Chronological Bible Blog

June 20th Chronological Bible Readings

2 Kings 14:1-14; 2 Chronicles 25:1-24; 2 Kings 13:12-13; 2 Kings 14:15-16; 2 Kings 14:23-27; 2 Chronicles 25:25-28; 2 Kings 14:17-22; 2 Kings 15:1-5; 2 Chronicles 26:1-21; Jonah 1:1-4:11
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

In 2 Kings 14 today we read about King Amaziah of Judah.  I'm not sure if you caught this - I barely did - but we read about the ancient city of Petra, which is located in modern day Jordan, in verse 7: "It was Amaziah who killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He also conquered Sela and changed its name to Joktheel, as it is called to this day."  Sela/Joktheel is the same city as Petra.  I'm curious of anyone reading this has visited the ruins of Petra in Jordan?  Can you post up reviews in the Comments?  Are they worth visiting?  I have heard they are incredible!  In fact, Bruce Feiler's book, Walking the Bible, has a wonderful chapter on Petra - I highly recommend this book! I hope to visit Petra someday.  A map of where Petra is located in comparison to Amman, Jordan, and Jerusalem is below. 

Today we start and finish the book of Jonah!  There is so much information to consider in this short 4 chapter book.  I definitely encourage you to do some further study on this book in a Commentary or online.  Or - at the very least, rent the Veggie Tales movie about Jonah...  :)  I have to confess - I did see the Veggie Tales Jonah movie when it came out in the theaters with my friends & their kids - and as I started to read today, I did very briefly envision Jonah as the asparagus or whatever type of green vegetable he was in that movie...  :)  It is a fun movie for kids of all ages!  Okay, I digress... 

~Jonah~
Author: Jonah
Date: Eighth century B.C.
Content: Jonah was a prophet who was born in Israel (see 2 Kings 14:25) and called by God to preach repentance to Assyria (the capital city was Nineveh) – the nation that was shortly going to destroy Israel in 722 B.C. On receiving the call, Jonah’s nationalistic spirit would not allow him to offer salvation to the pagans, so he attempted to flee from God by ship. He was thrown overboard, swallowed by a great fish, disgorged on the shore, and finally obeyed God’s command by going to Nineveh to preach. His success there angered him, however, and God taught him an object lesson by means of a plant. Jonah’s experience in the fish is used in the New Testament (see Matthew 12:38-41) as an example of Jesus’ burial and resurrection.
Theme: The basic theme of Jonah is found in 4:11, where God declares his love for all men, whether Israelites or not. Jonah was unable to love the Assyrians properly, but God desired nothing for them but their good and their salvation, and he sent a prophet to offer repentance unto life. The book also shows the power of God and his control over the forces of nature. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 17)  A wonderful commentary on the book of Jonah by Hampton Keathley IV is at this link. Here is a quote from this link: “Jonah is different than the other prophets because it is not full of prophecies by the prophet, it is instead, about the life of the prophet. Little attention is given to what he actually said.”

Jonah is called by God to prophesy to the city of Nineveh - which was not part of Israel or Judah - but was a "Gentile" city to the east.  If you are wondering why Jonah got so grouchy with God's command - this is why.  Jonah did not think he should be prophesying to Gentile nations - because, as we read later in the book, Jonah knows that God is a compassionate God who will show mercy on Nineveh.  Last thing to point out before we check out some verses.  There is some dispute over whether Jonah is a real history when it comes to him being in the belly of a whale for 3 days.  I guess this comes down to the basic question of whether you believe in miracles or not?  If you do believe in miracles, then it is of course possible that Jonah lived in the belly of the whale for 3 days.  I believe in miracles...  As some contemporary song says, I'm a miracle myself...

Check out what Jesus had to say about Jonah's history of being in the belly of the whale in Matthew chapter 12 verse 40: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Here we see Jesus compares his 3 days of death, burial and resurrection to Jonah's 3 days in the belly of the whale...  Do you believe in miracles?

Jonah chapter 1 verse 3 stood out to me in today's reading: "But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction in order to get away from the LORD."  How often in our own lives are we like Jonah?  Do we sense God wanting us to do something?  For others?  And we run in the opposite direction of God's will?  If we do this, might we bring storms upon our lives as Jonah did?   Might we even bring storms upon other people's lives by disobeying God's will as Jonah did?  Will we learn from Jonah?

Chapter 2 Verse 8 also stood out to me: "Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God's mercies."  Do you believe that God wants to show us mercy all the time?  But, it's possible that we sometimes literally turn our backs on God?  Will we turn back toward God, and God only?  And not turn away again?  And receive his mercies?  Please don't ever turn your back on God...  Don't turn your back on all of God's mercies!

