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.
JULY 4
Laura mentioned this morning that she found it kind of cool
that on the day that Josiah found the Book of the Law, the psalm we read was
Psalm 1, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on
his law he meditates day and night. I found that kind of cool too.
Today we are given some very fast-paced history which will
bring the kingdom of Judah and the book of 2 Kings to an end. There are many
important events here that we will read about later.
2
Kings 23:31-25:30
2 Kings 23:31-37
Pharaoh Neco removed Jehoahaz as
king, showing he was boss, and installed Eliakim as king, renaming him
Jehoiakim, showing again that he was boss. Both of these guys were sons of
Josiah and both were bad. Neco's decision had to do with having a king in
Jerusalem who would support Egypt and Assyria against the rising Empire of
Babylon. The city where this took place, Riblah, is about 200 miles north of
Jerusalem. That was a long way to go to get fired. Later, Nebuchadnezzar would
also set up his court in that city.
2 Kings 24
Vs. 1-7 We'll meet Jehoiakim
later in Jeremiah. He was a grade "A" jerk and was buried without
honor. He is important for one big reason. When he made peace with
Nebuchadnezzar, Neb took some of the young men captive to train them to serve
him as governors, etc.. This was 605 B.C. and it began the Babylonian
captivity. The clock of the Babylonian captivity was now ticking. Daniel and
his friends were taken at this point. What I've never noticed before is that
Jehoiakim served Neb for three years. Those three years play a very important
role later.
V. 7 Babylon defeated Egypt and
now controlled everything down to the Brook of Egypt, which was a river in
southern Palestine and still about 100 miles from the Nile. About 20 years in
the future, Neb would lead his army into the heart of Egypt and defeat them.
Vs. 8-17 Now Jehoiachin,
Jehoiakim's son, was not a godly king. The last words of 2 Kings talk about him
being taken out of prison in Babylon and being honored by Nebuchadnezzar's son,
Evil-Merodach. Of course, you're wondering why you would name your kid,
"Evil" anything. But the real question that you can't find answered
here is why you have the story of Jehoiachin at the end of 2 Kings and also at
the end of Jeremiah. You get the facts here but they mean little to you. I'll
give you my thoughts when we get there.
Vs. 10-17 Nebuchadnezzar took
Judah captive in three waves. The first wave which comprised only a few
thousand was in 605 B.C. This was when Daniel & Co. were taken. This now
would be the second wave, taking most of what was in the temple and about
12,000 of the skilled laborers. This was meant to have humbled the country, but
not destroy it. If you take all the businessmen, soldiers and craftsmen, you
don't leave much that a country can build on. The prophet Ezekiel was taken to
Babylon in this second deportation.
As a note of interest, you have
to ask yourself why Neb didn't just destroy Jerusalem and take everyone. It is
because something happened in those three years that Jehoiakim served Neb, that
gave him a reason not to want to destroy Jerusalem. If Jehoiakim had rebelled
earlier, it would have made it tough on four Jewish boys, but once their
three-year education was over, it didn't matter too much what Jehoiakim did,
because Nebuchadnezzar had already had his first lesson in learning the fear of
God, literally. The grace of God was working internationally before this second
deportation even took place. We'll see this in great detail when we read
Daniel.
This isn't something you get
from reading commentaries. It is what the Spirit gives you, if you read your
Bible year after year and are willing to be curious.
Vs. 18-20 Neb renamed Mattaniah
(Josiah's third son), Zedekiah, showing he was boss, and left the humbled, yet
existing, Jerusalem intact. God's judgment on Judah was not complete. We don't
see it yet, but God was working overtime in great grace and mercy to preserve
Israel as a nation in exile. It was grace upon grace and a very visible
commitment to His promises to Abraham (an offspring and a nation through which
all nations would be blessed), to David (his "son" would rule Israel
forever) and to Solomon (that God's name would dwell in Jerusalem in the
temple).
2 Kings 25
Vs. 1-7 Unfortunately Zedekiah
didn't listen to Jeremiah. God told Zed through Jeremiah that he should open
the gates of Jerusalem and walk out to the Babylonians. If he had done that,
God promised to preserve his life and the city. Obviously he didn't obey. We'll
see all of this close-up when we get there. Zedekiah was the final king of
Judah.
Vs. 8-21 The city was destroyed
and the temple was destroyed. When they burned the building, all of the gold
melted and ran in between the stone blocks that made the foundation of the
temple. These blocks were removed (and probably used for other buildings) so
they could get the gold. This is why there wasn't one stone left on another and
why Zerubbabel and the returnees (they were not a rock band) had to rebuild the
temple foundation before they could rebuild the temple. All the cool stuff
Solomon made was either destroyed or taken to Babylon, and to think that
Solomon began this ruin by worshiping other gods. Most of the people were taken
away into Babylon (a long walk) and only the very poorest of people were left.
Jeremiah was left. In fact, Nebuchadnezzar gave special instructions about
Jeremiah. I'm willing to bet it was on Daniel's advice.
Vs. 22-26 God's judgment wasn't
over. When Gedaliah was killed, the people came to Jeremiah and asked him to
ask God what they should do. God told them to remain in the land. They said
that Jeremiah was lying, so they took him hostage and took off for Egypt. Neb
followed them to Egypt and killed them and the Egyptians. I think that Jeremiah
and his servant survived and Jeremiah returned to his hometown.
Vs. 27-30 This note is also at
the end of Jeremiah, indicating it was years later, and after the death of
Nebuchadnezzar. Since Jeremiah wrote it in his book, we know he was alive.
