In year 37 of the captivity, the king of Babylon pardoned Judah’s king Jehoiachin and released him from prison. No explanation is given, but this lasted “for the rest of his life.” One thing is for sure—by allowing him to live, it continued the line of the royal family of David (as God had promised) which remained until the birth of King Jesus (see Matthew 1-2).
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
2 Kings 24: It Is Babylon's Turn
Almost as quickly as the “Back to the Bible” movement got on track, it was derailed by more evil kings. God, Who is “slow to anger,” had enough. A new empire, Babylon,was in the conquering mood, and God was going to use Babylon and its king, Nebuchadnezzar, to invade Judah three times and take the people into captivity for 70 years. The law of the Lord had been rejected again, so the predictions of Moses and Solomon had to come to pass (Deuteronomy 28; 1 Kings 8).
2 Kings 23: Back to the Bible
Should we go back to the Bible? If so, how do we do it? What do we do? When should we start? Who should be involved? As these people learned what was in the law of God, they learned what they needed to do in answering all of the above questions. The answer to the first question for our times is, “Yes” (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5). The answers to all of the other questions are also in the Bible (Colossians 3:17).
2 Kings 22: Huldah
Josiah became king when he was 8. Shortly, the book of the law of the Lord was found and he learned that it had not been obeyed for many years. He wanted to know what God wanted them to do about it. So he sent five men, including the high priest, to a woman named Huldah. She, by revelation from God, told them what the will of the Lord was, and she told them what to say to the king. This was the beginning of a great movement in Judah away from the errors of the past centuries.
2 Kings 21: 12 + 55 + Repentance = ?
I don’t know why the child of godly parents sometimes turns to sin—even to the most corrupt manner of life. Manasseh had a godly father, Hezekiah. Manasseh became king at 12—an age when most children are still very innocent. He chose to spend most of the next 55 years living one of the most evil lives of all times. But in 2 Chronicles 33:10-20, a remarkable paragraph is given to remind us that this man truly repented of his evils and was forgiven by God. Don’t ever doubt the ability of God to forgive you—He does not want you to perish (2 Peter 3:9).
2 Kings 20: I Will Defend This City
Getting sick—very sick—can make or break a person as they react to it. Hezekiah chose to turn to God in prayer and ask for His help. The answer was immediate—God had heard! He was going to deliver His city from Assyria and He was going to add 15 years to Hezekiah’s life. God’s answers to the prayers of the faithful are always good even though they are not always the same. He may or may not extend your life, but He will not leave you.
2 Kings 19: Isaiah Speaks for Jehovah
As the threats of Assyria’s king Sennacherib escalated against Judah and King Hezekiah, Hezekiah turned to Jehovah in prayer. God answered through Isaiah. No matter how intimidating the enemies of God may appear to be, they are no more than flies to the Living God. His response was to send an angel—ONE ANGEL—against Assyria’s army. He struck down 185,000 soldiers in one night. Let us meditate on His promises when we are in trouble (see Romans 8:28-39).
2 Kings 18: Assyria Attacks Again
The fact that God had used Assyria as the rod of His anger against the north (Isaiah 10:5) did not mean that Assyria was invincible or that their king could win in a battle against Jehovah. But the power of pride in its brash, evil mind-set is revealed in this chapter. The spokesman for Assyria (the Rabshakeh) speaks in such a way as to show us this wicked spirit. Let us choose to be known as humble people rather than its opposite as seen in Assyria.
2 Kings 17: The End of the Ways of Jeroboam
According to the traditional chronology of the kings, it has been 253 years since the kingdom split at the end of Solomon’s reign (975 BC-722 BC). Through the reigns of 19 kings, the specific agenda of Jeroboam has been followed each step of the way. Finally, the “God Who is slow to anger” has had enough. Read it and weep. Read it and be thankful that He is “slow to anger” (Jonah 3:4). Read it and choose to trust God better than you ever have—from now on.
