Isaiah 7:1-10:4; Isaiah 17:1-14

I almost despair of reading the Old Testament. But I see this in today's reading:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

And the hope of Messiah breaks through!

2 Kings 15:17-20; 1 Chronicles 5:23-26; 2 Kings 15:6-7; 2 Chronicles 26:22-23; 2 Kings 15:21-29; Isaiah 6:1-13; 2 Kings 15:32-38; 2 Chronicles 27:1-9; 1 Chronicles 5:11-17; Kings 16:1-9; 2 Chronicles 28:1-21"

"In the year that King Uzziah died..." (Isaiah 6:1a) Isaiah's call is a favorite of mine. At times I, too, feel the presence of God enthroned before me, high and exalted. At other times not so much... Still, the experience of God's glory is important to me. Bathed in light--who wouldn't want to bask in the divine afterglow?

Hosea 4:1-5:7; 2 Kings 14:24-28; Jonah 1:1-4:11; 2 Kings 14:29; 2 Kings 15:8-12; 2 Kings 15:13-16

Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying..."(Hosea 4:1-3)

http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/bee.htm

http://wtkr.com/2015/03/18/large-fish-kill-dolphin-stranding-reported-on-outer-banks-beaches/
 
http://www.generationextinction.org/the-extinction-crisis/watchlist/
 
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/poultrynews/35281/usda-confirms-new-avian-flu-outbreak-in-iowa/
 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/05/22/dog-flu-now-in-12-states/

Amos 7:1-9:15; Hosea 1:1-3:5

"The days are coming," declares the Sovereign Lord, "when I will send a famine through the land--not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it." (Amos 8:11-12)

The "word" of scripture feeds me often--less often a "word" of prophecy.

Amos 2:1-6:14

Amos the Prophet continues to speak the word of the Lord to Israel's neighbors--Moab and Judah. At last he announces God's disapproval of Israel. Moab is condemned for burning "the bones of Edom's king." Judah is judged for rejecting "the law of the Lord" and for worshiping "false gods" instead. Israel is condemned for perverting justice, oppression, harming those who are poor, wanton sex, idolatry, and rejecting the prophets sent by God. So Israel is judged, condemned, and sentenced to punishment.

2 Kings 7:3-20; 2 Kings 8:7-15; 2 Kings 13:14-21; 2 Kings 13:24-25; 2 Kings 13:12-13; 2 Kings 14:15-16; 2 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 14:17-20; 2 Chronicles 25:25-28; 2 Kings 14:21-22; 2 Kings 15:1-5; 2 Chronicles 26:1-21; Amos 1:1-15

Amos the Prophet speaks the word of the Lord against Israel's neighbors--Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, and Ammon. These are the things that God despises among those neighbors:

1. The destruction of Gilead
2. Capturing whole communities and selling them into slavery
3. Disregard for previously-established treaties
4. Violence against members of God's family
5. Murder of pregnant women during warfare

Who is the prophet denouncing today's atrocities? Where is she? How is he speaking for the Lord? 

2 Kings 14:7-14; 2 Chronicles 25:11-24; 2 Kings 5:1-7:2

Angels are watching over me! 

The king of Aram sends his army to capture Elisha. (2 Kings 6:13-17) Unafraid, Elisha observes the armed men that surround the city. When his frightened servant asks, "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" is master replies, "Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

Invisible angelic warriors blanket the whole region. Chariots of fire encircle the prophet. Elisha senses the presence of God and hosts of spiritual beings. His servant is unable to see this until Elisha asks the Lord to reveal the ghostly defenders.

God stations guardian angels among God's people. I know the truth in my thinking; but at times I long for a view of "those who are with us." I want to see as clearly as Elisha. I want to know as certainly as his servant.

2 Chronicles 24:17-25a; 2 Kings 12:17-18; 2 Kings 4:144; 2 Kings 13:4-8; 2 Kings 8:1-6; 2 Kings 13:9-11; 2 Kings 12:19-21; 2 Chronicles 24:25b-27; 2 Kings 14:1-6; 2 Chronicles 25:1-10

Joash secures his rule for a time by stripping the temple of the Lord and sending its treasure to Hazael, king of Aram. Receiving the protection funds, Hazael withdraws. (2 Kings 12:17-18) But for how long?

