1 Kings 16:34 (ESV Strong's)
In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.
Tag: God’s Promises Are True - No Matter the Time Frame!!
In the above passage we see the cost to Hiel of Bethel for his rebuilding Jericho. It cost him his firstborn son and his youngest son. We have no idea what that means. We don’t know if they sacrificed them, sold them, or they died in the construction of the city. It is probably the later, but, the statement is a fact that by rebuilding the city, Hiel lost two sons. Why? It should remembered that Joshua destroyed Jericho years before. After that destruction, Joshua warned all mankind to NOT rebuild Jericho. Here is exactly what Joshua said:
Joshua 6:26 (ESV Strong's)
Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, “Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho.
“At the cost of his firstborn shall he
lay its foundation,
and at the cost of his youngest son
shall he set up its gates.”
Wow!! There are many promises and prophecies of God that come true. But, the specifics of this one and the acts of this one are amazing. We should never doubt God’s Word. God makes promises; both good and bad. They all come true. It should be noted that Hiel is from the town of Bethel. At one time Bethel was a place of blessing and God’s presence. Abraham was one of the first to settle there:
Genesis 12:8 (ESV Strong's)
From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.
The name “Bethel” means “house of God.” We can see how far Israel has fallen that a man from Bethel (Hiel) attempts to rebuild Jericho, a town that is to be cursed if anyone attempts to rebuild it. Hiel had such little regard for God’s Word and God’s prophecy that he attempted to rebuild the city. God Word remains true. Whether a prophecy for blessing or for curse. We must never doubt God’s Word. Never! It will always come true - blessings and curses.
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