Summary #31

Weekly Summary
Jeremiah 23-40, Various 2 Chron/2 Kings & Psalm

So Aha

Day #232

Sermon - Audio
2 Kings 24-25 & 2 Chronicles 36 - Audio
2 Kings 24-25 & 2 Chronicles 36 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chronicles 36

2 Kings 24-25: While 2 Chronicles 36 gives us a staccato narrative with quick, small picture that lead to the downfall of Judah, 2 Kings gives more information that reflects deeply both the fallenness of Judah and the pain of the beginning of the exile.

• 2 Kings 24.17: The book of Kings does not record the repentance of Manasseh so his sins continue to be the reason for the fast disintegration of Judah.
• 2 Kings 25 ends with a note of hope. The restoration of the king of Judah which points to the hope of the restoration of the nation (Kings is written during the exile). 2 Chronicles, which is written after the exile, ends with the announcement of return.

2 Chronicles 36 This last chapter of 2 Chronicles describes the rapid decline of Judah. The time period is from 609 BC to 586 BC or 23 years.

• 36.1: Josiah’s son Jehoahaz (his name means “Possession of the LORD) takes over the throne. It will be a short and, as Jeremiah revealed, godless reign.
• 36.2: Pharaoh Neco makes Judah into a puppet state after his defeat of Josiah. He makes the nation pay tribute.
• 36.4: To show his power he replaces Jehoahaz with his brother Eliakim (which means “Resurrection of God) and renames him, Jehoiakim. Such renaming shows power over another.
• 36.5-7: Nebuchadnezzar defeats Neco at Carchemish in 605 BC. This defeat means that Judah is no longer under Egyptian control. It also means that another nation (Babylon) will now demand that Judah be its vassal.
• 36.8: This is the first of three attacks on Judah/Jerusalem. It is in this first attack that Daniel and his friends are taken captive.
• 36.9: Jehoiachin succeeds his father after Jehoiakim’s death (notice that neither his death nor his burial is mentioned in Chronicles). Jehoiachin’s name means “strength of the LORD”.
• 36.10: Jehoiachin is taken into captivity in 598. He will die in Babylon, but he will spend his last years at the king’s table.
• 36.11-13: Zedekiah (the justice of the LORD) breaks an oath made in the name of God. It is a denial of the importance and glory of God.
• 36.15: God’s grace flows, but the people will not accept it. Instead they abuse the prophets who are sent to bring them back to God and so back to life.
• 36.16: The Chronicler wants the people to understand that it is God who brought about the exile. It was not a powerful king or the geo-political happening, but God who punished them as covenant breakers. Such a word from the Chronicler was actually a word of hope. If God were the one who punished, then it would also be God who saves and restores.
• 36.19: The destruction of the temple was a punishment that fit the crime. Over and over the people abuse God’s house, close it down, bring in idols. God basically gives them what they want, the complete destruction of his house.
• 36.21: For the land to enjoy its Sabbaths means at least three things: that it will enjoy regain all the weekly Sabbaths that had been missed because of the people breaking the Sabbath, that it will enjoy the Sabbath Year that was supposed to come once every 7 years where the land lay fallow, and that it would have rest from the idolatry and injustice of the people.

Summary #29

Weekly Summary
Isaiah 54-66, Nahum, Various 2 Chron/2 Kings

So Aha

Day #218

Sermon - Audio
2 Kings 22-23 2 Chronicles 34-35 - Audio
2 Kings 22-23 2 Chronicles 34-35 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

• 2 Chronicles 34: The reign of Josiah took place during a time of shifting power (see box). This could cause a sense of disease and fear. The question of Josiah’s reign is where he will turn in this time of uncertainty.
• 34.3: In the eighth year of his reign would make him 16 years old. It is possible that he begins to seek God (meaning he began to turn the nation toward God) at this time because he finally has the power in his hands as an “adult” to make the religious changes. The word “seek” means to seek with care. The idea would be that Josiah wants to know how to rightly follow God and goes down that path. He isn’t seeking God how he wants to, but how God calls him to follow Him.
• 34.4: To scatter the dust defiled the graves.
• 34.4: Evidence of the return to Yahweh and the purging of foreign gods have been found by archeologists in stamp seals from the time. Stamps from earlier days that contain images of idols are replaces with those that reflect an honoring of Yahweh.
• 34.5-8: The influence of Josiah is seen as reaching into the former Northern Kingdom. The reach of Josiah goes all the way to Naphtali. The Chronicler wants us to see that the Davidic line not only is faithful, but also has the right to rule over both the Northern and Southern kingdoms.
• 34.8 The temple and its repair is always a central action of renewal. As the Chronicler writes to a people who have reestablished the temple, the importance of this part of being faithful to God is highlighted.
• 34.9: The temple represented the religious, cultural and economic center of the nation. As such its restoration is the responsibility of all people of the nation.
• 2 Chronicles 34.14: The Book of the Law is most likely the book of Deuteronomy or a part of it. This book speaks of a people and a leader who are called to faithful covenant living.
• 34.21: Josiah knows that things are bad because of their failure to keep God’s ways. He wants to know how bad things are and if there is any way to make things right. His command to inquire of the LORD also shows that he desires to follow after God. The word for inquire is the same word in Hebrew as “seek” in 34.3.
• 34.29-30: The words of Huldah about the certain fall of Judah do not stop Josiah from recommitting the nation to Yahweh. This shows Josiah’s true commitment to Yahweh. There is nothing to be gained by faithfulness, yet he not only remains faithful but also seeks to bring the people back to God.
• 34.31-32: These verses are very telling. While Josiah is committed, the people are not. He makes them follow God’s ways, but their heart is not in it.
• 2 Chronicles 35.1: Josiah’s Passover celebration is different than that great celebration of Hezekiah because he does everything when it is supposed to be done, exactly as it is supposed to be done. Hezekiah had to make adjustments because of the situation he was in.
• 35.3: Here we find one of the central parts of being a Levite, namely, teaching the people. The word for “teach” means one who gives discernment to his students. As such it is more that knowledge that is being given, it is the ability to discern right paths in life. The Chronicler gives us a bit of other information here as well. The Levites are teaching “all Israel”. There is a sense in which Israel is once again seen as one people and one nation.
• 35.16: The power of a godly leader is emphasized. When a leader leverages his power for God’s ends great things can happen.
• 35.19: Josiah is 26 years old when this celebration happens. The Chronicler uses this celebration as a model to follow for those who have returned from exile. In other words, if you want to know how to celebrate the Passover, look at how Josiah did it.
• 35.24: The mourning for Josiah reflects that he was a king well loved, respected and a good king.
• 35.26: The final words on Josiah connect to his faithfulness in listening to God’s voice and Law. The only time he fails to do this is in the case of King Neco and it leads to his death.

