2 Kings 8:1-9:13
2 Kings 8
Vs. 1-6 Another one of those little miracles.
Now, we have seen miracle after miracle so that Elisha was a walking legend. But the purpose of what God did was to bring Israel to worship Him alone. They chose instead to worship Baal, and other gods. They still had the golden calves and thought they were worshiping Yahweh too. At this point then, God directed Elisha to the next step of judgment.
Vs.7-15 Elisha doesn't lie here. The king would have recovered, but Elisha knew that Hazael would murder him. Remember, this anointing was commanded to Elijah as one of the acts of judgment God would bring against Israel. Notice that before God did that, years of grace and miracles preceded, showing that God was slow to anger and willing to welcome a repentant people.
Notice that the Syrians have both knowledge of and respect for Elisha. They also acknowledge Yahweh as one of many gods.
Vs. 16-29 This portion is sort of the historical backdrop for the anointing of Jehu in the next chapter.
All of these names are confusing. Since the northern and southern kingdoms were on good terms, they were naming their kids the same. This gives us two Ahaziahs and two Jehorams.
V. 18 Notice that his wife was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. Jehoshaphat, the godly king, engineered this marriage. This marriage, and his friendship with Ahab, sent Judah into a long season of ungodliness and idolatry.
Vs. 20-24 Normally, Judah shouldn't have had a problem with Edom, but since they were not following the Lord, the Lord didn't give them victory.
2 Kings 9:1-13
V. 1 "Tie up your garments" means that he should make himself ready to run.
Vs. 6-10 This is the other part of the judgment that God told Elijah would be carried out against Israel and against the house of Ahab.
V. 13 These men recognized the prophet and they believed the word he spoke to Jehu. How do you account for this "religiousness" of the people, yet they didn't worship God? I wonder if this is the same thing we see happening today.
Acts 16:16-40
Vs. 16-24 This is the first of two times Paul would be persecuted for posing a threat to the area businesses.
V. 21 In the scope of Acts this is important that they are being accused of violating Roman law.
V. 23 This must have happened quickly and violently, since Paul didn't have time to react and tell them he was a citizen of Rome.
Vs. 25-34 This is hard to reproduce in contemporary strategies of church planting or growth.
Vs. 35-40 This is interesting because Paul doesn't just let this pass. He makes a point of making the Roman magistrates publicly pronounce them (and Christianity) innocent. It was quick, easy and made a point.
This fits into what Jesus said to His disciples about being wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Psalm 143
This is a great psalm. Being able to identify with so much of this, I really appreciate the middle section, verses 5-8. This is the kind of intense training in faith that all of us need. As Jesus told his disciples regarding the trials they would face, "he who endures to the end will be saved." That means they will be saved from a ruined faith and damaged life. Hoping in the steadfast love of the Lord is what saves us from damage.
Proverbs 17:26
Amen.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
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