learn that God loves them very much.

J. Hudson Taylor

Missionary to China--Inland China!

Blessed by God even in time of torment

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr. &and Mrs. Howard Taylor.

Elisha- Hazael Carries Out His Evil Deed

By Mary Vee
II Kings 9

From Elisha's Journals

Photo Courtesy

Hazael, the new king of Aram didn't waste any time pulling together his army to attack Israel.

Joram, king of Israel panicked. He called Ahaziah, king of Judah to come help defend their country. As a brother and son of Abraham, Ahaziah quickly agreed to help. The kings prepared their army for battle. 

They met at Ramoth Gilead. During this battle Joram, king of Israel was wounded. The Israelite army continued to fight while king Joram was taken to Jezreel to recover from his wounds.

Ahaziah, king of Judah, stayed at the battle as long as needed then went to Jezreel to see how Joram was feeling.

With Joram away from his post, the Lord gave me a new task. I summoned a man from the group of prophets, took him to a private room, and said, "Tuck your clock in your belt so that you may run. Take this flask of oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat. Get him away from all his friends and companions. Take him into an inner room. There, pour the oil from the flask on his head and say, 'This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.' Then open the door and run. Don't delay."

The young prophet ran to Ramoth Gilead as I asked. He hurried to where the army officers sat. "I have a message for you, commander," he said.

"For which of us?" Jehu asked.

"For you, commander."

Jehu got up and walked with the prophet messenger into the house. The prophet asked him to kneel. Jehu did as he was asked. The prophet poured the oil on Jehu's head and said, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says, 'I anoint you king over the Lord's people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab, your master, and I will avenger the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord's servants shed by Jezebel. 

'The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off the house of Ahab. As for Jezebel, his wife, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her."  The young prophet immediately ran to the door, opened it, and ran back to me. 

This story will continue next time.

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1. Why was Joram king of Israel afraid?
2. Who did he ask for help?
3. Why did the person agree to help?
4. Where did they go?
5. What happened to Joram?
6. While he was gone, God told Elisha to send a young prophet with a _______ to _______
7. What message was the young prophet to give?

Elisha-If Only They Had Worshipped God

By Mary Vee
II Kings 8

From Elisha's Journals

Photo Courtesy

Jehoram, king of Israel died after only his second year of his reign. His son, Ahaziah, became king. Although he was the youngest son of Jehoram, all his older brothers had been killed by raiders, leaving him next in line for the throne. 

I didn't look forward to Ahaziah's reign. He was only twenty-two years old and had already chosen to rely on his mother's advice. She did not fear God and would cause her son to continue leading Israel away from worshiping and honoring the God of our fathers. Such sad news. 

God instructed me to go to Damascus in the north to visit Ben-Hadad, king of Aram. I don't always know ahead of time why God sends me on journeys, but He always has a purpose.

Ben-Hadad was an evil king. His people, the Arameans have a close connection to our people. The father of their people was Laban. Laban was the brother of Abraham, the father of the Israelites. Our nations are as cousins. We should be friends, yet Ben-Hadad continues to battle against us.

When Ben-Hadad heard I had come for a visit, he said to Hazael, a ranking official in his army to "Take a gift and go meet the man of god. Ask him to consult the Lord to find out if I will recover from this illness."

Hazael brought forty camel-loads of all the finest wares from Damascus for a gift. He bowed to me and said, "Your son, Ben-Hadad king of Aram, has sent me to ask if he will recover from his illness."

The Lord gave me an answer right away. "Go and say to him, 'You will certainly recover.' I must tell you, though, the Lord has told me Ben-Hadad will indeed die, but not from the sickness." 

I stared at him with a fixed gaze until Hazael felt ashamed. During this moment of silence, God revealed the most terrible news of what would happen. I couldn't help but weep.

Hazael stretched his hand forward. "Why is my lord weeping?"

I didn't want to tell him, but when the Lord gives me a message, I must deliver it. "I am weeping because I know the harm you will do to the Israelites. You will set fire to their fortified cities, kill our young men, kill the pregnant women and the children."

Hazael took a step back and lowered his head. "How could I, your servant, a mere dog, do such a thing?"

"The Lord has shown me that you will become king of Aram."

Just as every other word of the Lord has come true, so did this. Hazael left me and returned to his master. Ben-Hadad asked him what I had said. He answered, "He told me that you would certainly recover." But the next day Hazael took a thick cloth, soaked it in water, and spread it over the king's face. Ben-Hadad died and Hazael succeed him as king.

Just as God said.

