September 5 - Ezekiel 28-31: Tyre and Egypt Realize God is (g)od

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 28-31

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God must convince these nations that He is god and not them.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

"Tyre, your money and fortune has made you believe you are a god. Try to argue that with your assassins.
"Sidon, you need to learn who I am.
"Israel will be freed from her nagging neighbors. She will live in safety."
Later God came to Ezekiel again, "Preach against Egypt. They think the Nile belongs to them. They will soon know I am God. Egypt's downfall will bring encouragement to Israel and terror to their allies. They will never again dominate the world.
"Tell Pharaoh, 'Who do you think you are? I created everything. Your big nation will crumble.'"

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Tyre and Egypt thought they were gods and not God.

Tyre's blessings, mentioned in yesterday's reading, came from trade. Instead of blessing God for their great riches, they considered themselves in control. Egypt had a similar issue, though they still had a temple full of gods. God would show both of them who the real god was.

God's punishments were meant to show who He was.

One phrase that continues to come up in Ezekiel is a form of "they will know (or realize) I am God". It came up 12 times in today's reading alone. God's purpose for punishing Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt (alongside Israel, Judah, Assyria, and Babylon) was because they had either not given full respect to God or thought they were gods themselves. God is not a wrath-filled Spirit who angrily punishes people because He cannot get His Way. God uses His Punishment to remind the world who He is.

Do you act like God is god?

September 3 - Ezekiel 22-23: Jerusalem's Crime Bosses will be Punished

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 22-23

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God's Chosen People have forgotten how to set things right in their community.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God told Ezekiel to judge the city, "Jerusalem's inhabitants outdo each other in crime. They will soon know I am God.
"No one will stand up to the bad priests and excuse-making preachers; therefore, they will see my wrath."
God's message: "Two sisters, Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem) became whores in Egypt. Oholah wanted Assyrian men but they brutally killed her.
"Oholibah slept with Babylonian men and later abandoned them. Now her jilted lovers will have revenge."
"Ezekiel, these sisters sacrificed children to idols then waltzed into My Temple to worship Me! I must make an example out of them."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jerusalem has forgotten God.

The leaders compete to be the crime boss of Jerusalem. There is no court immune from their evil schemes. Anarchy reigns. Worst of all, they have forgotten God. The god that once saved collective Israel from captivity is now only a cultural symbol to the only remaining tribes. Beware of idols, they will make you unable to see God as He is.

God's punishment is meant to remind Jerusalem who their god is.

Jerusalem has a major problem with other idols. They cannot stop worshiping them. So God will come and forcibly remove their idols so they can see their god and return to Him. God's punishments are meant to remove barriers to seeing Him, not to make us feel bad about our lives.

God's Message through Ezekiel gets more explicit as it goes.

Earlier I wrote on how Israel wanted to keep their sexual pleasures more than their god. Ezekiel's message in chapter 23 would be considered "R-rated" by most Christian sensors. What we must remember as we read these sections is that God (or Ezekiel) is using metaphors which relate to Israel and Judah's sin. They have cheated on God by going to sex-and-religion shrines. They offered their children to their sex-and-religion idols and then entered the Temple in Honor of God to worship Him as though nothing they did mattered. So he uses metaphors which closely resemble their actions—prostitution. If you feel uncomfortable or blush at these sections—good! They are not meant to be feel-good texts.

What does God need to remove to help you see Him as He is?

September 2 - Ezekiel 20-21: Israel Wanted to Control God, not Obey Him

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 20-21

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God's Chosen People have always survived because of God Amazing Grace.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God, through Ezekiel, spoke to Israel's leaders. "I wanted Israel to be wholly Mine. But they kept their Egyptian no-gods. I held back my anger to save My Reputation.
"I gave them My Law including the Sabbath to rekindle our relationship. They ignored My Sabbaths. I held back my anger to save My Reputation.
"I gave land to their children—who also abandoned Me—who became filthy like their gods.
"I will never be controlled.
"I will burn both dead and green trees.
"A sharp sword is ready against Jerusalem. I will lead your enemy to you, Zedekiah."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Israel never became wholly God's.

The most disappointing part of Israel's existence is that they had ample opportunity to get rid of their gods but chose not to. They never became holy. Later they became as filthy as the gods God wanted to destroy.

