Jeremiah-When Greed Avalanches

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 40, II Kings 25

From Jeremiah's Journal

Photo Courtesy- Mizpah-home of Gedaliah

My name is Jeremiah. I am a prophet, a person sent from God to give messages to the Israelites who still live in Jerusalem.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon appointed Gedaliah to be governor over Jerusalem.

Gedaliah was a kind man who worked for King Nebuchadnezzar. 

There were those who wanted our land returned to the Jews and Jewish rule. God said this punishment would happen. He also told the people to live under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar. 

During the seventh months of Gedaliah's rule, the men and women who still lived in Judah had a good life. They harvested summer fruits and had nice homes.

One day, though, Ishmael, who was of royal blood and an officer of the king, brought with him ten men to visit Gedaliah in Mizpah.

Gedaliah welcomed them warmly and invited them to sit down to a meal. Ishmael accepted the invitation. They all sat at the table and were served the best food.

While they were eating and talking, Ishmael signaled his ten men. They all stood, drew their swords and attacked Gedaliah, all the Jews, and the Babylonian soldiers sitting at the table.

The next morning no one had heard what had happened to Gedaliah. They didn't have phones or computers. Everyone who was alive to report the news had been killed. 

Ishmael and his ten friends walked away from Gedaliah's home. On the road, they met eight men who had completed a vow and were on their way to offer a grain and incense to God at the house of the Lord.

Ishmael walked toward them weeping (he was faking), and said, "Come to Gedaliah's house. The eighty men followed Ishmael to Gedaliah's house. Once inside, Ishmael killed all but ten of them who promised to give him food. 

Ishmael took prisoner every person left in Mizpah, including the king's daughters whom Gedaliah protected, and marched them to the Ammonites.

Who will God send to stop this evil man?

Come back to see what happened next.
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1.  Everyone lived in peace in Judah until...?
2.  Why did Ishmael come?
3.  How did Gedaliah treat Ishmael?
4.  What happened at the meal?
5.  What did Ishmael do to the eighty men?
6.  What did Ishmael do to the rest of the people living in Mizpah?

Jeremiah-The Day Jerusalem Fell

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 39, II Kings 25

From Jeremiah's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Jeremiah. I am a prophet, a person sent from God to give messages to the Israelites who still live in Jerusalem.

If only King Zedekiah had listened to me. He asked me to his chambers one last time and said, "I am afraid of the Jews who have gone over to the Babylonians. If I surrender, the Babylonian army may turn me over to those Jews and they will mistreat me."

I said, "No they won't. If you obey what God says, those things will not happen to you."

But he didn't. 

On the fourth month and the ninth day, famine had become so severe in the city of Jerusalem that no one had even a crumb of food. 

No one could go out to the farmland to harvest any crops because the Babylonia army guarded the city.

On this same day, while King Zedekiah reigned, the city wall was broken through by Nebuchadnezzar's army. The high officials of the king of Babylon took seats in the Middle Gate to show they were in charge.

King Zedekiah peeked around a corner and saw them sitting there. He turned to the few loyal men he had left and said, "Quick, get me out of here."

They left the city at night by way of the king's garden and through the gate between the two walls. They crept along the road towards Arabah.

I had warned him that he would not be able to escape the king of Babylon. And so it happened, just as God said. Some Babylonian soldiers saw Zedekiah and his officials escaping and ran after them. The soldiers stopped them in the plains of Jericho.

The soldiers tied King Zedekiah's hands and took him to King Nebuchadnezzar. The king of Babylon didn't even wait a moment before giving Zedekiah his sentence. Nebuchadnezzar killed Zedekiah's sons and his officials right before his eyes. Then he made Zedekiah blind, tied him in bronze chains, and took him to Babylon. Zedekiah was thrown into prison where he stayed until he died. 

I wish he had listened to God's message.

The Babylonians broke into the temple and stole the bronze pillars, the movable stands, and the bronze Sea. They also took the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes and all the bronze articles used in the temple service. Then they stole the basins, censers, sprinkling bowls, lamp stands, dishes and bowls used for drink offerings, all those made of gold, silver, and bronze.

On the tenth day of the fifth month, the commander of the Babylonian imperial guard set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building burned to the ground. The army then broke down all the walls around Jerusalem.