I wonder about myself and my country. How often do we pay tribute to some threatening power? Do we tax our faith in order to pay protection money? What would happen if we stood and faced that threatening power insteat?

2 Kings 11:4-21; 2 Chronicles 23:1-21; 2 Kings 12:1-16; 2 Chronicles 24:1-16; 2 Kings 10:28-36; 2 Kings 13:1-3; Kings 13:22-23

The priests did not act quickly and determinedly to repair the temple; so Joash relieved them of both the responsibility to gather collections and the responsibility to commission repairs. 

Today, do clergy have a proper place in receiving the people's offerings? Do clergy have a proper place in supervising building repairs?

2 Kings 9:1-37; 2 Chronicles 22:7-9; 2 Kings 10:1-27; 2 Kings 11:1-3; 2 Chronicles 22:10-12

Joram becomes King of Israel, following in line after his father, Ahab. His rule is doomed, however, due both to Ahab's wrongdoing and to Joram's. 

One of Joram's commanders, Jehu, receives an anointing and leads a revolt that ultimately results in his claiming the kingship of Israel. As Jehu advances on Joram's quarters, the latter sends messengers to inquire if Jehu is coming in peace.  Not one of the messengers returns to Joram; so Joram leaves his stronghold and goes out to meet Jehu. They encounter one another at the site of the property that had once belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite.

That meeting place brings the story full circle, for Ahab had taken Naboth's land after his wife, Queen Jezebel, had murdered Naboth via a conspiracy. The sins of Joram's father, Ahab, are fully visited upon Joram. Jehu kills Joram and exterminates the rest of Ahab's family.

Naboth is vindicated, although he does not live to see it.

How often do we revisit the places where we sinned? Do our children, grandchildren, and other descendants visit those same places?

2 Kings 2:1-25; 2 Kings 3:4-27; 1 Kings 22:50; 2 Chronicles 21:1-3; 2 Kings 8:16-25; 2 Chronicles 21:4-20; 2 Chronicles 22:1-6; 2 Kings 8:26-29

Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. (2 Chronicles 21:20)

How sad that Jehoram disappointed both his people and his God so! "He passed away, to no one's regret..." Perhaps everyone rejoiced at his death. Or maybe everyone simply ignored his passing, taking no notice at all. 

How will folks receive news of my death? Will they feel happy? Sad? Indifferent? Will no one regret my passing? In large measure it will depend on how I have treated others. So let me extend grace to others, day by day, Lord. Amen!

Psalm 49:1-20; Psalm 83:1-18; Psalm 91:1-16; Kings 22:47-49; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37; 2 Kings 1:2-18; Kings 3:1-3

The list of royal wrongs grows longer.

• Ahaziah tries to consult with Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, instead of seeking the face of the Lord, his God. (2 Kings 1:2)
• Joram removes a stone object dedicated to the worship of Baal, yet he continues in the sins of Jereboam. (2 Kings 3:2-3)

What is my generational sin, God? Show it to me that I may repent and be healed.

1 Kings 22:3640; 2 Chronicles 19:14a; 2 Kings 1:1; 2 Chronicles 19:11-20:30; Psalm 46:1-11; Psalm 47:1-9; Psalm 48:1-14

How I would like to appropriate the Word of the Lord to King Jehoshaphat: "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." (2 Chronicles 20:15b) I've heard it said that God will fight your battles, and I've seen some of my life's "battles" go that way. I've tried to fight some of my own "battles," too, with varying degrees of success.

I wonder how the story of my life might have been written if I had yielded to God's way of engaging "battles," not occasionally, but EVERY time... 

1 Kings 21:1-29; 1 Kings 22:51-53; 1 Kings 22:1-35; 2 Chronicles 18:2-34

King Ahab COVETS a neighbor's property.

Queen Jezebel PERVERTS justice to justify the neighbor's MURDER.

They STEAL the dead man's inheritance--his land.

Then the Word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite...

Psalm 104:1-35; Psalm 114:1-8; Psalm 115:1-18; 1 Kings 20:1-43

When you hide your face, they [I take this "they" to mean "all living things."] are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. (Psalm 104:29-30)

God's living creatures are animated by the Spirit of God/Wind of God/Breath of God. We don't know where this animating energy "comes from," and we don't know where it is going. Yet we breathe it; and we live. 