God gave us the Law to help us set things right and point us to Him.

Israel never understood why God gave them the Law. God wanted them to use this Law to set things right within their borders and to be a lighthouse to the nations to help them see God as well. The Sabbath was meant not only for a day of rest but for a day to connect with God. God gives His Law because He loves us and wants to set things right.

Israel wanted a god they could control instead of a God they would obey.

God gets to the heart of the matter—Israel was not interested in God because He demanded obedience. The other gods were subservient to Israel's every wishes. Israel could do whatever they wanted and invent a god to honor it. This is why God's Law was ignored and despised: Israel wanted to control their lives, not obey God.
In reality, we all want a god we can morph into our image instead of the other way around. Much of theology is trying to get around the simple meaning of the text. We want to limit the Scripture to suit our lifestyles, our wants, and our desires. However, we will eventually understand God's Way is the best way. We must not control God. We must obey God.

Do you want a god that can serve you or do you want to serve God?

August 31 - Ezekiel 16-17: Judah Corrupted Prostitution

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 16-17

The Message

English Standard Version

Congratulations! You have made it through eight months of reading through the Bible in a year! Only four more months to go! And we are officially at 30 days before we finish the Old Testament!

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Jerusalem became so corrupt, they corrupted prostitution. The nations around could not stand them.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God's message:
"I made Jerusalem, once an abandoned pagan baby, a stunning beauty. But you became a terrible whore—sacrificing your children to idols and paying your lovers, corrupting prostitution! I never even crossed your mind. I'll see to it your lovers see you as you really are.
"I will reverse Samaria's and Sodom's fortunes—and yours, too! I will make everything right."
Again God's Message:
"I took a cedar twig and it became a vine. Babylon took Judah's king into exile to keep them subdued but they rebelled anyway. I will make sure they are captured and punished."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Judah became worse than Israel and Sodom.

We know what happened to Israel and Sodom. Yet God says Judah has become worse than both of them. Beware idols—they can potentially make you worse than the people in lands God destroyed.

God would set things right between Himself and Sodom, Israel, and Judah.

What great God,

[Y]ou who have treated my oath with contempt and broken the covenant … I’ll remember the covenant I made with you when you were young and I’ll make a new covenant with you that will last forever. You’ll remember your sorry past and be properly contrite when you receive back your sisters, both the older and the younger. I’ll give them to you as daughters, but not as participants in your covenant. I’ll firmly establish my covenant with you and you’ll know that I am GOD. You’ll remember your past life and face the shame of it, but when I make atonement for you, make everything right after all you’ve done, it will leave you speechless. (16:59-63, The Message)

God wants to set all things right with His Chosen People—even when they treat Him with contempt and break His Covenant!

Has God set things right with you?

August 28 - Ezekiel 5-8: God Indicts Judah for Un(w)holiness

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 5-8

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God proves His case against Israel in a rather convincing manner.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God told Ezekiel to show Jerusalem's fate through his hair clippings. "I will become your enemy without pity. Famine will overtake you.
"Mountains, I will destroy your shrines and people. Then they will know I am God. Death will engulf the land. It is the end, your fate happens now.
"Fear will paralyze the countryside. Their once-prized gods will be junked. There will be no peace or an answer to why."
God's second vision showed Ezekiel where God's Chosen People worshiped foreign idols in and around the Temple; therefore, God would no longer listen to their cries for mercy.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God has finished warning Jerusalem. Only punishment lies in store for them.

Jerusalem had become utterly corrupt like the nations around. God would show no pity. Death, destruction, and violence would shatter their once-peaceful existence. God alone must be honored among His Chosen People or they will be punished. Jerusalem would feel the harsh hand of God's discipline.

God is fully justified in brutally punishing Jerusalem.

Chapter eight provides an infuriating case against Jerusalem. They have not only built shrines all over the hills and cities, they went into the Temple in Honor of God and built shrines to their sex-and-religion gods! Nothing in their city was wholly for God (holy). Everything in their possession had been tainted with some unknown god. There is only frustration and anger when reading this section. Jerusalem cares little for God, why should they ever expect His unending Love and Protection? It is a wonder God did not destroy the entire lot!

Have you compromised every aspect of your life and left none wholly for God?