The imperial guard took more captives, but left the very poor--those who owned absolutely nothing. To these people, the guard gave fields and vineyards to care for.

Sadly, 4,600 people from Jerusalem were taken captive to Babylon in all. They became servants to the Babylonians until the kingdom of Persia came to power. 

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1.  What was King Zedekiah afraid of?
2.  What didn't the people have?
3.  What did the Babylonian army do?
4.  What did Zedekiah decide to do?
5.  What happened to King Zedekiah?
6.  Did the people obey God?
7.  How many prisoners were taken to Babylon?

Jeremiah-The Thieves Who Robbed Temple Treasures

By Mary Vee
II Kings 24, II Chronicles 36, Daniel 1

From Jeremiah's Journal

Photo courtesy

My name is Jeremiah. I am a prophet who witnessed what Nebuchadnezzar did.

Taking King Jehoiachin, all his officers, and all the smart, young men as prisoners wasn't enough for Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon 

He also removed all the treasures from the temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and took away all the gold items Solomon, king of Israel, had made for the temple. 

He took everything, the beautiful golden lamp stand, cups, basins, the golden table, the gold covering all the walls, the jewels, all the richness given as an offering to the Lord. He loaded it in the military chariots and wagons and hauled it to the temple of god in Babylonia. 

Lost from us.

There were so many wagons full of gold, bronze, and silver hauled away with no care taken for their importance at all. These hand crafted temple items were crammed into every open space. The army's greed grew with each additional item they found. All that had once been given as an offering to God--now gone. Treated as mere metal.

The armies stayed for days removing all Nebuchadnezzar wanted.

The temple was a wreck. The beautiful place to come and worship God, in ruins.

Next he took into exile ten thousand men who were craftsmen, officers, and fighters from Jerusalem to put to work, leaving behind only the poorest people. Those that didn't have the strength to work or survive--left to find their own way in Jerusalem. 

Nebuchadnezzar made Jehoiachin's uncle, Zedekiah, the king and made Zedekiah promise to obey him or suffer a great punishment. Of course, he agreed.

Because the kings of Judah would not lead the people to worship God, we suffered ruin, just as God said. The only thing we can do is pray for forgiveness that one day the great city of Jerusalem will be returned to us.

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1. What king came to Jerusalem to conquer the city?
2. What people did he take for prisoners?
3. What did he take from the temple?
4. Where did he take the temple things?
5. Who did he leave in the city?
6. Which prophet is a witness to this story?

Manasseh- Following the Crowd

By Mary Vee
II Kings 20-21

From the Journals of Isaiah

a Baal idol Photo Courtesy

What amazes me is how easily the people of a nation follow their leader.

I thought, really hoped, the people of Judah had changed their hearts, truly loved God and loved to follow his laws as Hezekiah showed them.

I thought they had seen and felt the joy that could only come by following his ways. 

Instead they chose to do what was popular. 

Manasseh was only a boy of twelve-years-old when he became king. He didn't know what he was doing. 

He had friends that talked him into looking at what all the nations around Judah did. He didn't want to listen to his father's advisors. 

Manasseh and his friends didn't want to stand alone in a faith worshipping the Almighty God when all the other nations around them had idols decorating their cities and villages.

Manasseh's dad, King Hezekiah, was dead. This meant Manasseh could do what he wanted as the new king. He listened to his friends and rebuilt the high places his father had destroyed. He built altars to Baal and made new Asherah poles for the people to worship like his grandfather, Ahab had done. 

Manasseh bowed down to the stars and worshiped them. He built altars in the temple of the Lord. I wept and tried to speak with him. He would not listen to me.

Instead he built more idols. He added altars to all the starry hosts in both courts of the Temple, and sadly, even offered his own son for a sacrifice to these idols. 

He became excited and encouraged the people to join him in practicing sorcery. He even went to fortune tellers. I am so sad to say they people did as he asked. No one that he was willing to listen to rebelled or try to teach him to turn away.

Then one day he took the carved Asherah poles that he ordered to be made and put it in the temple. God's temple! The temple God said, "In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever....if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them and will keep the whole Law that my servant Moses gave them."

But the people did not listen.

Manasseh sadly led them astray. The people of Judah did more evil than the nations God had punished before them.

