2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13
These are three chapters full of observations and lots to think about. Basically we'll see Hezekiah's greatest challenge and God's amazing deliverance. Hezekiah will be shaken and will stumble. Manasseh will royally ruin Judah; he will be humbled, repent and be restored. It is all quite an adventure.
2 Chr. 32
Vs. 1-8 A couple of things are of note here that were not covered in 2 Kings 18. First, Hezekiah hid all the streams around Jerusalem and created a tunnel under the city, and was able to draw water from it during the siege. Hezekiah's tunnel was an engineering feat because they began at opposite ends, tunneling about 1700 feet through rock and met in the middle under the city.
Second, verses seven and eight show that Hezekiah gave a lot of leadership in preparation for the coming of the Assyrian army.
Vs. 9-23 Some of this we've read, some is summary and some is brand new. What is interesting to me is that it mentions that Isaiah also prayed and cried out to God. We didn't see that in 2 Kings.
Vs. 24-33 This is also in summary form, although some significant stuff is added by Ezra. You might want to read the account of this in 2 Kings 20 to compare.
It seems that Hezekiah was shaken by the prospect of an early death. He was only 39. After he was given the additional 15 years he became proud and flaunted all the Lord had given him (as if it was his doing) to the envoy from Babylon. Verse 31 is a very scary commentary on what happened here. I think the Lord does this to us too, and in my case, when it happens, it probably doesn't show the kind of stuff that is glorifying to God.
When you see this all in the perspective of time and the drama on earth, you wonder if it was worth it. Hezekiah, even with 15 more years, only lived to be 54. And his last 15 years were a disaster in his relationship to God. Is it really "death" and the loss of everything good to go to be with God and get off this rotting rock? Even when Isaiah came with God's rebuke, Hezekiah only thought, "At least there will be peace during my life." And with this thought, the next generation of Israel was lost. The next godly king, Josiah, will hear the same message from God and his reaction will be used to save Israel.
2 Chr. 33
Manasseh was a piece of work. He was the child born in those 15 years that God gave Hezekiah. He was the king that reigned the longest, 55 years, and he was the worst king either kingdom, north or south, had ever known. God vowed to bring punishment against Judah because of this guy.
Vs. 10-13 I wish they hadn't ended this portion here, so read ahead to verse 20.
This is completely new information given to us from Ezra and the Spirit. It is ironic that though captured by Assyria, Manasseh was led to and imprisoned in Babylon. Manasseh would be responsible for Judah being taken there in exile.
Notice too that they captured him with hooks. The Assyrians had a brutal way of leading people captive. They would put a hook through the flesh of the chest (or in the nose) and connect it by rope to a wagon or horse. This not only struck fear into the people who saw what Assyria did to those who opposed them, but it motivated the person who was "hooked" to keep up.
If you know the story here, verse 13 has to be one of the most amazing verses in the Bible. Who says God doesn't show grace and love? Who says there is no hope for those who have fallen the deepest?
For us in the harvest, we need to remember that we cannot "convince" people to come to Christ or follow Him in the harvest. Only He can humble a heart. It is enough for us to know that even the worst person can come to Christ and receive forgiveness, even in the 11th hour.
Romans 15:23-16:7
Romans 15:23-33
Vs. 22-23 So the reason that Paul never visited was that he was being urged on to complete his mission in Asia Minor.
V. 24 No one knows if Paul ever got to Spain.
Vs. 26-27 Notice that Paul was very much focused on the interaction between God's plan for the Jews and His plan for the Gentiles.
Vs. 30-33 Paul appeals to them for their prayers, knowing that he was walking into danger. In fact, this prayer was answered with a "sort of." We've read Acts and know that Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and sat under house arrest for the next 4-5 years. God had another plan for Paul not envisioned in this prayer. However, Paul did make it to Rome.
Romans 16:1-7
V. 1 The word "servant" is the word deaconess. Cenchreae was a port suburb of Corinth.
Vs. 3-4 This couple was very close to Paul, friends and very devoted workers, sort of like heroes of the early church. If there were action figures for the people in Acts, there would be one for Prisca and for Aquilla. It is quite an honor for Paul to say that all the churches of the Gentiles were thankful for them.
In Acts 18 we met A&P after all the Jews got kicked out of Rome. By divine appointment they met Paul in Corinth and we see them again in Ephesus. Apparently they did some traveling with Paul. What is interesting here is that they are now back in Rome.
V. 5 Did you know this?
V. 7 Apparently these guys were relatives of Paul who were believers before he was.
Psalm 25:16-22
This is sort of a summary of the psalm. It is interesting to me that all of the sweat and fear and tears and hope and love and yearning are mixed together by God to help us know and understand Him.
This is the same video from yesterday on Psalm 25.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHVioeJU0g8&feature=feedf
Proverbs 20:16-18
Verses 16 and 17 are actions with regrets that did not come from verse 18, wise counsel.
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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