Skip to main content

April 17 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 107

We're reading about 4 kings today.  Two good ones. Two evil ones.  

DAILY READINGS

2 Kings 20-22 & Psalm 107

DAILY NOTES

2 Kings 20

  • Hezekiah's illness and the visit from the Babylon representatives are thought to be out of chronological place.  
  • Notice that Isaiah wants nothing to do with Babylon (really with any foreign nation).  Of course, Babylon's force will come into play later as they fulfill what Isaiah predicts.
    • We assume, because of Verse 19, that Hezekiah thought dealing with Babylon was a good idea because it spurred trade and peace.
  • If you're familiar with Hezekiah's tunnel, we read a little more about that later in Chronicles.
2 Kings 21
  • Another two kings do did evil in the sight of the Lord.  
2 Kings 22
  • Josiah becomes king and discovers the book of the law.  Rabbinic tradition says that Ahaz burned the Torah, but this scroll was hidden under a rock and, therefore, saved.  It's also been suggested that Hilkiah wrote the scroll and "conveniently found" it.
Psalm 107
  • This is a psalm about giving God thanks even when (especially when?) there are troubles.  Notice the four "some" situations.  

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Wouldn't we all love to have our prayers answered the way Hezekiah did!

Notice, though, there was nothing specific about Hezekiah's prayer--only that God would remember Hezekiah's faithfulness.  But we know what he's praying for.  Whether it's because he feels like he has unfinished business with the kingdom or he is worried about his family taking control, we all know that he's praying because he isn't ready to die and he doesn't want to die.  

More importantly, God knows that.

Whether our prayers are answered in the way we want or not, what's most important is that we've learned that God hears what we pray for.  Even when we can't put words to what we're feeling or what we're hoping for, God hears.  

This weekend, I was reminded of a colleague's response to prayer.  This colleague is battling colon cancer and has learned this: God doesn't always cure, but God always heals.

Amen!

Stay blessed...john


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 31 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 90 David's family situation continues to spiral.  In today's reading, David's family is torn apart by rape.  As a consequence, David's son sets his eyes on his father's throne. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 13-15 & Psalm 90 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 13:1-14 Amnon was David's first born son (3:2).  That may shed light as to why David seems to deal with him so easily (Verse 21).  Although he does kind of the same thing later with Absalom. Tamar is Absalom's full sister, half sister to Amnon.  Amnon is lovesick with her.  He devises a plan, with the help of a friend, to have her enter his chamber (bedroom).   Since she was a virgin, she didn't go out and about.  She remained in her house, perhaps protected.   Tamar knows what will become of her if Amnon goes through with his wishes; she will be left aside, unable to marry (see Verse 20).  She seems willing to have become married to Amnon, but his lust clouds h...
Post a Comment
Read more

January 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 27 We'll be reading about atonement today.  T oday's video helps make sense of that biblical theme. DAILY READINGS Exodus 30-31 & Psalm 27 DAILY NOTES Exodus 30:6 Everything has its place.   Exodus 30:10 Once a year would be Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Exodus 12-15 The Lord's offering is required of everyone equally (of the appropriate age).  Strangely enough, there is a designation of rich and poor.  Everyone has just come from Egypt.  How has that distinction arisen?   Exodus 31:13 It's interesting to compare how the idea of sabbath here relates to previous mentions of it.   Exodus 31:18 Moses had written the words down.  Now, with merely his finger, God has provided the tablets for all to remember the covenant that has been made.   Psalm 27 Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed for something?  The psalmist seems to know the feeling.  His final adm...
Post a Comment
Read more

February 16 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 47 Before the movie Shrek, the best known talking donkey was Balaam's donkey.  That's what we're reading about today.   Of course, that's only part of the story between Balak and Balaam.   DAILY READINGS Numbers 22-24 & Psalm 47 DAILY NOTES Numbers 22:2 Apparently, Israel is making a name for itself.  The Moabites are terrified and distressed/irritated by the news of what the Israelites are doing. Numbers 22:5-6 Balaam is, apparentely, a diviner with a good reputation.  Balak is "overcome with fear" and his response is to go to Balaam.  Balak knows that "whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed." Numbers 22:8 This is the recurring theme for Balaam.  He will only say what  God tells him to say.  That is, there's no money back guarantee.  Even if it doesn't align with what Balak wants, Balaam will only give the words that God gives him. There is no indication why Balaam w...
Post a Comment
Read more