One thing I can tell you, though. Manasseh may be leading the people down a wrong path and this may look like he has won, but God has already said the people of Judah will be punished for not obeying His laws.

They wouldn't have to be punished, if they would only say they were sorry.

Unfortunately, I have a feeling they are enjoying all these bad things too much to care. Come back to see what happens. 

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1. Who was Manasseh's father?
2. What did Manasseh want to change for what his father did?
3. Why did he want to make these changes?
4. Who tried to help him?
5. How old was Manasseh when he became king?
6. Why did the people follow him?
7. Do you think this will turn out well? Why?

Hezekiah-God's Promise to Punish the Bully

By Mary Vee
II Kings 19, Isaiah 37

From the Journals of Hezekiah

Last time I told you about the mean things Sennacherib had done. He is the king of Assyria.

That guy is such a bully. And when bullies yell mean things, nothing can be said back. If anyone tries to say anything back, the bully works very hard to say even meaner things.

I walked away from him and went to the temple where I prayed to God.

In my day, God sent messages to people through his prophets. The prophet Isaiah lives here and loves the Lord with all his heart. 

Isaiah came to my chamber and said God had a message for me. God said, "I have heard your prayers about Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and have said these things against him:

"Who are you to insult Jerusalem? Your insults are really against me, the Holy One of Israel.

You have sent messengers who have shouted cruel things against me.

You brag about things you have done to frighten the people of Jerusalem.

What you didn't know is I had planned for you to succeed in those very things.

I even know where you live and when you come and go 

and how you are so angry against me.

Because you have been so angry, I will force you to go back to your homes 

and end the battles."

God then said to me: "This year, Hezekiah, you will eat what grows by itself from the crops, and next year too. But the third year, plant seeds and reap a harvest. A group of people from Judah will stand strong like the crops. There will be survivors staying in Jerusalem."

This made me feel better. I knew then that we would be able to stay.

Isaiah finished telling me God's message by saying what would happen. "Sennacherib will not enter Jerusalem. He won't shoot an arrow here. He won't bring his army or his weapons. He will go back home and not enter Jerusalem.

"I will defend this city and save it for my sake and for the sake of David my servant."

I must admit. I felt so much better knowing God would take care of the bully.

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1. Bullies sure can cause us to feel bad. What was the first thing Hezekiah did to stop the bully?
2. In the days that Hezekiah lived, what is one way God sent messages to people?
3. Describe the prophet Isaiah.
4. God said not to worry. The bully meant their mean words against ___________
5. What did God say he would do to the bully?
6. What did God say would happen to Jerusalem?

Hezekiah-God Comforts When Bullies Are Mean

By Mary Vee
II Kings 18 and Isaiah

From the Journals of Hezekiah

Photo Courtesy

I couldn't handle the horrible news Eliakim, Shebna and Joah brought to me. 

As king of Judah, it is my duty to lead my people. They all heard Sennacherib's cruel words about the Almighty God. 

I could handle him saying lies about me, but when he said, "How can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand." He made fun of the power of God. Big mistake.

Yes, I know God can easily take care of Sennacherib, but I love God and would not want anyone to speak evil of Him. 

I felt embarrassed to even speak to the prophet Isaiah about the problem so I sent Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah to tell him my thoughts:

"This day is a terrible day, One where cruel and mean things are said by the bullies surrounding us. It's like having no strength to give birth. It may be that the Lord your God will hear all the words of the field commander, whom his master, the king of Assyria has sent to make fun of the living God. And when He hears those words He will punish Sennacherib for what he has done. Isaiah, please pray for those from all Israel that still survives."

Isaiah sent a message back to me. "This is what the Lord says. Do not be afraid of what you have heard. Every word the king's helpers said against me I have heard. The words are not against you. Listen! I am going to put such a spirit in him that when he hears a certain report he will return to his own country, and there I will have Sennacherib put to death.

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1. Why was King Hezekiah upset?
2. King Hezekiah tore his clothes and wept. He went to the temple. Why didn't he talk to the prophet Isaiah?
3. What message did he send to the prophet?
4. What did message did God give to Isaiah to say to Hezekiah?

