2 Kings and 2 Chronicles

2 Kings Chapter 4 v 8 - 37

The Shunammite Woman.
We are to learn from this woman of great faith that we should always be looking for ways to do something for God.
We can't all be preachers or great evangelists but we can all contibute in some way no matter how trivial it may seem.

"And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

Ian 'lost his voice' recently and is recovering but hopes the croakiness and coughing does not interfere with your listening

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 13th Nov 2014

CHAPTER 4
(22) Then she called to her husband, and said, "Please send me one of the young men and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come back."
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 4 v 8 - 37

We are expected to grow in faith. Ian explains that 'faith' is towards an object and in our case the object is Christ.
In looking at these verses Ian shows how Elisha is seen as a 'type' of Christ

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 20th Nov 2014

(32) When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed.
(33) He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord.
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 4 v 38 - 41

Ian talks about the significance of Gilgal and the famine in the land.
This relates to the spiritual famine severely affecting our land.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 4th Dec 2014

(40) Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, "Man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it.
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 5 v 1 - 19

Naaman healed of leprosy.
Ian looks at the significance of Naaman's healing and deduces many attributes of the 'young girl'.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 18th Dec 2014

CHAPTER 5
(4) And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, "Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel."
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 5 v 15 - 27

God sees everything and knows all that is in our hearts.
With Naaman's healing Gehazi demonstrates what is in his heart despite outward appearances.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 8th Jan 2015

(26) Then he said to him, "Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 6 v 1 - 7

The floating axe head.
This event concerns building for God with what is borrowed. Ian explains how it relates to what is loaned to us and how we are expected to build ministry for God.
With changes in general attitudes and likely changes in law there is no time better than now as it will become more difficult for us in future.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 15th Jan 2015

CHAPTER 6
(5) But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, master! For it was borrowed."
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 6 v 8 - 23

Spiritual warfare.
Enemies of God will always attack His people. Ignoring all the evidence of the power of God, the King of Syria was at war with Israel and out to get Elisha the man who God informed as to how the enemy would attack.
We have the evidence of His power and God has informed us in His word of how our powerful and subtle enemy will attack us but, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 22nd Jan 2015

(16) So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
(17) And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 6 v 8 - 23

Those who cannot see.
Syrian enemies came to kill or capture Elisha.
Why did Elisha ask for them to be struck with blindness rather than so easily killing them?
Ian explains how we were all once blind enemies of God.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 29th Jan 2015

(20) So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, "Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see." And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 6 v 24 - 32

The terrible consequences of famine.
"So we boiled my son, and ate him."
Thinking only of self, people sank to the deepest depths of depravity during the physical famine. They do the same today in their spiritual famine.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 5th Feb 2015

(28) Then the king said to her, "What is troubling you?" And she answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.'
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 6 v 24 - end of Chapter 7

Rejection of God.
God aims to move people to repentance but the King of Syria demonstrates that even when the power of God is seen many continue to reject Him.
People are either saved or they are not. There is no middle ground.
The sinner who knows what he is, is in a far better position than the person in denial who thinks he is not a sinner.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 12th Feb 2015

CHAPTER 7
(19) Then that officer had answered the man of God, and said, "Now look, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, could such a thing be?" And he had said, "In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it."
(20) And so it happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gate, and he died.

2 Kings Chapter 8 v 1 - 6

Testing of faith.
A great famine. For some it brought judgement for their sinning ways, it brought others to repentance, but for the believer a test of faith.
God knows whether our faith is true. He test us so that WE may know it is true.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 26th Feb 2015

CHAPTER 8
(1) Then Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, "Arise and go, you and your household, and stay wherever you can; for the Lord has called for a famine, and furthermore, it will come upon the land for seven years."
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 8 v 7 - 15

Knowing God.
All those who have not put their trust in Christ will one day realise that everything they believed in was worthless.
King Ben-Hadad is an example of a man who knew OF God but chose not to know God.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 5th Mar 2015

(10) And Elisha said to him, "Go, say to him, 'You shall certainly recover.' However the Lord has shown me that he will really die."
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 8 v 16 - 29

Maintaining spiritual unity.
What good intentions motivated Jehoshaphat to form an alliance with Ahab and then with Ahab's son?
Why was he rebuked by God?
Today we see many who support 'ecumenical alliance' and inter-faith worship but biblically the bible-believing Christian has no part to play as there is only one gospel that saves. The gospel of Jesus Christ.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 12th Mar 2015

(16) Now in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, Jehoshaphat having been king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat began to reign as king of Judah.
. . .
(18) And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife; and he did evil in the sight of the Lord.