2 Kings 16: Ahaz of Judah
After the sordid stories of chapter 15, we go back south where the good kings were. Ahaz, the son of good king Jotham, comes to the throne. And then—he chooses to walk in the ways of the kings of the north! This is the king to whom Isaiah made the prophecy of the virgin birth of Jesus (Isaiah 7). The depravity of this man and his reign is all the more disgusting when we remind ourselves that he—as we—had two clear choices and he chose wrong—he chose sin.
2 Kings 15: King After King After King
This reading begins and ends with good kings in the south (Azariah and Jotham). In between are six more evil kings of the north. The situation there was deteriorating rapidly as their doom came closer and closer, and their reigns were relatively short. Think about the good and bad effects our leaders can have on us—and how we can affect them for bad or good.
North #14—Zechariah—6 months—murdered
North #15—Shallum—1 month—murdered
North #16—Menahem—10 years—died
North #17—Pekahiah—2 years—murdered
North #18—Pekah—20 years—murdered
North #19—Hoshea—9 years—captivity begins
2 Kings 14: Right - but Not Like David
It is not uncommon today to hear of someone’s being called an “icon.” David was a person whose heart and life would make him an icon—someone to be admired and imitated. Although we might not reach the heights of those whom we admire, their example spurs us on through life. Amaziah was a great man even though he was not totally like David. So, this chapter begins with such lofty ideals and examples. Don’t forget this, because it ends with another Jeroboam—who walked in the sins of the first Jeroboam. No one should ever walk in the footsteps of either Jeroboam.
2 Kings 13: Seek the Lord's Favor
One of the rare events in the history of the north is in verse 4—their king sought the favor of Jehovah. Jehovah’s response was to send an unnamed deliverer to rescue the north. Sadly, Jehoahaz did not leave the paths of Jeroboam which were now well-established ways. But let’s meditate on this important attitude—a sinner wanted the Lord’s favor—and even in this sinful setting—the Lord granted it. Don’t ever think that the grace of God is out of reach.
2 Kings 12: King and Priest
The king from Judah (Joash) and the priest from Levi (Jehoiada) worked together to do the will of God. There was so much that was wrong in Judah that it took a long time, a lot of money, and a tremendous amount of work to do it. The work was done faithfully (with integrity; v. 15). But all of this did not keep the good king from being murdered by wicked men after a forty-year reign. Let us learn to be ready for the end of life—get ready and stay ready!
2 Kings 11: A Queen Takes Over
If you thought Jezebel was evil, let me introduce you to Athaliah—a murdering woman who attempted to wipe out the royal line after her son died (he was evil, reigned one year, and was killed by Jehu). But the high priest’s wife hid one of the boys, and—after six years—he became king (Joash). Athaliah was brought down by the high priest, Jehoiada, who restored the worship of Jehovah and made the seven year old Joash king. Thus, the promise of the royal line through Judah continued (Genesis 49:10).
2 Kings 10: Let's Think About Jehu
Jehu was the tenth king of the north. He, although violent, was used by God to bring judgment upon a number of evil people, including Jezebel. He also rejected and destroyed Baal worship in his kingdom. But he did not leave the path of Jeroboam. God made promises to him for the good things that he did (v. 30), but he still did not serve God with his whole heart (v. 31). I am sure that it would be good for us to meditate on how easy it is to please God by doing right, how important it is to give Him our whole heart, and how unimportant it is to judge Jehu (Matthew 7:1-5).
2 Kings 9: Jezebel Reaps
It would be possible to meditate on the law of sowing and reaping while reading any chapter in the Bible. It is part of the whole fabric of what life on earth is all about. But sometimes it is displayed in a sudden, powerful, and even graphic way. In this reading we meet up with Jezebel again (we will meet her “look-alike” in Revelation!). Here, the prediction of her fall came to pass. Use it to examine yourself in view of your own accountability before the Lord of all.