2 Kings 23.31-38: We see the fast slide of Judah with kings who are unfaithful and who make bad political choices.

Day #215

Sermon - Audio
2 Kings 20-21 - Audio
2 Kings 20-21 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Chapter 20

Hezekiah was the only faithful king in Judah during a 100 year period (732-640 B.C.). Hezekiah's leadership made a huge difference. Because of his faith, humility, and prayer God healed him and saved the people from the Assyrians. The essence of faith is trusting God when the odds are stacked against us. Pastor Larry reminded us Sunday morning of the beautiful words of Heidelberg Catechism:

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?

A. That I am not my own, but belong - body and soul, in life and in death - to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven: in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Faith and prayer, if they are sincere and directed toward the one true God, can change life and move mountains. Even when our prayers are not answered exactly like we would like, we can trust the Lord to work all things for our good (Romans 8.28). Even in the midst of bitter disappointment God does powerful things.

20.11 The stairway of Ahaz was probably a sundial. Egyptian sundials in this period were sometimes made in the form of small staircases so that the shadows moved up and down the steps.

20.12-19 It appears that Hezekiah's wealth, victories, and deliverance from death made him proud. Rather than giving credit to God for all his blessings, he tried to impress his visitors. When God is mighty to save, we must not try to impress others with our faith and success. Often our Christian testimony degenerates into pride and self-congratulations.

20.19 Hezekiah was glad that the terrible events foretold by Isaiah wouldn't happen during his lifetime. Hezekiah appears to be self-centered and unconcerned about people yet to be born.

20.20 The pool and tunnel refer to a 1,777 - foot tunnel built form the Gihon spring to the Pool of Siloam (see 2 Chronicles 32.30). It was a water source outside the wall of Jerusalem to a secure reservoir inside the city. This was done so that the Assyrian army would not cut off the city's water supply.

Chapter 21

Manasseh followed the example of many other bad kings. His father, Hezekiah seemed to be a great spiritual leader that made little impact on the life of his son. He returned to the sinful practices of the Babylonians and Canaanites. He even sacrificed his own son to an idol! He would not listen to the Word of God and led the people into great sin. The "high places" were shrines in the hills for worshipping idols.

21.6 Manasseh was an evil king who kindled the anger of God. Listed among his sins are occult practices like sorcery, divination, the consulting of mediums, and those trying to contact spirits. All of these acts were strictly forbidden by God (Leviticus 19.31; Deuteronomy 18.9-13) because they demonstrate a lack of faith in him and involved sinful actions that open the door to demonic influences. In our culture we see a renewed interest in tarot cards, horoscope reading, fortune telling, séances, and other occult practices. In all of these activities we are turning from the rule of our Sovereign God, to the power of the enemy. These are counterfeits and all have their roots in a way of life and belief that is totally opposed to the one true God. Today many Christians are wandering from biblical and prophetic spirituality. We are witnessing great acceptance of eastern spiritual practices that have their roots in the demonic. Visitors to India can see firsthand the impact, evil, and oppression eastern spirituality has caused, while in the west these practices are eagerly embraced. Spiritual practices that are somewhat new in the West that may seem novel and avante-guard have enslaved millions of people in other cultures. Hard questions and research should be done before we give ourselves to various forms of mediation and even Yoga. No matter how helpful they me seem, we need to compare our spiritual practices with the spirituality of the Text.

21.13 The plumb line symbolized the judgment process. These measuring instruments were used in construction and now would show God's people lacking.

21.16 Some believe that during Manasseh's massive slaughter, Isaiah was sawed in two when trying to hide in a hollow log (Hebrews 11.37-38). Other prophets may have been killed at this time as well.

Summary #28

Weekly Summary
Isaiah 31-53, Various 2 Kings/Psalm

So Aha

Day #210

Sermon - Audio
2 Kings 18:9-19:37, Psalm 46, 80, & 135 - Audio
2 Kings 18:9-19:37, Psalm 46, 80, & 135 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

2 Kings 18

9-12 - This should have been a warning to Judah.

13-16 - Hezekiah had a lapse in faith. He felt that it was wiser to pay off the Assyrian king and become his subject than it was to trust God to defend Judah against this mighty king. He even went as far as stripping the temple.

17 - "Rabshakeh" is not a name, but a title - meaning "field commander" for the Assyrian army.

18-20 - As a prophet, Isaiah did everything he could to discourage Hezekiah and the leaders of Judah from putting their trust in Egypt (Isaiah 19:11-17, 20:1-6, 30:1-7). The Lord wanted Judah to trust Him instead of Egypt.

Hezekiah had decided to trust in man, not God.

21 - the Rabshakeh sees the folly in their alliance. God is using their enemy to rebuke them.

22-25 - the Rabshakeh knew they would say that they trust in the LORD then, but according to him the LORD told Assyria to go up against His people. This may or may not be true, but I'm sure Hezekiah didn't doubt it.

The 2,000 horses was a mockery of their army. He was making fun of them, basically stating that they have no chance in battle.

26-27 - The leaders of Judah ask the Assyrians to not speak in the native tongue, because the people will hear and know what is to come.

28-35 - The Rabshakeh doesn't listen and directly speaks to the people. He calls them to surrender for a better life. He calls them to not trust Hezekiah or the LORD. He tries to destroy any faith, trust, or hope that is left in them.

36-37 - The people stayed silent.

19

1-5 - Hezekiah runs to the LORD.

"The children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth." - Both the mother and children will die unless God steps in.

6-7 - Notice that Isaiah comes out with a direct word from the LORD. His credibility as a prophet is on the line. If he is wrong, the results are tragic.

Isaiah tells him, "Do not be afraid."

Judgment will be brought upon the Rabshakeh for challenging the LORD.

8-13 - So the Rabshakeh did go back to his land, but sent others to continually send fear into the people of Judah.

14-19 - Hezekiah had a wise and God-pleasing response.

20-21 - Notice it says, "Because you have prayed."