August 16 - Jeremiah 32-34: David's New Shoot would Return Jerusalem to Normalcy

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 32-34

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God would one day return Judah's life back to normal.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

"I am God. You have provoked Me long enough. If you cooperate with Nebuchadnezzar you will survive.
"One day My Chosen People and I will live as one with an everlasting covenant. How wonderful it will be to do good for them once again! Everything will be restored. Celebrations will resume.
"A new shoot will come from David's tree. Judah and Jerusalem's motto will be "God has set things right for us." There will always be a descendent of David on the throne and a priest offering sacrifices. Only if I lose control of the world will My Promises fail."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God continues to use Jeremiah even while he is in prison.

It is a somewhat strange occurrence that Jeremiah is in prison but God still uses him to send messages to the king and the rest of Judah. It is as if God is telling Zedekiah that no matter how much he fights God, God's message is the same. Even when God's Messengers are punished for His Message, God still uses them to provide the same Message.

God would no longer punish children along with their parents.

This is a difficult line to walk. There is a strand of Calvinism which states that infants inherit the mistakes (sins) of their parents. This is not what Jeremiah means. Yesterday's reading included the following:

When that time comes you won’t hear the old proverb anymore,
   Parents ate the green apples,
   their children got the stomachache.
No, each person will pay for his own sin. You eat green apples, you’re the one who gets sick. (31:29-30, The Message)

Also, Jerusalem is under siege by an enemy because Judah's adults would not stop worshiping other gods. Children suffered because of their parents' mistakes. But God's New Covenant would be different. Each person would be responsible for their mistakes, not the mistakes of others. Children still suffer from the mistakes of parents, but not in the same way they did at this time. This is why I appreciate the Message's paraphrase of this verse, "You're loyal in your steadfast love to thousands upon thousands - but you also make children live with the fallout from their parents' sins" (32:18). Children may still live with the consequences of their parents' mistakes, but they no longer are punished alongside their parents.

God is purifying Jerusalem for its future inhabitants.

As I have mentioned several times in the Old Testament, God's purpose of punishing Jerusalem and Judah is to wipe out all of the Baal worship sites. This will remove the temptation for returning Israelites to worship other gods. Since He could not get the original inhabitants to remove them He had to use an outside group to forcibly destroy them. Once they are removed, Israel and Judah would re-inhabit the land and live in peace once again.

The Shoot of David's tree would set things right for Judah and Jerusalem.

He would run the country with honor, honesty, and fairness. His name would be God's Righteousness. He would restore the land and Israel would have their relationship with God set right. God would provide a leader to set all things right with His Chosen People. (You can also understand how Israel's understanding of the Messiah was very skewed toward the physical. This will be important when we read about Jesus.)

Is your motto "God has set things right for us"?

August 6 - Zephaniah: God's Awesome Judgment Sets Things Right

Today’s Reading: Zephaniah

The Message

English Standard Version

With Zephaniah we have read 24 books. Only 15 left in the Old Testament!

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God would purge His Land of all competitors and anyone who followed them.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God's message through Zephaniah:
"A full housecleaning for Earth—shrines, idols, and people.
"You may think I am not paying attention. Judgment day is when I repay good and evil."
Get yourself together, Judah! Seek God and live.
"I know what you've said about Me, Moab. Nineveh, no city will be safe."
Doom to the rebellious. They would not trust God.
"My punishment only delayed their evil schemes.
"In the end I will return My Chosen People and forget their past."
Celebrate God's judgment, it removes bad influences!
"I promise to set the sick, homeless, and maimed right. You'll see."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God will remove all other gods, their idols, and punish the people who worship them.

Zephaniah's message sounds intimidating—now we may know why Josiah took God's message serious and removed all of the shrines, idols, and killed the idols' priests. God will not have rivals—He will reign unchallenged.

God's Judgment Day will be awesome for everyone.

God's judgment of every person will be a day of mourning for those not willing to set things right and a day of great praise for people fully devoted to God setting all things right on the earth. Even when it seems God's Judgment will never come—the guilty go free while pinning the blame on the innocent—do not lose hope. God's Judgment Day is coming. Everyone will be in awe—some in praise and others in shame.

God will set all things right in the end.

It seems odd that at the end of a book dedicated to telling people who are guilty that they will be greatly punished God would speak of restoration. But, in essence, the two are inseparable. God's Judgment is meant to help His Chosen People clear the air of pollutants and rejoin Him in setting things right. We cannot see one without the other. The two are essential to setting things right.