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1. Wow. Life doesn't seem to be going well in Israel with ______ as their new king and in Aram with __________ as the new king.
2. Who deliver this special message from God?
3. What was Ben-Hadad's problem?
4. How old was the new king of Israel?
5. Did he worship God? Why or why not?

Hudson Taylor-The Fearful Revelation

By Mary Vee

Year: September, 1868 

Hudson Taylor: age 36

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

Photo Courtesy

George and I had waited two long hours in the Mandarin's home. The official told us to stay there while he attempted to stop the mob from destroying our missionary home. 

We prayed for the safety of our families and the other missionaries while we waited, but I must admit, hearing the angry sounds of the mob didn't help to calm my spirit.

The mandarin came into the room as I finished a prayer. "We have stopped the mob and you are safe to return to your home. These guards will escort you." 

He order two chairs to carry us. I would have much rather run back to see if everyone was all right. As we were paraded through the streets, locals shouted things like, "All the foreigners in the house are dead."

"Oh, God," I prayed, "Let this not be so."

At the gate of the house the servants set our chairs on the ground. We gave the proper bows before stepping over the broken gate. No one came out to greet us. We didn't' hear a single sound coming from inside. No children talking or baby crying.

I opened the door and walked into the house. Charred pieces and broken furniture littered the room. We hurried through the house calling to the other missionaries, hoping they were hiding in some corner. Thankfully we did not find anyone dead. 

We ran upstairs and witnessed every room trashed except one. Only God could have stopped the mob or distracted them from going into the room. This was the place we kept most of the money and important papers. We hurried out. "Where do you think they are?"

George looked around the room where we stood for a moment then said, "They must have gone to the neighbors. The ones who helped us."

"I agree." 

We used the same safe way to sneak next door without being seen by others who might be on the streets. The last thing we wanted to do would be to endanger our neighbors.

We gently knocked on their door. "Come in," the husband said. He signaled us to be quiet and led us to and inner room where the others were. 

George and I rejoiced to see our family and the others, but were saddened with the injuries. Maria, my wife, injured her leg, Emily had a deep cut and injured her back, William Reid lay on the floor in agony from an injury to his head. We cared for the immediate wounds the best we could with what we had.

The next day the Chinese guards left after their shift and no other replaced them. The mob seemed to have kept watch for this. Once the guards left they came back to the house and continue their destructive mission. 

I pulled out a chair, took it to the front yard and cried out, "We have come bringing you the Gospel, which will bless your hearts. You who are destroying this home will face the wrath of God for what you have done."

I stepped down from the chair, walked through the crowd, and straight to the mandarin's home to lodge a complaint.

Please pray that a peaceable end will come to all of this trouble. All we want to do is help these people and tell them about the God who loves them.

J. Hudson Taylor

Missionary to China--Inland China!

Blessed by God even in time of torment

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr. &and Mrs. Howard Taylor.

Elisha-The Arameans Ran Away, Scared

By Mary Vee
II Kings 7

From the King's Officer's Scrolls

Photo Courtesy

I went to the King's chambers with the report from the lepers. 

It was the middle of the night, yet he got up from his bed. He listened to the news and said, "I will tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving and have left the camp to hide in the countryside thinking, 'They will surely come out. When they do, We will take them alive and get into the city.'"

He had a good point. "I suggest we choose some men to take five of the horses that are left in the city and go to the camp. Their fate will be no different if they run into the Arameans. They will either die in the camp or die from starvation here. So let's send them to find out what has happened.

"I like your idea," the king said. "Do as you said."

We selected two chariots with their horses and four soldiers to go with me to the Aramean camp. As we prepared to leave the king said "Go and find out what has happened."

"Yes, my king."

We journeyed to the camp, as far as the Jordan, and found the whole road strewn with clothing, weapons, and equipment. We stepped down from the chariots and looked at the situation. "It looks like they were frightened off by something."

I picked up a few items to take back to the city to prove our findings. I hurried to the king's chambers and held up the few items I brought back. "The lepers have spoken the truth. The Armeans have abandoned their camp as if frightened and left everything: food, clothing, gold, silver, and weapons behind!"

It didn't take long for the news to travel throughout the city. The king put one of his officers in charge of the city gate. It was the same officer who told Elisha he didn't believe his message. 

I remember Elisha saying the officer would die because of his disrespectful words. Soon after the people heard the news they ran to the gate. They pushed the officer down trying to get out of the city. There he died. 

Men and women ran to the camp and emptied it of every morsel of food, every stitch of clothing, every piece of weapon, the animals, everything.