20-37 - Isaiah assures Hezekiah that his prayers have been heard. He also prophesies that for the sake of God’s covenant with David, the Assyrians will be prevented from ever entering Jerusalem and will go back home in defeat (vv. 20–34). Such proves to be the case, as the angel of the Lord strikes down tens of thousands of Assyrian soldiers in a famous rescue story (vv. 35–37). -ESVLB

Psalm 46

A mighty fortress [ Psalm 46 ]. This famous praise psalm falls neatly into three sections. The main theme is articulated three times (vv. 1, 7, 11) and consists of the certainty of God’s presence in troubling times. The central motif is a catalog of God’s acts of protection. The three main movements are as follows: God’s presence amid natural disaster (vv. 1–3); God’s miraculous protection of his holy city and, by metaphoric extension, his protection of his people in all times and places (vv. 4–7); God’s final assertion of his authority over warring nations (vv. 8–11). The imagery is continuously evocative and emotional. The poem instills the very calm that the poet asserts. An eschatological, end-times interpretation of the poem is appropriate, not only because of the terminal imagery in verses 8–9 but also in view of the natural upheaval in verses 2–3, reminiscent of the imagery of cataclysmic disruption of nature in the eschatological visions of the NT. -ESVLB-

God Will Be Exalted Among All Nations. God’s goal for his choosing of Zion is that out of it the word might go forth to the peoples of the whole world, bringing them all to live in godly peace with one another (Isa. 2:1–5). This will be the means by which he makes wars cease (Ps. 46:9). Since the address in v. 10, be still, and know, is plural, readers should imagine God speaking these words to the nations, among whom he will eventually be exalted. This is the meaning of the LORD of hosts being with his people (v. 11; cf. Matt. 28:20): he will indeed see to it that the mission of Gen. 12:1–3 is accomplished.

Psalm 80

Restore us, O God [ Psalm 80 ]. The standard motifs in this communal lament unfold as follows: introductory cry to God (vv. 1–2a); petition (vv. 2b–3); brief definition of the crisis (vv. 4–6); petition (v. 7); expanded portrayal of the crisis (vv. 8–13); petitions for restoration (vv. 14–19). The dominant motif is a wished-for return to a previous state of God’s favor on his chosen nation. The controlling image patterns are those of restoration and the nation as a vine planted by God.

3 - The refrain of the psalm is drawn from the high priestly blessing of Nm 6:22–27. If God’s face shines on the people—if He, their Shepherd (Ps 80:1), is gracious to them—they will be saved.

4-7 = How Long Will You Be Angry with Us? Now the psalm takes up the reason for the cry of distress, namely, God is angry with his people’s prayers (which implies that they have been unfaithful, cf. 74:1) and thus has brought sorrows upon them, especially that they have become an object of contention for their Gentile neighbors (cf. 79:4). As the next stanza will make clear, this is because these Gentiles have ravaged the land and people of Israel. Underlying this is the idea that faithful Israel ought to be the envy of the Gentiles, drawing them to the light by moral purity, social justice, and political stability (as in Psalm 79). Thus the current situation is a reversal of how things should be. -ESVSB-

9-17 - The pastoral imagery shifts to an agricultural metaphor in which Israel is a vine (cf. Isa. 5:1–7; Jer. 2:21; Ezek. 17:1–10), plucked from Egypt and planted in the Promised Land where it took root and flourished. But then God in His anger allowed its protecting wall to be breached, and the vine was destroyed by human and animal forces.

Psalm 135

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good [ Psalm 135 ]. The standard motifs of praise unfold as follows: an opening call to praise, directed to either priests or worshipers at the temple (vv. 1–3); catalog of God’s praiseworthy acts and attributes in creation, judgment, and salvation (vv. 4–14), including an inserted address directly to God (v. 13); a foil to God’s greatness in the form of a satiric put-down of pagan idols (vv. 15–18); concluding call to praise God (vv. 19–21), giving the poem an envelope structure. -ESVLB-

1 - The psalm begins by calling the worshiping community to praise the LORD

1-7 - Reasons to praise.

8 - The poet skips to the last plague against Egypt, the one that finally convinced Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave.

19-21 - Let Everyone in Israel Bless the Lord! The only fitting response to such a great and lively God is for the various members of the worshiping company (the house of Israel, the house of Aaron, the house of Levi, and those who fear the LORD) to bless the LORD (cf. 115:9–11 and note; 118:2–4). The psalm closes as it began, Praise the LORD! ESVSB

Summary #27

Weekly Summary
Isaiah 13-30, Hosea, Various 2 Chron/2 Kings

Raging unfaithfulness vs. everlasting faithfulness -- these are the themes of this week's reading. First, Ahaz, wicked king of Judah, builds idols of bronze, and codifies the idolatry of a nation. He falls to Israel and to Assyria - Israel takes the people of Judah as prisoners and slaves, but a prophet of the Lord warned the Israelites that this was NOT pleasing to God. Ahaz finally dies, and his son, Hezekiah takes the throne at 25.

After such a wicked king, we are surprised when the son turns wholeheartedly to the Lord - cleanses the temple, calls not only Judah but also Israel to return to God's ways, including observing Passover, which has not been observed in a long time. God smiles on Hezekiah, and blesses his faithfulness with wealth and security. Hezekiah is a great example of the faithfulness that God has called Israel to.

In stark contrast, the prophet Hosea lives out a parable of the unfaithfulness of Israel when he, at God's command, takes a prostitute as his wife. He redeems her as God redeemed Israel, and gives her everything she needs, including status. Her response? A return to prostitution, faithlessness, and scorn for the sacrifice of her husband. Through it all, though, Hosea remains faithful, and his heart breaks with love for his unfaithful wife. A beautiful picture of Israel's situation, and a powerful call to the people to return to their first love.

Noting Israel's faithlessness, Isaiah also cries out against the injustice that the people of God are showing - their indifference to the despair of the poor, their self-satisfaction in a tepid, shallow life. Israel tells the people that destruction is sure to come to them as a result of of their unfaithfulness, but also reminds them that in the midst of this unfaithfulness, destruction, despair, and defeat, God is always faithful. The promise of a redeemer again falls on the people.

Things are getting politically shakier in Israel and Judah -- read on this week to see the fulfillment of the predictions of doom.

Day #201

Sermon - Audio
2 Kings 18:1-8 Chronicles 29-31 - Audio
2 Kings 18:1-8 Chronicles 29-31 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

2 Kings 18:1-8


1-2 - Hezekiah saw what happened to the northern kingdom in light of turning their backs on God. This would be a valuable lesson.

