Jehoram (Joram) King of Israel

Introduction

I began to name this the ‘Bible Person Study’, but chose to go with the ‘Bible Character Study’. I hesitated to name it that, as I don’t want to diminish the fact that these are real people we’ll be examining. But the reason that it’s named the Bible Character Study is because we’ll be focusing on the person’s character throughout. But don’t forget that these were real people, with real lives that made real choices that had real consequences.

I. Jehoram’s Nature

((What is their History / Background?)

9th King of Israel

Jeroboam; Nadab; Baasha; Elah; Zimri; Omri; Ahab; Ahaziah

(Not counting Tibni as he wasn’t recognized as a king [1Ki. 16:21-22])

Son of Ahab & Jezabel

Brother of Ahaziah - former King of Israel

Reigned for 12 years (2Ki. 3:1)

During the Reigns of Jehoshaphat; Jehoram; Ahaziah Kings of Judah

Contemporary of Elisha

II. Jehoram’s Notoriety

(What they are known for?)

Walked as Jeroboam (2Ki. 3:2-3)

We notice that while Jehoram didn’t worship Baal as his mother & father (his mother whom is still living, mind you), he ‘cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam’.

What was the ‘sins of Jeroboam’?

Various, but they all stem from the mindset found in 1Ki. 12:25-33.

Pride

Selfishness

Led the nation into Idolatry

All the while knowing better

Victory against the Moabites (2Ki. 3:6-27)

One of the first things that we see is this great victory that God provided against the Moabites

Interactions with Elisha (2Ki. 3:11-19; 6:8-12; 20-23; 26-33)

Though not mentioned by name, it’s assumed that these interactions are with the King of Israel who is listed in the midst of his ministry.

His Wounding against the Syrians (2Ki. 8:28-29)

Read

His Death at the Hands of Jehu (2Ki. 9)

God anoints Jehu and he then rides on to slay Jehoram - and in turn slays the King of Judah as well - Ahaziah.

III. What Makes them Noteworthy

(What Lessons we can Learn from them?)

All False gods are Destructive (2Ki. 3:2-3)

As we noted earlier, the Bible makes a distinction between Baal worship and the ‘sins of Jeroboam’. However, either way you slice it, any and all false gods are destructive.

Whether it’s a couple golden calves, a statue of dagon or a grove of baal. All false god’s are destructive.

The same holds true today:

Regardless whether it’s hinduism, islam, buddha - the papacy & catholicism - each one of these will send souls to Hell.

Also note this: The Jesus plus gospel is destructive as well:

It destroys the joy for those that are saved

It destroys the hope for those who are not

All false gods are destructive

Blessings Come from Good Company (2Ki. 3:14)

We’ve talked a lot in times past about being ‘unequally yoked’ and to beware the company you keep… I want us to examine the truth that if you keep good company, it goes the other way.

(Explain the situation) Jehoshaphat was a Godly man, and Godly king. He wasn’t perfect, but he was one of the best after David. Elisha agrees to intervene in this situation - not because of Jehoram, but because of Jehoshaphat.

There’s a couple things to note here:

First, we should always be seeking out Godly people to keep company with. This will take us to hight places, it will make us better. Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Now on that note, understand the importance of simultude of the materials: Iron and Iron. Not Iron & Aluminum.

That being said, while this setup worked well for Jehoram, it didn’t end well for Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat’s yoking up with this heathen caused him to be part of and privy to sight of a man committing human sacrifice of his own son.

So Secondly, we need to guard against the mindset of ‘Well I’m Jehoshaphat trying to ‘lift up’ Jehoram’. As I said - these were not of the same make - Therefore, it worked out for Jehoram, but wasn’t a wise move on Jehoshaphat’s part.

Blessing come from Good Company

Heeding God’s Word Keeps you from Trouble (2Ki. 6:8-12)

While the chronology in 2Kings isn’t necessarily exact, it’s assumed that the king spoken of here is Jehoram. As Elisha had passed on God’s Revelations unto Jehoram (The King of Israel) it saved his life MULTIPLE TIMES.

What would have been the result had Jehoram disregarded the Word of the LORD? Destruction.

How many of you would agree with me that:

This is the Word of God?