Hezekiah- Bullies Like to Lie

By Mary Vee
II Kings 18 and II Chronicles 32

From the Journals of Hezekiah

Photo Courtesy

As king of Judah and a man who loves to serve God, hearing men say mean things about God really hurt my heart.

I didn't like listening to Sennacherib's official shouting lies to the people of Jerusalem. They said them so loud, all my soldiers and citizens standing on the wall heard them. 

I looked at the people's faces and saw their strength drain from them. They were listening to the bullies. 

After my official Eliakim, Shebna and my field commander, Joah asked the Assyrians to speak in the Aramaic language, the bullies refused and shouted  louder in Hebrew, the language our people understood.

The Assyrians said, "Do you think we only want Hezekiah and you to hear our message? No we want the soldiers and the citizens to hear. They need to know we will conquer and force them to have nothing to eat."

The commander stepped away from the officials and set his hands by his mouth to help his voice go farther. "Hear the word of the great king of Assyria. People of Jerusalem, do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He can't save you from us. Don't let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the Lord. We will conquer Jerusalem. 

"Don't listen to Hezekiah. Make peace with us and come join us. Every person who surrenders will have plenty to eat and drink. You will be taken to a land like Jerusalem. A land of bread and vineyards, olive trees and honey. Choose life and not death."


I wanted to cover my ears. I have served God as king of Judah and tried to teach the people to always worship Him. I wish I could make the bullies stop shouting. I wish the people of Jerusalem couldn't hear them. But the bullies didn't stop.

The official shouted again. "Don't listen to Hezekiah. He is misleading you when he says the Lord will deliver you. Has the god of any nation ever delivered them from our hands? Where are their gods now? How then can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand?"


I can't even write any more of the horrible things the officials said. They called out in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem standing at the wall just to scare them in order to capture our city. They even insulted our God by saying the God of Jerusalem was the work of men's hands. I couldn't stop my tears. The Almighty God, our creator, should not have to hear such words.

But, thanks be to God, the people of Jerusalem kept silent and said nothing back to the bullies. I had commanded them not to answer anything the bullies said. 

When the officers came back inside the city and told me the rest of the mean things the bullies said about us and God, we fell to our knees and tore our clothes. We put on sackcloth and went to the temple of the Lord and cried out to Him.

Come back next time to see what happened.

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1.  Who were the bullies?
2.  The bullies said mean things about Jerusalem, king Hezekiah, and God.  What did the people do?
3.  Did any of the people from Jerusalem rush out accept the gifts from the bullies?
4. When the officials came back in the city and told king Hezekiah the rest of the message, what did they all do?

Hezekiah - Sennacherib the Bully

By Mary Vee
II Chronicles 32

From the Journals of Hezekiah

Photo Courtesy

A few days after we finished rebuilding Jerusalem and preparing for war, I received a message from Sennacherib, king of Assyria. Like I've said before, this man is a bully. 

He sent his supreme commander, his chief officer, and his field commander with a large army to deliver the message. Did he really have to send that many people?

I sent my officers out to meet with them.

The field commander from Assyria delivered this message:

"Tell Hezekiah this is what the great king of Assyria said: 'What makes you think you can be so confident? You say you have strategy and military strength, but your words mean nothing. Who are you depending on to give you the power to rebel against me? Look. You are depending on Egypt to save you.

"And if you say to me, 'We are depending on the Lord our God'--isn't he the one whose altars you removed? Didn't you say to Judah and Jerusalem, "You must worship before this altar in Jerusalem"? 

"When you say, 'The Lord our God will save us from the hand of the king of Assyria,' you are  misleading your people. You want them to die of hunger and thirst.

"Don't you know what my fathers and I have done to all the peoples of other lands? Did the god of those nations deliver them from my hand? Were any of the gods from other lands able to save their country from me?

"Listen to my advice, people of Jerusalem. Don't let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Don't believe him because no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver you from my hand! I'll give you a chance. Make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I'll give you two thousand horses, that is, if you can put riders on them. Hah.

"How can you turn me down by depending on Egypt for chariots and horsemen? You know I have come to attack and destroy this land without any word from your God. The Lord himself told me to march against this country and destroy it." This ended his message.

My officials were quite concerned. The Assyrian messengers shouted their words loud enough for our soldiers on the walls to hear. The words sounded right, even though they were wrong. We didn't know how many of our soldiers would surrender to that bully Sennacherib.