Are you struggling to see how God will set your situation right?

August 5 - 2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35: Josiah Changes Everything but God's Punishment

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35

The Message

English Standard Version

Today's reading is very long, possibly the longest for the entire year. The two chapters in 2 Kings are the same events of 2 Chronicles. However, since Josiah is my favorite king in the Old Testament, you can't be my friend if you skip either one (just kidding). Enjoy!

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Josiah removed all of the things separating the people from God, but could not make them return to Him.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Josiah reigned God's way, like David. He restored the Temple and found the Book of God's Revelation. However, God would still punish Judah after Josiah's death.
Josiah read the Book to Judah. He then purged the Temple, Jerusalem, and all Judah of their idols to other gods. He removed Solomon's and Jeroboam's shrines and went through Israel removing their foreign-god altars.
He observed the Passover unlike any since the judges.
Pharaoh Neco's army killed Josiah in battle.
Josiah's son Jehoahaz's power lasted three months. Neco took him away and placed Jehoiakim on the throne. Judah returned to their foreign gods.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Josiah removed all shrines, no matter how old or established they had become.

A few weeks ago we read how Josiah's great-grandfather Hezekiah removed most of the shrines. He did not remove Solomon's shrines or the ones in Israel (though Israel still inhabited the land when he came to power and would have objected). Josiah, on the other hand, removed Solomon's shrines, Jeroboam's shrines, and then went throughout deserted Israel and removed their shrines. God was pleased with Josiah's actions. God is pleased with His Chosen People when they sacrifice their heritage to obey Him.
What I love about Josiah, and why I named our first-born after him, are the implications of his actions for today. The Restoration Movement was begun by men and women dedicated to "the restoration of all things." For their time, they did a magnificent job, like Hezekiah. However, as we approach the 200^th anniversary of the movement's beginning, we now see "shrines" that they did not remove—the center of Christianity being the church building; everyone sitting in pews facing the same way listening to a lecture; communion being a individualistic, private matter; a heavy reliance on rationalism and modernism for developing and teaching doctrine; and so on. (As a side note, some may question whether these "shrines" were there at the time or added later. When they arrived is not a matter I care to debate, at least not here and now.) Now we are at a moment when many young people are questioning whether they see Jesus in the church or not. So our challenge today is whether we can go through a "Josiah" moment and remove all of our religious shrines or are we content with our "Hezekiah" past, keeping the oldest, more established shrines in place. If we remove these obstacles and observe Christian community as long ago (as with Josiah and the Passover), we, too, can stem the tide of our decline, even if for one generation.

Josiah left his previous generation's sins behind.

Last week we read how Hezekiah's son and grandson (Josiah's grandfather and father) rebuilt shrine after shrine after Hezekiah tore them down. I commented that no matter how good a generation could be the next could squander all gained ground. Josiah, on the other hand, serves as a great example of the opposite side of that coin. No matter how bad your previous generation(s) treated God, you can change your life dramatically if you humbly put your trust in His Way.
It is here that we can gain encouragement from Josiah for our church culture today. We do not know how many old-timers Josiah had to convince to tear down Solomon's shrines, but what we know is that he succeeded. Before we abandon our congregations to die we should first attempt to be like Josiah. Once we have exhausted our patients (or theirs), we have done all we can do. I am not convinced all of our congregations are too far gone. They need help, but God wants to set things right. We should join Him.

Josiah could not stop God's punishment of Judah.

At first God's pronouncement to Josiah may seem cold-hearted. God does not bless Josiah with generation-after-generation of kings because of his work as with Jehu who did less. What we do not have written here is how well Josiah led the rest of Judah. It is possible that he had little effect on the commoner's heart. As we read earlier in Isaiah, religious observance does not guarantee God's attendance. Therefore, it is conceivable that Josiah had little sway on the people en mass. This could be why his son's punishment came so quickly and why he did not argue with God. He could see that his zealotry for God was not matched in the proceeding generations. Not all sinking churches can be saved by good leaders.

Are you willing to remove all of the religious shrines that prevent you from setting things right with God?

