2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33
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Wow… I thought today’s readings are some of the best we’ve had in a while!  King Josiah cleaned up house for God!  Unfortunately, the southern kingdom of Judah is about to meet a similar fate as the northern kingdom of Israel did.  But King Josiah goes down with a fight for the Lord in today’s readings!  I wonder about this in our lives today – are we willing to fight for the Lord and his values in the way that Josiah did today?  Or, perhaps “fight” isn’t quite the right word, as Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek….  but, then, considering this, should we simply be meek and mild and not fight for things of the Lord?  I don’t think Jesus modeled this entirely either.  Jesus turned over some tables in the Temple and turned over some ideas about God during His life…  What can we learn about a zeal for God from Josiah and Jesus’ lives?  Below is an image of King Josiah and his men destroying a pagan altar from today’s readings:

Verse 15 reminds me of the old adage – “Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives…”  🙂 – “Hilkiah said to Shaphan the court secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the LORD’s Temple!” Then Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan.” That is amazing to think about – that finding the Book of the Law in the Lord’s Temple was a big find!  Most commentaries suggest that the scroll was either the entire Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) or possibly just Deuteronomy. Imagine if you will that the Bible was “forgotten” about for generations and then finally discovered today!

King Josiah’s words in verse 21 are wonderful repentful words – “Go to the Temple and speak to the Lord for me and for all the remnant of Israel and Judah. Inquire about the words written in the scroll that has been found. For the Lord’s great anger has been poured out on us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of the Lord. We have not been doing everything this scroll says we must do.” Have you ever had ah-ha experiences like this in your life?  Where you realize finally what God wants you to do – and you realize that you have not been doing it?  Well, fortunately God is a God that Psalm 145 verse 8 tells us, “is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”  There is room for repentance with God!  When you have these ah-ha moments like King Josiah did, will you turn in repentance and humble yourself before God?

Verses 29 & 30 demonstrate true leadership from King Josiah! – “Then the king summoned all the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem. And the king went up to the Temple of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem and the priests and the Levites–all the people from the greatest to the least. There the king read to them the entire Book of the Covenant that had been found in the LORD’s Temple.”

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Matt Maher’s song “Turn Around:”

Are you lost & need to be found? Click here and turn around!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13
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Well, it was bound to happen.  Assyria conquered Israel.  They were bound to go after Judah / Jerusalem soon enough.  Tough to stop an ego / power like that.  It’s “never enough”.  So, we get the bold boasts before the walls of Jerusalem by King Sennacherib of Assyria’s representatives in Second Chronicles 32.  Verse 14 includes this boast, which probably didn’t make God too happy: “Name just one time when any god, anywhere, was able to rescue his people from me! What makes you think your God can do any better?”

It’s great to see that Hezekiah took all of this to God in prayer in verse 20 – “Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven.”  Good move!  How often in our lives today, when challenges come our way, do we take the challenges everywhere else BUT to God?  Wouldn’t it be easier to take them directly to God?  Why do we turn to alcohol or drugs or food or worrying or whatever – can we simply take our challenges to the one true living God who can actually do something with them?  Below is a painting of “The destruction of Sennacherib and his army” by the artist Rubens (1577-1640), which is currently at the Alte Pinakothek Museum in Munich –

Hezekiah later in this chapter receives envoys from Babylon.  You’ll recall from our Second Kings readings (full details are in Second Kings 20:12-20) that unfortunately, Hezekiah is a bit too hospitable with these envoys.  He believes showing off his wealth will prove that he has worldly power and that the Babylonians will respect him and Judah.  Isaiah sees that Hezekiah is relying on worldly wealth and not God, and Isaiah delivers a word from God that Judah will be exiled to Babylon.  Indeed, this comes true in 115 years from when Isaiah delivers this word. How about us, in our lives today – do we try to impress people with our worldly wealth or toys or stuff, like Hezekiah was trying to impress the Babylonians?  And further, do we actually try to rely on this worldly stuff rather than rely on God?

Worship Video: King Hezekiah’s prayer to God in our 2nd Chronicles readings today reminded me of Chris Tomlin’s fantastic song “How Great Is Our God:”

Do you know how great our God is? Click here for His Greatness!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21
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We have great readings today in Second Chronicles chapter 30 about King Hezekiah inviting all of Israel and Judah to celebrate the Passover of the Lord!  Yeah, sure, they ended up celebrating it a month later than normal because not enough priests had been purified, nor enough folks gathered in Jerusalem at the original time.  But, in light of the Passover not being widely celebrated in many years, this was huge. I love Hezekiah’s letter that he wrote – and verse 9 in particular: “For if you return to the LORD, your relatives and your children will be treated mercifully by their captors, and they will be able to return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful. If you return to him, he will not continue to turn his face from you.”  Think these words of Hezekiah’s could apply to us in our lives today as well?  Do you need to return to the Lord in any area of your life?  Is there a sin that you are still indulging in that is hampering your relationship with God?  Will you confess and repent of that sin?  Will you return to the Lord?  For the Lord your God is indeed gracious and merciful…

