V.1 This Jehu is not to be confused with the Jehu of 1Kin 19:16,17.  This Jehu was a prophet sent against Baasha; the other one was Yahweh's revenger on the house of Ahab. 

V.4 However, there are some similarities surrounding the time of both men.  It was forecast that both Baasha and Jezebel would suffer the same kind of death (2Kin 9:35-37). 

Vs.9,10,12 It is interesting that as Jehu confronted Jezebel, she cited the example of Zimri the usurper (2Kin 9:31).

V.8 When we compare this verse with 1Kin 15:33, we see that Baasha reigned for a total of twenty three years. Elah, his son must have reigned for less than two years, even though it says that he was king for two years, when we put this with V.10 we can soon see that it was just short of two years. He came to the throne during the 26th year of Asa, and was killed during the 27th year of Asa's reign.

V.34 After the destruction of Jericho, Joshua made a curse on anyone who would re-build the city (Josh 7:26).  In Ahab's time, Hiel re-built Jericho and lost two sons according to Joshua's curse.

Men of Yahweh who made blessings and curses had them honored by Yahweh.  We, as people of Yahweh in Christ, are asked not to pronounce doom on anyone (Rom 11:14).  Rather we are to follow the example of the Lord Jesus and not rail against injustice (Isa 42:3;53:7; Matt 5:39).  Judgement will come later by the hand of Yahweh (Rom 12:19).

16:6  A repeated word used to speak of the death of the king is that he ‘slept’ thus demonstrating that resurrection was an integral part of the teaching in Old Testament times.

Zimri's reign lasted but seven days (V15) but, in those seven days he was able to succeed in executing the judgement pronounced by the prophet Jehu against the house of Baasha (V.2-3) in wiping out the whole house of Baasha. (V.12)

16:15 Israel, I the north, was evil, ruled by evil kings. This evil was compounded by instability. Zimri reigned only one week.

Vs.17,18 Tirzah had been the capital city of the Northern Kingdom since Jeroboam.  Omri attacked Tirzah and, with the help of Zimri, it was destroyed. 

V.24 After the destruction of Tirzah, Samaria became the new capital of Israel. Samaria remained the capital of Israel until Assyria laid siege to it in 723 BC, which lasted for three years. After that, many of Israel's tribes were removed by the Assyrians and sent into captivity. 

16:30-33          There probably is not a greater or more extensive condemnation of any king of Israel or Judah than this one of Ahab seen here.

16:8 In giving a year in the reign of Asa when Elah began to reign we are given a point of reference when we seek to sort out the relationship between the reigns of the kings of Judah and Israel.

Vs.3,4 Baasha replaced Jeroboam for his sins.  But, Baasha sinned just like Jeroboam, and, therefore, he would be punished just like Jeroboam (1Kin 14:11). 

Vs.9,10 Jezebel compares Jehu, Yahweh’s avenger of the house of Ahab, to Zimri (2Kin 9:21). Jehu, the son of Hanani, declared Yahweh's punishment against Baasha via the hand of Zimri (v.16).  Jehu, the son of Nimshi, was the instrument of Yahweh’s punishment against the house of Ahab (2Kin 9:7).

The house of Ahab would suffer the same fate as the houses of Jeroboam and Baasha (2Kin 9:9). Anyone from the house of Baasha, like that of Jeroboam, who lived in the city, would be eaten by dogs (v.4; 1Kin 14:11). Of the household of Ahab, Jezebel, who lived in the city (Jezreel), would suffer the same fate (2Kin 9:10,35,36).  

V.29 And so began Ahab’s 22-year reign, from 919 to 897 BC. He had flashes of obedience to Yahweh, but was highly influenced by his ambitious Zidonian princess.  

Ahab did not learn by Solomon’s experience of taking strange wives, which turned him from worshipping Yahweh (1Kin 11:1). Notice that one of those strange women was a Zidonian, like Jezebel.

Likewise, scripture tells us that marrying a spouse who is not in the Truth can be disastrous to one’s spiritual health, and exhorts us not to do it (Prov 22:14,33; 2Cor 6:14).

There are several statements in this chapter which show that God works behind the scenes in our lives. Baasha's ascension to the throne in 1Kin 16:2 seems obviously God's work because God speaks directly to Baasha by a prophet. Yet at the time Baasha may have had no idea he was being influenced by God (15:27-30). Also the events in v18-19 appear on the surface to be entirely Zimri's own actions, until we read that they happened "because of the sins which he had committed". So the Bible means us to see that God was at work in these events, conspiring for them to end in Zimri's destruction. Although this chapter is mostly negative, we can still gain instruction on how God works through these examples in our own lives for good.