August 3 - 2 Chronicles 32-33: Hezekiah Holds Ranks, Manasseh Repents of Mistakes

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 32-33

The Message

English Standard Version

The first half of today's reading repeats Isaiah 35-36 and 37-39. The second half repeats the story of Hezekiah's son and grandson which we read yesterday. Do not skip this section! There are a few gems which will be very helpful in understanding the comments below. However, since yesterday's and today's readings are the almost the same I will skip the summary go straight into the comments.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Manasseh, who was equally as bad as his grandfather, was allowed to live because he repented.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Hezekiah encouraged his people to trust in God and it helped morale within the city.

I love the way Eugene Peterson translated this section,

Hezekiah rallied the people, saying, “Be strong! Take courage! Don’t be intimidated by the king of Assyria and his troops—there are more on our side than on their side. He only has a bunch of mere men; we have our GOD to help us and fight for us!”
Morale surged. Hezekiah’s words put steel in their spines. (32:6-8, The Message)

Think about it. Jerusalem is surrounded by 100,000+ Assyrian soldiers telling them to surrender and enjoy a better life in captivity than they have in freedom. They cannot travel anywhere. Sooner or later they will run out of food and become desperate. But Hezekiah doesn't allow their dire circumstances blind them to God's ultimate Goodness and Power. They are encouraged to trust in God. Leaders should focus on helping their followers see how God is going to make the situation right. Because Hezekiah strengthened his people, they trusted in God.

God took Manasseh's punishment away.

The story of Manasseh is similar to the Israelite king Ahab. God punished Ahab greatly because he caused Israel to worship other gods. However, Ahab repented of his mistake and God delayed his punishment. Manasseh, too, repented of his mistakes, turned to God, and was returned to Jerusalem to finish his reign. If God can take away the punishment of a terrible, no-good, very bad king, He can take away the guilt of your past. How awesome is our god!

Are you inspiring your followers to trust in God, no matter what comes before them?

August 1 - Isaiah 64-66: God Accepts Authentic Worship from the World

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 64-66

The Message

English Standard Version

We made it! We're finished with Isaiah and have read 22 books overall. Keep going!

Thought to Guide Your Reading

When Israel calls for God to save them God calls them to change.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God responds, "You want me only on your terms. You want your idols and your sins. Your punishment for your sin is on its way.
"Those who set things right are willing to have me on My Terms. They will inhabit newly-blessed Jerusalem. Peace will rule this land.
"I want worship from a dedicated heart not from memory.
"Rejoice, Jerusalem! Nations will see My Glory. I'll send My Chosen People to the world to spread the Good News of My Reign. Then, the assembly of God's Chosen People from all over the world will see the carcasses of the rebellious."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God will accept us only on His terms.

Chapter 64 begins with Israel begging God for His return. Instead, they get God's charges against them. They want God only if they can keep their idols and their way of life. God does not work that way. God will accept you only if you dedicate yourself exclusively to Him.

God wants worship from a dedicated heart, not worship coming from the recital of memorized passages.

Don't get me wrong, memorization is not the problem in Israel. The problem is that the acts of worship have become cultural identity festivals instead of spiritual acts. They lived in an Age of Memorization where the words of Torah were worth more than the meaning of Torah. Israel's focus on getting the acts right instead of changing their hearts left God with no choice but reject their worship. God would even accept their worship even if they were not the super-star lighthouses to the nation. All he wanted was for them to worship and feel something. He wanted an Age of Authentic Worship of God.
I cannot read this section without thinking of the countless devotionals, worship services, etc. I attended where I felt nothing. There was no connection with God. There was no connection with others. I was there to punch my attendance card, collect my social points, and continue with my life. Some may suggest I am the one to blame and they are partially true. However, we should honestly ask do our congregations encourage worship from the heart, emotions and logic interwoven into a patchwork of "spirit and truth", or want to make sure we do everything the "right" way? If our numbers are indicative of the answer, we need large changes—and not musical instruments, praise bands/teams, modern songs, trendy ministers, or even meeting in non-traditional spaces. Rachel Held Evans wrote an excellent article recently expressing both why many young people leave churches and why older church leaders don't get it. I would add to her thoughts God's message through Isaiah, "Your offerings for worship / no different … from honoring a no-god idol" (66:3, The Message). If we heed Isaiah's message, we, too, can "bring [the exiled Chosen People] back and offer them in living worship to God" (66:20).