1 Kings 17:1-19:21

The Lord meets Elijah where his fear (of Jezebel's threat), his despair (praying that he might die), and his pride ("I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty...I am the only one left...) meet. It is a dark, lonely place, a cavern. And God speaks in a barely audible whisper or perhaps in "the sound of sheer silence."

God, by the light of Your presence transform the dark, lonely, cavernous reaches of my soul into a temple of Your Holy Spirit. Speak, and Your servant will both shout and sing!

1 Kings 15:33-34; 1 Kings 15:16; 1 Kings 15:32; 1 Kings 15:17-22; 2 Chronicles 16:1-10; 1 Kings 16:1-33; Kings 15:23-24; 2 Chronicles 16:11-14; 1 Kings 22:41-46; Chronicles 20:31-34; 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:1; 1 Kings 16:34

Baasha, king of Israel, and Asa, king of Judah, go to war against one another. There is a stalemate between the two, or perhaps the progress of Asa's forces is too slow for his liking. Whatever the case, Asa enlists the help of an ally, Ben-Hadad, king of Aram. 

Asa empties the treasuries of both the temple and the royal palace in order to "sweeten the deal" between himself and Ben-Hadad. HE TOOK WHAT BELONGED TO GOD AND WHAT BELONGED TO THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD. With proceeds from the two treasuries Asa buys superior forces with which to settle the border dispute between his kingdom, Judah, and Baasha's kingdom, Israel.

God is not pleased thereby, and God sends Hannai the seer to Asa with a message to that effect.

God, please help me to respect what belongs to You--always to employ it according to Your purposes and never to apply it for my selfish gain. Amen.

1 Kings 14:29-31; 2 Chronicles 12:15-16; 1 Kings 15:1-8; Chronicles 13:l-20a; 2 Chronicles 13:21-14:la; Kings 15:9-11; 2 Chronicles 14:lb-7; 1 Kings 14:19-20; Chronicles 13:20b; 1 Kings 15:25-31; 2 Chronicles 14:8-15:7; 1 Kings 15:12-15; 2 Chronicles 15:8-19

Both Israel and Judah vacillate between faithfulness to the Lord and investing in many "faiths"--giving worship to Asheral, Baal, and the golden calves that Jereboam set up at two locations. Whenever the leaders turn from the worship of idols, the Lord "steps in" and gives military victories. Various kings are compared to David, who, according to scripture, was "faithful to God in everything, "...except in the case of Uriah the Hittite." (1 Kings 15:5c) And David repented of that...

Oh, to be faithful to God in everything...and repentant, too!

1 Kings 14:1-18; 2 Chronicles 11:5-12; 2 Chronicles 11:18-23; Kings 14:22-28; 2 Chronicles 12:1-12; Psalm 89:1-52

Catching up... Both Rehoboham and Jereboam allow idol worship to be established in their respective kingdoms. Jereboam is motivated by political expediency. He wants the people he rules to remain loyal. Rehoboham seems motivated by laxity.

Both the promises and prophecies of God ring true. “If you remain loyal to the Lord, then the Lord will defend you. But if you forsake the Lord to follow other gods, then the Lord will not defend you. Armies will plunder your wealth. You will become subservient to others.”

Have I taken charge of the “territory” God has entrusted to me, or have I allowed myself to be motivated by laxity?

1 Kings 12:1-19; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19; 1 Kings 12:20-24; 2 Chronicles 11:14; 1 Kings 12:25-31; 2 Chronicles 11:13-17; 1 Kings 12:32-13:34

Catching up... Rehoboham, rightful heir to the throne of Solomon, gets the southern kingdom, just as previously prophesied. Jereboam gets the northern kingdom, just as previously prophesied. Jereboam becomes concerned that the people going back to Jerusalem’s temple to worship will reject his rule and become loyal to Rehoboham instead. So Jereboam institutes idol worship at two places within his kingdom, complete with non-Levite priests, and urges the people of the northern kingdom to forsake the Lord, to shun temple worship in Jerusalem, and to worship at the two convenient northern locations instead. In summary he put political expediency above spiritual integrity.

In what ways do I adhere to political correctness at the expense of godliness?

Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14; Psalm 73:1-28; Psalm 88:1-18; 1 Kings 11:4143; 2 Chronicles 9:29-31; 1 Kings 14:21; 2 Chronicles 12:13-14

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. (Ecclesiastes 11:5) Yes, God is and will remain mysterious. I cannot know the things of God even in part.