My officials, Eliakim and Shebna and my field commander, Joah said to the Assyrian officials, "Please speak to your men in Aramaic since we understand it. Don't speak in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall."

Do you think they spoke quieter?  Come back next time to see what happened.

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1.  Who was the bully?
2.  Who did the bully pick on?
3.  This bully lied. He said ___________ could not help them because no other god had helped any other land.
4.  Why did Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah ask the Assyrians to speak in Aramaic instead of Hebrew?

Hezekiah's Wish for More Time Granted

By Mary Vee
II Kings 18-20

From the Journals of Hezekiah

Photo Courtesy

Assyria was a bully. It was a big, powerful, kingdom with an unstoppable army.

I didn't want Judah to serve Assyria and chose to rebel against their king by not sending him the money he demanded.

During this time, I led the army into battle against the Philistines as far as Gaza and the land surrounding it, winning the battles for the Lord.

I had been king of Judah for fourteen years when Sennacherib, king of Assyria attacked and captured some of our cities. 

To save the people, I sent a message to Sennacherib: "I have done wrong. Remove your army and I will pay whatever you demand of me."

Sennacherib demanded three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. I took gold and silver from the temple and from the royal palace and gave it to the scoundrel. 

Some days later, I became ill. The sickness was so bad, I knew I would die. 

The prophet Isaiah came to my chamber and said, "This is what the Lord says: Take care of everything in your house because you are going to die. You will not recover from this disease."

The news upset me terribly. I turned to the wall and prayed: "Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." I couldn't speak anymore and wept as I never had before.

Isaiah left the room. 

It only seemed a short time before he came back to my bedside and said, "God told me to tell you this message, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.'"

Isaiah ordered the servants to prepare a mixture of figs. They did and put the medicine on my boils. 

I wasn't sure if this mixture would really work. "Isaiah, what will be the sign that the Lord will heal me and that I will go up to the temple of the Lord on the third day from now?"

Isaiah seemed pleased with my question. "This is the Lord's sign to you that the Lord will do what he has promised: Choose one of these: shall the shadow go forward ten steps or shall it go back ten steps?"

To me the answer seemed clear. "It is a simple matter for the shadow to go forward ten steps. Have it go back ten steps."

Right before me, Isaiah prayed to the Lord and asked that the shadow go back ten steps. The Lord instantly made the shadow go back the ten steps it had already moved down on the stairway of Ahaz.

Just like God said, I was well in three days. Praise God.

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1.  Who attacked Judah?
2.  What did Hezekiah, king of Judah do about it?
3.  What happened to Hezekiah?
4.  Who visited Hezekiah with a message from God?
5.  What was the message?
6.  What did Hezekiah do about it?
7.  What did Hezekiah ask for 10 forward or 10 back? Why?

Worship Only God

By Mary Vee
II Kings 17

From the Journals of Isaiah

To remind you what is happening, Hoshea, king of Israel made Shalmaneser, king of Assyria angry. 

Shalmaneser put Hoshea in jail, conquered the land of Israel (not Judah), and dragged the people off to Assyria to be servants.

To keep wild animals from taking over the Israelite land, Shalmaneser brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim to live in the Israelite homes. 

These Assyrian people took over the businesses and everything in the the Israelite towns. They even brought their gods with them to worship. 

The problem now became that no one, not even one person remained in the land who still worshiped God. Even though there were people living in the towns, God allowed lions to come into the homes. They killed some of the people.

A messenger took the news to Shalmaneser. He said, "The people you sent to live in the towns in Samaria, Israel do not know what the god of that country wants. He has sent lions, which are killing them off because the people do not know what he wants."

"Hurry," Shalmaneser said. "Take one of the Israelite priests back to Samaria Israel to live. Have him teach the people I sent what needs to be don to please the god of the land."

The servants obeyed and brought an Israelite priest to Bethel to live. He taught the people how to worship the Lord.

Unfortunately, the new people not only worshiped the Lord, the one true God, but they also worshiped their own gods. Men from Babylon worshipped Succoth Benoth. The men from Cuthah worshiped Nergal. The men from Hamath worshiped Ashima. The Avvites worshiped Nibhaz an Tartak. The men from Sepharvites offered their children to their god Adrammelech.