2 Kings Chapter 9

Please read chapter 9 before listening.
Jehu heard the word of God and acted on it but Ian examines whether Jehu actually believed or was working to his own ends.
This message relates to those today who are 'agents of change' within the church.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 19th Mar 2015

CHAPTER 9
(1) And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets, and said to him, "Get yourself ready, take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead.
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 9 v 1 - 13

In annointing Jehu, the 'son of the prophet' completed the command from God that was first given to Elijah and then passed to Elisha.
He was given everything needed to do the job.
Similarly a command given to the apostles has been passed on to us and we too have been given everything we need.
Do we have the willingness to take the gospel to others?

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 26th Mar 2015

(3) Then take the flask of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, 'Thus says the Lord: "I have anointed you king over Israel."' Then open the door and flee, and do not delay."
. . .
(13) Then each man hastened to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps; and they blew trumpets, saying, "Jehu is king!"

2 Kings Chapter 9 v 14 - 26

What is 'peace'? Can peace be obtained?
As with people in the world today King Joram and King Ahaziah thought that a cessation of hostilities meant peace but this does not bring peace within one's own heart.
It is the cause of hostilities that must be dealt with - sin within the heart of man.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 2nd April 2015

(18) So the horseman went to meet him, and said, "Thus says the king: 'Is it peace?'" And Jehu said, "What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me."
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 9 v 27 - 37

The fall of Jezebel.
Ian gives a quick resume of the history documented in the bible that he has covered in these studies.
The topic this evening is not only the evil of Jezebel but the manner in which such evil can infiltrate and influence the true church - exactly as we see happening today.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 9th April 2015

(33) Then he said, "Throw her down." So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot.
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 9 v 30 - 37 ( and Revelation 2 v 18 - 29 )

The spiritual Jezebel - part 1.
Ian explains how the Jezebel mentioned in the letter to Thyatira represents a corrupted religious system.
Christ sees what is truly in the heart of 'the church' and every individual.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 16th April 2015

REVELATION 2 v 20 - 21
(20) Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
(21) And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.

2 Kings Chapter 9 v 30 - 37 ( and Revelation 2 v 18 - 29 )

The spiritual Jezebel - part 2.
Just as the downfall of the Old Testament Jezebel happened exactly as God said it would so will the downfall of the spitual Jezebel be, exactly as foretold by God.
Beware false doctrine. Beware the antichrist.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 23rd April 2015

REVELATION 2 v 22 - 23
(22) Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
(23) I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

2 Kings Chapter 10

God is unchanging.
Was Jehu acting on God's command when 70 sons of Ahab were beheaded?
Could it be said that the God of the Old Testament is different to God of the New Testament?

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 30th April 2015

2 KINGS 10
(7) So it was, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons and slaughtered seventy persons, put their heads in baskets and sent them to him at Jezreel.
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 10 v 31 and 2 Chronicles 21

Athaliah's motive in the murder of all royal heirs may have been her own desire for power but she was fulfilling Satan's desire to halt the line of David and so prevent the Messiah being born as prophesied.
Satan remains just as active in our time.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 7th May 2015

2 CHRONICLES 21
(4) Now when Jehoram was established over the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself and killed all his brothers with the sword, and also others of the princes of Israel.

We apologise for the absence of a recording for 14th May due to a glitch in equipment.

2 Kings Chapter 12 and 2 Chronicles 24 v 1 - 14

The subject is the restoration of a dilapidated church suffering neglect, damage and the removal of things dedicated to God.
Believers are all 'living stones' in the church of God. As with the physical they are of differing 'sizes' but every one has a role to play.
Removal of one puts an additional load on others and weakens the structure which may eventually collapse.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 21st May 2015

2 CHRONICLES 24
(4) Now it happened after this that Joash set his heart on repairing the house of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 24 v 1 - 2 and 15 - 16

Ian continues to explain this period in history using the greater detail we are given in 2 Chronicles regarding the life of King Joash.
Jehoiada had raised and influenced Joash and there had been restoration of the people to God over a number of years but following Jehoiada's death it took little time for that restoration to be undone.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 28th May 2015

(17) Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them.
(18) Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass.