We heard a report later, what happened to the Arameans. The Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army. They said to one another "The King of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!" They got up and fled in the dusk, shortly before the lepers arrived, and ran for their lives."

Because of the Lord, we have food. Praise be to God.

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1. Did the king believe the message?
2. What did the officer suggest they do?
3. What did the five officers find at the camp?
4. What did the officer do right away?
5. What happened to the officer who did not believe Elisha?
6. What did God give the people of Samaria?
7. What had happened to the Aramean army?

Elisha-Listen to the Lepers

By Mary Vee
II Kings 7

From the Lepers Journals

Photo Courtesy

Men, women, and children who have leprosy were not allowed in the city gates.

We go about begging for food, wherever we can whether in the field or the city. 

We knew the people of Samaria had mostly run out of food and how they suffered. The evil king Ben-Hadad planted his army around the city to prevent anyone from leaving and any supplies from getting inside. 

Still, we were hungry. Really, hungry. There were four of us who chanced going to the city gate to beg for food. Of course no one from the city would give us any. 

We looked at each other and thought for a few minutes. One of my friends said, "If we stay here, we will starve and die. If we try to sneak inside the city, we'll starve and die because there is a famine there. I think we should go to the enemy's camp and surrender. If they spare us, we'll live and will get food. If they kill us then we'll die.

As crazy as the idea sounded, we all agreed with what he said. We waited until the sun had mostly set, the time when the little bit of light confuses what people see. We crept from our hiding places and moved from one bush to another until we reached the camp. 

Strange. No one from the camp made a sound. There wasn't a party, talking, or even snoring. We walked closer to the first tent and listened. Not a sound. Then we became really brave. We opened the tent flap and peeked inside. No one was there. We found food and drink, silver, gold, clothes. 

It was amazing! We sat down and ate and drank until our stomachs filled. Then we gathered the clothes, gold, and silver and hid them. Afterwards, we returned and entered another tent and took some things from it and put them in the same hiding place. 

We brushed the dirt from our hands and prepared to walk back to the next tent. That's when I felt guilty. "We're not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let's go at once and report all that we've found to the royal palace."

The others agreed with me at once. We walked back to the city gate and called to the gatekeepers. "We went into the Aramean camp. Not a man was there! Not a sound of anyone, only tethered horses and donkeys. The tents left just as if the Arameans had left unexpectedly."

The gatekeeper shouted the news, passing it on from messenger to the next until the news reached the palace.

The story will continue next time.

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1. What did the lepers ask the city people for?
2. Why didn't the city people help them?
3. What did the lepers decide to do?
4. What did they find at the camp?
5. What did did the lepers do with what they found?
6. Who did the lepers tell?
7. Do you think the king will believe them?

Hudson Taylor-The Mob Sets the Missionary Home on Fire

By Mary Vee

Year: September, 1868 

Hudson Taylor: age 36

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
Told by Maria Taylor

Photo Courtesy

We were in dire trouble. A huge mob gathered outside our house and threatened to kill all of us. Hudson and George sneaked out a side door and ran to get help.

I was six months pregnant but refused to let the pregnancy slow my efforts to protect the others. I took the women and children upstairs to pray while the remaining men stayed on the main floor.  

The mob shouted horrible things and banged on the gate until they broke it down. The noise was so terrifying even we could hear what damage the mob did. 

We women gathered the children close to us. They were frightened, so were we. We hushed the little ones by holding them close. 

The mob's anger grew. They ran to the house and pounded on the door. Soon they would break it down and barge inside. 

William Rudland, one of the missionaries stationed downstairs, burst through the door. "They've set the house on fire. Quick we must leap to the ground through the window." He rushed to the window and climbed out toward the roof. "Come, I'll help you."

One by one he helped to lower women and children down the twelve foot distance to the ground below. 

Suddenly a Chinese man burst into the room. He came toward me. "You see we are all women and children, aren't you ashamed to hurt us?"

He didn't answer, but came closer to me and jerked off my wedding ring. He stole a woman's brooch and a purse she had hidden in her dress. As he turned to the dresser drawers, William helped another woman escape down to the court. 

The attacker saw William and ran after him. He tried to steal William's watch, but William threw it to the ground, hoping the attacker would leap after it. He didn't. Instead the attacker became angrier. He grabbed a brick and raised his arm to strike William. 

I couldn't bare to watch. I pushed my arm into the way to prevent the brick from hitting William. The attacker turned to me and raised his arm to strike me. I pressed my hands on my hips and looked him straight in the eye. "Would you attack an unarmed woman?"

He dropped the brick and leaned out toward the roof. He shouted to the mob below. "Come up here!" He left the room calling to his friends.