In Jonah chapter 4 verse 2 we read a verse that I have to confess made me chuckle when I first read it: "So he complained to the LORD about it: "Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you were a gracious and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. I knew how easily you could cancel your plans for destroying these people."  I love it!  Jonah complaining to God about how gracious He is!  :) Is it possible that we do this in our own lives too?  Do we complain to God about how good he is to others?  Are we at times like Jonah or the Prodigal Son's brother, showing jealousy toward God's goodness and grace toward others?  Shouldn't we instead rejoice in this, realizing that God shows this same unfailing love toward us too?

YouTube - Okay, since I mentioned the Veggie Tales "Jonah" move above, below is a trailer for the movie: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5LkB6uKDg4

Do you like Veggies?  Click here and meet the Creator of Veggies!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: 'In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.'" Jonah 2:1-2 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you call out to the Lord when you are in distress. Pray in thanksgiving knowing that the Lord will listen to your cry. Pray in thanksgiving knowing that in his own perfect way, the Lord will answer you.

Comments from You:  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

June 19th Chronological Bible Readings

2 Kings 13:1-11; 2 Kings 12:17-21; 2 Chronicles 24:23-27; 2 Kings 13:14-25
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Today we read about the passing of the prophet Elisha!  I am sad that our readings of Elijah and Elisha are now behind us. I don't know what it was about these 2 prophets, but I loved them.  Sure, they were a bit rough and gruff at times, but also very tender.  They'd send fire down from heaven to kill the prophets of Baal and bears from the trees to kill mockers, but then they'd care for widows.  I'm wondering if in our lives today we should be a mix of rough & gruff at times, but also very tender?  Should we be rough and gruff toward those that are modern day "prophets of Baal" and tender toward those who need God?  I have to confess, I'm rarely rough and gruff toward anyone - well, okay, maybe myself!  :)  Let me know your thoughts in the Comments below if you think rough and gruff should be in our personality mix at all today?  Before Elisha passes he does give one final prophecy to King Joash about beating the Arameans 3 times, just after 2 Kings 13 verses 16 & 17: "Then Elisha told the king of Israel to put his hand on the bow, and Elisha laid his own hands on the king's hands. Then he commanded, "Open that eastern window," and he opened it. Then he said, "Shoot!" So he did."

Then we read about Elisha's passing.  Even once Elisha passes on, his bones still give life!  I think this is simply because of the life-giving power of God whom Elisha represented during his life.  It wasn't the bones themselves that gave life.  It was God. Verses 20 & 21 tell us:  "Then Elisha died and was buried.  Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring. Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the body they were burying into the tomb of Elisha. But as soon as the body touched Elisha's bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!"  Below is an image from a woodcut from the Nuremburg Bible, from the year 1483, of the recovery of the deadman who touched the bones of Elisha in today's readings:

YouTube: Today's readings about Elisha reminded me of the Avalon song "Testify to Love:" (this is an AMAZING live version, by the way...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnlHGz0SPQo

Is Jesus your testimony? Click here and Testify to Love!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

June 18th Chronological Bible Readings

2 Kings 11:1-3; 2 Chronicles 22:10-12; 2 Kings 11:4-12; 2 Chronicles 23:1-11; 2 Kings 11:13-16; 2 Chronicles 23:12-15; 2 Kings 11:17-21; 2 Chronicles 23:16-21; 2 Kings 12:1-16; 2 Chronicles 24:1-22; 2 Kings 10:32-36
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Eventful readings today in 2 Kings 11 for the coming of a 7 year old king of Judah, Joash! Below are 2 images for 2 Kings 11 verses 13 & 14: "When Athaliah heard all the noise made by the guards and the people, she hurried to the LORD's Temple to see what was happening. And she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar, as was the custom at times of coronation. The officers and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets."If God can work all things together for the good of the nation of Israel through a 7 year old boy turned King (Joash), do you trust God can work all things together for good in your life? (Roman 8:28) What is something recently in your life that seemed unlikely or small (like a 7 year old king) that God turned into a good in your life?

It is great to see that in 2 Kings 12 Joash is passionate for the repair of the Temple in Jerusalem.  2 Kings 12 verse today 9 tells us: "Then Jehoiada the priest bored a hole in the lid of a large chest and set it on the right-hand side of the altar at the entrance of the Temple of the LORD. The priests guarding the entrance put all of the people's contributions into the chest."

