If you don't
have a One Year Bible or prefer something online, this link will take you to
the day's reading, http://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/. This
site allows you to select from several languages and several English
translations.
JUNE 22
2 Kings 3:1-4:17
2 Kings 3
Vs. 1-8 The most significant thing about this part of the story is that
a good man like Jehoshaphat was making another very foolish mistake. If he had
asked the Lord, the Lord would have told him to stay home.
V. 2 Notice that Jehoram seems better than Ahab. If Jehoshaphat was
hoping to be a good influence on Israel, this is as far as it went. Actually,
the only thing that Jehoram did was remove that single image. As we'll see
later, Jezebel was really still in charge and Baal worship was alive and well
in Israel. Actually, it looks like Jehoram's reforms, if you can call them
that, were for the eyes of Jehoshaphat.
V. 4 Yesterday in 2 Kings 1:1 we read about the king of Moab breaking
away from the control of Israel. Today we see the significance of that passing
remark.
V. 7 What was Jehoshaphat thinking to say something like this? Soon, it
would be true spiritually too, darkly.
Vs. 9-20 The Word of the Lord through Elisha would become public
knowledge. You would think that with a man like Elisha at your disposal you could
build a country. Unfortunately Elisha was ignored by the northern kingdom and
also by the southern kingdom. Again, God's grace is shining through all of this
to attract the disobedient and move them to repentance.
It was unprecedented that these three kings should work together and
that probably looked like a good thing, but it wasn't God's will. Notice too
that Jehoram is a real glum kind of guy. He is assuming that because the way is
hard that it is Yahweh's fault and that God is leading them to disaster. He
wasn't a man of faith, to say the least. Actually, the way being hard will lead
them to God and His deliverance.
V. 11 Jehoshaphat's question is very ironic. If he himself had
consulted a prophet, he wouldn't have been there. But here, it seems he was
trying to have a fatherly influence on Jehoram. Ironically, as well known as
Elisha was, neither king had a clue. It was an ordinary guy who pointed the way
to the prophet.
V. 15 It is interesting that Elisha needed some music to get into the
mood.
Vs. 21-27 The king of Moab thought that the combination of Judah,
Israel and Edom would be a sure recipe for them to kill each other. God's
flooding of the land and then having the sun rise on it gave the Moabites the
impression that the kings had killed themselves.
V. 26 The king of Moab took 700 skilled swordsmen and went after the
weakest king but couldn't break through.
So how do you explain v. 27? Apparently the human sacrifice called down
a valid demonic wrath upon the army of Israel. So then, why were they affected
by this? Why didn't God's protection ward this off? It was because they
themselves were not truly worshiping or following God. And Jehoshaphat was out
of bounds here, associating with the godless. As disciples, although we might
be walking with the Lord, if we choose to associate with the ungodly,
"yoked together" with them, we incur the same judgment they do. This
is now the second time Jehoshaphat has been subject to demonic influence by
associating with the family of Ahab. Though this "unity" and the
"common sense" reasons for doing this together must have seemed like
good ideas, Jehoshaphat, a godly man, will totally and completely destroy all
the good he had built. And, his choices will throw Judah into darkness.
2 Kings 4:1-17
Vs. 1-7 This story is similar to the story of Elijah and the widow who
had the vase of flour and the oil. This was not only another story of God's
power among the people, but it also shows that these things happened on an
ongoing basis. Generally, there was no real interest in worshiping Yahweh or
checking in with Elisha, but I'm sure there were some people who were seeking
God as a result of these signs.
Vs. 8-17 What is notable is the faith of the wealthy woman. She recognized that God was with Elisha. I wonder too
if she knew the story of Elijah and the widow with whom he stayed in Zarephath.
There, Elijah had stayed in an upper room. This rich woman built an upper room
for Elisha. She was willing to serve the Lord by serving him. Here, we have one
person in Israel who responded in faith. This portion also introduces us to
Elisha's servant, Gehazi, who himself becomes a symbol of Israel's unbelief.
Acts 14:8-28
Just as in the reading about Elijah and Elisha, where you see Elisha
almost duplicating the miracles of Elijah, we'll see this with Peter and Paul.
In many places it seems that Paul does the same miracles Peter did, only more
of them. They both must have been working for the same God and were both being
led by the same Spirit.
Vs. 8-18 There are two things of note here. First, the healing of the
man who had been crippled from birth is similar to Peter and John healing the
man at the beautiful gate of the temple who was also lame from birth. Being
lame from birth would have made him a well-known beggar in the market.
Second, notice that the people gave Barnabas first billing, as the
older and more mature man, but Paul was clearly the preacher.
