Skip to main content

April 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 117

You'll find today's reading probably are easier to read than some of what we've read lately.  These chapters outline a few stories of Hezekiah and Isaiah.  You'll probably feel like you've read some of it before.
Related image

DAILY READINGS

Isaiah 36-38 & Psalm 117

DAILY NOTES

Isaiah 36

  • The Assyrian king takes captive cities of Judah and sets his eyes on Jerusalem.  This could be a fulfillment of what was spoken in Isaiah 7:16-17.
  • Rabshakeh is a title, not just a name.  He is the commanding officer.
  • Interestingly, the Rabshakeh says the same thing God would say.  The Lord didn't want Israel to join with Egypt because they would trust them more than they would trust God.  
  • The Rabshakeh tries to intimidate the soldiers by speaking their language, but they have already been instructed not to answer anything.
Isaiah 37
  • Hezekiah turns to Isaiah so that he would "lift up a prayer for the remnant that is left."
  • Isaiah assures him that God is still controlling this situation.  God will bring confusion, by way of rumor, to Assyria.
    • It works, and, afterwards, Assyria sends a letter to Hezekiah with a new threat.
    • Hezekiah responds with prayer.
Isaiah 38
  • We've read about Hezekiah's illness in 2 Kings 20.
Psalm 117
  • A psalm of worship.
  • It's 2 verses--you can memorize that!

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

First, the Rabshakeh ridiculed Hezekiah's alliance with Egypt.  We've already suggested that God would probably agree with him, although for different reasons.  Assyria didn't want Israel to trust Egypt so that they would fear Assyria.  God didn't want Israel to trust Egypt so that Israel would trust God.  

What Assyria didn't realize, however, was that they were being used by God.  They were full of themselves.  How do we know?  They then turn their words against God.  Whoops.  Bad idea.  

What a great reminder.  For all that God has spoken against Israel, for all that the people have done against God, God responds to Hezekiah's prayer.  Our past can be full of things we're not proud of.  How many times have we turned from God?  Yet, when we turn to God in prayer, God hears us.  

So, don't ever think you're too far from God to pray to God.  

Stay blessed...john


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 24 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 83 The relationship between Saul and David worsens.  David is now Saul's enemy.   DAILY READINGS 1 Samuel 18-20 & Psalm 83 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 18 Saul's delight for David quickly turns.  Saul is jealous of David's success and the fact that everyone else seems to like David more than him. Of course, we have to think about what this evil spirit from the Lord might mean. Saul tries to kill David.  He even devises a plan to have him married into the royal family so that he can create a snare for him. What does it say about David that, even after Saul has tried to kill him, he still finds it an honor to be married to the family? David escapes Saul's traps.  So, from here on out, the text says that Saul considered David an enemy.  Think he knows what it means to love your enemies? 1 Samuel 19 Verse 5 reminds us of David's fight with Goliath.  At this point, David has fought other times.  What makes that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

May 23 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 143 DAILY READINGS Job 12-15 & Psalm 138 DAILY NOTES Job 12 Surely, Job says, his friends don't think they're the only ones with wisdom?  Plus, they are telling him anything that isn't known by all.   Maybe they aren't as smart as they think they are? God holds true wisdom.  "With God are wisdom and strength" (vs. 13). Job 13 Job's friends have taken it upon themselves to speak on behalf of God.  Job considers their representation to be false because they have not considered Job's condition. Job 14 Job's prayer to God continues. We see a bit of the book's larger vision in these verses.  Job recognizes, and wants God to remember, that all humanity shares the same days of life.   Job 15 Eliphaz considers that Job's questioning hinders God and would keep others from knowing God. Psalm 138 The praise of the psalmist is a communal act.   God has been faithful and the psalmist wants to thank God...
Post a Comment
Read more

March 13 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 72 Are you familiar with Gideon?  Do you know why the people who leave Bibles in hotel rooms call themselves the Gideons?   Well, let's read about Gideon first and found out about the Gideons later. DAILY READINGS Judges 6-8 & Psalm 72 DAILY NOTES Judges 6:1-10 The Israelites are oppressed by the Midianites.  They are forced to flee to the mountains and caves.  The Israelites were "impoverished" and the land was "wasted."   The Israelites call out to God.  A prophet arose to confirm their current situation is due to their turning away from God.  Scripture doesn't tell us who the prophet was, but Jewish commentary offers a name. Judges 6:12 Gideon is approached by an angel of the Lord.  He is called a "mighty warrior."   Judges 6:22 After the sign Gideon asks for comes to pass, he believes he has seen the angel of God and believes what he has told him.   Judges 6:25-27 ...
Post a Comment
Read more