2 Kings Chapter 13

What was the sin that Jehoahaz 'followed', the sin that brought the anger of the Lord against Israel?
Ian gives examples of how insulting it is to the creator of all things to have what He has done attributed to another or for people to say that all the miraculous things around us and including us are the results of accidents.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 4th June 2015

2 KINGS CHAPTER 13
(2) And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin. He did not depart from them.
(3) Then the anger of the Lord was
aroused against Israel,
. . .

2 Kings Chapter 13 v 14 - 25

Elisha is dying and giving specific instructions to King Joash.
How does this show Elisha as a 'type of Christ' and what does it mean to us today?
Ian explains.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 18th June 2015

(18) Then he said, "Take the arrows"; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground"; so he struck three times, and stopped.
(19) And the man of God was angry with him, and said, "You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times."
...

2 Chronicles Chapter 25 v 1 - 28 and 2 Kings Chapter 14

Amaziah executed the murderers of his father but spared their children.
Ezekiel Chapter 18 v 20 tells us, "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, ... and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself" but Exodus Chapter 34 v 7 says, "... by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."
Is there a contradiction?
No. God demands the death penalty for murder but warns us of the consequences of certain kinds of sin.
Ian explains.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 25th June 2015

2 CHRONICLES 25
(3) Now it happened, as soon as the kingdom was established for him, that he executed his servants who had murdered his father the king.
(4) However he did not execute their children, but did as it is written in the Law in the Book of Moses, where the Lord commanded, saying, "The fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall the children be put to death for their fathers; but a person shall die for his own sin."
. . .

2 Chronicles Chapter 25 v 11 - 12 and 2 Kings Chapter 14

Who were the people of Seir and why did Amaziah attack and with God's help defeat them?
Amaziah started off well but turned away from God to other beliefs. How often do Christians say they trust in God and His word but turn to beliefs of the world, eg. evolution, and turn to worldly counsellors for help?
If we don't listen to God's word He will eventually leave us to our own choices.

We apologise for the sound quality of this recording

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 2nd July 2015

2 CHRONICLES 25
(11) Then Amaziah strengthened himself, and leading his people, he went to the Valley of Salt and killed ten thousand of the people of Seir.
(12) Also the children of Judah took captive ten thousand alive, brought them to the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were dashed in pieces.
. . .

2 Chronicles Chapter 25 v 14 - and 2 Kings Chapter 14

Britain has been 'Great' due to the blessing of God but just as Amaziah turned away from God to do as he wanted and to fight battles of his own choosing so too has our country both politically and in the general church taken on it's own agenda of fighting battles contrary to God's word and looking to other gods.
As with Amaziah - God WILL leave us to the consequences of our own choices.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 9th July 2015

2 CHRONICLES 25
(14) Now it was so, after Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the people of Seir, set them up to be his gods, and bowed down before them and burned incense to them.
(15) Therefore the anger of the Lord was aroused against Amaziah,
. . .

2 Chronicles Chapter 26 and 2 Kings Chapter 15 v 1 - 7

So many of these kings started well but later gave Satan an opening due to their own pride.
Ian introduces Chapter 26 and the life and demise of King Uzziah (King Azariah in 2 Kings) with this evening's message explaining how we should actively seek God for wisdom and understanding, and what it means for the unsaved and for believers to have a 'fear of God'.
The fear experienced by the unsaved should be a terror of the judgement to come but the believer has a reverential fear that reminds us who He is and stops us being 'careless'.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 16th July 2015

2 CHRONICLES 26
(4) And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord,
. . .
(7) God helped him
. . .
(16) But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction,
. . .
(21) King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death.

2 Chronicles Chapter 26 v 1 - 15 (2 Kings 15 v 1 - 7)

Verse 15 tells us that Uzziah's fame spread far and wide.
Where did his strength come from that enabled him to break down the strongholds of the enemy? Why did he replace such strongholds with his own cities and towers?
Ian explains the application of Uzziah's behaviour to us in relation to today's society of 'addictions'.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 23rd July 2015

2 CHRONICLES 26
(5) He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
. . .

2 Chronicles Chapter 26 v 16 - 23 (2 Kings 15 v 1 - 7)

Burning incense to the Lord represented prayer so although Uzziah had overstepped the mark by doing what the high priest did, what exactly had he done that was deserving of what appears to be a harsh judgement?
Using biblical references Ian offers a possible explanation as to why God struck Uzziah with leprosy.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 30th July 2015

(16) But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.
. . .
(21) King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He dwelt in an isolated house, because he was a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord.