3-6 - Hezekiah is a righteous man. See that this is proven by the way in which he lives his life in complete surrender to the will of God. He breaks down the idols including the serpent of Moses (Numbers 21) that had now become an idol for the people to worship.

*Look at what is said about him: "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor were before him. For he held fast to the LORD, he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses." A godly king...finally.

7-8 - God blessed Hezekiah's hands. The land was prosperous under him, wars were won, the people were returned.

2 Chronicles 29

1-11 - Much of the same as in 2 Kings, but it is important to point out the extent that Hezekiah went to in order to cleanse the temple as well. It wasn't just the building that needed cleansing, but also the Levites/the workers. Hezekiah would make sure that things were cleaned up so they could operate in it again...thus, pleasing the LORD.

*Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us. My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to him and burn incense.

*Hezekiah destroyed the bronze serpent: Hezekiah was willing to destroy even a sacred artifact from the Exodus in order to cleanse the people/the land/the temple from their adulterous ways.

Q. Has there been times in your life where you've been forced to hit the "reset" button. How'd that feel and why'd you do it? How did it get to that point, and what made you realize the need to do it?

12-19 - The Levites did as they were told by the king. The temple was cleaned out.

20-27 - Sacrifice and Worship is restored. Everything is put in place as God had required.

28-30 - Celebration is restored.

Q. Worship and celebration is restored to the temple once it is cleaned out and dedicated to God. What does this tell us about our lives in community with one another and God?

31-36 - People once again became generous and gave freely. God's people do not hold back from God be it finances, work/effort, knowledge, worship, etc. To hold back is to rob God.

2 Chronicles 30

1 - The Passover would once again be observed/kept. This was not a small thing seeing that the Passover told of the great deliverance of God's people (Exodus 12). Notice it says that it had not been observed for "a long time."

6-9 - Hezekiah calls to unify under the banner of God. He calls to those who are scattered from the destruction of Israel to return back to God.

10 - They laughed and mocked the people who went to them to proclaim the message. This reminds me of when Jesus sent out his disciples among the people (Luke 10). Some will not listen, but it will be horrific for them. It's always horrific for those of us who don't come to repentance.

11-12 - However, some did humble themselves and turn.

13-17 - A great crowd gathered for the Passover. This was the largest gathering for Passover in a very long time. They threw the pagan altars away, and went on worshiping God.

18-20 - Hezekiah prayers for compassion/mercy from God for the people who were "unclean." God listened to Hezekiah and "healed the people." Hezekiah's heart seems to be in harmony with Gods. Many of the people worshiping now would have been unfamiliar with temple worship, so they didn't know better. Hezekiah's heart went out to these people, because they wanted to seek God.

21-27 - 14 day Feast of Unleavened Bread! Hezekiah gave 1,000 bulls, 7,000 sheep, and the other leaders gave 1,000 bulls, 10,000 sheep!!! That's a lot of beef. "There was great joy in Jerusalem."

2 Chronicles 31

1 - This is not a quiet riot. The people were encouraged and on fire for God.

2-3 - Hezekiah was not just concerned with the Passover celebration. He wanted to turn over their daily lives to the LORD.

4-5 - Tithes, even from the beginning, displayed where your heart was at with God. Hezekiah institutes the "first-fruits" law once again.

*Our gifts are to be generous, freely given, and cheerful (2 Cor 9)

*We see the kinds of offerings that are acceptable to God even from the beginning with Cain and Abel. Cain did not give generously and out of a cheerful heart...thus, his offering was not acceptable.

6-10 - The people brought the tithes and "laid them in heaps." A "great abundance" was left.

11-19 - Hezekiah put faithful men in charge of the administration of tithes.

I'm just going to post the verse to close: "Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered."

*In Colossians 3:24 Paul is speaking to slaves about their work, and he reminds them that "it is Lord Christ whom you are serving." May we never forget that we are workman for God, not for man.

Summary #26

Weekly Summary
Isaiah 1-12, Amos, Micah, II Chronicles 27

This week we switch from the narrative of the dueling kingdoms (Israel and Judah) to words of God to these people. Neither the northern kingdom nor the southern kingdom are doing what God commanded - the kings have not removed the high places, they have intermarried, and they have walked away from the commands of the Lord.

In this environment, God calls three prophets to speak against the the way his people are pursuing life: Isaiah preaches against the unfaithfulness of Judah, Amos proclaims against the carelessness of Israel, and Micah, a farm boy, is sent to both kingdoms to call the people to justice, mercy and faithfulness.

Mixed in with the indictment of Judah and the promise that God will scatter his people far from their promised land, Isaiah also introduces a beautiful promise: a child will be born, a savior will come to redeem these people. In the prophecy of the destruction that be the result of their unfaithfulness, God's faithfulness is constant, and his promises are lavish.

Entirely because he is gracious, God demands mercy of his people. He lays out the path of righteousness, and the one of destruction, and calls his people to righteousness, as well as promises to rescue them when they make the wrong choice. Look carefully this week for the images of destruction and redemption in the reading.

Day #197

Sermon - Audio
2 Kings 16-17 & 2 Chronicles 28 - Audio
2 Kings 16-17 & 2 Chronicles 28 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Apr 18: 2 Chron 28 &

2 Kings 16-17

2 Chronicles 28 shows how quickly things can change course. The new king, Ahaz moves away from the way of his father and the way of God. The reason for his move away from Yahweh most likely has to do with the politics of his day. Assyria is a world power and will conquer Israel during his reign. Ahaz may be trying to keep Judah safe by being committed to Assyria and its ways, rather than trusting God and his ways. Historical records seem to indicate that Ahaz paid tribute to Assyria.

