Jehoram of Judah
(2 Kings 8:7-15, 23-29; 9:1-37; 10:1-17)
(2 Chronicles 22:1-9)
King Jehoram of Judah
King Jehoram of Judah was the son of Jehoshaphat. He married Athaliah, daughter of wicked King Ahab of Israel, probably for strategic political purposes.
In Hebrew history, Jehoram is remembered as a weak ruler, if he is recalled at all. Even as he died of an affliction of the bowels, Jehoram has been regarded as a leader without guts. In fact, his name has become a Hebrew slang term for weakness or wimpiness.
A single Bible verse sums up the end of Jehoram’s life and reign as King of Judah:
“Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king,
and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.
He passed away,
to no one's regret,
and was buried in the City of David,
but not in the tombs of the kings.”
(2 Chronicles 21:20, NIV, emphasis added)
Does this verse give you pause, as it does me? If even a king's memory may be forgotten, what might it take for any of the rest of us to leave a legacy that counts? Don't we long for our lives to contain meaning that outlasts our years?
May God guide us to live faithfully, so that our mortal years may count in the lives of those we leave behind.
No Stone Salute
A Naisaiku Thought on a Ruler Forgot
No one mourned his loss.
His weak ways died with him,
Wasted legacy –
No stone salute.
Wasted legacy –
His weak ways died with him.
No one mourned his loss.
How time swings the scale.
Gutless leaders long erased
By a mighty Hand.
Unfaithfulness tumbled.
By a mighty Hand,
Gutless leaders long erased.
How time swings the scale.
Protest merits not.
Heritage and character –
Lifetimes are the cost.
Lord, make my life count.
Lifetimes are the cost –
Heritage and character.
Protest merits not.
c2009 by Linda Ann Nickerson
Will you pray with me?
Gentle Shepherd
And Mighty Warrior,
You are the King of Kings
And Ruler of all.
Lead us in Your truth,
Along Your paths of righteousness.
Guide us in Your will,
And build Your character
Within us,
So we may leave legacies of faithfulness,
Instead of forgotten follies.
Make our lives count
For Your Kingdom.
Amen.
Poetry posted in response to these prompts:
Easy Street Prompts (“defiance)
Meme Express (Sunday Invitation to Simply Snickers)
Naisaiku Challenge (Naisaiku poetry)
Simply Snickers (“salute,” “stone” and “swing’)
Weekend Wordsmith (“protest”)
Yeah, loved the way you did this, very informative post, and the prayer, has a relevant message for me at this very time too. many thanks for posting this!
ReplyDeleteI just loved the way what you did with your poem. I can't imagine someone who can use all 5 prompts on a single poem piece.
ReplyDelete