2 Chronicles Chapter 27 (2 Kings 15 v 32 - 36)

King Uzziah (Azariah) remained a leper for the rest of his life. Had he lost his salvation?
Ian answers this and shows that just as Jotham did we should learn from the mistakes of others as well as emulating what is right in the sight of God.
As Christians are we 'mighty'? What should we be doing for those less so?

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 20th August 2015

. . .
(2) And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah had done (although he did not enter the temple of the Lord). But still the people acted corruptly.
. . .
(6) So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God.

2 Chronicles Chapter 28

Despite his parents and grandparents following the one true God, Ahaz devoted himself to the Baals and evil religious practice.
The Bible says (James 3:2), "For we all stumble in many things". All Judah including people of God were affected by Ahaz and his Baal worship. There was a throwing off of moral restraints resulting in shrine prostitution, orgies and the sacrifice of babies.
What is the message for society today?

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 27th August 2015

(1) Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord,
. . .
(19) For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the Lord.

2 Chronicles Chapter 28 (and 2 Kings 16)

Ian gives examples of child sacrifice in today's so-called civilised world.
Why did Ahaz embrace such depravity? Was his way in deference to the king of Assyria? Much of 'the church' today has lost its way in deference to the wishes of man.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 3rd September 2015

(20) Also Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him and distressed him, and did not assist him.
(21) For Ahaz took part of the treasures from the house of the Lord, from the house of the king, and from the leaders, and he gave it to the king of Assyria; but he did not help him.

2 Kings Chapter 14 v 23 - 29

In recent weeks we have been looking at what was happening in Judah. Ian now looks at what was happening in Israel during the same period. Do the kings influence the people or do the wishes of the people influence the kings? Many of today's churches are influenced by the wishes of the people and so teach a false gospel.
These kings including Jeroboam (the second), "did evil in the sight of the Lord" but God used Jeroboam to save the people.
God uses whoever He likes to serves His purposes.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 17th September 2015

2 KINGS CHAPTER 14
(26) For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter; and whether bond or free, there was no helper for Israel.
(27) And the Lord did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven; but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.

2 Kings Chapter 15 v 8 - 22

God's promise to Jehu is fulfilled in that his sons remain on the throne to the fourth generation but Zechariah continues to do 'evil in the sight of the Lord' with no thought of judgement and his imminent end in six months time.
The successive kings of the northern kingdom of Israel continued in evil ways and Menahem used worldly ways to bribe his way out of trouble instead of calling on the Lord.
Prophetically - the stage is set and judgement is imminent for us all. If we are to progress we must use the methods provided by God and not those of the world.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 24th September 2015

2 KINGS CHAPTER 15
(9) And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin.
. . .
(19) Pul king of Assyria came against the land; and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to strengthen the kingdom under his control.

2 Kings Chapter 15 v 23 - 31

Satan will divide to conquer.Those who are divided are weakened as demonstrated by two kings ruling simultaneously in the the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
Much of today's church is weakened by division and gullible souls are taken captive.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 1st October 2015

. . .
(29) In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maachah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria.

2 Kings Chapter 17 v 1 - 41

Hoshea became a 'puppet king'.
When he decided to break free he should have called upon God but instead looked to Egypt. He ruled only nine years and then his kingdom fell to the Assyrians.
What happened to the 10 'lost' tribes of Israel? Ian tells us what some believe but gives us understanding based on biblical references to them.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 8th October 2015

2 KINGS CHAPTER 17
(3) Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against him; and Hoshea became his vassal, and paid him tribute money.
. . .
(18) Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone.

2 Kings Chapter 17 v 5 - 41

Ian examines the idea that some countries, e.g. USA and UK are, or have been, 'Christian' countries.
Only the nation of Israel have a covenant with God.
Why then did the nation of Israel come to an 'end' at this point in time as described in 2 Kings? The people broke the covenant.
Verse 14 tells us, "they would not hear" and verse 18, "Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight;"
What is the application of these verses in today's world?

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 29th October 2015

(12) for they served idols, of which the Lord had said to them, "You shall not do this thing."
(13) Yet the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets."

2 Kings Chapter 17 v 24 - 41

The Assyrians destroyed the national identity of Israel. They brought into the country different languages, cultures and allegiances.
A parallel can be drawn between what happened then due to people turning away from the true God to what is happening in Europe today.