• 28.1: Ahaz’s name that means he who takes or possesses, may reflect that he took the throne not as the firstborn, but as a pro-Assyrian king. His ascension to the throne, therefore, may have not been completely just.
• 28.2: The comment that he follows in the ways of the kings of Israel is a powerful
• statement since the ways of the kings of Israel leave their nation in exile. Ahaz may think that he is politically astute and living in the world of real politics but what he is really doing is leading his people down a path of destruction.
• 28.3: This verse shows just how far Ahaz has fallen. He doesn’t simply worship the Baals; he takes part in child sacrifice.
• 28.4: “Under every green tree” ESV These words are not to be taken literally, but show the extent to which Ahaz has turned away from God.
• 28.5-7: What is perhaps most curious about these verses is that God uses Israel, which will soon be in exile for its own sin, to punish Ahaz. The battle between Pekah and Ahaz shows that the truce between the two nations that has existed since the time of Ahab has come to an end. Nearly 140 years of peace was brought to an end by the sin of Ahaz.
• 28.8-11: God makes it clear that he empowered Israel to punish Judah, but that Israel too has sin. Israel has taken advantage and gone far beyond what God desired.
• 28.12: A group of courageous and God-fearing men call upon those who have just lived through the horrors of battle to give up he prizes they had obtained. While Israel is a place of unfaithfulness, we are reminded that there is always a faithful remnant.
• 28.15: This must have been a moment of great joy for the prisoners. From being herded like cattle, to good treatment and being returned home.
• 28.16: We are introduced to the fact that Ahaz has made his alliance with Assyria. This move will make Judah a vassal of Assyria for 30 years. It is a crucial misstep that so many kings make as they survey what is happening militarily and politically in the region and rely on the strongest power rather than relying on God.
• 28.19: King Ahaz’s reign marks one of the lowest points in the nation of Judah until the time of the exile. A nation that had been expanding and strong during the reigns of the previous kings quickly crumbles.
• 28.20-21: All that Ahaz had hoped to gain from an alliance with Assyria turns out to be an empty hope. His alliance with Assyria ends up costing him much.
• 28.23: Ahaz’s lack of religious sense is shown in this verse. He assumes it is the gods of Syria who have brought about his defeat, rather than seeing it as Yahweh’s punishment for his unfaithfulness. He is a religious dolt. Even people in Samaria know when God is speaking and respond by sending back prisoners and spoil, but Ahaz is clueless.
• 28.25: All of Judah now became a “temple” to foreign idols. Ahaz is doing whatever it takes to secure the good graces of Syria. This is a 180-degree
• turn from Jotham of whom we read, 6 So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered
• his ways before the Lord his God.
• 28.27: We return to those kings who are not buried with the kings of Judah. It is an implied slight.

2 Kings 16: See notes above

2 Kings 17.1-24: The fall of the Northern Kingdom (Israel).

The year is 722 B.C. when the north falls and the people are sent into exile. This chapter outlines the reason for the fall. The strong focus seems to be on idolatry. One of the great concerns when people came back from Babylon was that they avoid idolatry. (notice that Jesus has little to say about idolatry in his teaching, but Paul writes a lot about idolatry as he goes into the Greek/Roman world). At the same time, a careful reading of the passage shows that the people have fallen in every area because they failed to follow God’s law.

Day #190

Sermon - Audio
2 Kings 15 & 2 Chronicles 26 - Audio
2 Kings 15 & 2 Chronicles 26 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

• 2 Kings 15.1-7: The writer of kings spends a much shorter time dealing with Azariah/Uzziah than we find in 2 Chronicles. Azariah means “He that hears the LORD”; Uzziah means “The LORD is my strength”. Since the focus of the Chronicler is on building a good society and Uzziah presents a picture of this pursuit more emphasis is put on his reign than the writer of Kings who has a different purpose.
• 2 Chronicles 26.1: Amaziah’s reign came to end when he was assassinated. His 16-year-old son, Uzziah is brought to the throne. Like his grandfather, Joash, he will have a wise advisor during part of his reign.
• 26.2: Eloth [Elath] was an important port that opened up trade with Arabia. Solomon was the first to establish this port. Uzziah is trying to rebuild at least part of Solomon’s empire and bring economic prosperity to the kingdom. This and other economic moves make his reign one of the two most prosperous since the time of Solomon..
• 26.5: Uzziah is all about seeking God. The idea of being instructed is more than gaining knowledge. True instruction comes with both knowledge and knowing how to use that knowledge.
• 26.5: The ways of God giving prosperity will be revealed in the coming verses. What surprises many of us is the ways in which God causes this nation to prosper.
• 26.6-7: God’s support for Uzziah shows itself in military victory. For those who think of life with God in terms of spiritual things and in terms of sacred and secular this feels a bit odd. Why would God involve himself in something so “secular” as a war? Why doesn’t he simply keep his people at peace by providing some kind of spiritual barrier? Why does he allow his people go to war and expand their territory rather than simply have them live at peace with all of their neighbors? God’s support in military campaigns shows us that God is a God of the physical world and has a deep concern for it. It also shows us that God will reign not only the hearts of men, but over the kingdoms of men.
• 26.8: The fame of Uzziah spreads, as he is faithful to God. Oddly, the more faithful the kings of Judah are to God, the more their name is lifted up. The more they try to lift up their own names, the more their names are dragged down.
• 26.9: Building projects show the power and prosperity of a king in the Ancient Near East. Uzziah is a man to take seriously.
• 26.10: Uzziah is a man of the soil. He loves to build not only cities but finds joy in the world of agriculture. He is an amazingly smart man with wide interests.
• 26.14: This verse reveals the wealth of Uzziah’s kingdom. Soldiers were normally expected to provide their own equipment. Only the wealthiest of kingdoms provided equipment.
• 26.15: The creativity that is alive and well during his reign is reflected in these verses. Again, that this creativity focuses on military inventions may be disturbing to those who think in terms of God dealing only with “spiritual” things.
• 26.15: “Marvelously helped” (“greatly helped” NIV) The Hebrew word here means to cause wonderful things to happen. The word typically refers to God who brings about things that are beyond human capabilities and so bring praise to him. When we are told that Uzziah is “marvelously helped” it is a clue that God is behind all that has happened and what has happened goes far beyond what Uzziah and Judah could have ever accomplished without him. It is to be a moment of awe.
• 26.16: Uzziah missed out that he has been “marvelously helped” and becomes proud. He attempts to raise himself up over others and become a king like the other kings around him, namely, one who controls both the throne and the cult.
• 26.17: We are told that there are those who have the courage to challenge the king when he is wrong.
• 26.19: As God walked with Uzziah when he did what was right, now God punishes him for his stubborn pride.
• 26.21: This verse indicates that Uzziah has lost his place, he no longer rules.
• 26.23: Because of his leprosy, Uzziah is buried in a field that belonged to the kings, but not in the tomb of the kings.

2 Kings 15.8-16

The state of the Northern kingdom begins to deteriorate rapidly. Zechariah lasts only one year on the throne and is assassinated. His murderer, Shallum lasts one month. Shallum is killed by Mehahem who shows himself to be harsh and vindictive.

2 Kings 15.17-26

Menahem reigns for 10 years, his son for 2 years before he is assassinated. Menahem and his son both serve as vassels to Assyria.

2 Kings 15.27-31

More assassination. Pekah dies at the hand of Hoshea. Israel is crumbling as a large part of its northern territory is overrun and it’s people deported. We can only imagine the pain and horror of all of these assassinations and military defeat.

2 Kings 15.32-38

We get a brief reprieve as we look back to Judah. Jotham whose name means “the perfection of the LORD” follows in the best tradition of his father, Uzziah. It is worth remember that high places were not necessarily places where offerings were offered to Baal, but where unauthorized offerings were offered to Yahweh.

Day #188

Sermon - Audio
2 Kings 14 & 2 Chronicles 25 - Audio
2 Kings 14 & 2 Chronicles 25 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

2 Kings

1-6 King Amaziah is really the only king recognized as an okay king. The rest of them throughout this period were not men of God, like David.

7 - "valley of salt" - See 1 Kings 8:20-22

15-17 - The surprising repetition of this information concerning Jehoash in the context of Amaziah’s reign (cf. 13:12–13) may be intended to contrast the two kings in their deaths: Jehoash, who did not seek conflict with fellow Israelites, came to a natural and peaceful end, while Amaziah, the aggressor who acted as Rehoboam had been forbidden to act, met a violent death (14:19–20; cf. 1 Kings 12:22–24). It is also possible, however, that Jehoash is highlighted here because he was the effective ruler of Judah in this period, as was his son Jeroboam after him; Amaziah is not said to have “ruled” in Judah after Jehoash’s death, but only to have “lived” there. On the Chronicles of the Kings (also 2 Kings 14:18, 28), see note on 1 Kings 14:19. -ESVSB-

25 - “Jonah son of Amittai” was the same reluctant prophet whose story is told in the book of Jonah.

27 - Even though Israel deserves to be utterly wiped out, God continues to show mercy to His people.

2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 25: Amaziah’s name means “the strength of Yahweh” As is often the case the question implicit in the story is, “Will Amaziah live up to his name?”

2 Chronicles 25.2: The theme of “double-mindedness” or not following God with a whole heart is one of the continuing themes in the Bible. To be a double-minded person means that at times you are committed to and desire God’s wisdom, at other times you would want to live a life of following the ways of foolishness. The Psalmist says to God, Psa. 86:10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. God’s promise to his people is that he will give us an undivided heart (one heart) Ezek. 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh….

25.3: As often happens with royal transitions it takes some time for power to be consolidated. As soon as it was, he carried out justice for his father. Even though Joash had done wrong, it is God’s work to bring about a king’s end, not people. When David was in the wilderness and he was encouraged to kill Saul he refused because Saul was the Lord’s anointed.

25.4: Here we find that his heart is committed to God’s ways. He follows the directions of Deuteronomy 24.16 “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.

25.5-8: Again, we discover another of the continuing concerns of the writer of Chronicles, namely, building an alliance with the Northern Kingdom. While it is good for people from the North to come and join Judah, it is not fine for the Southern Kingdom to look to the north for help.

25.8: The themes of Chronicles keep being played over and over again. Here the words call to mind the words of 2 Chronicles 16.9 that God will strongly support (a reference to help in battle) those whose hearts are fully committed to him. This will be a problem for this king since his heart is only partially committed to God.

25.9: Amaziah has a practical question, he has just spent a lot of money. Is it really wise not to get a return on investment. The prophet promises that God can give a better return if he is obedient.

25.10: The anger of the dismissed men is because of their loss of booty in the coming battle. They will solve this problem and show their true nature by attacking cities of Judah.

25.11: A brutal battle and a brutal style of execution. Certain passages in the Scripture leave us wondering.

25.13: The death and plundering in Judah most likely speaks to two things. First, that the Chronicler acknowledges that even when we do good, bad things can still happen. Second, it may be the reason that Amaziah challenges Jehoash of Israel after his battle victory against Seir (another name for the nation of Edom).

25.14: Amaziah may worship these gods as tribal deities who he needs to appease because of his defeat of them and their people. He’s a person who is covering his bases. Such action shows his lack of understanding that Yahweh is the great God above all gods and that idols are simply wood and stone.

25.15-16: A prophet comes to act as a counselor. Rather than listening and repenting, Amaziah threatens and refuses to listen. It is the beginning of his downfall. The theme of listening to the right counselors again shows itself.

25.17: Amaziah listens to the wrong counselors, it leads to war.

25.19: Even a foreign king provides better advice than Amaziah’s counselors. Amaziah doesn’t count the cost of the upcoming battle nor does he see the reality of his weakness compared with the strength of the Northern Kingdom.

25.20: The reason for the fall: God. As Rehoboam caused the split in kingdom, as Ahab listened to false prophets, so Amaziah refuses wise counsel because God is at work bringing about punishment.

25.24: Hostages are taken to assure payment of tribute and to keep another nation from rebelling

Day #187

Sermon - Audio
2 Kings 12-13 & 2 Chronicles 24 - Audio
2 Kings 12-13 & 2 Chronicles 24 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