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Second Chronicles reminded me of Britt Nicole’s song “You:”

Are you coming back to You? Click here to make your heart more like the ultimate You!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Chronicles 29:1-36
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We are re-introduced to King Hezekiah of Judah in today’s readings!  The quantity of the Chronicler’s writings about the reign of Hezekiah is second only to the reigns of David & Solomon.  We’ll be reading about Hezekiah again in the coming days.  Reading about Hezekiah today was such a breath of fresh air after the atrocities of King Ahaz in yesterday’s readings…  Hezekiah is a hero!  He re-opens the Temple!  He reinstitutes the sacrifices to God!  You’ll recall from our readings in Second Kings chapter 18 verses 5 through 7 we got an overview of who Hezekiah was – “Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was never another king like him in the land of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the LORD in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the LORD had given Moses. So the LORD was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did.”  Below is a coloured woodcut from Henry VIII´s Great Bible, from the year 1538, of King Hezekiah burning pagan idols:

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of the Chris Tomlin and Jesse Reeves song “King of Glory.” This is a powerful song…  Who is this King of Glory!

Do you know the King of Glory? Click here to meet Him!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27
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Today in Second Chronicles chapter 26 we read about Uzziah ruling in Judah – along with his sin and punishment.  Uzziah, like other kings of Judah we’ve read about recently honored God in his early years, but then fell away in his later years.  Sad!  I pray that none of us fall into the trap of honoring God now and then dishonoring him later in our lives.  How do you suppose we can avoid this trap?  I think one of the key things is to read the Bible daily.  But I also am realizing more and more that we need to be in community with other Christians consistently.  Yes, church every weekend.  But more than that – small groups, Bible studies, accountability groups, etc.  We need to encourage and challenge each other in community to continue running our race strong!  Are you in consistent community with other Christians in your life today?   If not, will you consider joining a small group or Bible study at your church?  If you’re not going to church, will you start going to church this weekend?   Do you see the danger of not being in community with other Christians, and ending up perhaps like some of the kings of Judah who dishonored God later in their lives?  Please, please, please – be in a consistent community with other Christians!  Below is an oil painting by Rembrandt titled “The King Uzziah Stricken with Leprosy” from the year 1635:

Today in Second Chronicles chapter 28 we read about King Ahaz of Judah.  You will note that the reign of Ahab is the only reign in which the Chronicler does not mention a single redeeming feature…  Things are obviously getting worse for the southern Kingdom of Judah!  A very interesting thing happens in verses 9 through 15 where we are introduced to the prophet Obed in Samaria, and the northern captors show kindness to their captives from Judah.  In fact, some scholars believe that verses 14 & 15 may even be the background for Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan!!  This is very powerful to consider!  Do you see how these 2 verses could be background for Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan?  “So the warriors released the prisoners and handed over the plunder in the sight of all the leaders and people. Then the four men mentioned by name came forward and distributed clothes from the plunder to the prisoners who were naked. They provided clothing and sandals to wear, gave them enough food and drink, and dressed their wounds with olive oil. They put those who were weak on donkeys and took all the prisoners back to their own land–to Jericho, the city of palms. Then they returned to Samaria.”  Below is the artist Vincent van Gogh’s take on the parable of the Good Samaritan from the year 1890:

YouTube:  Today’s readings remind me of this video of Abby reciting Psalm 23:

Is the Lord your Shepherd? Click here to not be in want!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28
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Today in Second Chronicles 24 verse 1 we read – “Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years.”  This is quite a young age to be crowned king!  (yep, that’s Joash on the right in the image below – the priest presenting him to the people is on the left)

Did you notice in today’s readings that Joash followed God in his early years, when Jehoiada the priest was alive (verses 1-16), and then turned to evil and idolatry after Jehoiada’s death (verses 17-27)?  One of the saddest parts was Joash’s murder of Jehoiada’s grandson Zechariah in verse 20.  (Note that the text says son, but scholars believe Jehoiada’s son was Berekiah, and Zechariah was Berekiah’s son – Biblical genealogies sometimes skip a generation.)  Jesus Himself references the atrocity of this murder when facing His own murderers in Matthew 23:35! This quote of Jesus’ comes just after delivering his seven woes in Matthew 23:  “And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.”

Worship God:  Today’s readings reminded me of Christian Paul’s song “Yes I am:”

Are you born again? Click here to be born again!