Here is why this event is
important. More than once, God told the people through Jeremiah that if they
surrendered to Neb, opened the gates and went out, they would live and see
God's mercy. Jeremiah said this very thing later to Zedekiah also, but no one
did it, except Jehoiachin; and look what happened. Even this evil king was
honored by God for obeying His Word spoken through Jeremiah. It was a last kind
of proof to the people that if they had obeyed God, even in His judgment of
them, He would have honored them.
The word to us as His disciples
and to those we speak to in the harvest is that if we obey God, He will save
and restore us.
Acts
22:17-23:10
Acts 22:17-23
Vs. 17-23 It is hard to believe
that they were listening until he said the word Gentiles. Their fanatic racism was not to be taken lightly.
Remember, this also existed in the church, therefore the necessity to give the
Spirit visibly and to accompany the giving of the Spirit with the gift of
tongues, tying together the experience of the Jews with the experience of the
Gentiles. This racism explains these two visible manifestations.
V. 19 Notice that Paul had been
involved in beating Christians - more on this later.
Vs. 20-21 This is an interesting
interchange between Paul and the Lord.
V. 23 Can you imagine them
flinging dust into the air. This sounds like something you'd expect to see in
the primate house at the zoo. Actually, it is the heart of terrorism. We'll see
this in action tomorrow.
Vs. 24-30 Paul might have been
slow to show his Roman Citizen ID when he was in Philippi. Here, Paul played
the card quickly. Roman soldiers like these almost whipped Jesus to death and
they didn't like the Jews, for apparent reasons. These are the guys who used that
cat-of-nine-tails with the metal and bone attached to the ends.
Acts 23
Vs. 1-5 Ananias the high priest
was not Annas the high priest who accused Jesus. The commentators are all over
the place here with Paul's response. I wasn't there, but I'll tell you what I
think. After Paul was struck, he reacted. Even Jesus responded to being struck
(John 18:23). But in answer to the question in v. 4, Paul got sarcastic. According
to the BKC-NT, p. 419, Ananias was not known to be a good man. I believe the
people did not respect this high priest and no one spoke well of him, therefore
Paul's comment. If it was the case that all spoke evil of Ananias, he must not
have been the ruler. So Paul said, "Oh, I didn't know he was high priest
because everyone in Jerusalem tells Ananias jokes." You get the idea.
Vs. 6-10 At this point Paul
began smelling "kangaroo." It was the court. Then he began smelling
"goose." It was his and it was cooked if he stayed there. Paul knew
there was no justice to be had with that group and that his situation was
dangerous and hopeless. So Paul drove a wedge between the groups by appealing
to the resurrection of the dead, which the Pharisees held and the Sadducees
(the priests were Sadducees too) rejected. Amazingly it worked and the
Pharisees began to stick up for their boy Paul.
V. 10 The Romans took Paul out
of danger again.
In an odd kind of way here, the Lord was giving Jerusalem
more grace, but they were rejecting it. Matthew 23:29-39 is a very intense word
of judgment against these leaders, delivered two days before Jesus died. In
response to Jesus' rhetorical question to them, how they would avoid being
sentenced to hell, Jesus answered His own question, saying, Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town. Notice that what Jesus said
was in the future tense. Before Jesus died He said this would be an attempt to
keep them from being sentenced to hell, but their response would be violent
toward His messengers. This is exactly what had happened to Paul. He had been
scourged in synagogues and persecuted from town to town and now they wanted,
really badly, to kill him.
In about 13 years, in 70 A.D.,
the Romans would finally be fed up with the Jews and destroy the city and the
temple. Jesus said that this would happen. Just as Jesus was using Paul as an
instrument of grace and judgment by putting Paul in a position to proclaim
Christ, the Lord uses us the same way in the harvest today. Our job is to
follow, reach out and make disciples, who make disciples, of those who come to
Christ. Those who hear and don't respond are responsible to the Lord.
Psalm 2
This psalm was probably written
by David, sometime after the Lord had made the promise to him that his son
would reign upon the throne of Israel. David's kingdom and influence was
expanding because of God's blessing, and David was acutely aware that this was
God's work, not his. David saw the plan of redemption and the promise to
Abraham progressing through God's promise to him. Inspired by all of this, I
believe that as David wrote this psalm about his earthly son, the Holy Spirit
moved him to write what would become a prophetic description of the Son of
David taking His millennial throne.
Vs. 1-3 This is a great
question. With all we've read so far, the answer has to be the irrational power
of sin in us. Even if God were visible, as He was in Jesus and will be in the
Millennial Kingdom, man would still rebel against Him.
Vs. 4-6 David was seeing the
Lord humble nations before Israel. This is exactly what the Lord will be doing
during the Tribulation and at the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom.
Actually, God is in charge today and regardless of what anyone thinks, the time
will come when every knee will bow to Him.
Vs. 7-9 This is clearly
prophetic. This never could have applied to any physical son of David. It
applies to the coming Son of David.
Vs. 10-12 This doesn't just
apply to kings, but to all people.
It's ironic. We are guests in
God's "house;" and we decide, democratically, that we don't like His
view of marriage or spirituality. We decide that His "rules" don't
allow us to express our "humanity" and "freedom." The earth
is terribly full of our "humanity and freedom." And the reality is
that this "house" is ruined and will be replaced with a new
"house." Why would the Lord want to take anyone with Him to the new
house, who hated Him in the old house? The only sane people on this planet are
those who know they are sick and lost, and know where to run. The name of the
Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it, and they are saved.
Proverbs
18:13
Oh well, I guess most of us
husbands and parents are "cooked" on this one. Anyone who's trying to
do better, raise your hand!
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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