• 2 Chronicles 24.1-2: The theme of having a good counselor is sounded. Alongside this theme there is the hint of problems ahead. Jehoiada’s place and power are so established that he is the one who finds wives for Joash. Even in this important matter of State, it is a priest who calls the shots.
• 24.3- 7 The first official act that is attributed to Joash ends in the priests not following his directions. Joash calls in his mentor, Jehoiada to try to make the situation right. The result, however, shows that Joash does not have the power to call the shots. He has to compromise.
• 24.8: The command of the king is given, but the word in Hebrew can simply mean “to tell” or “to say”. There is another word in Hebrew that is typically used for “command”. It is possible that the Chronicler chooses this word to hint again at the lack of authority that Joash has at his disposal.
• 24.8-10:Whatever the behind the scenes wranging the people and princes rejoice over the opportunity to restore the temple. We do not hear of rejoicing by the priests.
• 24.12: The repair of the temple is a joint project between the king and the chief priest. For both of them it is an important project for it honors God and lifts him up after the disastrous years of Athaliah.
• 24.13-14: All of the proper utensils and other items are made for the temple. The temple is important to both the people and to God because God desires to be with his people. In the Old Testament the symbol of this desire is the temple. In the New Testament God literally becomes “God with Us” (Emmanuel) in Jesus Christ.
• 24.14: The Chronicler hints of problems to come. He tells us that the sacrifices are done regularly all the days of Jehoiada, rather than they are done regularly all the days of Joash.
• 24.15: The age at which Jehoiada dies shows God’s pleasure with his work. Old age is a blessing of the covenant for those who are faithful.
• 24.16: To be buried among the kings (remember that even some kings did not receive this honor because they were considered unworthy) show Jehoiada’s place of influence, strength, and the good that he did in Israel.
• 24.16: Good in this verse speaks of a broad based good. Jehoiada’s leadership has brought spiritual, economic, creative, political, and religious good to the people. In other words, it has brought all the blessings of the covenant.
• 24.17: The princes who have found themselves on the outside of influence during the time of Jehoiada come and bow down and show proper deference to the king. This does not seem to have been happening, at least not in the way Joash longed for, during the years of Jehoiada.
• 24.18: Abandoning the House of the LORD is a political power move. To establish himself as ruler, Joash has to go around the priests and their power base at the temple. Instead of a willingness to build on the success of Jehoiada and so what was good for the nation, Joash chooses to step away from God.
• 24.19: God’s actions are predictable; first he calls out to his wayward people in love through his prophets. But in typical fashion the people do not listen.
• 24.20: Here we find one of the prophets that comes to call the leaders back to faithfulness. He has the advantage and disadvantage of being Jehoiada’s son—the one who is now seen as a rival to the king. His prophecy, while being completely true, at the same time was probably seen by Joash as an attempt to regain power for the priestly class.
• 24.21-22: What Jehoiada would not do, kill someone in the courts (namely Athaliah), Joash is all too willing to do to the son of the very man who rescued him.
• 24.23-24: God’s covenant curses are brought to bear. A small army defeats Judah.
• 24.25: Joash’s reign ironically ends with his assassination. What Athaliah had failed to do, his own servants carry out. Unlike the priest, Jehoiada, Joash is not buried in the tomb of the kings, even though he is one. It is the Chroniclers way of reminding us of the righteous actions of the priest, and the fall of a king.

2 Kings 12-- see notes above

2 Kings 13

• 13.1-9: God is angry with Jehoahaz (king of Israel) and reduces his army to a mere pittance of what it once was. In the midst of disaster Jehoahaz turns to God and God’s heart softens. The savior that God sends is another nation that puts pressure on Israel’s enemies but it is disputed just who this savior nation is.
• 13.10-25: The main focus of this section is on Elisha. Here we find that he is seen as the true leader of Israel by the proclamation at his death. We also see his last “miracle” when a person comes to life when touching his bones. The failure of the king to strike the arrows which represent victory more than three times shows a lack of enthusiasm to follow the words of Elisha.

Day #186

Sermon - Audio
2 Kings 9-11 - Audio
2 Kings 9-11 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

2 Kings 9-11

Chapter 9 – In verses 1-13 Elisha sends one of his student prophets to anoint Jehu king over Israel. This anointing brings the Elijah narratives to a close because God has anointed Jehu to wreak vengen3nce on the house of Ahab thereby fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy against Ahab and all his descendants. In verses 14-37 Jehu wastes little time in driving his chariot madly to pursue Joram and Ahaziah to death and then to throw Jezebel to be devoured by dogs…just as Elijah promised.

v. 26 – The murder of Naboth and the confiscation of his land (I Kings 21) as well as the resulting prophecy against Ahab and Jezebel are key to this passage. Jehu and Joram met at that piece of ground and Joram’s dead body was thrown there. Jehu’s mission was accomplished by ending the violence of the house of Ahab against the innocent, so that peace and order could be restored to Israel.

v. 36 – Elijah earlier prophesied the gruesome death of Jezebel in I Kings 21:23. The exposure of Jezebel’s corpse meant disgrace since burial was now impossible. Now that Jezebel is dead, Jehu turns his attention to Ahab’s sons.

Chapter 10 – This story continues with an ever-expanding massacre. First Jehu fulfills Elijah’s prophecy and satisfies God’s vengenence against Ahab by putting all 70 of his sons to death, (v. 1-17) then killing all of the remaining prophets of Baal (v. 18-27). Yet with all of his zeal, Jehu continues in the sins of Jeroboam, with the result that Israel is still in spiritual and political decline (v. 28-36).

v. 3 – By writing letters to the leading citizens and challenging them to place one of Ahab’s potential heirs on his father’s throne, Jehu forces them to choose sides.

v. 7 – This fulfills the word of God in 9:7-9.

v. 8-10 – Jehu knows who struck down all of these, but the people do not; and he invites them to believe that the heads mean that the revolution is bigger than he is, involving powers more lethal than his. It is truly God who is at work in overthrowing the house of Ahab.

v. 18-19 – Jehu’s strategy is to act enthusiastic while preparing for destruction.

v. 29 – The worship of Baal was only a particularly bad form of the idolatry that was practiced in Israel. Jehu dealt with Baal worship, but does nothing about the golden calves. The golden calves were installed by Jeroboam after leading Israel in revolt against the house of David (I Kings 12:25-30). Israel’s king Jeroboam challenged Jerusalem’s claim to be the only legitimate location for worshipping and offering sacrifices. Jeroboam built “shrines in high places” in Dan and Bethel as rivals to the Jerusalem temple, installed golden calves in each, appointed priests and set festival days.

Chapter 11 – Bloody Athaliah usurps the throne by deadly force, but Jehosheba and Jehoiada preserve the life of Judah’s anointed Joash. The child grows up in hiding until his guardians unveil his royal identity at the temple in Jerusalem and crown him as Judah’s king. Following the death of Athaliah, Jehoiada leads the people of Judah in renewing their covenant with God. The coronation of Joash marks the beginning of a reformation in Judah.

v. 1 – Athaliah is the daughter of Ahab. Her attempt to purge the royal family could have brought the dynasty of David to extinction.

v. 12 – The testimony refers to either the Siniatic covenant or to a more limited document that specified the duties and limitations of kingship.

v. 21 – Joash, introduced by the name in v. 2, will be called Jehoash throughout most of chapter 12, to be called Joash again when his death is reported.

Day #185

Sermon - Audio
2 Kings 5-8 - Audio
2 Kings 5-8 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Daily Reading 2 Kings 5-8

While you read today, fight the urge to read these stories moralistically. We can do ourselves a disservice if we read them with an eye for “what's right” and “what's not.” The emphasis of our passages are that YHWH is king not only Israel, but over all nations and all creation.

