2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33
2 Chr. 33: 14-25
Vs. 14-17 How in the world did God arrange it that Manasseh repented, was released and returned to be king? This is a miracle all the way around. Not only that, but God had already begun bringing punishment against Judah that will not stop. So here comes Manasseh back to Israel, working against all hope to make up for some of the damage that he did. My theory is that he did more good than we realize or that is mentioned in the text.
Vs. 18-20 This is a somewhat bland summary on his horrible reign. In Kings it says that he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood. And regarding the prophets, tradition says that he killed Isaiah.
Vs. 21-25 It is interesting here that he was evil like his father, but Ezra mentions that he didn't humble himself as his father did.
2 Chr. 34
V. 1 Notice that Josiah was eight when he began to reign. That's kind of young. This would mean that when Josiah's father became king, and when Manasseh died, Josiah was six. My theory is that the repentant and humbled Manasseh couldn't change the heart of his son Amon, but he was able to influence the heart of his grandson Josiah.
Vs. 2-3 Notice the comparison to David and seeking after God. This will be an amazing king with a hopeless task.
Vs. 8-13 We've seen this before. As a godly king, although he was still very young, he led in the restoring and organizing of the worship of Israel. Ezra's point?
Vs. 14-21 I am still awed by the fact that Josiah didn't have a copy of the OT until now. I'm humbled by his immediate understanding and emotion.
Vs. 24-25 God tells Josiah his task is "hopeless."
Vs. 26-27 I think these are some of the greatest discipleship verses in the Bible. I wonder all of what God heard from this man's heart. While verse 28 seems to be God's response, God will accomplish something amazing though Josiah.
V. 28 The promise of peace during his time but….
Vs. 29-33 Not only was Josiah sincere and intense, but he led and he modeled. Hezekiah had the people make a covenant with God. Josiah, himself, made a covenant with God and the people followed. What a heart and what a man of God.
V. 33 You don't read this about any other king. The people totally followed him.
I wonder if those who survived the exile and if those who came out of it realized how much grace God showed them through this hopeless reform, this incredible revival before the coming storm that would sweep Israel out of its land?
Romans 16:8-27
Vs. 8-16 The only thing in particular that stands out to me here is that Paul has another relative mentioned. It should be noted that although Paul had never been to Rome, he sure knew a lot of people there.
Vs. 17-20 After everything that Paul wrote about unity in chapters 12, 14 and 15, he now issues a command to avoid those who destroy unity.
V. 20 Notice that if they obey God and avoid these people, the God of peace will crush Satan under their feet. There is a correlation between Satan's work and the absence of God's peace. We need to deal with those who cause problems and divisions. We seldom do.
Vs. 21-23 These were the people in Corinth with Paul.
Vs. 25-27 There's a 3-point sermon in here somewhere. Look at where the harvest is present in this benediction. This would make a good message on being a disciple in the harvest.
Psalm 26
Vs. 1-2 It is interesting that the confidence David has of his integrity is that he has kept God's steadfast love before his eyes.
Vs. 6-8 You almost wonder if David used to sneak into the tabernacle at night and pray there and walk around the altar and sing to God. I know people who do stuff like that.
V. 11 Our obedience should never be an if-then proposition, that is, "if I obey, then you are obligated to bless me." Our obedience is the very least we can give. It is normal behavior, not something extraordinary. And knowing God's love, whether he blesses us with life or death on earth, still means living forever with Him, enjoying the kindness of Christ and the riches of His glory. We know that what's coming next is better than this, so we work in the harvest, leaving it all on the planet, because of who Christ is.
Proverbs 20:19
A lot of us fall into this one. This is interesting. You have a note that says, "simple in his lips." As in all the proverbs, we can be wise in 47 areas in our lives, but still be a fool, a simpleton, in a few areas. The point for us, from God's perspective, is that if He puts His finger on something we need to work on, we need to take it to heart and submit to His wisdom.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment