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 This appears to have happened just after God
delivered Jerusalem from Assyria. Look at 2 Kings 18:13. So this is probably
happening later that year. This should have been the time to celebrate. The
prospect of dying seems to have challenged Hezekiah's faith. Also, if this
happened in Hezekiah's 14th year and he was 25 when he became king, he was now
dying as a young man of 39. Many people would find this to be a bitter turn of affairs.
Many of us would do the same thing 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, the 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. How these
things challenged or ruined their faith are recorded, so that we can learn from
them.
V. 3 Not to judge, but I think Hezekiah thought he deserved
to live.
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 or mirrors, God did something pretty
amazing here. I'll bet He didn't even break a sweat and He didn't break the
world.
Vs. 12-15 There may have been several reasons for this
visit. Now, it could have been that they cared for Hezekiah, but it might be
too that the sun going backwards really got their attention. We will see that
the Babylonians were interested in heavenly signs. 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. Babylon would become the first great empire in that
part of the world. Jerusalem was a long way from Babylon, but it was located
strategically between Egypt, Syria and Assyria.
V. 14 Up to this point, we don't have any idea that
something might be wrong. In 2 Chronicles 32:23-31 we'll see that Hezekiah really
tripped and fell here. What is written in 2 Chronicles ought to strike some
fear into any serious disciple.
Vs. 16-19 Although this might seem harmless, we know from
other accounts of this event that Hezekiah's words in v. 19 indicate that
something was wrong. He was betraying the next generation for peace and comfort
in his life. This is something for us to learn. God allowed him 15 more years,
so he died at 54.
2 Kings 21
V. 1 Note that Manasseh was 12 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 then 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 unbelievable. How tragic. And as
much as we have here that is said about Manasseh, there is still more to be
said, 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? The
innocent blood was from those who spoke out against him.
In order for Manasseh to reign the longest of all the kings,
55 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 2 Chronicles 33, 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" in Babylon), 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
It is funny that these two verses are here today. Maybe The
One Year Bible editors wanted to cheer us up. There is a lot to say about
Josiah and some of it is supposition on my part. So, bear with me.
Notice how old Josiah is when he began to reign, and what it
says about him in v. 2. 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 Chronicles
33:10-23. Something happened to Manasseh which he couldn't pass on to his son,
because Amon was already old and set in the ways of his father; but Manasseh
might have been able to pass his newfound convictions 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. Josiah
is the only king of whom it is said that he sought the Lord with all his heart
and with all his soul and with all his might. 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 were amazing. Just before the storm struck,
Josiah would be a light of grace and would 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.
The Lord has put these records here to strengthen our hearts
in the harvest. Even an evil man like Manasseh was shown grace and responded,
and the small effect of his repentance grew. The Lord knew we would need to
read these year after year to inspire us with hope in the harvest. When we feel
like giving up, the lives of these men tell us that God's grace is amazing and
to keep following our Lord and making disciples.
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 James'
advice, but Paul did keep vows. In 1 Corinthians 9:19ff Paul expressed 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 God's 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. Remember, God waited until the last minute to free Peter. Now
He waited until the last minute to have Paul spotted. It was 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."
V. 29 Because of the political power of the Jews, they were
granted the right to kill anyone, including a Roman citizen, if that person
profaned the temple. Trophimus never went in, but these Jews from Ephesus saw
him and assumed the worst.
V. 31 The Romans had a garrison overlooking 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. How ironic. The people
were beating Paul, so they arrested and chained him. You wonder why Paul didn't
begin to speak right away, but I assume having been beaten, he was still in
shock. The Romans assumed he was just a radical Israelite or an Egyptian rebel.
Paul wasn't just any radical. He was a Roman citizen.
As we watch Paul the disciple, we learn what it means to
abide in Christ. Paul completely submitted himself into the Lord's hands with
his focus set on fulfilling the mission Jesus had given him in the harvest.
I'll bet it felt good when they stopped hitting and kicking him. But as we'll
read in 2 Corinthians, Paul was used to suffering for His Lord in the harvest.
Psalm
150
Can you believe it? Today we are reading the last chapter in
The Psalms. When was the last time you read all 150 psalms. Reward yourself
with something special!
Just a thought here: If you wanted to use this for a
devotional in a group, you can find some different "points" very
easily. What follows the words praise him?
You should get three groups. This is also a good Bible study.
V. 1 This
is where to praise Him.
V. 2 This
is why we should praise Him.
Vs. 3-5 This
is how we should praise Him.
V. 6 To
boil it all down and to complete The Psalms, everything should just praise the Lord.
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, Whoever is not with me is against me, and
whoever does not gather with me scatters. (Luke 11:23) 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.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year
Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't
work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/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 complete description of this model
of being and making disciples you can find it in my book: Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
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.
Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like documents containing an entire month
of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download
these to use on your computer or to print.
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