July 28th One Year Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21 ~ Romans 11:13-36 ~ Psalm 22:1-18 ~ Proverbs 20:7
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Old Testament - Today in Second Chronicles 21 verses 12 through 15 we read about a letter that one would really not want to receive... "Then Elijah the prophet wrote Jehoram this letter: "This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: You have not followed the good example of your father, Jehoshaphat, or your grandfather King Asa of Judah. Instead, you have been as evil as the kings of Israel. You have led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship idols, just as King Ahab did in Israel. And you have even killed your own brothers, men who were better than you. So now the LORD is about to strike you, your people, your children, your wives, and all that is yours with a heavy blow. You yourself will be stricken with a severe intestinal disease until it causes your bowels to come out."  The face on Jehoram in this image below captures well what one would be feeling like after receiving a letter like this from a prophet of God...

In Second Chronicles 23 today Jehoiada the priest leads a revolt against Queen Athaliah.  Below is French artist Antoine Coypel's (1661-1722) take on the scene:

New Testament - Paul bursts out in some great praise and worship of God today in Romans 11 verses 33 through 36: "Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor?  And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen."  Great stuff!  I love that second to last full sentence that tells us that everything is intended for God's glory.  So true.  And yet so easy for us to forget.  You my friend are intended for God's glory!  It is a beautiful truth to consider.  Are you living your life fully for God's glory?  Are there any areas of your life that would not be seen as giving glory to God?  Will you let those un-glorious aspects of your life go?  Will you walk fully in the LIGHT of God's glory?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings from Romans titled "The Kindness and Severity of God" is at this link and "The Wisdom of God and the Wisdom of Man" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 22 is an amazing Psalm.  This Psalm is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament.  Re-read this Psalm again and see if you see parallels to Jesus' crucifixion?  There are a lot in this Psalm.   I'll list a few - Psalm 22:1a was quoted by Jesus on the cross - "My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?"  As we see in Matthew 27:46 - "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 

Psalm 22 Verse 8: ""Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!"" We see in similar fashion in Matthew 27:42-43: "“He saved others,” they said, “but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

Psalm 22 verses 16 & 17 make me want to cry... "They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count every bone in my body." The piercing of the hands and feet of Jesus are apparent with how the crucifixion took place.  And these Psalm 22 verses are similar to John 19:33-37: "But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”"

And verse 18: "They divide my clothes among themselves and throw dice for my garments." Compare to John 19:23-24 - "When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let's not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let's decide by lot who will get it.”"

Proverbs - Proverbs 20 verse 7 today is a wonderful reminder that the way we live our lives today sets an example for children: "The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them."  What type of example are you setting for children in your life?  Are you walking with integrity?  Do you believe children will be blessed after you because you walked with integrity?

YouTube: Our Psalm 22 readings today reminded me of Todd Agnew's song called "My Jesus:"

Do you know your Jesus?  Click here to meet Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Ramona]

II Chronicles 21:1-23:21

“There is no success without a successor.” If that statement is true then both Israel and Judah were not successful kingdoms. Today’s reading, no all the readings of the Books of the Bible that are known as History, 1 Samuel through II Chronicles, show the failure of each king, including David and Solomon to rule sin free and to reign in total and perfect righteousness. But in the horizon waited the King of kings standing ready to awaiting His entrance in the fullness of time. And that King is Jesus. No matter how good an earthly king was, the missteps made by each one, no matter how many or few, brought upon themselves and the people they ruled consequences they were unable to bear.

But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
(Gal 4:4-7 KJV)
Johoshaphat left no heir waiting in the wings upon his death. He left his oldest son to take his place but age nor was birth order ever used by God to call or appoint someone to a leadership role. David was the youngest of Jessie’s sons, yet he was the one God picked to be king over Israel after having rejected Saul. Jacob, the younger brother, was chosen by God to rule over Esau, the older. God looks at the heart, man looks at the appearance and the customs of the day to pick leaders who can’t lead.

The last part of verse nine in the twenty-second just floored me, “None of the surviving members of Ahaziah's family were capable of ruling the kingdom”

I believe this sad state of affairs can only come abut when we focus our attention on the immediacy of the now and fail to understand we owe the future generations a continuity of right living, right thinking and right believing. We cannot just tell them to do as I say and not as I do; it does not work. Our behaviors speak so loudly that our words are drowned out by our actions.