God will return Israel, but only those who set things right and were willing to become the feet who delivered good news to the world.

Not all of Israel would be destroyed. That would be out of God's mind completely. God is capable of punishing a neighborhood with only two bad apples and leaving the rest undisturbed. He would restore Jerusalem higher than it had ever been. They would become the bearers of good news who would be called beautiful. Members of families all over the world would assemble in Jerusalem because of God's Glory.
What does this mean for us today? If you have followed through our readings of Isaiah, God has a lot to say about us if we let Him. Today's reading is no different. If we are willing to make hard decisions which may alienate some of the older members stuck in the Age of Memorization we may begin to reach people longing for the Age of Authentic Worship of God. I truly believe the only regrets we will have is waiting so long to change.

Is your church in the Age of Memorization or the Age of Authentic Worship of God?

July 27 - Isaiah 44-48: The Lunacy of Idol Worship

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 44-48

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Israel spends hours crafting an idol so it can deliver them from their enemies. How silly is that?

Summary in 100 Words or Less

"Israel, compare My Blessings to no-blessings from no-gods."
This is how idol worship works: a man shapes a piece of wood from a tree; burns some of the tree to cook a meal; and then prays to the stick of wood!
"Remember what I've done," God calls sweetly. "Which helped you escape Egypt: wood or the god of your ancestors? Your no-gods are "with" you because they can't move!
"Babylon, you were to discipline My Chosen People but you exploited them. Your reward will come. Good luck finding luck.
"Judah, you are here because I am longsuffering. Listen and learn."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Animism boggles God's mind.

Of course, God is the Creator of the universe. Anything people use to create idols and/or gods was created by Him. He mocks them by showing how silly they are for thinking these pieces of wood would protect them. How silly, right? We wouldn't do anything like that, right? Aren't we lucky not to believe in spirits who require us to do the exact right thing at the exact right time to get what we want? Maybe I should go and knock on wood to make sure my karma is in check.
So we do have silly beliefs, too. We do not call it "idol worship" or "animism" per se, but we do speak of things like luck and superstitions. Why do we do this? Maybe it is because we cannot see God and so we substitute other causes behind our outcomes. Either way, God's Chosen People do not rely on "spirits" or "luck" or put their faith in items to bring good fortune. We rely on the source of our spirit and the Creator to bring good fortune.

God wants us to compare Him to other things taking our allegiance, not follow Him blindly.

God never tells us to blindly follow Him. He wants His Chosen People to put their entire faith in His Way but part of that is allowing them to see the so-called competition. If they realize their "no-gods" are nothing but carvings in wood animated only in their hopes and dreams then they will be reminded to return to God. Test those who want your allegiance. Do they bless more than God? He realizes no other suitor could match His Blessings and Mercy. Go on, He'll still be there when you realize His awesomeness.

Things created do not complain to their creator.

We love to second-guess God. If we were in charge, the Canaanites would have lived; Israel would have been a better country with freedom instead of law; etc. However, nothing looks back on its creator and says, "I could have done that better," except humans. How ironic that the highest and greatest part of God's creation looks back at their creator and exclaims, "I don't need you. I'm better than that now."

God works behind the scenes but is open for all to see.

One of the reasons faith in God is so difficult is that we do not get the full-page banner ads or amazing, "Look at me!" spectacles to see God's work. God works within, using His Creation for His purposes. In a scientific age, this is seen as superstitious. Unfortunately, God's Works are often mistaken for self strength or attributed to animist gods. God's Work sets up everything that exists and works today. Give praise and credit to Him, not yourself or some no-god.
At the same time, we do not need to search for God in some dark, secluded place. There is no need to sail across the ocean, climb tall mountains, or descend dangerous caves. God is everywhere and can be seen by all, if they desire to seek Him.

Babylon did not obey God's orders.

Similar to Isaiah's earlier complaint against Babylon and Assyria, they took their power from God and claimed it for themselves. Unfortunately for them both God would punish Babylon and Assyria, too.

If you wish to be God's Chosen People, you must act like God's Holy People.

God set Israel aside from the entire world for them to be lighthouses to the nations. They were to do this by being holier than the nations around them. Cultural isolation would prevent bad influences. Instead, Judah imitated those around them. Therefore, they had their special-nation status revoked by God. If we wish to be God's Chosen People living under His Love and Mercy, we must live lives worthy of that calling. If not, we will find ourselves, our churches, and our nation removed from their place in God setting all things right.