Worship God: Today's readings reminded me of the importance of the message in the Point of Grace song "How You Live:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q2R0FBZt3U

How are you living? Click here for Life!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

June 17th Chronological Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 21:8-20; 2 Kings 8:23-29; 2 Chronicles 22:1-7; 2 Kings 9:1-10:17; 2 Chronicles 22:8-9; 2 Kings 10:18-31
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

I love Elisha's final instructions to the young prophet concerning his anointing of Jehu as King of Israel in 2 Kings 9 verse 3 - "Then open the door and run for your life!""  Not your typical instructions from a prophet, you wouldn't think - but if a prophet gives you instructions like these, you better follow them!  :)

Well... Jehu kills a lot of people in today's readings.  I realize that the violence in the Old Testament can often bring up a lot of questions.  Rather than me diving into why there is violence in the Bible - I'll defer to a couple of theologians at this link and at this link - and I'll give you 3 images below from a very young theologian.  :)  Unfortunately, our human history is full of violence - from Cain and Abel until this very day.  The Bible does record human history.  There will come a day where there is a new heaven and a new earth, free from violence.  That day has not come yet - but will with Jesus' Second Coming.

Most Biblical commentaries agree that Jehu was carrying out justice for the sins of the Kings of Israel and the worship of Baal.  Jezebel's death was predicted by the prophet Elijah because of her sins.  A brutal death that it was.  I think one thing for us to keep in mind is that sin does bring death.   As Paul teaches in Romans 6:23 - "The wages of sin is death."  Jesus saves us from this deserved death when we come to him in faith and surrender our lives to him.  But, let us not forget the severity and risk of sin and the risk of not being in relationship with Jesus.  Without Jesus saving us, the wages of sin truly is eternal death.

2 Kings 10 verses 25-27 seem to demonstrate Jehu's initial apparent zeal for God - "Then Jehu's men went into the fortress of the temple of Baal. They dragged out the sacred pillar used in the worship of Baal and destroyed it. They broke down the sacred pillar of Baal and wrecked the temple of Baal, converting it into a public toilet. That is what it is used for to this day."  But we soon learn in verse 31 - "But Jehu did not obey the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit."  It is thus thought that Jehu's action of destroying the idols of Baal was more political than spiritual - as Baal worship was associated with the dynasty of Ahab, whereas the golden calves had a longer history in the northern kingdom of Israel and were valued by most people.  And keeping the golden calves would keep people from Israel traveling to the southern kingdom of Judah to worship God in Jerusalem.  Below is an image of a series of images from the life of Jehu:

Bible.org's commentary on today's Second Kings readings titled "Jehu Cleans House (Ahab's House)" is at this link and "Three 'Birds' With One Stone" is at this link.

YouTube: Today's readings reminded me of the Switchfoot song "Meant to Live:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmmW6HSlhMA

Are you meant to live for so much more? Click here and truly live!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

June 16th Chronological Bible Readings

2 Kings 5:1-8:15
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

In 2 Kings chapter 5 we get to the story of the healing of Naaman.  I found it very interesting that Naaman needed to humble himself and wash up in the waters of the lowly river Jordan!  Know anyone else that did some "washing up" in the river Jordan??  :)  Maybe all of us somehow need to humble ourselves and symbolically be washed up in the river Jordan to receive true healing?  Below is a portrait by artist Guy Rowe of the prophet Elisha with Naaman washing in the river Jordan:

2 Kings 6 today opens up with a very interesting little story about the floating ax head! :)  Apparently in those days the iron in an ax head was very costly - far too costly for prophets to have been able to afford.  Hence, they had to borrow it.  If the prophet who lost the ax head had not been able to recover it, he would have then had to have become an indentured servant for a period of time to the person he borrowed it from to pay back the cost.  So, Elisha's recovery of the ax head I think demonstrates a simple moral of this opening story in today's readings: God cares for the welfare of those who love God.  Whaddya think on this moral of the floating ax head story?  Have you had experiences in your life where God has done some small things - or maybe even big things - that don't seem super spiritual at first glance, but simply saved you a lot of heartache/costs/time?  I know I have...  Praise God that He floats ax heads and even "floats" you and me too!  God is indeed our great Life Preserver...

