July - Reading 25

Good evening -

My apologies for the tardiness. Our Scriptures for today were:Luke 12:49-59

2 Thessalonians 3:14-18

Psalm 150

2 Chronicles 34-36

May God bless the reading of His Word.

 

Again, good evening –

Today we round out our reading of 2Chronicles beginning with the Chronicler’s account of the reign of Josiah. This passage very closely parallels the account given in 2Kings 22 & 23 except for a few changes in the chronology of the events. More attention is paid to the Passover as this was of great importance to the Chroniclers audience.
Chapter 36 gives extremely brief accounts of the last four kings of Judah with no mention of Jehoiachin (2Kings 25:27-30). The name changes imposed by the Egyptian Pharaohs and the Babylonian king show the dominance that they exercised over these monarchs.
What I find most interesting about the end of 2Chronicles is that the author has a different perspective of the time of the kings. The author of 1 & 2 Kings (traditionally Jeremiah) was writing from the perspective of being in exile and simply giving an account of the times past that led up to this captivity. The Book of 2Kings ends with a very brief and feigning hope in that the Babylonian king, Evil-Merodach releases the exiled king from prison and gives him an allowance.
2Chronicles, on the other hand, ends with Persia gaining control over Babylon and releasing the exiles. This passage will be repeated in our next reading in August as we begin Ezra.The Chronicler having focused on the theology of bad acts bringing Divine retribution shows that the exile was the inevitable punishment for a disobedient people but that good had resulted from it. Verse 21 shows us that the land made up for the missed Sabbaths during the reigns of the many evil kings. This was a time of great hope and longing for the Jewish people and this is how their history was reported to them.

In the Gospel of Luke today we read of the divisions that had been and would be brought about by the hearing abnd accepting of His Message. Verse 12:50 is the precedent to Christ final words on the cross, “It is finished.” Jesus knew that the suffering was ahead of Him and this would be what kindled the fire. I really like verse 57 where Christ tells the people to judge for themselves what was happening in that present time. They looked to the religious leaders to tell them what was occurring when the signs should have been as obvious as the signs indicating the weather.

We also finished our reading of 2Thessalonians today. As had been stated at the end of some of the other Epistles, Paul would often dictate his Letters to the churches but would write a few lines at the end to show the authenticity of them.

May God bless you

- Clint

 

Hi Abiyah, and welcome to the board.

Chapter 35 ending with the death of Josiah shows the continuing theme of the Chronicles that obedience = blessing whereas disobedience = retribution. Josiah's disobedience was displayed in verses 20 - 22. Even from the mouth of a pagan king (the pharaoh) the Word of God was still to be heeded. Because he ignored this command, the life of the last good Jewish king was cut short.

Josiah's youth also fascinates me. He probably had a Godly mother but he also had the benefit of the counsel of Jeremiah who speaks highly of him in the Book that bears his name.

 

There is a link at the bottom of each page on the site that reads "Bible Reading Plan." Just click there and it will take you to the whole year's schedule.

Here it is just so you can see it for now: http://www.baptistboard.com/brp.html

 

Hi again, Abiyah -

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. The schedule that we are using has only 25 readings per month. This allows people who have lagged behind to catch up during these 5-6 days at the end of each month. This also allows participants who stayed abreast of the schedule to go back and more closely study the passages that struck them.

It would be wonderful if you wanted to join us. My hope is that this program will continue into the next year as well. That way anyone can pick up at any point in the program and still read the entire Bible in a one year period.

- Clint

 

Sunday School lesson 11/21/04 - conclusion

Luke 12:49-53 The Crises Provoked By Jesus

The term "fire" in verse 49 brings about a variety of interpretations. Some see it as judgment as in the teachings of John the Baptist. Others feel that it is the symbol of purification through which Christians are to pass. Still others feel that it is a prophecy regarding Pentecost. In any case, the fire will not come until after His "baptism," His death on Calvary.

Though the Messianic age was viewed as an era of peace by the Jews, Jesus came to call men to decision. His teachings created division and antagonism cutting across even the closest family ties. The call to repentance was not answered by nations, tribes, or even families, but by individuals.

Luke 12:54-56 The Blindness to the Times

Jesus' presence was the sign of the Messianic age but the multitudes, His Jewish audience could not seem to grasp it. Though they longed for the time when the Messiah would come, they rejected Him and His teachings. This was the moment of decision determined by God Himself but they could not see it. They were better at weather prediction than knowing the significance of His presence.

Luke 12:57-59 Preparation for Judgment

Though the Matthean parallel puts this Passage in the context of earthly judicial proceedings, Luke, in context, gives it a far more eschatological meaning. Sin and debt are often interchangeable in New Testament thought and the point here is that we owe God a debt for our sins. We must make every effort to repay that debt. The only payment that will suffice is explained 13:5. We must repent.

 

Our first Scriptures when we resume our reading in August are:

Luke 13:1-9

1 Timothy 1:1-11

Proverbs 1

Ezra 1-2

 

Our first Scriptures when we resume our reading in August are:

Luke 13:1-9

1 Timothy 1:1-11

Proverbs 1

Ezra 1-2

 

Our first Scriptures when we resume our reading in August are:

Luke 13:1-9

1 Timothy 1:1-11

Proverbs 1

Ezra 1-2

 

Our first Scriptures when we resume our reading in August are:

Luke 13:1-9

1 Timothy 1:1-11

Proverbs 1

Ezra 1-2

 

Our first Scriptures when we resume our reading in August are:

Luke 13:1-9

1 Timothy 1:1-11

Proverbs 1

Ezra 1-2