So, although they worshiped the Lord, they also worshipped these other gods. What kind of worship is that? 

God said, "Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them. Bu the Lord who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices. Always keep his commands. Do not worship other gods. Rather, worship the Lord your God. It is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies. 

But they would not listen.

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1.  Hoshea was king of ________________
2.  Where was he taken?
3.  Who took over the Israelite land?
4.  Where were the Israelite people taken and what did they have to do?
5.  Why did lions come?
6.  Did the new people worship the Lord?
7.  What did they do wrong?

Hoshea Wouldn't Listen To God

By Mary Vee
II Kings 17

From the Journals of Isaiah

Photo Courtesy

As one of the prophets in Israel, God gave me the job to warn the kings when they made bad choices. 

Hoshea was king of Israel. He led the people to worship many gods and to not obey the laws God had given them. 

During Hoshea's time, the people of Israel had to pay Assyria money to keep them from attacking.

Making the king of Assyria angry would not be a wise move. Assyria had a strong and powerful army, riches, and could easily win a battle against Israel. 

After years of paying money to Assyria, Hoshea decided to stop giving them anything.

When the money didn't arrive, Shalmanesser, king of Assyria had his soldiers spy on Hoshea. They came back with this report: "He is a traitor. Hoshea sent messengers to Egypt asking for their protection against us. He also paid them money. The money that should have been sent to us."

Shalmanesser became very angry. "Capture Hoshea and throw him in prison." 

While the king sat in prison, Shalmanesser ordered his army to march against Israel. For three years Assyria attacked Israel. They battled in every part of Israel's land and won.

Shalmanesser's army took the Israelite people as prisoners and sent them to be servants in Halah, Gozan, and cities of the Medes.

God told me this happened because the Israelites had sinned against Him. They worshipped gods that weren't real instead of the true God who saved them from Egypt and the power of Pharaoh. 

God had sent them many warnings to turn from their evil ways. To obey God's commands. I wasn't the only prophet He sent to tell them.

The people wouldn't listen to the warnings. They insisted their way was good.

The only way to make them stop, and to hopefully help them understand what they did wrong, was to take everything away from them. 

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1.  Hoshea was king of ________________
2.  What did he lead the people to do?
3.  Israel had to pay money to ____________ to keep them from attacking.
4.  One year, Hoshea decided to _____________
5.  Who did Hoshea ask for help?
6.  What did Shalmanesser, king of Assyria do?
7.  What could Hoshea have done to stop all of this from happening?

King Jeroboam II and Jonah

By Mary Vee
II Kings 13, Jonah

From Jonah's Journal

Israel has a new king, his name is Jeroboam II. Amaziah is still king of Judah. Neither king has guided their people to worship the Lord. 

To protect my own life, I have kept somewhat silent about the sins of these kings.

One day, as I went about my work, I heard a message from the Lord. He said, "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."

Now the city of Nineveh is not only great, but they have a mighty army. The people of Israel and Judah have not wanted anything to do with them. We have actually feared the day they will try to conquer us. I don't like them and can't see why God would want to help them.

Nineveh is to the east. I packed a few things and hurried to the Great Sea. By going west, I hoped to get out of this task God had given me. I chose to go to Tarshish and hide. To get there I needed passage on a ship. I kept walking west to the city of Joppa where I found the shipyard. At the ticked office I asked when the next ship would sail for Tarshish. 

"There is one leaving shortly." The man said.

"Good." I paid him the money for a ticket, grab my belongings and boarded the boat. The captain and crew greeted me. I went straight to my cabin below deck, lit the lantern, and locked the door. The room was small and smelled, but I didn't care. Anything seemed better than going to Nineveh.

The bed had a thin mat and felt like a board. I laid down and closed my eyes, hoping to pass the time, but couldn't sleep. Soon the ship rocked back and forth. Finally we'd set sail. 

The rocking movement increased. It seemed a storm must be pushing the boat around. I laid down on my bed again, this time I fell asleep. A sweet, deep sleep where no one would bother me. 

Suddenly, the door to my cabin banged open. I opened my eyes in time to see the captain rushing toward me. His face was red with anger and his clothes soaking wet.