Today in 2 Kings 6 verse 27 we will read this verse that King Joram says to an Israelite during a time of a severe famine – “"If the LORD does not help you, where can I get help for you?” I think the thing to note in this verse is that the King realized he could not end the famine on his own, but that only God could end the famine. (I think the King may have actually been trying to blame God for the famine - and certainly Elisha he blames later in the chapter). I wonder about this in our lives today – do we try to help others and even try to help ourselves using our own power and without relying on God at all? And maybe sometimes even blame God for problems we see, like this King?  Do we think we can end a “famine” or whatever problems we see at work, in our community, in our family, or in our world all on our own?  Or should we be asking for God’s help in these areas of our lives?  I’ve been thinking about this more and more lately – about how little I truly pray for others. I see areas of my life, my family, my community, my work, my church, my favorite charities, our world, that need some help. Need some changing. Need some love. And sometimes I think that I can institute these changes all on my own! Which is foolish. Instead, I should be praying for God’s providence and work in these areas of my life where I see a “famine.” Yes, I do think that God will oftentimes answer our prayers by encouraging us to “do something” to work on a change. But, we’d be wise to prayerfully approach all areas of our life and to pay attention to where God is asking us to “do something” – and to pay attention to where God is flat-out doing the work! Are there any “famine” areas in your life? In your personal relationship with God or others? In your work, church, community? Are there “famine” areas you see in our world? Will you today begin praying to God about these “famines” in the knowledge that famines can truly only end if God is involved in the work? Will you allow God to get involved in the famine areas of your life? Will you pray more consistently than ever before for the famine areas you see in your life?

In 2 Kings 7 today we read about God scaring off the Aramean army! Below is an image from a 15th century Dutch Bible for 2 Kings 7 verse 8 - "When the lepers arrived at the edge of the camp, they went into one tent after another, eating, drinking wine, and carrying out silver and gold and clothing and hiding it."

And below is an image from the same 15 century Dutch Bible for verse 17: "The king appointed his officer to control the traffic at the gate, but he was knocked down and trampled to death as the people rushed out. So everything happened exactly as the man of God had predicted when the king came to his house."

Second Kings 8 begins with a wonderful example of God's "perfect timing."  It was no coincidence that the king was talking with Gehazi about the time Elisha brought a boy back to life when the woman from Shunem walked in with her son!  God knew that the Shumanite woman was faithful and obedient to Him, so He orchestrated the timing so that she would get her house and land back - after God perfectly timed her to be out of the country for 7 years to avoid the famine! Have you ever had the experience of God's "perfect timing" in your life?  My hunch is that you have - even if you haven't realized it.  I have had some experiences where I have consciously realized that God's perfect timing was at work - and sometimes I've quickly said the prayer under my breath of "thank you God!"  But, I also now can look back on my life and now see so many instances of God's perfect timing.  Hindsight is 20/20.  When is the last time you experienced God's perfect timing?  Think it could have been today - even if you don't realize it right now?

Elisha's interaction with Hazael demonstrates Elisha was certainly a prophet of God's!  Elisha was not condoning what Hazael is going to violently do, but he was just stating the facts of what was going to happen.  Verses 11 & 12 are sad to read - "Elisha stared at Hazael with a fixed gaze until Hazael became uneasy. Then the man of God started weeping. "What's the matter, my lord?" Hazael asked him. Elisha replied, "I know the terrible things you will do to the people of Israel. You will burn their fortified cities, kill their young men, dash their children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women!"   Verse 13 is also sad because you will notice that Hazael doesn't get upset by the violent predictions in Elisha's proclamation, but only wonders how someone like him would pull of something like this... "Then Hazael replied, "How could a nobody like me ever accomplish such a great feat?""  Below is and image of Elisha and Hazael having this conversation:

Bible.org's commentary on today's Second Kings readings titled "The Healing of Namaan" is at this link, and "The Sin of Covetousness" is at this link, "Saved from the Syrians: The War that Never Happened" is at this link and "Feast or Famine" is at this link.

YouTube: Today's readings reminds me of the Nicole C. Mullen song "Call on Jesus," performed live here by Darlene Zschech and Hillsong:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYeNfXpZ0pU

Have you called on Jesus?  Click here and make the Call! 