Ecclesiastes 7:1-10:20

Catching up... On reading this I wonder if the writer is clinically depressed: A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter; because a sad face is good for the heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:1-3)

Whose philosophy of life is this, “A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything?” (Ecclesiastes 10:19)

Paranoia?  Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say. (Ecclesiastes 10:20)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-6:12

Catching up... In Ecclesiastes 3 the author writes of divine judgment, and in chapter 5 the writer advises, “Stand in awe of God.” So at last the writer reflects on his relationship with God.

Still, the writer follows with the feeling of never being able to enjoy or to be satisfied with whatever his lot may be. (Ecclesiastes 5 and 6) Why? What is his malady?

And I; am I, too, eternally dissatisfied? Bored? Discontented? I choose to be satisfied and happy with this: To glorify God and to enjoy God forever.

1 Kings 11:1-40; Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:26

Catching up... The sad refrain of the Bible’s book of Ecclesiastes is, “Meaningless! Everything is meaningless and chasing after the wind.” One by one, the author samples work, pleasures, wine, women, riches, etc. But when and where does he plumb the depths of his relationship with God?

Proverbs 31:1-31; 1 Kings 4:20-28; 1 Kings 10:14-21; 2 Chronicles 9:13-20; 1 Kings 10:23-25; 2 Chronicles 9:22-24; 1 Kings 10:26-29; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17; 2 Chronicles 9:25-28

Catching up... The proverbs warn against riches, yet Solomon acquires untold wealth. He builds up military power--chariots, horses, mules, and soldiers. Can any good come of this?

And what of my own country, the USA, much effort goes into the accumulation of wealth, the production of arms, and the selling of weaponry. What good will come of it?

Proverbs 28:1-30:33

Catching up... Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:7-9) Ah! The middle road is desirable, isn’t it?

Proverbs 24:23-27:27

Catching up... If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. (Proverbs 27:14) Timing is everything where communication is concerned.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives. (Proverbs 27:21) How true! If I am praised, then my ego is fed. I am tempted to think more highly of myself. I am encouraged to believe what may be an exaggerated opinion of me. Shall I take others’ praises and build upon them, or shall I take the praise “with a grain of salt?”

Proverbs 22:1-24:22

Catching up... Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. (Proverbs 23:4-5) Lord, please show me in which ways I may be wearing myself out and in which ways I am demonstrating thoughtful restraint.

Proverbs 19:1-21:31

Catching up... Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. (Proverbs 19:14) I have found this to be true from experience. 

Proverbs 16:1-18:24

Catching up...  If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house. (Proverbs 17:13) For sure! Most humans are tempted to pay back evil for evil. New Testament wisdom says, “Overcome evil with good.”

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

I suppose context means everything to proper understanding. Without context the following seem to oppose one another: A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds. (Proverbs 17:8) A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice. (Proverbs 17:23)

Proverbs 14:1-15:33

Catching up...

Proverbs 11:1-13:25

Catching up...

Proverbs 11:1-13:25

Catching up...

Proverbs 11:1-13:25

Catching up...

Proverbs 11:1-13:25

Catching up...

The Bible Readings I Hope to Complete in June

June 1 - Proverbs 16:1-18:24

June 2 - Proverbs 19:1-21:31

June 3 - Proverbs 22:1-24:22

June 4 - Proverbs 24:23-27:27

June 5-Proverbs 28:1-30:33

June 6 - Proverbs 31:1-31; 1 Kings 4:20-28; 1 Kings 10:14-21; 2 Chronicles 9:13-20; 1 Kings 10:23-25; 2 Chronicles 9:22-24; 1 Kings 10:26-29; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17; 2 Chronicles 9:25-28

June 7 - 1 Kings 11:1-40; Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:26

June 8 - Ecclesiastes 3:1-6:12

June 9 - Ecclesiastes 7:1-10:20

June 10 - Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14; Psalm 73:1-28; Psalm 88:1-18; 1 Kings 11:4143; 2 Chronicles 9:29-31; 1 Kings 14:21; 2 Chronicles 12:13-14