2 Kings 8: A Great Woman, Part Two
There are many people whose story is told in one place. Sometimes, however, the Holy Spirit gives us another chapter in someone's life. Today, we have such a lesson about the great woman of chapter 4. She is still a great—obedient—woman. So after being warned of a famine and escaping it by the word of the prophet, she has her blessings restored to her after the famine ended. Simple, beautiful, and thought-provoking, right?
2 Kings 7: Aram Loses
Israel could take no credit for the defeat of Aram (Syria). God did it by Himself (vv. 5-7). Aram could not justify its rebellion by pointing the finger at anyone else—not even Israel in its apostasy. All of us bear our own guilt for our own sins. And, God did not defeat Aram because Israel deserved to have its enemy fall. God did it because He chose to glorify His name by having Aram reap as they had sown (Galatians 6:7-8).
2 Kings 6: Aram
Aram (Syria) was a people who descended from Shem, just as Israel had. The friction, hatred, and almost constant warfare in that part of the world has roots that go back at least to the time of Abraham. The fact that the Syrians (Arameans) were almost always on the opposite side of the people of God was tragic and unnecessary. One point that should not be missed is that the war was against Israel (the north) which was the group that followed Jeroboam—how can the world (Syria) learn about God from God’s people if God’s people have fallen away?
2 Kings 5: Behold, I Thought
Leprosy is a horrible disease (so bad that it is used to illustrate what sin can do to us). Naaman was a leader in the army of Syria (Aram) and he had leprosy. He was given a very simple remedy for it by a man of God—“Go wash in the Jordan seven times.” It is all too common for people to get angry when they are given God’s simple and clear remedy for something. Naaman got angry and was talking to himself (“Behold, I thought”: I was talking to myself). Read the story and see how it turned out and why. Then read Mark 16:16 and do it if you haven’t.
2 Kings 4: A Great Woman
Verse 8 in the King James Version refers to the woman of Shunem as a “great” woman. All I ask you to do is to see why the Bible calls her great as you read—take note of as many points as you can find—and imitate her so God can use you in “great” ways, too.
2 Kings 3: Is There a Prophet of Jehovah Here?
The evil king of the north was Joram (or, Jehoram). The righteous king of the south was Jehoshaphat. They, along with Edom’s king, were on their way to put down a rebellion of Moab. When they ran out of water, Joram decided it was a sign that Jehovah was against them. But—and here is the point—Jehoshaphat asked the question that is the title of this meditation. The prophet was Elisha who told them the will of the Lord, and He proceeded to put down the rebellion through them. It always pays for us to learn the will of the Lord, doesn’t it?
2 Kings 2: It Is Appointed Unto Man Once to Die
Physical death for all people is a consequence of the sin in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3; Romans 5). But two people lived in such a way that they did not have to make an appointment with death—Enoch and Elijah. Enoch’s story is in Genesis 5. Elijah’s departure from earth is in today’s reading. As you read, meditate on the kind of life Elijah lived and on the impact this event must have had on Elisha’s life and works. Then, decide that it will change your life for good, too.
2 Kings 1: A Hairy Man with a Leather Belt
Most of the life of Elijah has been covered by now, but here, near its end, we learn more about this rugged man who had “spirit and power” (Luke 1:27). As a man, he had a strong spirit and a powerful life. As a prophet of God, he had the Holy Spirit and the power of His word. In the New Testament, it is easy to be reminded of him every time we read about a similar man: John, the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth.
1 Kings 22: Micaiah
Most great people in the Bible have their stories told very quickly (for example, Abel is only mentioned in 5 places in the entire Bible). One of these great people is the prophet Micaiah in today’s reading. Notice his resolution to only speak the words of Jehovah, his courage in facing the king, his refusal to back down to Ahab, his victory over physical attack, and his confidence in his message.
