April 13 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 103

After we hear again from the mother of the child who Elisha raised from the dead (Chapter 4), most of the rest of today's readings deal with the succession of kings. You know how peaceably that always works out 😏

DAILY READINGS

2 Kings 8-11 & Psalm 103

DAILY NOTES

2 Kings 8:4

The king is talking with Gehazi. Didn't Gehazi get leprosy? Aren't lepers shunned? And is this the same king that was ready to kill Elisha back in Chapter 6?

2 Kings 9

Here's an interesting bit of commentary I found: "The death of Jezebel brings to an end the influence of the most powerful woman in the history of the Northern Kingdom."

2 Kings 10 (death chapter?)

2 Kings 11

There's been a lot of revolt and death within the kingdoms. It seems that the end of Chapter 11 describes a time when that tension has dwindled and brought about a time when the influence of Baal is being eradicated.

Psalm 103

A psalm of thanksgiving. The psalm not only mentions things that God has done, but offers attributes of God to be thankful for.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

By now you've noticed that the kingdom of Judah, in terms of true worship, is superior to the Northern Kingdom-remember when Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4)? That doesn't mean that Judah didn't have their issues. And it doesn't mean that all of Israel's (Northern Kingdom) kings were bad, kind of.

King Jehu is a good example. At the end of Chapter 10 he "wiped out Baal from Israel." That's a good thing. The very next sentence, however,, reminds us that he didn't turn completely away from all of the improper worship. The writer also makes a comment a few verses later that he "was not careful to follow the law of the Lord the God of Israel with all his heart."

Of course, there is a theological bias against Israel. These are true worship wars!

But I think it's still a good reminder of the importance of remembering the greatest commandment. We're called to love God with ALL we have. Have you heard me say that before?

A modern example of Jehu's incomplete worship might be almost-cliche. When we confine Jesus stuff to Sunday morning, we're half following. Actually, considering a Sunday worship service is approximately 74 minutes, we're 0.7341269841269841 following.

Keep following. Along the way, leave behind what's keeping you from experience the full power of God.

Stay blessed...john

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March 29 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 88 Now that Israel has one king, it's a good time to consider the role of Israel's messiah. Check out today's Bible Project video that explains how Jesus fits the narrative of messiah. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 4-8 & Psalm 88 DAILY NOTES 2 Samuel 4-5 The murder of Ishbaal, Saul's surviving son, prompts all the people to anoint David king over the entire kingdom. Notice that over the last several chapters, David does not approve of these political murders. The first act of David, as the narrative is concerned, is to stand against the Jebusites. These are the people Joshua did not drive away (Joshua 15:63). As a result of their conquest, David makes Jerusalem the capital of the kingdom. David continues to rise in stature and respect. 2 Samuel 6 After establishing Jerusalem as the capital, David's next effort is to bring the ark to the capital. It is the nation's most sacred object and it belongs in the nation's capital. I

April 11 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 101 The great prophet Elijah leaves the scene (He'll appear again later. Do you remember where?). Elisha takes his place and immediately begins to act as prophet among the people. DAILY READINGS 2 Kings 1-3 & Psalm 101 DAILY NOTES 2 Kings 1 King Ahaziah is injured and he wants to know if he'll live. He seeks input from the prophets of Baal-zebub. Elijah finds out and interrupts Ahaziah's men from going to the prophets. Notice that Elijah, that hairy man, is divinely protected by the captain and his men. Ahazia never hears from the prophets. Elijah speaks directly to him to tell him that he will surely die. 2 Kings 2 Where did the idea of a whirlwind come from? Did anyone expect that Elijah would be taken "to heaven by a whirlwind"? Everyone seems to know that today Elijah will be gone. Elisha's command to the band of prophets seems to indicate his sense of loss but also a vigor within himself; he is standing up to

February 26 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 57 Today's Bible Project video centers on what the Bible means when it speaks of the heart. DAILY READINGS Deuteronomy 13-14 & Psalm 57 DAILY NOTES Deuteronomy 13 Any prophet or "dreamer of dreams" lead you away from God to other gods, he is to be put to death. That person has, among other things, spoken "treason" or "falsehood" against God. The same thing should happen to "anyone" who tempts you in secret to follow another God, even if that anyone is a family member. Notice that you're not even to show them "pity or compassion" or even try to protect them. The text (Verse 13) says to watch for scoundrels--literally, sons of decadence. If they are found to be leading people away from God, they are to be put to do as well, and all those of their town that followed them. Deuteronomy 14 The Isrealites were to remain a distinctive people. They were not to follow the customs or practices o

The Bible Project @ Kelsey

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