16:34 The injunction about rebuilding Bethel was given by Joshua in Josh 6:26. So Hiel’s actions were in direct rebellion against the words of God thought Joshua.

In this chapter, all the people come to Jeremiah and ask him to pray for guidance (v2). They declare how they are willing to take any answer, and do exactly what God requires of them (5-6).

It sounds very similar to our prayers, doesn't it? The ones we pray when we need or want something. I dare say that our motives are often the same as these people too. They wanted to go to Egypt, and only Egypt. They wanted to feel safe. They wanted to be well fed (v14). Nothing wrong with that surely?

So why ask God then? If there was nothing wrong with going to Egypt, why did they pray to God for guidance, rather than just going? Surely if something's right then you just do it! They knew that it was wrong to go to Egypt. They knew God had said "you will never go back there" (Deut 17:16). They were doing the thing that young children do, asking a second or tird time just in case the answer would be different "this time". How often are our prayers for guidance just thinly diguised demands for what we want? How often do our prayers come from our deceitful heart, trying to feel justified in going a way we know to be wrong?

Sometimes we ought to look into the word of God for our answers, rather than spending too much time in wordy requests for guidance. Prayers can make us feel very pious, but we can find ourselves justifying just about anything by claiming "I made the decision prayerfully" or "It must be God's will". David said "thy word is a light to my path". It is to the word that we should go for our guidance. It is here that God has already written an answer to our every prayer.

Vs.2,3 Prayer is an integral part of a relationship with Yahweh (Rom 12:12; Phil 4:6;1Thess 5:17;1Tim 2:8; James 5:16).  However, prayer is of none effect if hearts are not genuine, as Yahweh reads the innermost thoughts of man (1Sam 16:7; Matt 6:8). 

Here, the remnant of Judah asked Jeremiah to pray to Yahweh for guidance for them.  But it was obvious that their hearts were not true (vs.20,21).  They had already made up their minds before asking for guidance, and were really seeking approval.  Thus, what Jeremiah said on another occasion rings true (Jer 17:9).  

We are encouraged to pray to Yahweh often (1Thess 5:17). But, must never attempt to use Yahweh as a rubber stamp. If we are genuine, we will leave all results to His will.  Jesus was prepared to do this, in His most anxious hour, and so should we (Matt 26:42).

42:2 Remember we have already read that Jeremiah had been told not to pray for the people Jer 7:16, 11:14, 14:11

42:3 Notice how the people are distanced, in their own mind, from God calling the ‘the Lord thy God’.

42:19-22‘go not to Egypt’ had been the warning of the prophet – Isa 31:1 – the people had asked Jeremiah to pray for them and now they are not willing to listen to the answer! How often are we like this? We are happy to do what God wants of us when it matches our own desires.

V.7 Yahweh could have answered Jeremiah right away if He wanted to do so. But, Yahweh often tests the faith and patience of His children.  We should be aware of these things in our lives: Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him (Psa 37:7).

V.21 We are encouraged to pray (Phil 4:6). And we should have the confidence that we shall receive an answer (James 1:6-8). However, that answer might not be the one expected or desired by us.  But, if we are faithful, we shall accept it because Our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us.  If we seek eternal life, and a place in the kingdom, then Yahweh will guide us to those goals, but only if we listen to Him (Luke 11:32).

The remnant of Judah wanted salvation.  Yahweh showed them the way to salvation.  However, they refused His guidance because it was not what they wanted to hear.  Let us not make the same mistake in our dealings with Yahweh as Judah.  If we do, we will not end up with eternal life or a place in the Kingdom

42:4-7 Notice how Jeremiah tries to get those to whom he is speaking to recognise God as ‘their God’ and not just the God of Jeremiah.

:15 In commanding the disciples to preach to 'every creature' we have the origins of the language [Colossians 1:23] where Paul informs us that the words of Jesus actually have been fulfilled. So, without wishing to say that we no longer need to preach, the work has been done. It is not as if our preaching if doing a work that the apostles did not do. They completed the job in their day and we are repeating the work, as far as we area able without the Spirit gifts.

At his death a very necessary thing had happened. They had all sworn they would not forsake him, yet they all had. They were all condemned men and women. All their enthusiasm for the law, and their illusions of greatness during his rule, had been shattered. Their mourning for him was a mourning also for the cause that they had believed in so fervently, which was now lost to them. What was worse, they hadn't even stood up and fought for it.