1 Kings 21: Naboth
Naboth, who appears to be an honorable man standing for his rightful position as a landowner, has the sad fate to be another unjustified source for Ahab’s whining depression because he could not have his way. Worse than that, the wicked Jezebel gets involved and has the honorable man murdered. This was the last straw—God pronounced the doom of this evil pair. Both predictions came true in their deaths. Ahab died in spite of an attempt to disguise himself and Jezebel died in spite of the passing of time (1 Kings 22; 2 Kings 9).
1 Kings 20: Depressed and Dejected
The last verse of this reading tells of Ahab’s emotional state after receiving the judgment of the Lord for his evil ways. The King James says he was “heavy and displeased.” These words mean that he was depressed (without hope) and dejected. This was totally unnecessary, for he could have had true sorrow for his sins which would lead to repentance, forgiveness and peace. In the next chapter, he continued with these same attitudes over his inability to get Naboth’s vineyard (v. 4). We have no record that he ever changed.
1 Kings 19: Forty Days/Forty Nights
This period of time refers to Elijah’s walk to the mount of God: Horeb (where Moses had often gone; Exodus 3:1). Today, no one knows for certain where this, or many other, Bible locations are. But Moses and Elijah knew! God used this experience to teach Elijah that he was not alone and that the way to deal with his fears and discouragement was to view the situation through God’s words. And then, he needed to get back to work. This is exactly what he did.
1 Kings 18: Rain
Living on earth makes us conscious of many things, especially when we are forced to do without them. These include health, shelter, food, clothing, and—in this chapter—rain. God had withheld the rain as an object lesson (17:1). In this reading, God tells Elijah His plan that would end the three and a half years of no rain (James 5:17-18). Learn to lean on the the greatness of God as you meditate through this rather long reading.
1 Kings 17: Elijah
Enter a man who is the opposite of Ahab and Jezebel. The great prophet Elijah becomes God’s arm of teaching and rebuke to Ahab and all of Israel. After the record of the downward spiral of God’s people in the previous chapters, this man becomes a source of relief and hope for us (and all of the faithful of his day). He would also serve as a pattern for another life far in the future: John the Immerser.
1 Kings 16: Ahab
Kings in the north come and go in this chapter until we come to one of the worst of all—Ahab. He did as every king before and after him by walking in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. But the historian makes an interesting comment about Ahab’s attitude—he did these evils “as if it had been a light thing” (v. 3). We might use the word “trivial” today. There is no such thing as a “trivial” manner of living! His trivial thing included his marriage to one of the most evil women of all times—the idol-worshipping Jezebel.
1 Kings 15: He Walked in Sins
This is the inspired description of the reign of Abijam, son of Rehoboam (and grandson of Solomon). As a matter of fact, he walked in all of the sins of his father. The sad fact is that there are many people who walk in sins because they learn sin from their fathers. This pattern is reproduced all through the Old Testament, with occasional exceptions. Happily, one of the exceptions was this man’s son, Asa, who reigned faithfully for 41 years! Let us pray that children who grow up with evil parents (such as Asa) will learn the ways of the Lord from someone who knows the truth.
1 Kings 14: Jeroboam Made Israel Sin
Two and a half centuries of sin, through every northern dynasty, began with Jeroboam’s pattern of false worship and evil living. It led to the punishment of the entire nation by the Lord at the hands of Assyria:
1 Kings: 14:26; 15:26,30,34; 16:2,19,26,31; 21:22; 22:52
2 Kings: 3:3; 10:29,31; 13:2,6,11; 14:24; 15:9,18,24,28; 17:20-23
1 Kings 13: How to Lie and Get Away with It (?)
“But he lied unto him” (v. 18). The prophet of God had obeyed Jehovah, but he allowed himself to be deceived by an older prophet who was a liar. The first prophet lost his life and the liar lived on. So did he get away with it? Although there are unanswered questions in this reading—it does not teach that liars can get away with lies (Numbers 32:23). And don’t miss the point made by the author in the last two verses: after all of this, Jeroboam did not repent. We should think about what it takes to get us to repent when we need to.