In the meantime the mob started fires in the court, preventing our escape. Henry Reid, one of the missionaries on the ground did everything he could to move the burning objects out of the way. "Hurry. Jump. I'll catch you. Hurry!"

I had no choice. I prayed for God's protection of the baby I carried and leaped. I landed on my leg and twisted it. Emily jumped next. I hurried to stand and turned to watch her fall through the air, just as one of the men from the mob threw a brick at Henry Reid's head. It threw him off balance so he could not catch her. Emily fell flat on her back.

Rudland jumped last and helped Emily, Henry, and me flee the house. We ran to the same neighbor's house that helped Henry and George escape. The neighbors took us to an inner room where we would be hidden. 

Henry Reid groaned on the floor from his injury, I had a severe cut but my sprained leg hurt much worse, and Emily couldn't move her arm due to a compound fracture.

Our injuries may have stole our attention, but we continued to pray for Hudson and George's safety. Who knows what the mob has done to them.

I, Maria Taylor, am writing this for my husband, Hudson. Please pray for us. Our lives are at risk.

J. Hudson Taylor

Missionary to China--Inland China!

Blessed by God even in time of torment

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr. &and Mrs. Howard Taylor.

Elisha-The King Who Died Hungry

By Mary Vee
II Kings 6

From Elisha's Scrolls

Photo Courtesy

I sat in my house with the elders of the city. We discussed the Word of God and problems our city faced. 

Ben-Hadad, king of Aram took great joy in making life difficult for us here in Samaria. Not that long ago he sent the captain of his army, a man named Naaman, to be healed from leprosy. God chose to heal the man.

Despite this kindness given to the Arameans, Ben-Hadad gathered his army and circled the city. His goal was to starve us to death, break down the gates, and steal all that we had. Not the best way to say thank you for helping his captain.

They have been here for quite a while and our food is mostly gone. No one, not even the rich can afford to buy what little food is left in the city. Of course, no one can leave the city walls lest they be killed by Ben-Hadad's army.

God chose to let me know the Israelite king had felt overwhelmed and turned to rage. He sent a messenger to my house, he should arrive soon. The king is following close behind him. 

Once God finished letting me know, I leaped to my feet and shouted to the elders, "A murderer is sending someone to cut off my head. When the messenger arrives, shut the door and hold it shut against him because his master will be close behind."

While I was speaking, the messenger pounded on my door. The king did the same within a moment's time. The king shouted through the door, "This disaster is from the Lord. Why should I wait for the Lord to give an answer any longer? We are starving."

I said to him, "Hear the word of the Lord. About this time tomorrow, flour and barley will sell in the city streets as it once had."

I peeked through the window and saw the king leaning on an officer. He had little strength left due to his hunger. 

The officer who the king leaned on said, "Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, how could your words possibly come true?"

Yes. The doubt. When will these Israelites learn to believe the Word of the Lord and trust Him to take care of them?

I sighed. "You will see this all right. With you own eyes. But, you will not eat any of it."

The king's eyes squinted his continued unbelief. Foolish man. 

The king and his guards left my door, mumbling and complaining. Little did they realize God's answer to their problem was about to be shown to them.

**********************************
1. What did the Elders and Elisha talk about?
2. What did God tell Elisha would happen?
3. What had God done for Ben-Hadad's captain?
4. Did Ben-Hadad show his thanks?
5. What did Ben-Hadad do to the city of Samaria where the Israelite king and Elisha lived?
6. What happened to the people of Samaria?
7. When the king of Israel went to see Elisha, what did Elisha tell him?

Why Do We Tell Bible and Missionary Stories?

By Mary Vee

Happy New Year!!






We celebrate the start of a fifth year of this blog.

Sharing Bible stories on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 

Missionary stories on Mondays

These stories are told in the first person to help take you back in time to the event.

See the sites

Smell the scents

Taste the food

Touch the objects

Hear the sounds

The purpose of this blog is:

to help you experience these very real events 

to help you understand in maybe a small measure why God included this important event in His word.

to help you want to learn more and grow closer to God

For this reason you will not see advertisement on this page. 

This blog is all about God, His word, and how its importance in our lives.

In five years we have:

Walked from creation to Elisha's life events 
Walked with Gladys Aylward through her missionary journey in China
Walked a portion of J. Hudson Taylor's journey
Played Bible games (see tab at the top to find the games)
Discussed ways to keep safe (see tab at the top)



This year we will:

Continue Elisha's story
Continue and probably finish J. Hudson Taylor's journey.

May God bless you and your family in this new year. 

We look forward to your visits.