Romans 11:13-36
Jew or Greek (non-Jew), it doesn’t matter all our made righteousness not by works or linage, but by the root of the tree of righteousness and the root is the, God and His Son, Jesus. There is nothing we can give to God, there is nothing we can do to earn or inherit righteousness and favor with God. God shows mercy on whom He desires to show mercy.

Psalm 22:1-18

8
"Is this the one who relies on the LORD?
Then let the LORD save him!
If the LORD loves him so much,
let the LORD rescue him!"

These word were not only spoken by the crowd as they watched Jesus hang on the cross, but these words are spoken about every person who calls on the Name of Jesus. Ever here some people talk about someone behind their back who is in some kind of trouble who they know is a Christian,? I have heard conversations laced with vitriol as I rode home from work on the train talking about people who found themselves in trouble who happed to be believers. And if you’re a Christian there are folks talking about you.

Proverbs 20:7

Did not realize this Proverb would apply to what I wrote about today’s reading in Chronicles.

The righteous man walks in his integrity; blessed (happy, fortunate, enviable) are his children after him.
(Pro 20:7 AMP)

[Stuart]

Again and again I puzzle over the failure of OT leaders to worship God and not false gods. Even now, in the 21st century the world continues to fall.

May God help us.
Amen

[John A.]

Stuart,

It is more appealing to worship false gods. You can design a god that you approve of and that you can get along with in life. If you worship the treue God you have to submit to His authority and allow Him to run your life. People bridle at that because of - PRIDE. It was true then, and it is true today.

Worshipping the True God really only works consistently when you turn back to God and seek Him, and have your heart changed. Or have your heart changed and go seek Him. Depending on your theology :) From that comes repenting and belief and an endwelling of the Holy Spirit of all believers.

[John A.]

Romans 11:13-36

Vs 13-22

A Jew would understand Paul's references here regarding firstfruits of the dough. If the firstfruits are acceptable to God the whole of what is being referred to is acceptable. if the root is holy (special set apart) than the brances are acceptable.

Abraham is the first fruits of the dough and is the root of the tree. The dough (Israel) is set apart and special as a nation (does not mean they are all believers but in the end a remnant will come out representing the nation). The dough will not have been thrown out.

Paul talking collectively here: Israel as a nation, and Gentiles as the Church.

If Abraham is the root and an unbelieving nation(Israel/branches) is cut off the tree, and we as spritual children of Abraham by faith are grafted on as branches - Don't brag. We are only grafted in by the mercy and grace of God which brought us to faith. So to, will the nation of Israel (the natural branches be grafted back in in that day (tribulation)).

WARNING: If we collectively as the church fall into a pattern of ignoring God's Word and becoming lukewarm in our attitude towards God - ignoring the kindness and blessings of God (not giving thanks and praise)-the church collectively will be cut off from blessings and kindness (no longer having favored status collectively.

We are not going to lose salvation individually. The danger is in the collective nature of the church (Body of Christ), not growing in spiritual maturity and bearing fruit as should a believing group.

NOTE: Israel is cut off as a nation because of UNBELIEF. The Church would be cut off from because of ignoring the KINDNESS of God. Two completely different concepts and Greek words.

[John A.]

Romans 11:13-36
[continued]

11:25 "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in."

full number - Greek - plērōma - has a connotation of a ship being full manned. The full number of sailors, rowers, and officers. It is a certain number.

I believe God's plan has a set number of believers in mind for the Church age (present time). When that last person bopards the ship - believes - the next phase of God's plan the Tribulation and the saving of the remnant of Israel will begin.

I think the rest is rather self evident. The prophets predicted it (Jeremiah and Isaiah), and God will keep His word - it is irrevocable.

The nation (remnant of Israel) will be saved, grafted into the tree, and the kingdom will be complete for Christ's reign of a 1,000 years.

Why all the intrigue and drama? Why couldn't God just have gotten this over with 2,000 years ago. One, we would not be here - aren't you glad if you are a believer! Two, all must be in a state of disobediance so that they may be drawn by God's grace and mercy - bringing Glory to Him - not man.