"How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god!" He grabbed me and forced me to stand. "Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish."

He brought me on deck with the others. The wind and rain nearly threw me over the edge. The crew ran about the deck tossing things over the side and securing the ropes. 

Huge waves splashed over the sides onto the deck, soaking my clothes. 

I knew right away what caused the storm.

Jonah will tell what happens next time.

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1. Who is the new king of Isreal? Is he a good king?
2. What job did Jonah have?
3. What did God ask Jonah to do?
4. Why didn't Jonah want to do the job?
5. Why did Jonah want to go to Tarshis?
6. What did he need in Joppa?
7. What happened to the ship?

Three Times-Just as Elisha Said

by Mary Vee
II Kings 13

From the scrolls of Jehoash, king of Israel

Photo Courtesy

The raiders from Aram are driving me crazy. Ben-Hadad, king of the Arameans has tormented us longer than we can endure. 

I went to Elisha recently. The prophet lay on his death bed, still willing to tell me what to do. He told me to shoot an arrow out the window. I did as he said. Elisha gave the blessing that we would defeat Ben-Hadad at the next battle. 

One battle does not win a war, though. Elisha asked me to strike my bundle of arrows on the ground, I did as he said, three times. Elisha grew red with anger. He asked my why I hadn't hit the ground more. He then said the Israelites would only win three more battles against Ben-Hadad.

I wish I had hit the ground more.

I returned to my palace and prepared for the battles. 

The next morning, a few citizens stood in line to bring their issue to my attention. The tall one in the group spoke for them. 

"As you know, my lord, Moabite raiders enter Israel during the spring."

"Yes, I know. Tell me what happened."

"We were burying a man yesterday." He looked at the others in his group then turned back to to me. "We saw a group of Moabite raiders sneaking behind some bushes near where we were burying our friend. You know how cruel they've been. The Moabites don't take prisoners. They torture their victims then kill them." He cowered back a little. His friends encouraged him to keep speaking. "Elisha's tomb was right there. We tossed our dead friend into Elisha's tomb and planned to run away. But the moment our friend's body touched Elisha's bones--our friend came to life. He stood right in front of our eyes!"

I found his story a bit difficult to believe even if their friend had touched the prophet Elisha. "Have you any proof of this?" I asked.

The group of men pushed one of their company forward. "I am he, my lord."

At that moment I remembered Elisha's words, declaring we would win the next three battles against Ben-Hadad. I dismissed everyone and called for my officers. "Gather your troops. We are going to war. We will no longer remain under the tyranny of Ben-Hadad. Have your men ready to march first thing in the morning."

The next day we marched to three cities which had been captured by Ben-Hadad's cruel army. Before each battle, I gathered the soldiers together and reminded them the cities belonged to us and, according to Elisha, the Lord said he would give the cities back to us. 

Fired up and ready for battle we faced Ben-Hadad's men and won all three battles, reclaiming Israelite cities as ours.

Just as Elisha said.

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1. What king caused trouble for the Israelites?
2. What happened to the citizens who tried to bury their friend?
3. What had Elisha told King Jehoash about the battles?
4. Who did the cities first belong to?
5. Who had captured the cities?
6. Who said Jehoash could have the cities back?

Elisha-His Last Duty

by Mary Vee

II Kings13

From Elisha's Assistant's Journal

Photo Courtesy

I have been assisting the prophet Elisha as he grew older. I see that he has food, take care of his needs, and go with him when he has duties to perform.

Elisha has become quite ill in his old age. He spends more time in bed than ever before.

Jehoash, king of Israel came to the door, yesterday. "I heard Elisha is ill. I'd like to see him."

I showed him to Elisha's bed chamber and stepped back. I didn't leave the room in case either of the men needed something.

King Jehoash ran to Elisha's bedside and wept. "My father! My father! What should I do? The army of Aram is heavy upon us. We will all die. Tell me what to do."

Elisha opened his eyes and spoke. "Get a bow and some arrows."

King Jehoash left the room and returned with the bow and arrows. He kneeled at Elisha's bedside and said, "Look I have done as you asked."

Elisha said, "Take the bow in your hands." 

King Jehoash remained by the bedside but picked up the bow. Elisha put his hands on the king's hands and said, "Open the east window."