2 Kings 5

5.1 If you read this verse too quickly, you may have missed this part: “through him [Namaan] the Lord had given victory to Aram.”

5.2 We now find who God had given Aram victory over. God had given victory to Aram over Israel. Recall the emphasis on God's sovereignty over all. It was common for pagans to assert that in military victory, it was their own God who had victory over the other nations gods. In this case, it would be Aram's gods being victorious over Israel's God. But we see that victory did not come from Aram's gods, but from the one, true God. Namaan himself will acknowledge this by the end of the chapter.

5.5 Interesting that “The king of Israel” is not mentioned by name here. In fact, Joram hasn't been mentioned by name since chapter 3 and won't be again till chapter 8. The thrust of these chapters is not on the politics of Israel, but on what God is doing for the glory of his name through Elisha in the world more broadly.

5.7 The faith of the king of Israel is contrasted to the simple faith of the young Israelite girl back in Aram.

5.9-12 “stood at the door. Naaman clearly expects personal and immediate attention from Elisha, but Elisha addresses him only through a messenger and sends him to wash in the Jordan; moreover, Naaman was looking for a cure, and Elisha apparently offers only ritual cleansing (wash... be clean; cf. the cleansing ritual of Leviticus 13–14 with its use of the same Hb. verbs [Lev. 14:8–9 and in 13:7, 35; 14:2, 23, 32]). This he could have had at home, by bathing in the rivers of Damascus (ESV Study Bible).” He is upset that he came all this way for something symbolic, he wanted real healing! God does exactly that for him after Namaan humbles himself to do the simple task.

5.14-15 When Namaan's skin becomes “like a little child's” there is a connection back to the faith of the little Israelite girl from the beginning of the story. “The “great man” (from verse 1) had a problem, to which the “little girl” had the solution; but the solution involved Naaman's becoming, like her, “a little child”—someone under prophetic authority, humbly acknowledging his new faith (ESV Study Bible).” Here we have a gentile from outside of Israel showing greater faith than the “king of Israel” (who had freaked out when Namaan came with the request. His words “There is no God in all the world except the one in Israel” is the sort of thing you should be hearing from the people of Israel, and yet they are still committing the sins of Jeroboam.

5.16 The reason Elisha does not take the gift simply shows that it was not by his power that Namaan was healed, but by the power of God.

5.17 This verse is a bit elusive. The dirt would've been the amount needed to build an altar to the LORD. Exodus 20.24 brings this point home for us, “An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.”

5.19-26 Elisha's servant sees the opportunity to get rich off God's healing of Namaan. Gehazi's greed gets the better of him. Gehazi ultimately gets what's coming to him when he is punished for his greed with Namaan's leprosy. I am reminded of televangelists who promise healing if you pledge money to their ministries.

2 Kings 6

6.1-7 A strange little story here (not unlike the short scene with poison in the stew). This scene shows that Elisha is a special prophet, whom God works through to manipulate nature. The story is probably symbolic of death and resurrection. Death is often symbolized by sinking into water. We use the same symbolism in our baptism. We are united with Christ in our baptism. The early church would fully submerge new Christians (and perhaps their entire households) to symbolize the death of their old self, and then coming out of the water represented the resurrection which we also share with Christ. God is creator and sustainer of the entire universe. He is able to reverse the laws of gravity (as we see in this passage) but more importantly reverse decay and death (as we see in Jesus resurrection and look forward to in our own).

6.8-12 The story is a bit clunky here. In case you miss it, Elisha is able to know where the King of Syria sets up camp (by supernatural means). This gives Israel the tactical advantage as they are able to avoid all of Syria's ambushes. Essentially, they are getting strategic satellite images from God. The king of Syria assumes that there is a spy, but his advisers tell him about Elisha.

6.13-17 THIS IS ONE OF THE COOLEST PASSAGES IN KINGS! Honestly, I'm not sure what to make of it. The force from Syria surrounds Elisha, which freaks out his servant. But Elisha calmly informs his servant of much stronger protection. God had surrounds Elisha with an army of angels, which the servant could not yet see. But just because he couldn't see them doesn't mean they're not there.

This is encouraging to us in our weekly struggles. Even though we can't always see it, God surrounds us with his protection and love.

6.18-23 While you might expect an epic battle between a human force and an unslayable force ala Lord of the Rings, the outcome is quite different. Instead of perpetuating violence, God (through Elisha) acts in such a way to stop the cycle of violence. “In the ancient Near East eating together under one’s roof constituted making a covenant of peace. The Arameans were now bound by social custom not to attack the friend who had extended his gift of hospitality and protection. For these reasons the Arameans stopped raiding Israel’s territory for a time (Bible Knowledge Commentary).”

6.24-7.2 Even after this show of supernatural power by YHWH, Israel still does not repent and turn to the LORD. The King of Aram surrounds Samaria, creating a severe food shortage in the land. This causes the people to be so desperate that they are willing to pay 2 pounds of silver for a donkey's head—the most repulsive source of food imaginable....alas, they are even willing to resort to cannibalism. The report of prices Elisha gives in 7.1 is a hopeful one. Essentially: tomorrow, you'll be able to buy a double cheesburger off the dollar menu again.

2 Kings 7

“Entering the camp of the Arameans (apparently at night; cf. dusk, v. 7, ”daylight,“ v. 9, and ”night,“ v. 12) the lepers found that the enemy soldiers had fled. The writer explained the reason for the soldiers’ departure. The Lord had caused them to hear noises from the north and the south that made them think the armies of the Hittites (who earlier had lived in the area now called Turkey but were now living in enclaves in Aram) and the Egyptians were descending on them. They supposed these were reinforcements hired by the Israelites. So at dusk they retreated eastward toward their homeland. So great was their haste that they left many of their animals and supplies behind (Bible Knowledge Commentary).”

2 Kings 8

8.1-6 “The Shunammite's Land is Restored. After the long narrative about the siege of Samaria, the Shunammite woman of 4:8–37 reappears. The key to understanding this new story is found in 4:13, where the woman declines Elisha's offer of help because she has a home among her own people. In 8:1–6, however, she no longer has such a home, for she has followed Elisha's advice and avoided famine by sojourning in Philistia (ESV Study Bible).”

OK.......you've had plenty to read already. It's time to cut off the notes.