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21
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Today in Second Chronicles 21 verses 12 through 15 we read about a letter that one would really not want to receive… “Then Elijah the prophet wrote Jehoram this letter: “This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: You have not followed the good example of your father, Jehoshaphat, or your grandfather King Asa of Judah. Instead, you have been as evil as the kings of Israel. You have led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship idols, just as King Ahab did in Israel. And you have even killed your own brothers, men who were better than you. So now the LORD is about to strike you, your people, your children, your wives, and all that is yours with a heavy blow. You yourself will be stricken with a severe intestinal disease until it causes your bowels to come out.”  The face on Jehoram in this image below captures well what one would be feeling like after receiving a letter like this from a prophet of God…

In Second Chronicles 23 today Jehoiada the priest leads a revolt against Queen Athaliah.  Below is French artist Antoine Coypel’s (1661-1722) take on the scene:

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Chris and Conrad’s song called “Lead me to the Cross.” Here is a terrific live version of this song:

Have you been led to the Cross? Click here and be led!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37
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Today in Second Chronicles chapter 19 verse 7 we read: “Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you.” It is important to realize that this verse was said not as a curse upon someone, but really as a blessing and perhaps a warning. Jehoshaphat says these words to judges he is appointing. Why would Jehoshaphat say these words to judges? Why should judges have the fear of the Lord upon them? What is the fear of the Lord? I believe it is a healthy and strong sense of God’s presence – a sense so strong that it would prevent these judges from administering any injustices. Because they know God is in the room. How about for you and me in our lives today? What if I were to say to you right now – “Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you.”?  Would you accept this as a blessing? Or would you think of this as some sort of curse? Do you want the fear of the Lord to be upon you? Why or why not? Right now in your life – is the fear of the Lord upon you? Will you consider praying for the fear of the Lord to be upon you?

Worship God:  Today’s readings remind me of the classic hymn “Amazing Grace” performed here with over 200 bagpipes:

Have you received amazing grace? Click here for Grace!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34
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Today in 2 Chronicles 18, King Ahab of Israel is not happy about the Arameans occupying Ramoth-gilead!  Unfortunately for King Jehoshaphat of Judah, he entered into a political alliance with Ahab by having his son marry Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah.  This basically bound him into going into battle with Ahab – but even worse, as we’ll read in the coming day’s readings, Ahab’s daughter Athaliah nearly kills all of the descendants of David in Judah….  more on this sad drama is coming up in chapter 22.  Ramoth-gilead was on a hilltop that could have looked something like this first image below.  The 2nd image below is a map (look to the center-right):

King Jehoshaphat of Judah wisely suggests that they should consult God before going into battle against the Arameans.  At which time King Ahab of Israel trots out his 400 yes-men “prophets” who say they should definitely go to war and that they will be victorious!  I love Jehoshaphat’s reaction to these 400 yes-men in verse 6 – “But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn’t there a prophet of the LORD around, too? I would like to ask him the same question.””  Ahab’s reaction in verse 7 is quite telling…  “There is still one prophet of the LORD, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but bad news for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.”  This verse really stands out for me in a big way in our world today.  I wonder if sometimes we – you and me – look for supposed “prophets” of the Lord that are yes-people to our particular likings – instead of looking for Truth.  Meaning…  and I’m just putting this out there, so bear with me.  Do we sometimes maybe even decide to attend a particular church because it tells us basically what we want to hear?  It keeps us in our comfortable place… we get yes-messages…  When, instead, should we be okay with attending a church that will give us some challenging and convicting messages on occasion?  Biblical messages mind you – which surely can be challenging to our modern ears at times.  I heard somewhere once before that church should be a place that “comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.”  I like that…  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I am not saying we need to be in super-strict churches per se.  I just think we should really watch for churches that are giving a yes-message all the time to our particular likings verses churches that teach the Truth.  I don’t think church is the only area of where we might default to looking for yes-messages.  I think this can happen in books we read, TV we watch, or even with friends or with work.   Are we listening to 400 yes-people in our lives or are we okay with 1 Micaiah coming in and sharing a perceived “bad-news” message?  (which may ultimately be very good news if we’ll just listen to it…  if Ahab had really listened to Micaiah’s message in today’s readings, think he still would have rushed out to battle?) Below is an image of Micaiah and the false prophets before Jehoshaphat and Ahab –

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the Aaron Shust song “My Savior My God:”

Do you know our savior God? Click here for your savior!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14
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Today in 2 Chronicles chapter 14 we read about the early years of King Asa’s reign, including his incredible prayer to God in verse 11!  “Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God, “O LORD, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O LORD, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!”  Unfortunately by the end of our readings today, in chapter 16, we read about Asa falling away from God and relying on a foreign king and physicians without any prayer for healing from God.  He replaced God in his life with mere men.  I wonder how often we do this in our lives today?  Can you think of any times in your life where you have relied on people in the place of relying on God?  How did that work out?  I do think we can rely on people certainly – if we are also relying on God more so and if God is in the midst of the relationship with the people we are relying on.  I think all would have gone well with King Asa in his later years if he had only been taught this motto that we teach our kids today: “Be a FROG!”  🙂  Fully Rely On God!  What about you in your life today?  Are you a FROG?  🙂  Let us all be FROG’s!

(apologies for the silly start to this posting today… 🙂

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of this “God of Wonders and Agnes Dei” video with Third Day and Caedmon’s Call!

Do you know our God of Wonders? Click here for Mr. Wonderful!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!