July 28, Reading Notes

2 Chronicles 21-23

These are very dark chapters. They are dark not just because bad stuff happens, but because all of this was launched by a godly king, Jehoshaphat. As you read all of this, think of it as the result of his desire to unify Israel by uniting with those who didn't love God.

2 Chr. 21

V. 2 Jehoshaphat had actually made it so that the other brothers would be out of the way. It should have been a big happy family.

V. 4 When Jehoram was established, he killed all of them. This would have included their families and anyone who might have had a claim to the throne. This was certainly fueled by his wife, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, who Jehoshaphat made sure Jehoram married.

Vs. 12-15 This is the only letter we know of that was written by Elijah.

Vs. 19 It is interesting that God allowed Jehoram to reign so long, but made sure he died in agony.

As a result of all of this, and probably something that Ezra mentioned when he taught this, the Davidic line is now threatened, not only with ungodliness, but with extinction. All of Jehoshaphat's other sons and their families were killed and all of Jehoram's kids, but one, were killed.

2 Chr. 22

V. 1 The people must have hoped to find a godly king, but Athaliah, Jezebel's daughter, was still spewing poison into the land. This now is the second generation diseased by Jehoshaphat's poor decision.

Vs. 2-9 What is interesting, is that Ahaziah was killed as a part of the judgment against Ahab. God said that all who were related to Ahab would die. Ahaziah was a grandson of Ahab. Unwittingly, Jehoshaphat had brought his family under God's curse on a very evil king.

V. 9 Jehu, though not a real follower of God, knew of Jehoshaphat's godliness and therefore respected the burial of Ahaziah.

Vs. 10-12 This would have meant the extinction of the line of David, except for the actions of the godly priest Jehoiada. Jehoshaphat's unwise actions now have brought the house of David down to (almost) the last man. Jehoshaphat's sin will now extend to three generations.

2 Chr. 23

You might wonder why all of this is given in such detail. Ezra was a priest and leader of the people and maybe Jehoiada was his hero. More likely, the importance is that the line of David was almost extinct and it took great personal courage by many, especially the priest and Levites, to protect the line of David and work of God.

The lessons here for those returning from exile would be obvious. It is worth giving your life in order to serve God and His people.

Romans 11:13-36

As you read this section, it is helpful to think of Gentiles and Jews as racial entities being addressed. Rather than speaking to individuals, he is speaking to groupings of people. Paul says here, and will say again in chapter 15, that he was an apostle to that group of people called Gentiles. So he is talking about a group, not individuals.

V. 13 This is one of those verses that tells you that the Roman church was a mixed church.

Vs. 13-16 The key here is in verse 15 when Paul talks about "their" acceptance. This refers to "the nation of Israel" during the time when that particular group is on earth and turns their hearts to Christ.

Vs. 17-24 Now, as with most illustrations, they make a point or two, but are not meant to be carried on to infinity. What is the cultivated olive tree? It appears to be Israel or maybe even the promise to Abraham. The wild olive tree is definitely the Gentiles. According to this illustration we Gentiles have been grafted into this promise.

V. 22 is a little problematic if you see this as individuals and not as groups. God has power to graft the believing Jewish nation into the promise. And if the Gentiles reject God's salvation, they will be excluded. On this note, it is interesting to think that in the Tribulation, the Jews will comprise the largest missionary force that has ever worked at one time on earth. If you count up all the members of all the mission organizations (not churches) you won't come up with a total of 144,000 members. If I understand the dynamics of the time of "Jacob's Trouble," the nation of Israel will turn to Christ, and the Gentile world will be, for the most part, chasing a delusion.

Vs. 25-32 This is the conclusion of chapters 9-11. I find it hard to understand how people don't see a distinction between the church and Israel, thinking that the promises to Israel will not be literally fulfilled.

So, which verses seem to put the plan of God together for you? How would you explain this to someone else?

Vs. 33-36 Benedictions are full of theology, and usually, every word is intentional. Notice that it isn't God's power and elective determination that are praised here, but rather His wisdom and knowledge and how unsearchable His judgments are. Paul's conclusion is that God does all of this righteously and, though it is so intricate that we could never understand it, His way is righteous and good.

Psalm 22:1-18

I was reading this morning how difficult it was for the disciples to understand that Jesus should suffer, be treated with contempt, die and on the third day be raised. For them, He had become the Holy One of God, the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Son of Man. To hear then that "so also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands" was utterly impossible.

This is a prophetic psalm talking about the suffering of the Messiah. David's experience mirrored what was to be felt by Jesus. Read this psalm from that perspective.

Proverbs 20:7

If you put this with the verse before, it basically says that talk, even Christian talk, is cheap. Integrity by definition means that everything this person does is in keeping with his or her expressed love for God. Reality is seen in action, and in our case that means in the harvest.

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.