The king slid his hands away from Elisha's, walked to the window, and opened it.

Elisha softly said, "Shoot an arrow."

As the king obeyed, Elisha said, "The Lord's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram! You will completely destroy the Arameans at the battle of Aphek."

The king smiled and returned to Elisha's bedside. Elisha said, "Take up your remaining arrows."

Jehoash obeyed and waited for the next instruction. 

Elisha said, "Strike the ground."

Jehoash picked up the arrows and struck the ground three times and stopped. 

Elisah's face turned red with anger. "You should have struck the ground five or six times. Then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroy his army. But now you will defeat it only three times."

King Jehoash closed his eyes and sighed. I helped him to leave the room.

As the sun set that day, Elisha closed his eyes and breathed his last breath ending his life here. 

I know, though, that one day I shall see him in heaven.

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1. Who came to visit Elisha?

2. What problem did the king have?

3. What did Elisha tell him to do with the bow?

4. What did Elisha tell him to do with the arrows?

5. What battle did Elisha say the king would win?

6. What did the king do wrong?

7. What happened later that day to Elisha?

King Joash-At last, Judah Can Rest.

By Mary Vee
II Kings 11

From the scrolls of Jehoiada, 

Priest for the Living God in Judah

Photo Courtesy

Last week, I, Jehoida, high priest in Judah, wrote about the courage God gave me to put young Joash on the throne. 

He was just a boy. I knew. But Judah could no longer tolerate the evil Ahtaliah as queen. Everyday she remained on the throne the kingdom fell farther away from worshiping the Almighty, the God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Something had to be done. Now.

I called the other priests and soldiers for a meeting. They followed through with the preparations I requested and a crowning ceremony for seven-year-old Joash followed,

We didn't hold back the noise and cheering that followed. The country had to witness the changing of rule. Unfortunately, this meant Athaliah, would also find out. 

I must admit my courage slipped a bit. I had to stay focused, and knew that God would keep--even make his promise happen. A son of David would be on the throne. Don't forget, Athaliah thought she killed all of the royal family before taking the throne. My sweet wife, Jehosheba rescued Joash before Athaliah reached the room where the princes stayed.

From my position, I saw Athaliah stomping toward the temple of the Lord. She stopped suddenly and looked at Joash standing by the pillar as was the custom for a newly crowned king.

I didn't stop the officers and people from shouting their cheers and blessings. Neither did I stop the trumpeters from blowing their horns. 

Still, above all the sounds, Ahtaliah's voice suddenly boomed. "Treason! Treason!" She tore her robe to show her anger.

Before she could voice a single command I stepped forward and ordered the commanders of units of a hundred troops. "Bring her out between the ranks and put to sword anyone who follows her."

Despite my desires, Athaliah could not be killed while she stood on the ground of the temple of the Lord. Instead, we waited as she stomped about, shouting and attempting to retake control of the throne. When she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, the soldiers put her to death.

This ended the horrible reign of Athaliah over Judah and began the reign of young Joash, a son of David.

We, God's people, the priests, and king Joash stood at the temple of the Lord and made a covenant to be the Lord's people. We all marched to the temple of Baal and tore it down, smashing the altars and idols and killed the evil priest of Baal as he stood in their temple.

Oversight of the temple of the Lord was returned to the Levites as David had assigned. They presented burnt offerings of the Lord as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and singing. Just as David had ordered. Doorkeepers were also stationed at the gate of the Lord to prevent those who were unworthy to enter. 

I took the commanders of hundreds, the nobles, the rulers of the people, and called all the people of the land to join us as we brought young Joash down from the temple of the Lord and paraded through the city into the palace through the Upper Gate. We led young Joash to the throne room and watched him sit. 

Oh my, if only you could have heard the people rejoicing, singing praises to God, and cheering for the new king of Judah, Joash, a son of David.

In my private room I wiped a tear and couldn't help but smile. At last. The city was quiet, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword.

Young Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years I had the strength to instruct him. We can rest in our worship.

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1. Who was the Priest for the temple of the Lord?
2. Who was hidden in the temple for seven years?
3. Who did they hide this person from?
4. Why did they hide this person?
5. What did Queen Athaliah do when she heard the noise?
6. All the people, priests, and troops led a seven-year-old boy where?
7. Why?