Salvation is about God - Not us. This is about the Glory of God - not man.

[John A.]

2 Chronicles 21-23:21

21 VERSES 8-11

1. The result of Jehoram's actions, that is leading the people away from the Lord, was that God brought judgment upon the nation. He did this by causing various nations to rise up against them and I don't believe it was because God was vindictive, but because He wanted to awaken them from their spiritual sleep and draw them back to Him. The sad thing here is Jehoram did not repent of his sins and turn to God, but continued down that road away from God and straight to hell. But he was not alone in his actions, for he is leading the nation down that same path. As Jesus said in Matthew 15:14 "...They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."

VERSE 12a

1. Now some have difficulty with this because they say Elijah was taken up to be with the Lord prior to this event, so he could not have written this letter of coming judgment. First of all Elijah was a prophet of God and God could have had him write this letter in advance. There are many examples of this but one that sticks out in my mind is found in the book of Isaiah where we see hundreds of years before Cyrus, king of Persia was even born, God called him by name. He not only spoke of his name but explained how they were going to destroy the Babylonians and enter this fortified city through its gates. (Isaiah 45). So it can be simply explained for God knows the things that are coming to pass before they happen, and He used the prophets to speak to the people, not only speaking forth the words of God, but also speaking of future events that will come to pass.

22 VERSES 1-2

1. In II Kings 8:26 we are told that Ahaziah was 22 years old when he became king and not 42 years old as is stated here in II Chronicles. It seems we have a copyist error here in II Chronicles, which is easy to do with numbers.

2. Because of that many try and say that the Bible is not reliable and is filled with many discrepancies, especially the Old Testament. The earliest manuscripts of the Old Testament was from 916 AD until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls which date around 125 BC. The Scroll of Isaiah is some 24 feet long and 10 inches high. In comparing it with the text of more than 1,000 years earlier, from 916 AD, we find that it is 95% accurate and the 5% variation consisted chiefly of variations in spelling and in not one case did it change the meaning or the intent of the Scripture. No doctrine was changed. William Green said "It may safely be said that no other work of antiquity has been so accurately transmitted." The original text of the Scriptures were without error and the entire Old Testament of today has only 1/2 of 1% error, that again does not change one doctrine. So the Scriptures are accurate, for they have been one of the most highly analyzed books of antiquity. In fact there is more evidence for the reliability of the New Testament than any 10 pieces of classical literature put together. In fact, if anyone says that the New Testament is not reliable, they will have to throw out all literature of antiquity. Today we have between 14 to 15,000 manuscripts to work from, the number 2 book is the Iliad and it only has 643 manuscripts."
http://www.ccmanitowoc.org/Library/Guglielmo-Joe/Studies/TH/14-2CH/TH1063.HTM

[John A.]

2 Chronicles 21-23:21
[Continued]

23 VERSES 3-7

1. This kid had more body guards than our president. Wherever he went he was protected. And if anyone got to close to him, they were to be put to death. Extreme measures it seems to protect this young child.

2. Why would they use such extreme measures to protect Joash? Because Joash was the last remaining descendant of David who could be king. And if you remember, it was through the lineage of David that the Messiah was to come. Thus, if you destroyed the lineage of David you would prevent the Messiah from coming. Yes Athaliah was wicked and responsible for her actions, but behind the scenes you can see the demonic influence going on. Satan was trying to prevent the seed of the woman from being born, the Messiah, who would give him a mortal wound. Thus, in Genesis we see him go to work and influence Cain, who killed Abel. But the Messiah was not to come through Cain or Abel, but through another son, Seth. And every time the Messianic lineage is more defined, Satan comes after it. anti-Semitism has Demonic roots and you can trace this throughout the Old Testament, for every time you see mass murder, check and see if that is where the Messiah was to come from, chances are it was. And in the New Testament, we see Herod being used by Satan to destroy all the children from the age of 2 and under, why? Because the Messiah was born and he was trying to destroy Him. Herod did not want anyone to usurp his throne, and Satan did not want the Messiah to destroy him! Athaliah was following suit, and so Joash had to be protected."
http://www.ccmanitowoc.org/Library/Guglielmo-Joe/Studies/TH/14-2CH/TH1063.HTM