Daily Devotional for Wednesday, April 30

Edom Revolts Against Judah

“In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah,” 2 Kings 8:20.

The children of Israel were God’s chosen people. God called Abraham from among his idolatrous family to worship Him exclusively and promised to make a great nation that would bring the Messiah into the world. The covenant God made with Abraham was extended through Isaac and Jacob. As the firstborn of Rebekah’s twin sons, Esau should have received the birthright, but he despised it and sold it for a bowl of stew. Jacob received the birthright and the blessing of the future nation’s inheritance. Not only did Esau lose his inheritance, but Isaac prophesied that Esau and his descendants would serve Jacob and his descendants. One thousand years later, that is exactly what had occurred. The Edomites were serving under the dominion of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Esau’s descendants were serving Jacob’s descendants. 

King Jehoshaphat of Judah had given the kingdom to his firstborn son, Jehoram (also spelled Joram). Jehoshaphat was a God-fearing king, and the nation experienced a revival under his leadership. However, under King Jehoram the Southern Kingdom became even more evil than the nations God intended for them to evangelize. Jehoram’s wife, Athaliah, was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and she was an evil idolater. Instead of following his father’s godly example, Jehoram worshiped Baal and did evil in the sight of the Lord. 

Judah had become a center for idolatry under Jehoram’s leadership. Idolatry always weakens a nation. God weakened Judah even further when Edom revolted. The marriage alliance made by Jehoshaphat and Ahab led to many years of idolatry for Judah.

REFLECTION

Evil leaders weaken a nation and bring God’s judgment on the people. Pray for our elected leaders and all those in authority.

Karen Meigs