Are you hard to help?

July 26 - Isaiah 40-43: God's Lighthouses to the Nations

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 40-43

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God wants Judah to compare gods, not blindly follow the one they have known from birth.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God speaks, "Your punishment is finished."
Spread the good news—"God is near!"
There is no god like God. Judah, you know He cares for us.
"You are My Chosen People, descendents of Abraham. Through My Spirit you will set everything right—a lighthouse to the nations."
Sing to God! Echo His praise from coast to coast!
Pay attention! You are my Messengers! I depend on you. Will anyone pay attention?
"You're mine. I am your Savior. I am, have always been, and will always be God.
"But you give me nothing in return. Therefore, you are rejected."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

At last, God wants to remove Judah's punishment.

God punished Israel and Judah to remove those who were bad influences. Now their punishment is over and God looks forward to reconciliation. God wants to remove our punishment as quickly as possible.

God is much greater than any other so-called god.

God muscles His way into Judah and reminds them of two essential truths: 1) God is the Creator, Director, and Judge over all earth; and 2) other gods may look nice, decorated with gold and other precious items, but they are manufactured by people not the other way around. Judah has heard these stories all their lives and yet they struggle to believe it. God is greater than any and all other things that vie for our love and respect.

God calls Judah to spread the Good News to the entire world.

Once God removes their punishment, He calls them to spread the Good News of His Reign to the world. In the clearest version of this call yet, God tells Israel:

I am God. I have called you to live right and well.
   I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe.
I have set you among my people to bind them to me,
   and provided you as a lighthouse to the nations,
To make a start at bringing people into the open, into light:
   opening blind eyes,
   releasing prisoners from dungeons,
   emptying the dark prisons. (42:6-7, The Message)

God's greatness is not easily seen by those who are not His Chosen People. That is why they must present the good news to the world—God is near, setting all things right. God calls His Chosen People to shine for the world to see Him.

No matter how much God tells Israel of His greatness and how other gods are unworthy, they will not listen.

The end of the reading is depressing. God has removed Judah's punishment, reminded them of His Greatness, called them to be His Ambassadors to the nations, and they still will not listen. Instead, they worship their manufactured gods and oppress the poor. God brings down the standard—just offer sacrifices. They won't bother with that. God had a great role for them to play and they botched it. Therefore, the only response God has is to remove them as His Chosen People. When we are unwilling to do even the bare minimum to obey God, He will remove us.
How does this translate to today? The Church is God's lighthouse to the nations. We get to be the ambassadors to the world for the Creator! However, many churches have difficulty getting their members to do the bare minimum—offer sacrifices of money and time to God. What has God done? God has removed the Church as His central Ambassadors to the world because we cannot be bothered to do the bare minimum to obey Him. Is this universal? Absolutely not! That being said, Christianity is losing its place in our culture not because the world has rejected God but because God had a massive, awesome plan for Christians to help set things right in the world but could not get us to fulfill the basic minimum—setting things right within ourselves.

Are you setting things right in the world or trying to see how little you can do for God and still remain His Chosen Person?

July 25 - Isaiah 37-39; Psalm 76: God Answers Hezekiah's Prayers

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 37-39; Psalm 76

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Hezekiah prays to God for protection and a longer life. God listens and grants both.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Hezekiah, distressed, appealed to Isaiah. He replied, "God will protect you and King Sennachreib will die."
The Sennachreib mocked God, "No god can protect you. Surrender!"
Hezekiah prayed, "You are the True God! Save us!"
God retorted, "Sennacherib, I will ride you like a horse back home. Hezekiah, in three years life will return to normal."
God killed 185,000 Assyrians. Sennacherib ran home and was quickly assassinated.
Later, Hezekiah prayed for health from a deadly illness and received 15 extra years. Hezekiah praised God greatly.
Babylon spied Hezekiah's treasures. Isaiah told Hezekiah someday his children would be exiled to Babylon.

Psalm (P)Synopsis

Psalm 76

Asaph praises God, the famous peacemaker. God brings warriors to their knees—who could survive His wrath? Asaph calls on Judah to sacrifice to God, the justice-bringer.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Hezekiah makes the right decision—relying on God.