Yet, these were now men and women who Christ could work with. They were humbled and destitute. His reapearance to them effected a magnificent change in them. They were as it were "re-born", having been through a great trial of faith. They had failed that trial, and were now ready to accept the saving name of Christ, and his forgiveness. This was the gospel that Jesus now asked them to preach

Vs.1,3 The women came to the sepulchre to anoint the body of the Lord.  But they wondered who would roll the stone away from the entrance for them. 

The stone was large, flat, round, and heavy.  It ran on a track which had bumps on the ends of the opening to secure the stone from rolling away.  It would need the efforts of several men to roll the stone clear of the entrance.  The women would not be capable of doing this.  

WONDERFUL WOMEN of FAITH

These women Mark 16:1 could do very little in the eyes of the world -

* They couldn't speak before the Sanhedrin in Jesus' defense

* They couldn't appeal to Piot

* They couldn't stand against the crowds

* They couldn't overpower the Roman guards

BUT THEY DID WHAT THEY COULD -

* They stayed at the cross when the disciples had fled

* They followed Jesus' body to the tomb

* They prepared spices for his body

* They took advantage of what they could do for Christ, instead of what they couldn't do

THEREFORE - they were the first to witness the resurrection

16:1-3  These details emphasise to us that beyond any shadow of a doubt the women did not expect Jesus to rise from the dead.

V.16 This verse leaves no doubt that belief (in the Gospel) and baptism are two essential elements of salvation.  Without them a person is condemned.

16:18 The taking up of serpents and not being hurt is seen to be fulfilled in the life of Paul – Acts 28:5.

Baptism (lesson 3 of 20 from "Outline of Basic Bible Teachings" by Wes Booker

I. Is it essential for salvation? Mark 16:15-16. meaning of word - "dip or plunge"

II. Verses on baptism:  A. John 3:3-5 - necessary to enter the kingdom  B. Acts 2:37-38 - repentance needed first  C. Acts 8:12 - knowledge  of the gospel is needed  D. Acts 8:36-39 - v.39: "when they came up out of the water" implies complete immersion  E. Acts 9:17-19 - Saul (Paul) baptized  F. Acts 10:44-48 - Gentiles first baptized  G. Acts 16:25-33 - compare v.31 and v.33  H. Acts 22:12-16 - wash away sins  I. Titus 3:4-7 - washing of regeneration (rebirth - NIV)  J. Gal 3:26-29 - Abraham's seed

III. What it symbolizes - death, burial, resurrection of Christ:  A. Rom 6:3-5  B. Col 2:10-13

IV. Wrested scriptures:  A. Matt 18:3-6 - note context: the need for childlike qualities  B. 1Cor 1:17 - note context: it's irrelevant whether Paul was baptizer or someone else did the baptizing

16:3 The women knew that there was an obstacle (the stone) in the way of carrying out their work for their master.  They did not allow this thought (this obstacle) to stop them in the work of their master, they started out even though they knew there was an obstacle in the way of fulfilling this work.  How many times when we are in our masters service do we have obstacles ahead only to find a way has been prepared.  Exhortation, there are many obstacles on the way as we walk towards the Kingdom/in our masters service, these must not make us sit at home or give up.  This would be the mind of the servant with the one talent (Matt 25:24-25), we must remember the words of our master and take courage (Mark 10:27).

V.5 This young man found sitting was a divine angel (See Matt 28:2).  Have you noticed that all the divine angels mentioned in the Bible were of male form?  For example: the three men who came to Abraham (Gen 18:2); the angel who came to Samson’s parents (Judg 12:11-13); Gabriel who appeared to Daniel and Mary (Dan 8:16; Luke 1:19) etc. were all males.

All divine angels reflected the image and glory of Yahweh.  Man was made in the image of Yahweh (elohim, both a term which means the mighty ones (angels); but a term which can apply to Yahweh Himself (Gen 1:26).  But, woman was made from man (Gen 2:22,23).  And so, divine angels do not have a female form.

However, women who are redeemed at the judgment will be like the angels in that they will attain immortality like them (Luke 20:36).  But, more important, the Redeemed will be placed higher than the angels, in the future divine hierarchy. 

Jesus has obtained a higher status than the angels because of His inheritance (Heb 1:4).  Those of His redeemed brothers and sisters will join Him, in that inheritance, and help Him rule in the Kingdom (Rev 20:6).  The divine angels will be there to assist Jesus and the Redeemed in their roles.

16:10-14 Notice the way in which Mark, by the spirit of inspiration, stresses that the disciples did not believe.