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

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

April 3 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 93 After today we'll have finished another book of the Bible.  King David's place in the story of God is winding down. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 22-24 & Psalm 93 DAILY NOTES 2 Samuel 22 This is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving.  Psalm 18 is a variation of this psalm. 2 Samuel 23 David's reign (and life) are drawing to a close.  These are some of his last words and speak of men that have served under him.   2 Samuel 24 David wants a census of the people.  Since he later sees it as a sin, we can gather that he had prideful purposes for doing so.   The king repents, but also suffers the judgement of the sin.  Technically, 70,000 of the people he just counted suffered. Afterwards, David builds an altar to God. Psalm 93 God's rule over earth is celebrated.  This is what's called an enthronement psalm.  OTHER OBSERVATIONS There's an interesting observation to consider about 2 Samuel 24:1...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 6 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 96 We've come a long way from wondering in the desert.  Now, after many battles and years of disarray, God's people are living in peace and the Lord has a house built. DAILY READINGS 1 Kings 8-10 & Psalm 96 DAILY NOTES 1 Kings 8 Solomon brings the ark of God to the temple. The temple is dedicated.  Solomon offers a prayer for the occasion. Solomon blesses the people. 1 Kings 9 The highlight of this chapter is that God appears to Solomon again (in a dream?).  The line of David will continue through Solomon, assuming he follows the way of God.  The people must also follow. 1 Kings 10 The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see for herself his wisdom.  She is amazed (breathless).  The two crowns exchange gifts. Some of Solomon's furniture is described as a way to emphasize the grandeur of his reign and the temple.  Notice how "the whole earth" wanted to see Solomon (10:24). OTHER OBSERVATIONS Solomon's prayer at...
Post a Comment
Read more