In this Bible Study Ian reads an article and shows a video.
You can watch the video on this website.
Articles similar to the one mentioned are available online by searching 'Eva Brunne remove Christian symbols'

PLEASE NOTE that when Ian mentions "bombs" going off outside he is referring to fireworks - Nov 5th - 'Guy Fawkes' or 'Bonfire Night' in the UK

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 5th November 2015

(24) Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities.

2 Kings Chapter 18 v 1 - 8

An introduction to the life and times of Hezekiah. A king dedicated to the Lord who reformed Judah and countered 'damage' done by his father.
Ian tells of how Hezekiah must have felt when observing the fall of Israel and reminds us that he made welcome those in Israel who worshipped the true God.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 12th November 2015

CHAPTER 18
(3) And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done.

2 Kings Chapter 18 v 1 - 5 and 2 Chronicles 29 v 1 - 19

Two things are required for reformation. All things that shouldn't be there must be removed and all things that are missing must be replaced but before any reformation can take place it must be seen that it is needed.
Hezekiah saw what was wrong and set about rectifying it. We are to do the same in getting rid of all the obvious rubbish from our life and 'the church' but what about the not so obvious. Why did Hezekiah destroy the bronze serpent that had been made on God's instructions?

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 19th November 2015

(4) He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan.

2 Chronicles 29 v 20 - 36

Hezekiah began the reformation immediately.
The sin of the people was not intentional as the cause had been Ahaz but that did not make it any less serious.
Ian explains unintentional sin and 'sin offerings' and gives examples of why we should not delay in addressing the things we know are wrong.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 26th November 2015

2 CHRONICLES CHAPTER 29
(20) Then King Hezekiah rose early, gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 29 v 25 - 36

Ian begins by reading an article clearly identifying the 'emergent church' as moving away from biblical teaching.
Hezekiah did things the way he did for a reason. He worshipped according to scripture.
If we want professional choristers, our favourite instruments and so on then it all becomes about us and is not worship of the Lord with a 'willing heart'.
It is an understanding of what Jesus did for us that brings true worship from the heart.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 3rd December 2015

(25) And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets.
(30) . . . sing praise to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness, . . .

2 Chronicles 30 v 1 - 27

Passover could not be kept at the time instructed (Leviticus 23 v 4 - 8). Was Hezekiah right to go ahead and keep it at a later date?
He didn't allow the urgency of the moment to pass away and nor should we in reaching out to ALL people. The runners carried a message from the king and many laughed at them and mocked them. We have a message from THE KING and will frequently receive similar mockery.
For the Jew Passover is a celebration of their deliverance from Egypt. For us it points to Christ and our deliverance from sin.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 10th December 2015

2 CHRONICLES CHAPTER 30
(6) Then the runners went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the king and his leaders, and spoke according to the command of the king:"Children of Israel, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; then He will return to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
(10) . . . but they laughed at them and mocked them.

2 Chronicles 31 v 1 - 21

What happens in the hearts of all people after revival?
They destroy all the things that previously had a hold on them. It sometimes happens that we who know the Lord can run a little cold (backslide) and can allow some of these things back into our life. We can have our own personal revival, get rid of what is inappropriate and destroy our idols.

Hezekiah lead by example and we have the same responsibility to contribute to the Lord's work. Don't leave it all to others.
All things that Hezekiah did he did "with all his heart". Similarly - all things we do we should do with diligence, with all our heart as we would for the Lord.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 17th December 2015

CHAPTER 31
(1) Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the sacred pillars in pieces, cut down the wooden images, and threw down the high places and the altars . . . until they had utterly destroyed them all . . .
(20) Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God.
(21) And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered.

2 Chronicles 32 v 1 - 8 and 2 Kings 18 v 13 - 16

We all falter at times and those who follow God's way WILL be challenged by the enemy and God will allow it to happen. This is not for God to test us but so that we know ourselves - know our own motivation and are strengthened by it.
Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem had a window of opportunity to prepare for an attack and prepared themselves accordingly.
We are living in a time that gives us a window of opportunity and we too should be strengthening ourselves and wearing our armour.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 7th January 2016

CHAPTER 32
(2) And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, and that his purpose was to make war against Jerusalem,
. . .
(5) And he strengthened himself, built up all the wall that was broken, raised it up to the towers, and built another wall outside; also he repaired the Millo in the City of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance.

