2 Kings 15-16
2 Kings 15
Vs. 1-7 Azariah is also king Uzziah, well known in Isaiah chapter 6. Notice that he reigned 52 years. You can imagine the sadness of the event when this king died. It's interesting here that it mentions that God made him a leper, but never says why.
Vs. 8-12 This fulfills the promise to Jehu.
Vs. 13-22 Apparently Menahem reigned by virtue of instilling fear (v. 16).
Vs. 23-26 It's interesting that there was so much killing and bloody takeovers in the northern kingdom.
Vs. 27-38 Probably the most interesting thing in this section of musical kings, is the name of Tiglath-pileser (Tiggy) of Assyria. Assyria would be the country that would take the northern kingdom into exile. They were a brutal, fear inspiring people. They often led people into captivity by marching them along with a meat hook through the muscle of the captive's chest, attached to rope tied to a wagon or a horse. You didn't want to fall. Assyria was poised to become the first world empire, but in the middle of their conquests, they lost 185,000 men in a single night and that weakened them enough to eventually tip the scales to the side of Babylon.
2 Kings 16
The importance of this story is that it is Ahaz, an evil king of Judah, who gets the ball rolling against Israel. These were a very destructive 16 years for both kingdoms. In Jerusalem, Ahaz modified the worship in the temple to be more reflective of Assyria. In verse 18 it gives the idea that the modifications were actually seen by Tiggy. In one of the ancient Assyrian stone etchings, there is a picture of Ahaz bowing before Tiggy.
Hezekiah would be a welcome change for Judah and, thankfully, nothing like his father.
Acts 19:13-41
Vs. 13-20 These two events are a part of the atmosphere of wonder that God had created in Ephesus to get the church there, up and running.
One notice here, the people burned their books of their own accord. There were no Baptists back then. This was done by the newly saved.
V. 17 It is interesting that this story became known to all and led to the next event.
Vs. 21-22 seem to echo the first few verses of 1 Cor. 16.
V. 24 Here we meet Demetrius, a silversmith who led this riot of other makers of statues and other craftsmen. Later there will be another of these guys, Alexander the coppersmith, in 2 Timothy 4, who will be responsible for Paul's final arrest and imprisonment. Paul tells Timothy to beware of him because of his violence toward Christianity.
As disciples, there is some wisdom to staying out of harm's way. Not because we're afraid or embarrassed, but because our focus is on the harvest, not the barking dog. When Jesus says not to throw what is holy to the dogs or throw pearls before swine, it has nothing to do with fear, but rather not wasting our time on the hard of heart.
V. 34 Can you imagine people in a stadium yelling this for two hours?
Vs. 37-41 Notice that Luke is showing here that Christianity is being pronounced "not guilty." This would have gone into the official records of Ephesus.
Psalm 147
If I had to choose a verse from this psalm that speaks to me, it would be verse 11. Which verses stand out to you?
Proverbs 18:4-5
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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