June 11 - 1 Kings 12:1-19; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19; 1 Kings 12:20-24; 2 Chronicles 11:14; 1 Kings 12:25-31; 2 Chronicles 11:13-17; 1 Kings 12:32-13:34

June 12 - 1 Kings 14:1-18; 2 Chronicles 11:5-12; 2 Chronicles 11:18-23; Kings 14:22-28; 2 Chronicles 12:1-12; Psalm 89:1-52

June 13 - 1 Kings 14:29-31; 2 Chronicles 12:15-16; 1 Kings 15:1-8; Chronicles 13:l-20a; 2 Chronicles 13:21-14:la; Kings 15:9-11; 2 Chronicles 14:lb-7; 1 Kings 14:19-20; Chronicles 13:20b; 1 Kings 15:25-31; 2 Chronicles 14:8-15:7; 1 Kings 15:12-15; 2 Chronicles 15:8-19

June 14 - 1 Kings 15:33-34; 1 Kings 15:16; 1 Kings 15:32; 1 Kings 15:17-22; 2 Chronicles 16:1-10; 1 Kings 16:1-33; Kings 15:23-24; 2 Chronicles 16:11-14; 1 Kings 22:41-46; Chronicles 20:31-34; 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:1; 1 Kings 16:34

June 15 - 1 Kings 17:1-19:21

June 16 - Psalm 104:1-35; Psalm 114:1-8; Psalm 115:1-18; 1 Kings 20:1-43

June 17 - 1 Kings 21:1-29; 1 Kings 22:51-53; 1 Kings 22:1-35; 2 Chronicles 18:2-34

June 18 - 1 Kings 22:3640; 2 Chronicles 19:14a; 2 Kings 1:1; 2 Chronicles 19:11-20:30; Psalm 46:1-11; Psalm 47:1-9; Psalm 48:1-14

June 19 - Psalm 49:1-20; Psalm 83:1-18; Psalm 91:1-16; Kings 22:47-49; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37; 2 Kings 1:2-18; Kings 3:1-3

June 20 - 2 Kings 2:1-25; 2 Kings 3:4-27; 1 Kings 22:50; 2 Chronicles 21:1-3; 2 Kings 8:16-25; 2 Chronicles 21:4-20; 2 Chronicles 22:1-6; 2 Kings 8:26-29

June 21 - 2 Kings 9:1-37; 2 Chronicles 22:7-9; 2 Kings 10:1-27; 2 Kings 11:1-3; 2 Chronicles 22:10-12

June 22 - 2 Kings 11:4-21; 2 Chronicles 23:1-21; 2 Kings 12:1-16; 2 Chronicles 24:1-16; 2 Kings 10:28-36; 2 Kings 13:1-3; Kings 13:22-23

June 23 - 2 Chronicles 24:17-25a; 2 Kings 12:17-18; 2 Kings 4:144; 2 Kings 13:4-8; 2 Kings 8:1-6; 2 Kings 13:9-11; 2 Kings 12:19-21; 2 Chronicles 24:25b-27; 2 Kings 14:1-6; 2 Chronicles 25:1-10

June 24 - 2 Kings 14:7-14; 2 Chronicles 25:11-24; 2 Kings 5:1-7:2

June 25 - 2 Kings 7:3-20; 2 Kings 8:7-15; 2 Kings 13:14-21; 2 Kings 13:24-25; 2 Kings 13:12-13; 2 Kings 14:15-16; 2 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 14:17-20; 2 Chronicles 25:25-28; 2 Kings 14:21-22; 2 Kings 15:1-5; 2 Chronicles 26:1-21; Amos 1:1-15

June 26 - Amos 2:1-6:14

June 27 - Amos 7:1-9:15; Hosea 1:1-3:5

June 28 - Hosea 4:1-5:7; 2 Kings 14:24-28; Jonah 1:1-4:11; 2 Kings 14:29; 2 Kings 15:8-12; 2 Kings 15:13-16

June 29 - 2 Kings 15:17-20; 1 Chronicles 5:23-26; 2 Kings 15:6-7; 2 Chronicles 26:22-23; 2 Kings 15:21-29; Isaiah 6:1-13; 2 Kings 15:32-38; 2 Chronicles 27:1-9; 1 Chronicles 5:11-17; Kings 16:1-9; 2 Chronicles 28:1-21

June 30 - Isaiah 7:1-10:4; Isaiah 17:1-14