V. 14 Notice that Barnabas is called an apostle.
Finally, notice that this crowd was so overcome by what they are doing
that they almost worshiped Barnabas and Paul. Isn't emotion a great thing and
true indicator of commitment? Not.
Vs. 19-23 So here is that same devoted crowd killing Paul. Some suggest
that Paul was dead and this is where he ascended into the third heaven. We'll
have to ask Paul when we get to heaven.
In that crowd, observing, was a teenager or young man whom Paul had led
to Christ. Later Paul will tell him to remember this time as an encouragement
to be willing to trust God and suffer for Christ:
2 Timothy 3:10-17 You, however, have followed my teaching, my
conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11my persecutions and sufferings that
happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I
endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12Indeed,
all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil people and impostors will go on
from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But
as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing
from whom you learned it 15and how from
childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to
make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, 17that the man of God
may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 4:1-2 I charge you in the presence of God and of
Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and
his kingdom: 2preach the word; be ready
in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete
patience and teaching.
V. 21 Can you believe that the next day they were preaching again, and
leading many to Christ? Notice that conversion to Christ was the same as
becoming a disciple. This is exactly what Jesus said in the Great Commission.
Looking at the challenges Paul and Barnabas were facing, it is safe to say that
when people came to Christ in the harvest they understood that following as
cross-bearing disciples was a part of their salvation in Christ. Notice what
these new disciples were taught in v. 22.
Notice that Barnabas and Paul went back through all the churches,
encouraging them and structuring the leadership. Praying and fasting was much
more real to them, because they were on the cutting edge of working in the
harvest as disciples, and God was giving them fruit.
V. 22 They gave the disciples a realistic view of following Christ in
the harvest. This is similar to 2 Timothy 3:12 above.
V. 23 Because Paul began in the synagogues and led many Jews to Christ,
they naturally had men who knew how to organize a group and understood the
concept of being an elder.
Vs. 24-28 This was the first "missionary on furlough" slide
show report. According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary-NT, p. 393,
Barnabas and Paul had been away somewhere between one to two years. They had
traveled over 700 miles by land and 500 miles by sea. Although this missionary
journey opened the gospel to the ends of
the world, it had also raised a lot of Jewish hostility, not just among the
unsaved, but also from the true-blue Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.
As disciples in the harvest, we should always expect opposition, especially
from those who should be on our side.
Psalm 140
Can you believe you've read 140 psalms?
Vs. 1-5 I would guess this was written as David was running from Saul.
Not only was Saul driven by his hatred and fear of David; but it is implied
that many of Saul's men, like Abner, were filling his ear with lies and
inciting him to go after David. I think it was the lying against David that
created the desperation behind the psalm.
There is hardly anything on earth that shakes us like having
an aggressive enemy, a stalker who is bent on lies and harm. You feel powerless
and totally harassed. But in all things, there is only one real source of
strength and hope: the Lord. In Psalm 27:3 David writes, Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war
arise against me, yet I will be confident. Those are some pretty confident
words, but God trains us to depend on Him by bringing us to the place where we
must depend on Him.
V. 3 Notice that Paul quotes a part of this in Romans 3.
Notice that David makes at least three pleas for himself: deliver me, preserve me, and guard me.
Vs. 6-8 After describing his desperation, now David pleads for God's
deliverance.
Vs. 9-11 The judgment that David asks for here is basically that what
these men have wished for him should happen to them.
V. 10 I don't know where the burning
coals thing originated, but here you have it.
Vs. 12-13 David hasn't yet been delivered, but this is where David has
his hope set, in the character of God.
As disciples, the Lord leads us through all of what David mentions
above. He allows lies and complications to hinder our way and harass us. But He
does this to train us to fill our minds with the truth of Him and this life.
The point isn't to get something "out of our minds," but to keep our
minds filled with what is true about Him. Our lives are in the hands of a
loving, faithful Father, who, in all that is happening, works for (the) good
(of His sovereign plan) with those who love Him. We're already secure with
Christ and will live with Him forever and know the riches of His glory. This
life on earth isn't about us anymore; we're safe. And still, He blesses us.
Proverbs 17:22
Amen. I was reading in Romans 14:17 this morning, for the kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit. That peace only comes from God, being led and influenced, not by
the flesh, but by the Holy Spirit. If we remember we are safe and have a place
in His coming kingdom, then we have peace and joy.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are 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, that is, 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 and important discipleship manual we have and it is the 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, or whom we are to be following. 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, as disciples, 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, 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 (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
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. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a
supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we
will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. Being in
the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the
essential essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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