What it says is True?

It has Practical Wisdom for daily living?

It has Eternal Wisdom that will bring us Rewards?

These truths will help us in every aspect and area of our lives?

IF we lived out the principles God teaches us, we’d live happier, healthier and overall more satisfied with life?

How many of us have experienced trouble that this book has warned us about?

How many of us believe:

We know all we need to know about this Book?

Church, I’m playing Captain Obvious here… but if we know all this and truly believe it - why don’t we spend more time in it?

Psalm 19:7–11 “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.”

Heeding God’s Word Keeps you from Trouble

The Father’s Sins Effect the Children (2Ki. 9:25-26; 1Ki. 21:29)

At the close of Jehoram’s life, we see a hearkening back to Naboth’s vineyard. (The story is found in 1Ki. 21)

(Tell the story)

At the conclusion, God sent Elijah down to pronounce Judgment upon Ahab & his house… After Ahab humbled himself, we see this: 1 Kings 21:29 “Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.”

(Ill.) Here recently there was a story in the news. From Colorado, an Egyptian man who was in the country illegally (as was his family) firebombed a Jewish demonstration. Afterwards, our homeland security proceeded to ship the entire family back to Egypt. Then the daughter of the father got on and said ‘Oh, I was going to study to be a doctor’ or something like that. Then demonstrating our countries Biblical ignorance, you had people citing:

Deuteronomy 24:16 “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.”

Ezekiel 18:20 “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”

‘We don’t make the children pay for the sins of their fathers’.

I want to explain the Biblical truth here. What these verses are saying is that legally speaking they will not be held for their crimes (i.e. - the wife & daughters are not charged with the crime itself) it doesn’t mean that they will not be effected by their father’s sin.

I heard that mess on the radio and I was just amazed. At the ignorance of the stance and the ignorance of the rebuttal. (The rebuttal being ‘these things are passed down).

I wanted to point out that them being deported was simply a result of the fact that they weren’t supposed to be here anyway - BECAUSE THE FATHER

Attention was brought to their illegal status - BECAUSE OF THE FATHER

They were not being punished for their father’s crime, but for the actions of their father… the same thing happens in every county, in every state in this union.

Poor Spiritual decisions effect the children

Decisions to do drugs & drink effect the children

Infidelity and broken homes effect the children

THIS IS WHY IT’S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE SET OUR CHILDREN UP FOR SUCCESS INSTEAD OF FAILURE!

The Father’s Sins Effect the Children

There is No Escape when your Judgment Cometh (2Ki. 9:17-24)

Here we see Jehu riding in - like a man on a mission.

They send out the first messenger - nothing. They keep coming.

They send out the second messenger - nothing. They keep coming.

That Judgment was coming from the LORD - and NOTHING WAS GOING TO STOP IT!

Church, it’s important for us to recognize that there’s a Judgment coming. Two different Judgments for two different groups of people - those dead and those quickened by the Spirit.

For us Christians, remember what Paul wrote:

2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

1 Corinthians 3:11–15 “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

For many Christians, this will not be a pleasant experience.

Many will wish they’d done more.

Wish they’d been obedient to the Spirit

Wish they’d laboured for Christ instead of their belly

Wish they’d studied more, prayed more.

Church, there is a Judgment coming for us - and you’ll not escape the Judgment of the LORD - therefore, we must decide upon Obedience unto the Spirit while we can.

There is no escape when you Judgment Cometh

Seeing is NOT Believing

Many people say ‘Well, if I could just see, then I’d believe. That’s not true.

Sonsider what Jehoram witnessed:

The miraculous providence of water

The providence of God in Battle

The Protection of God through Elisha

The miraculous providence of spoils from the Syrians

Yet none of this mattered. Why?

Sight is not a substitute for faith.

The multitude saw (Read Joh. 6:26; 66)

Judas saw, but still sold Jesus

Jesus told of the rich man (Luk. 16:27-31)

Speaking of which - how many saw the Resurrected Christ, yet still didn’t believe?

Church, if you’re waiting for some kind of ‘proof’, even if you get it, it won’t change you. You’ll either by faith believe, or you won’t.

Seeing is Not believing.

Conclusion