2 Kings 18 v 17 - Chapter 19 v 7 and 2 Chronicles 32 v 9 - 21

Hezekiah and his people were in a minority greatly outnumbered by those who had no respect for him, the people, their beliefs
or the one true God.
As bible-believing Christians we face the same challenge today. Ian takes us through these verses showing how the enemy showed lack of respect and used ridicule, lies and persuasive words to undermine the people.
Remembering that God is in charge of everything how do we respond to this test? Should we sit back and do nothing or should we stand for Christ?

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 14th January 2016

2 KINGS 18
(19) Then the Rabshakeh said to them, "Say now to Hezekiah, 'Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: "What confidence is this in which you trust?
. . .
(29) Thus says the king: 'Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he shall not be able to deliver you from his hand;
(30) nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, "The Lord will surely deliver us; this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria."'

2 Kings 19 v 1 - 10

Ian continues from last week by asking us what should we do today when we or our Christian beliefs are under attack.
As individuals we will have all manner of issues come against us and as with Hezekiah our enemy will use them in an attempt to undermine our trust in God by suggesting God will not or cannot help in our particular situation or that God isn't listening or interested in our problem.
Like Hezekiah - we are to take all problems to the Lord in prayer confident in the knowledge that He sees and hears everything. We can engage others to join us in prayer but most importantly we are NEVER alone.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 21st January 2016

CHAPTER 19
(3) And they said to him, "Thus says Hezekiah: 'This day is a day of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth.

(4) . . . Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.'"

2 Kings 20

This is a sad account of the last part of Hezekiah's life.
Ian gives examples demonstrating that most believers 'die well' but although Hezekiah had done what was right in the sight of the Lord throughout his life he had difficulty coping with his own death.
Unless the Rapture occurs first we all face that moment when we move in an instant from this life to one in eternity.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 28th January 2016

CHAPTER 20
(2) Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying,
(3) "Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

2 Kings 21 v 1 - 18 (read also 2 Chronicles 33 v 8 - 19)

The wicked reign of Manasseh and his repentance.
At twelve years old Manasseh will have known of God but did not know God and so in the sinning nature of man gravitated to doing evil. He undid all the work of his father Hezekiah and the people turned away from God.
What made our nation GREAT Britain? The people of this country were predominantly bible-believing but what has gone wrong since the second world war? In this nation God has been replaced with lusts, materialism, obscenities, violence, the occult, etc. One only needs to watch TV to see how sin is embraced with enthusiasm.
After years of doing evil Manasseh was humbled by his enemies and turned to the true God crying out in repentance. God restored him as king and he set about rectifying the damage he had done.
There is still hope that our nation will repent but it may be necessary for Britain to be humbled before it can again be great.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 4th February 2016

Apology - We do not have a recording of this series for 11th February 2016

CHAPTER 21
(2) And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.
. . .
(12) therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel: 'Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle.
(13) And I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.

2 Chronicles 34 v 1 - 8

Ian recaps recent sermons especially due to the failure of the recording of last week.
This sermon is an introduction to the reign of Josiah - a king who did 'right in the sight of the Lord' but Ian looks back at how people and nations can drift away from God. How do people end up like that?

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 18th February 2016

Apology - We do not have a recording of this series for 25th February 2016

2 CHRONICLES CHAPTER 34
(1) Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.
(2) And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

2 Chronicles 34 v 8 - Chapter 35 v 1

Unlike the word of God technology can let us down. Ian again gives a summary of what we missed last week due to recording problems.
Josiah was doing everything he could and should to cleanse Judah of idolatry and restore the people to God. Why then was he distessed ("he tore his clothes") when he heard the words of the Law?

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 3rd March 2016

(18) Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it before the king.
(19) Thus it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes.

2 Kings Chapter 23 v 21 - 25

Why did Josiah bring back the Feast of Passover as a priority?
He was in the third stage of true restoration of the people to God. He had torn down and thrown out what was false, repaired and replaced what was broken and having found and listened to the lost word of God he was determined there would be a restoration of truth.
The first five books of the Bible (the Torah) are foundational in how to worship God and how to approach Him.
The 'church' needs a 'Back to the Bible' revival with Christ and the cross at the centre.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 10th March 2016

2 KINGS CHAPTER 23
(21) Then the king commanded all the people, saying, "Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant."
(22) Such a Passover surely had never been held since the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah.

