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 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
Post a Comment
Read more

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
Post a Comment
Read more

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
Post a Comment
Read more