Comments from You:  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

June 15th Chronological Bible Readings

2 Kings 2:1-25; 2 Kings 4:1-44
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Today in 2 Kings 2 we read about Elijah going up to heaven in the whirlwind!  Elijah was taken to heaven without dying.  He is the 2nd person in scripture to do so - Enoch was the first (see Genesis 5:21-24).  Jesus of course was also taken to heaven in bodily form after His resurrection from the dead (see Acts 1:9).  Below is Italian artist Giovanni Battista's (1683-1754) painting of Elijah's whirlwind scene:

Okay, so 2 Kings 2 verses 23 & 24 are some of the most unique verses in the Bible no doubt...  "Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. "Go away, you baldhead!" they chanted. "Go away, you baldhead!" Elisha turned around and looked at them, and he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them."  Zondervan's NIV Study Bible has some good commentary on these verses as follows: "The youths from Bethel no doubt assumed that Elisha was going up to Samaria to continue Elijah's struggle against royal apostasy.  Some believe that the youths, in their mocking, were telling Elisha to ascend to heaven as Elijah had done.  By calling Elisah "baldhead" the youths from Bethel expressed that city's utter disdain for the Lord's representative, who, they felt, had no power.  Elisha pronounced a curse that gave warning of the judgment that would come on the entire nation of Israel should it persist in disobedience and apostasy."

Bible.org's commentary on today's 2 King's readings titled "Chariots of Fire" is at this link and "Elisha's Accreditation" is at this link and "Elisha and the Two Bears" is at this link.

2 Kings 4 verse 8 definitely demonstrates that in addition to being a prophet, Elisha was a very wise man!  "One day Elisha went to the town of Shunem. A wealthy woman lived there, and she invited him to eat some food. From then on, whenever he passed that way, he would stop there to eat."   :)

Interesting readings in 2 Kings 4 about the Shumanite woman, her son and the prophet Elisha today!  You'll note that in verse 20 her son dies, and in verse 21 she places her son on Elisha's bed - in part so that no one will know that her son died.  As she gets to verse 22-24 she is saddling up on a donkey to go straight to Elisha without anyone in her family knowing her son had died!  Below is a painting by Rembrandt from 1640 titled "The Departure of the Shumanite Woman":

As the Shumanite woman nears Mount Carmel Gehazi, Elisha's servant, comes out to greet her and still she won't even tell him that her son has died!  She says everything is fine.  She wants to deliver the news first and directly to Elisha!  I like this woman's focused faith.  She knew that Elisha delivered the Word that she would have a son in previous day's readings, and now that her son had died, I think she had faith that Elisha, being a prophet in relationship with God, would be able to revive her son.  Do you have a focused faith like this when it comes to your relationship with God and Jesus?  Do you always take your problems directly to the One who can truly revive you?  Below is an image of Elisha and the Shumanite woman by artist C.F. Vos:

Did anyone else notice that at the end of chapter 4 today Elisha busted out with a miracle that seemed to foreshadow Jesus' loaves and fishes miracles??  Very cool to consider the parallels between Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 and Elisha feeding 100 here in chapter 4 verses 42-44: "One day a man from Baal-shalishah brought the man of God a sack of fresh grain and twenty loaves of barley bread made from the first grain of his harvest. Elisha said, "Give it to the group of prophets so they can eat." "What?" his servant exclaimed. "Feed one hundred people with only this?" But Elisha repeated, "Give it to the group of prophets so they can eat, for the LORD says there will be plenty for all. There will even be some left over!" And sure enough, there was plenty for all and some left over, just as the LORD had promised." (That's Jesus below, not Elisha :)

Bible.org's commentary on today's Second Kings readings titled "The Shunammite's Son Resurrected" is at this link, "Death in the Pot" is at this link and "The Miracle of the Bread" is at this link.

YouTube: Today's readings remind me of the song "Lord, I need you" by Matt Maher:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaVPupbNFAo

Do you need the Lord?  Click here for your need to be fulfilled!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

June 14th Chronological Bible Readings

2 Kings 1:1-18; 2 Kings 3:1-27; 1 Kings 22:41-49; 2 Chronicles 20:31-37; 1 Kings 22:50; 2 Chronicles 21:1-4; 2 Kings 8:16-22; 2 Chronicles 21:5-7
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Today we begin the book of Second Kings!

Author: Unknown
Date: Sixth century B.C.
Content: Second Kings covers a period of approximately 250 years during which time two national tragedies occurred. In 722 B.C. the northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed by the Assyrians, and in 586 B.C. the southern kingdom of Judah was destroyed by the Babylonians. The reigns of the various kings are described in some detail with care being taken to show the spiritual significance of what they were doing. Throughout this whole time of good and bad kings, war and peace, prosperity and ruin, God is seen to be at work, in particular sending prophets to preach his word and warn of judgment to come.
Theme: God’s control over the affairs of men and nations is constantly seen throughout this book. The rulers of men may think they are in control, but even the enemies of God’s people fit into God’s plan by executing judgment upon the wayward nations of Israel and Judah. It must be stressed that sin invariably brings judgment upon the people and righteousness brings God’s blessing. Second Kings also shows that God never sends his judgment without a warning first; in this instance, the warning came through the prophets who were sent. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 6-7) More commentary on Second Kings is at these 3 links –
http://bible.org/page.php?page_id=1489
http://bible.org/page.php?page_id=955 
http://bible.org/page.php?page_id=752 (Introduction to Elijah)

