2 Kings 20:1-22:2
2 Kings 20
It should seem unusual that suddenly we have three whole chapters having to do with Hezekiah. We have had little detail regarding kings like Asa and Uzziah, but here we are being treated to some in-depth treatment of Hezekiah. A person's importance, for good or for bad, is often signaled by the amount of space they receive. Hezekiah was a great king; but his world and his faith got "rocked," and he slipped and fell. This story is here for us as disciples so that we don't slip and fall too.
Vs. 1-11 The threat of death seems to have shredded Hezekiah. I know this seems like what we might all do if we were in the same circumstances. The point is, as strong as our faith and walk is as disciples, we don't know how something unexpected might hit us. For one person, impending death doesn't shake them. For another person it shakes them to their foundation. It could be anything, death, threat, financial ruin, sexual temptation, need for recognition, money, constant aggravation with something, loss of a job, loss of someone we love. In the kings of Judah, we see almost all of these. They are there for us to learn.
V. 8 Why did Hezekiah have to ask for a sign? Did that show how precious his life was to him?
V. 11 I don't know much about physics, but unless this was a trick with angels holding flashlights, God did something pretty amazing here. I'll bet He didn't even break a sweat.
Vs. 12-15 The other reason these men came to visit Hezekiah was because the Assyrian army had been decimated in trying to attack Jerusalem. They were not only thankful, but they were kind of scouting out the territory. Jerusalem was a long way from Babylon.
V. 14 Up to this point, we don't have any idea that something might be wrong. In Chronicles, there will be a small sentence that ought to strike some fear into any serious disciple.
Vs. 16-19 This is judgment. Hezekiah's words in verse 19 indicate something that was wrong. He was betraying the next generation for peace and comfort in his life. This is something for us to learn.
2 Kings 21
V. 1 Note that Manasseh was twelve when he began to reign. How many years did God grant to Hezekiah when he turned to the wall and wept bitterly? That's right, there would have been no Manasseh if he had died. I heard Walter Martin mention this in a sermon and he broke into a Yiddish accent and said, "Sometimes, better you should die."
Vs. 1-16 Manasseh brought a curse of judgment upon Judah that God would not forgive. Ironically, Manasseh was the longest reigning king of Israel, northern or southern kingdom. How tragic. And as much as we have here that is said about Manasseh, there is still more to be said.
Interestingly, there is much more to say about Manasseh that is bad, especially about the shedding of innocent blood. Tradition has it that Manasseh put Isaiah to death by cutting him in two. A magic trick gone bad?
In order for Manasseh to reign the longest of all the kings, 54 years, he had to have been a good king, a good administrator. They had prosperity and he was likable. Ok, he killed all of his opponents and anyone who didn't see things his way, filling Jerusalem with innocent blood. Success and having "a way with people," in this case, brought an incredibly hard judgment from God.
But, in Chronicles, we'll learn something about Manasseh, really about God, that will blow you away.
Vs. 19-26 Now it should be no surprise that Amon was evil. His father was a true piece of work, but the story is a little more complicated. What we don't see here is that Amon ruled during his father's absence (Manasseh was on "vacation") and when his father returned some things changed. Amon un-did the changes and that is why he was killed.
2 Kings 22:1-2
I don't know why the editors did this, only including two verses, but, whatever. There is a lot to say here and some of it is supposition on my part. So, bear with me.
Notice how old Josiah is when he begins to reign. Notice what it says about him in verse two. How did that happen? Possibly his mother, right? Now, go back a little over these numbers. How old would Josiah have been when his grandfather Manasseh died? Now, it might be a good idea to read 2 Chron. 33:10-23. Something happened to Manasseh which he couldn't pass on to his son, but he might have been able to pass on to his grandson. I think this is what happened. I think God used the worst king, to influence the best king.
Tomorrow we'll read about Josiah, who in my opinion, was the godliest king of Israel. The Spirit says there was no king like Josiah. Now David was unique and Hezekiah was unique and both were godly. The context of each of these men defined their unique faith and godliness. Josiah's context is also very unique. As we'll see tomorrow, his challenge was completely hopeless. God said so. Still, he served with an energy and vision that was amazing. Just before the storm struck, Josiah would be a light of grace and be used by God to save Israel during the exile and to preserve God's redemptive purpose in Israel. It will take a couple of months before all of the pieces fall together, but it will amaze you. You don't get this stuff out of a book or a Sunday school class or even a seminary class. It is the result of reading your Bible year after year after year.
Acts 21:17-36
Vs. 17-26 Notice that the church in Jerusalem was very heavily burdened by believers who still regarded the Law as binding. This might have been more cultural than theological, but the impact was very oppressive. We tend to think that "liberalism" is the greatest threat to Christianity, but in the NT, it was radical conservativism.
If you want an interesting note on what is about to happen here, look at what Paul says to the Christians in Rome in Romans 15:30-31. He knew what was possible and this prayer was answered…kind of.
Some people think Paul made a mistake by following this advice, but Paul did keep vows and in 1 Cor. 9:19ff he expresses his freedom to fit in when necessary for the Gospel. Knowing Paul, this was not wrong or a mistake. In Acts 23, we'll see this was all according to plan. It didn't matter whether Paul zigged or zagged, he was on his way to bear witness to the Romans. And it began here.
V. 27 Wouldn't you know it, Paul was almost done and Boom! Someone saw him. It was also in God's design of this situation that Paul wasn't seen until the end of the week meaning that any charges against him wouldn't be credible. He had worshiped like this for a week without a problem.
Vs. 28-36 In Texas they have "flash flooding." In Jerusalem they had "flash rioting." The Romans had a garrison looking over the temple grounds and, like the fire department, they were always ready for a riot. They definitely earned their pay this day, saving Paul's life and actually having to carry him above their heads like he was a rock star. Note that they chained Paul. They assumed he was an just an Israelite, but Paul was a Roman.
Psalm 150
Just a thought here: If you wanted to use this for a devotional in a group, you can find some different "points" very easy. What follows the words "praise him?" You should get three groups. This is also a good Bible study.
Matt Redman probably has the most popular version of "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."
But if you want another take on this, check out Hillsong…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN57bjEC-wc&feature=related
Proverbs 18:9-10
There are lots of people who work hard and live on earth never knowing what's going on. I would understand these two verses together as "working for the Lord." Jesus said, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters." There is no neutrality in this dark time of harvest. If we know what is happening in the world, we need to be in the harvest. To know and not to follow Christ in the harvest is what brings ruin. To live and stand in the name of the Lord is what brings a life in line with reality, and though it might not be an easy life working in the harvest, it is still the safest place on earth as we follow Christ.
This is the best version of "Blessed be the name of the Lord, the name of the Lord is a strong tower…" that I've heard. The lead vocal is Kim Hill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9VR0JhBsAc
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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