1 Kings 12: Rehoboam and Jeroboam - Two Evil Kings
Sin leads to division and division leads to sin. Israel’s desire for a king now results in two kingdoms, and each is headed by an evil king. Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, would reign in sin for 17 years in the south (14:21). Jeroboam, an Ephraimite (descendant of Joseph) had been told that God would give him the tribes of the north (11:29-33). In this reading, he took control of them and immediately led them away from God and their covenant with Him. Two and a half centuries of evil would follow. Evil leaders exist in all times and many places. They do not have to be followed.
1 Kings 11: Solomon - and Sin
Oh, how I wish that this chapter read differently! After all of the pleasant readings in chapters 3-10, the fall of Solomon is unexpected. And it led to the wicked life of his son and its consequences. You can read more of Solomon’s life without God (and what I believe was his statement of repentance) in Ecclesiastes.
1 Kings 10: Solomon - and God's Blessings
The earthly blessings that Solomon received from God were beyond imagination. He gave because Solomon was serving Him, He gave so Solomon could do more to bring glory to God—and all of this is paralleled by the spiritual blessings in the life of a Christian today. Note:
Beatitudes Matthew 5Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5
Christian Graces 2 Peter 1
1 Kings 9: Solomon - and God's Promise
Here is one of those readings where God responded in words to His servant. Do you see anything new in what He said to Solomon? By that I mean, are His promises and requirements really any different from all of the ones that came before it in the Old Testament?
1 Kings 8: Solomon - and God's Glory
This chapter and its parallel (2 Chronicles 6) are among the greatest in the entire Old Testament. Meditate on the things that you can learn about God as you read—from His glory to His desire to forgive us when we sin again and again. Then read it again—and meditate on God’s nature some more. Decide to make this a regular reading in your life.
1 Kings 7: Solomon - God's Finisher
I would not be surprised to learn that some of Solomon’s proverbs guided him through the early chapters of 1 Kings. To begin the great work of the temple and not finish it would have put him in the same category as some of the fools of his writing. But he FINISHED. How many unfinished important things are there in my life?
1 Kings 6: Solomon - God's Builder
The building of the temple was a monumental, expensive, and time-consuming task. As you read these details, think about how important it was to do these things well. Also, think about the fact that the Lord has a temple today, too. It deserves to be built with the same dedication and faithfulness (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:1-12).
1 Kings 5: Solomon - God's Man of Peace
David’s reign had been one of war, now there was no war—so there was rest. Peace extended to David’s friend, Hiram of Tyre. This allowed Solomon to proceed in the planning and building of the temple—a house for the Lord. Let us learn to be ready to implement plans that promote the cause of God whenever a time of peace is upon us in society and the church. What a shame it is when the church is at war with itself while the world is largely at peace!
1 Kings 4: Solomon - God's Author
Although none of Solomon’s proverbs (3,000) or songs (1,005) are in this reading, we have some of them in three other books (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon). God inspired him, Solomon wrote, and then God chose the ones He wanted preserved for all time.
1 Kings 3: Solomon - Still a Child
In verse 7, Solomon refers to himself as a “little child” (KJV). My opinion was that he was a teenager. He was the earthly king of a lineage that was to end with the King of Kings—Jesus Christ (Luke 1). Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36); Solomon’s was. He really needed help in order to do this well, and his humble beginning, acknowledged by his words in this reading, can help us to teach our “little children” that great lives are built on humility.
1 Kings 2: Death to Joab
Among the last words of David is a clear statement that he knew Joab was a murderer. It was important for him to reap as he had sown, not to mention the possibility that he might continue murdering if Solomon did not stop him. So he did. This was part of the foundation for future peace for the throne of David.
1 Kings 1: Who Should Follow David
Someone said, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Moving from one generation to another in a monarchy involves plotting, lying, murder, and other sorts of political intrigue. These things took place even when the kingdom was the Lord’s. This is another place where meditating on self-will could be very helpful.
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