2 Chronicles Chapter 35 v 20 - 27 and 2 Kings Chapter 23 v 28 - 30

Ian explains what was happening between Egypt, the Assyrians and the Babylonians at that time and asks why Josiah, a man who had done so much good in restoring people to God came to such an abrupt end.
There are many battles to be fought by Christians and we are to consult with God as to which are OUR battles and not to fight in those that aren't.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 17th March 2016

2 CHRONICLES 35
(20) After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah went out against him.

2 Kings Chapter 23 v 28 - Chapter 24 v 7

King Josiah had done his best in restoring the People of Judah to God but when he died many had only been paying 'lip service' and in their hearts wanted to return to their idolatry and their sinful lifestyle.
Without the King's protection the Prophet Jeremiah was persecuted. The word of God was no longer wanted.
God is patient in waiting for repentance but His wrath with Judah is seen over the next few decades.
Ian draws parallels with what is happeneing today. As a nation the word of God is not wanted in our country and the general 'church' has changed to giving people what they want - preaching love, forgiveness and happiness for all who will fill the seats without mentioning the wrath of God, sin, repentance and judgement.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 24th March 2016

2 KINGS 23
(31) Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
(32) And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done.

2 Chronicles Chapter 36

Ian gives an overview of this chapter concerning the last four kings of Judah with explanation of their names and the significance of that in what the people may have expected of them.
They were weak and spineless just as are many of today's politicians and church leaders who want acceptance of certain groups of people just to keep them happy. Anyone who is accepting of people who complain about Biblical teaching contrary to their chosen lifestyle or beliefs is not doing what is right in the sight of the Lord.
Are our politicians making it easier or harder for those who preach the gospel publicly?

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 31st March 2016

2 CHRONICLES 36
(1 - 4) Jehoahaz
(5 - 8) Jehoiakim
(9 - 10) Jehoiachin
(11 - ) Zedekiah

2 Chronicles Chapter 36

Almost at the end of this series which Ian called, "Prophets, Priests and Kings" he gives a short overview of the prophet Jeremiah who was preaching during the times of the last kings of Judah.
Like those who preach the gospel on our streets today Jeremiah met apathy, abuse, hostility and persecution. He had not chosen this life for himself but had been chosen for this purpose by God before he was born.
Jeremiah preached to unbelievers for 41 years that we know of despite times of diistress and despair at the ridicule and lack of interest of the people he was trying to reach in love.
Jeremiah had 'fire in his bones' to deliver the message. We need more Jeremiahs today.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 7th April 2016

(12) He did evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the Lord.
. . .
(22) Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia,

2 Chronicles Chapter 36

They thought it could never happen. Jerusalem destroyed, palaces burned down, the temple destroyed, people mercilessly killed and others taken away. Autonomous rule was brought to an end.
People had ignored Jeremiah who brought them the words of God. Not wanting to hear about repentance they listened only to those who preached wealth and happiness.
All people should learn from history, from mistakes and from the bad things that happen in their lives but Christians especially should learn how God has demonstrated His wrath following times of patience in conveying His word but has been ignored.
We live in similar times with those who mock and despise God but judgement is as Ian explains, 'just around the corner'.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 14th April 2016

JEREMIAH CHAPTER 7
(13) And now, because you have done all these works," says the Lord, "and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer,

Marriage of the Lord

In this the first of a short series of bible studies Ian explains how easy it is for Gentiles to miss the significance of things we read in the bible whereas Jews would immediately understand the message.
Jewish marriage comprises certain procedures and in these studies Ian will talk about Betrothal, Preparation, the Wedding and the Feast.

Betrothal - involving a legally binding contract where the couple are viewed as married although they are not living together and the marriage has not been consumated. The couple are expected to be faithful to each other.
The Father chose the bride for his son and Ian gives biblical examples. In the precise procedure of 'courtship' the man approached the woman with a contract and would be required and willing to pay a price to demonstrate the value he placed on her. The woman had a choice as to whether she would accept.
The couple showed they had a covenant (agreement) by drinking a cup of wine together with their arms entwined.

Why is all this important to us?
The Bible tells us the Christian church, comprising all true believers, is the bride of Christ.
We are living in the betrothal period.
We have the new covenant of Christ, drunk the cup and are in a faithful relationship born out of love. It is essential that we remain faithful.

Listen to this bible-study by Ian on 21st April 2016

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