2 Kings 1-16 talks about kings of Israel and Judah. The Bible also tells whether kings are good or wicked.
Joash, Amaziah, and Azariah(Uzziah) are good kings of Judah. The Bible expresses that they did good thing in the eyes of the Lord, just as their fathers did (except Joash). However, they did not removed the high places.
I have finished reading Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah
In Ezekiel 46-47 the them of inheritance is emphasized. We are reminded of Israel being given the Promised Land as an inheritance based on election by God. In these two chapters the rules (or do’s and don’ts) are reviewed and revised in light of the forthcoming restoration of Israel in Babylonian captivity. Although the prince may pass his inheritance on to his sons in which the rights to the inheritance then pass on to their descendants, the prince does not have the right to give his inheritance to those outside of the elect (even that inheritance given as a gift to his servant is only temporary).
Yet in chapter 47 God is doing a new thing as evidenced by those who are considered aliens living among the Israelites. The aliens are to be considered “native-born” Israelites thus sharing in the election of Israel which qualifies them to receive an allotment of the Israelite inheritance. So while a more inclusive inheritance occurs with the acceptance of aliens, the manner in which this takes place remains exclusive under the guise of election.
Moreover, in these chapters we find evidence of Claus Westermann’s hermeneutic of “deliverance and blessing.” God promises not only to deliver Israel from their captivity, he also promises to bless them with their prior inheritance of the land. Election certainly has its benefits.
Yup, all the reading for Jeremiah and Ezekiel has been completed. I just didn’t post it… so now it looks like it was just barely done. Oops.
I find it interesting in Jeremiah 29 the Israelites are encouraged to pray for the prosperity of Babylon. “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (v. 7b) After being taken into captivity and stripped of everything that symbolized home and identity, the prophetic word given to Jeremiah for the exiles is to pray that the Lord blesses those who have misused and abused them.
So why would God want his people to pray for those responsible for their destruction? Why not just pray for God to wipe them off the face of the earth? Yet none of these logic deductions are rendered as instructions from the Lord. Maybe this is an ironic call to Ecclesiastes where both wisdom and folly are meaningless (both having the same fate). For the exiles, both the captor and the captive will experience prosperity as their fates are intertwined. Or maybe this is a living experience of Israel casting its bread upon the waters trusting God to return it back unto them again.
In an attempt to relate to this passage I think back on the Civil Rights Movement, championed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I believe his life’s work provides an ocular demonstration of praying for one’s enemies with the hope of being blessed out of their blessings (of understanding, compassion, repentance). The transformation of the heart toward God is a powerful event that has far reaching ramifications. Now I know one might suggest I am taking a big leap between the exiles being instructed to pray for Babylon and the possibility of salvation of Babylon. Yet is this not the same type of logic that is countered within the verse itself? Surely after God demonstrating that he is capable of blessing Israel through its enemies, we will not attempt to limit who God can and will bless spiritually.
Perhaps this passage calls for serious refection regarding our faith in God. We confess to believe in God’s sovereignty and providence. We confess that all humanity is made in the image and likeness of God. Yet do we really trust God enough to pray for the blessings of our enemies such that through their blessings we might be blessed? Can God really bring about prosperity for his people through the prosperity of the wicked?
I am convinced through my enemy’s transformation of an encounter with God, those who come in contact with him/her will be blessed. So the next time I feel slighted, crossed or even assaulted, instead of picking up the attitude of payback, defense or ill will, I choose to arm myself with the mindset of praying for the prosperity of my antagonist. Who knows, we both just might be blessed in the process.
1 Samuel includes the most dramatic stories such as Samuel, Saul, and David.
Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are wicked. I think that their acts makes angry not only Israelites but also God even though Eli is a priest. Moreover, Eli did not control his sons, so they died at the same time.
Samuel is good priest, but his sons, Joel and Abijah, were also wicked as Eli’s sons. Moreover, Samuel did not have ability to control them like Eli.
I think there are two reasons that Israelites ask for a king: first, they did not approve Samuel’s sons as judges because of their wicked acts; second, Israelites abandon God.
During the call of Isaiah (Chapter 6), we witness the theophany and divine election of the prophet by God. Yet just as we are ready to give Isaiah a high five for stepping up to the plate and taking on the role of a messenger, God provides a twist to the story. The message God has in store for Isaiah to proclaim to the people of Israel will not be “heard” or “seen.” Imagine God calling you to his service and then informing you that “Oh, by the way no one will listen to what you have to say.” Truly the fact Isaiah continues to remain faithful to his call, speaks volumes to his motivation for carrying out the call. Serving God is not about being liked, well received or in Isaiah’s case even heard. Serving God involves dedication and motivation towards God, realizing the opportunity to serve the Creator of both heaven and earth is reward enough. Prehaps now is the time to take inventory of self by asking one’s self : What’s your motivation?
It’s interesting part in the Bible.
When the Israelites did evil things, God punished them, and they repented and asked judges.
God sent them judges who delivered God’s messages. however, the Israelites commited crimes again.
I saw that the Israelites repeated their acts.
Especially, because of the accident in Judge 19, there was a war between Israelites and the Benjamites.
So, the Benjamites were almost exterminated.
Rahab is my favorite biblical woman.
She is faithful. She became one of people in the genealogy of Jesus.