2 Kings 1 today...  wow...  Elijah is not to be messed with when he is sitting on top of that hill!  Elijah asks a very poignant question twice in this chapter - "Is there no God in Israel?" This is a question each of us will need to ask in our lives at some point - "Is there or is there no God in my life?"  Hopefully we've already answered this question affirmatively.  It's a sad state of affairs to imagine a country without God.  It is a sad state of affairs to imagine our own lives without God. 

In 2 Kings 3 verse 3 today we are reminded that King Jeroboam's legacy is held out as a unfavorable legacy... "Nevertheless he (Joram) continued in the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led the people of Israel to commit."  That is an interesting thing to think about - a legacy.  Jeroboam's legacy was obviously not one we'd like to have.  So, what type of legacy would you like to have?  And what type of legacy are you in fact leaving these days?  The more I think about my legacy, the more I simply hope and pray that my legacy is something along the lines of "one who loved God and loved people."  Pretty simple really.  But also really tough in our modern world full of so many distractions!  And I am not so sure that I am really leaving this legacy some days.  I don't want to pursue this type of legacy for the wrong reasons - for any sort of appearing "righteous" or prideful reasons.  But I in fact I really do want to spend the rest of my days simply loving God and loving people.  Whatever else I do - career, ministry, whatever - pales in comparison to loving God and loving people.  I even hesitate to write this hope for a legacy on this blog - I feel like I should go back and delete everything I just wrote.  Except - I think this might be the type of legacy we are called to as Christians.  Remember the two great commands Jesus gave us in Matthew 22:37 & 39 - "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself."  Love God and love people.  So - whaddya think?  Is this a good legacy for us to aim for?  Should we be aiming for a legacy at all?  What will your legacy be?

YouTube: 2nd Kings today reminds me of the song "Legacy" by Nichole Nordeman:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbi4nSrhRxo

Do you want to leave a legacy?  Click here for the true Legacy!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

June 13th Chronological Bible Readings

1 Kings 22:10-28; 2 Chronicles 18:9-27; 1 Kings 22:29-35; 2 Chronicles 18:28-34; 1 Kings 22:36-40; 1 Kings 22:51-53; 2 Chronicles 19-20:30
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Back to a full post tomorrow...

Worship God: Today's readings remind me of the Selah song "Unredeemed:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfGbcjCVDOs

Are you Unredeemed?  Click here for Redemption!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

June 12th Chronological Bible Readings

1 Kings 20:23-22:9; 2 Chronicles 18:1-8
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESV Online.org ~

Alas, even though King Ahab was given victories by God's grace in our readings, he goofs things up by letting King Ben-hadad of Aram go free. Then, as we get into First Kings chapter 21 today, things go from bad to worse for Ahab in terms of his relationship with God.  Chapter 21 is a sad story of Naboth and his vineyard...  Would it be safe to say that King Ahab was coveting Naboth's vineyard?  Would Ahab be breaking a commandment in the Mosaic Law here in this image...?

I couldn't quite remember why Jezebel was cast in such a bad light in our readings a few days ago.  Today I remember why...  It is great to see Elijah show up on the scene and say to Ahab in verse 20 - "I have come because you have sold yourself to what is evil in the LORD's sight." How sad.  Do you think people today can still sell themselves to what is evil in God's sight?  Below is an image of Elijah denouncing Ahab for the evil that transpired over Naboth's vineyard in today's readings.

Bible.org's commentary on today's 1 Kings readings titled "Israel's Deliverance" is at this link and "Ahab Buys the Farm or Payday Someday" is at this link.

Ahab is not happy about the Arameans occupying Ramoth-gilead at the beginning of chapter 22.   A good location-profile of Ramoth-gilead is at this link.  Ramoth-gilead was on a hilltop that could have looked something like this:

King Jehoshaphat of Judah wisely suggests that they should consult God before going into battle against the Arameans.  At which time King Ahab of Israel trots out his 400 yes-men "prophets" who say they should definitely go to war and that they will be victorious.  I love Jehoshaphat's reaction to these 400 yes-men in verse 7: "But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there a prophet of the LORD around, too? I would like to ask him the same question.""  Ahab's reaction in verse 8 is quite telling...  "There is still one prophet of the LORD, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but bad news for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah."  This verse really stands out for me in a big way in our world today.  I wonder if sometimes we - you and me - look for supposed "prophets" of the Lord that are yes-people to our particular likings - instead of looking for Truth.  Meaning...  and I'm just putting this out there, so bear with me.  Do we sometimes maybe even decide to attend a particular church because it tells us basically what we want to hear?  It keeps us in our comfortable place... we get yes-messages...  When, instead, should we be okay with attending a church that will give us some challenging and convicting messages on occasion?  Biblical messages mind you - which surely can be challenging to our modern ears at times.  I heard somewhere once before that church should be a place that "comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable."  I like that...  Now, don't get me wrong.  I am not saying we need to be in super-strict churches per se.  I just think we should really watch for churches that are giving a yes-message all the time to our particular likings verses churches that teach the Truth.  I don't think church is the only area of where we might default to looking for yes-messages.  I think this can happen in books we read, TV we watch, or even with friends or with work.   Are we listening to 400 yes-people in our lives or are we okay with 1 Micaiah coming in and sharing a perceived "bad-news" message?  (which may ultimately be very good news if we'll just listen to it...  if Ahab had really listened to Micaiah's message in today's readings, think he still would have rushed out to battle?) Below is an image of Micaiah and the false prophets before Jehoshaphat and Ahab:

YouTube: Today's readings remind me of the Britt Nicole song "The Lost Get Found:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO2prEoATH8

Are you Lost?  Click here to be Found!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

June 11th Chronological Bible Readings

1 Kings 17:8-20:22
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESV Online.org ~

Great readings today about Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath!  Verses 21 through 23 are awesome - "And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, please let this child's life return to him." The LORD heard Elijah's prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he came back to life! Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. "Look, your son is alive!""

Bible.org's commentary on our 1 Kings 17 readings on Elijah today titled "Testings and Ministry at Zaraphath" is at this link and commentary titled "The Death and Resurrection of the Widow's Son" is at this link.   There is a lot of great in-depth commentary on 1 Kings 17 at Bible.org! 

Wow!  Great readings today in 1 Kings 18.  This is an amazing chapter of the Bible, and one that I heard a wonderful sermon on a couple of years ago.  This is strong stuff.  One thing that kind of got me chuckling was the subtitle the New Living Translation puts at the top of this chapter - "The Contest on Mount Carmel"!  For some reason this got my mind thinking of WWF Championship Wrestling... yes... strange place for my mind to wander I realize.  :)  But then, this imagery kind of stuck with me throughout the readings and I definitely think Elijah threw down a WWF level taunt in verse 27 when the prophets of Baal were not having any luck getting their fire started: "About noontime Elijah began mocking them. "You'll have to shout louder," he scoffed, "for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or he is relieving himself. Or maybe he is away on a trip, or he is asleep and needs to be wakened!""  Perhaps he is relieving himself??  The prophet Elijah puts even Hulk Hogan's WWF taunt's to shame!  :)

Okay... in all seriousness... 1 Kings 18 is an amazing chapter.  There were several verses that stood out to me.  First was verses 17 and 18 when Ahab meets Elijah - ""So it's you, is it--Israel's troublemaker?" Ahab asked when he saw him. "I have made no trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the LORD and have worshiped the images of Baal instead."  I love Elijah's directness and boldness to Ahab.  Ahab tries to go after Elijah and maybe intimidate him, since Ahab is King.  And Elijah does not back down one iota - he tells Ahab exactly why Ahab is the troublemaker.  I love that.  I wonder about our lives today.  If someone comes after us and maybe attacks our faith or integrity falsely in some way, will we immediately stand up for our faith like Elijah did to King Ahab?

Verses 20 & 21 are powerful - "So Ahab summoned all the people and the prophets to Mount Carmel. Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, "How long are you going to waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!" But the people were completely silent."  What a great question - and one that we may need to ask ourselves - "How long are you going to waver between two opinions?  If the Lord is God, follow him!"  Are we wavering at all in our commitment to God?  Are we being silent like the people were when Elijah asked this question?  Let us not waver between two opinions...  If the Lord is God, are you following him?  Wholeheartedly? 

Below is an image of Elijah's "Sermon on the Mount Carmel"...  :)  bad pun... sorry.  (I really should know better than to start off a blog post with the Hulkster... it sets me off on the wrong foot... :)

I love the little story at the end of today's chapter where Elijah falls to his knees in prayer on Mt. Carmel and tells his servant to go look toward the sea - 7 times!  And then soon comes the little cloud....

Last but not least, verse 46 is a great closing to this eventful chapter! "Now the LORD gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab's chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel."  Think about this day's events - Elijah meets with Obadiah.  Summons Ahab.  Meets with Ahab.  Summons the people of Israel and the prophets of Baal and Asherah.  Conducts a WWF Smackdown tourney :) - and God wins big time!  Prays for rain.  And then what better way to finish out this type of day but to "tuck his cloak into his belt" and run faster than Ahab's chariot back to Jezreel!  Great stuff!  What a chapter!  Elijah rocks!

Bible.org has tons of great commentary on today's readings in 1 Kings 18, which is not surprising considering how much happens in this chapter today.  Commentary titled "The Word of the Lord Comes to Elijah" is at this link.  "Elijah ministers to Obadiah" is at this link.  "Elijah Meets and Rebukes Ahab" is at this link.  "When One Becomes a Majority" is at this link.  "The Ineffectual Prayers of the Baal Priests" is at this link.  And finally, "The Prayers of Elijah" is at this link.

Great chapter 19 today!  We are introduced to Elisha, who will be mentored by Elijah to succeed him as a prophet at the end of First Kings 19 today.  However, before we get to Elisha, we read about Elijah being very "dejected" in the desert to say the least.  Some commentaries on this early portion of chapter 19 are not super-kind to Elijah for heading to the desert.  Commentaries I think wisely suggest that verses 9 & 13 demonstrate God trying to gently let Elijah know he's off course and feeling too sorry for himself, when asked twice in these verses: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"  This kind of reminded me of Jonah fleeing from God's will on the boat.  (which we'll read about later this year).  And this kind of reminded me of me - and maybe you too.  :)  Have you ever had that nagging question enter your heart or mind when you suddenly realize that you are off course from God's will in your life?  That question of:  "What are you doing here??"  I know I have...  Praise God when we are actually able to hear and understand that question and get out of the desert and back to life and back to loving this hurting world!  Below is a wonderful painting from the year 1464 by the Flemish artist Dirk Bouts for verses 5 & 6, early on in the chapter when Elijah was fleeing to Mount Sinai - "Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, "Get up and eat!" He looked around and saw some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again."

Today in 1 Kings 19 verses 11 through 14 we read about how God appears to Elijah in a way that he was not expecting – “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.  Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?”  The interesting thing to note about these verses is that Elijah was expecting or hoping God would appear in judgment to the Israelites in a windstorm, earthquake or fire. But God did not appear in any of these forms. Instead, God comes to Elijah in a simple gentle whisper. A gentle whisper. And I wonder about us in our lives today as well – do we often expect God to move mountains or to really show himself to us in big bold ways? When, perhaps, God may be speaking to you or me right now, but we’re missing it? Why? Well, is it possible that God is speaking to you right now with a simple gentle whisper? Is it possible that you have built up so many distractions or duties or activities or worries in your life that you cannot hear God’s gentle whisper? I know that I have been in this place too many times – I’ve gotten myself so busy looking for God in all the wrong places. And then finally I will slow myself down for just long enough to hear God speaking to my heart in a gentle whisper! A gentle whisper that I am sure was there all along. . . but I was looking for God in the windstorm and earthquake and fires of life. When instead I should have simply slowed down and listened for God’s gentle whisper. Will you slow down long enough to listen for God’s gentle whisper for you? Do you believe that God can speak to you in a simple gentle whisper this very moment?

 

Bible.org's commentary on today's 1 Kings readings titled "The Vulnerability of Victory" is at this link.  "The Crisis of Elijah" is at this link. "The Restoration of Elijah" is at this link.  And "Taking Up Your Mantle" is at this link.  Below is a painting in a Carmelite cloister in Frankfurt, Germany from the year 1517 by an unknown artist showing the life of the prophet Elijah, including what I think is the anointing/calling of Elisha in the middle portion - and you'll see the angel tending to Elijah in the desert on the left and the burnt offering from yesterday's readings on the right:

In 1 Kings 20 today we read about King Ahab's battles with King Ben-hadad of Aram.  Verse 11 today was sharp! "The king of Israel sent back this answer: "A warrior still dressing for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won.""  Not a bad little saying from Ahab to Ben-hadad!  Sounds sort of like a Proverb.  Actually, this really sounds like our modern day saying of: "Don't count your chickens before they hatch!"  :)

YouTube: Today's 1 Kings readings today about Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath reminded me of the Natalie Grant song "Held:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkg4IH1Zp64

Do you know what it is like to be Held?  Click here to be Held!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!