We cannot read the story of Hezekiah without understanding his context. His father, Ahaz, ransacked the Temple to placate Assyria and then worshiped Damascene gods thinking they would protect Judah. Israel has been taken into captivity because they would not obey God. Hezekiah must rely on only one thing—faith. His faith would provide the impetus for his actions. So he relied on God in every case. When we rely on God, He helps us make the right decision.

Hezekiah diagnosed the other nations' problem—relying on "no-gods".

Hezekiah understood why the myriad of other nations had been destroyed by Assyria. They worshiped works of their hands, not the Creator. Hezekiah will not make that mistake. He will rely on God, the One, True God. When we rely on no-gods, we get no-help.

Hezekiah's friendliness would spell disaster on Judah.

Unfortunately, Hezekiah was all too trusting with the Babylonian messengers. He allowed them to see everything he had. Part of me wants to think Hezekiah became old and a little senile, since his answer to Isaiah does not sound the same as his previous answers. However, he also may have seen his sons and knew what would happen in the next few years. Either way, his willingness to reveal all he owned brought Babylon calling in the next few generations. Beware of spies who come dressed as messengers of good news.

God brings peace by crushing those who wage war.

Sometimes, God's only way of showing someone they should stop doing what they want to do is by doing it to them. Sennachreib would only cease occupying Judah when his army was decimated. Let us hope and pray we do not need our sins pointed out to us in that way!

Trust in God—He will give you wisdom.

July 16 - Isaiah 13-17: God's Punishment of the Surrounding Nations

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 13-17

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God would deliver Israel from their captives because He still loves them.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

To Babylon via Isaiah: God will destroy you as judgment against your evil deeds. No mercy will be shown. Your land will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God is done. Nomads will avoid it.
Israel, though, will be restored. They'll taunt you, their former slave masters by giving praise to God, "Babylon, attempting equality with God brought your downfall!"
Moab would be destroyed because of their arrogance. Judah would mock their fall.
Aram would be destroyed.
Someday, Israel would shrivel and others would look to the Holy One of Israel. Why? Israel forgot God and served other gods.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God's judgment came down on all of the nations in the region.

Earlier, Isaiah spoke of God's punishment of Assyria because they took God's task of punishing Israel and morphed it into their own wrongdoing. Babylon fell into the same problem. They took their strength and attempted to be equal with God. Now, Babylon's fate is the same as Assyria's. God's punishment is for all—no matter how He intended to use you.

God would reinstate Israel because of His Love.

Yesterday we read about Israel going into exile because of their sin. Today we read an encouraging (at least at first) tale of God bringing them back and giving their enemies as helpers to finish reviving the land. The kingdom would be restored and a king similar to David will take the throne. God never removes His Promise forever. Punishment is only to purify His Chosen People.

God's plans are irrevocable and unavoidable.

The only thing that can make God's plans fail is if He wants to use humans to accomplish it. When it comes to destroying a city, though, no nation will object.

Israel's reinstatement would not be final.

Unfortunately, Israel would once again disobey God and go after other gods. In an ironic twist, they would go off into captivity and people from other lands would replace them. These people will see the futility of their idols, altars, rituals, and religions and return to the Holy One of Israel. Israel, however, would wilt away. God will protect only those who seek Him.

Are you seeking God?

July 15 - 2 Chronicles 28; 2 Kings 16-17: Judah is Defeated and Israel Taken into Captivity for Abandoning God

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 28; 2 Kings 16-17

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Israel forgets God to the extent that they sacrifice children to other gods.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

King Ahaz worshiped Baal gods, sacrificing a child. Aram and Israel defeated Judah.
Oded scolded the Israelite army and the captives were returned.
Assyrian troops attacked and humiliated Ahaz. Panicked, Ahaz ransacked the Temple.
Ahaz worshiped Damascene gods. He died and Hezekiah reigned.
In Israel, Hoshea ruled only slightly better than his predecessors. Assyria took Israel into captivity.
These things happened because Israel acted as the Canaanites. They refused to listen to God's prophets. They followed Jeroboam's sin. God denied their place.
Assyria's king sent a priest to help the remnant honor and worship God. The exiles worshiped other gods.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Ahaz never learns from his defeats.

A few days ago, we read Isaiah's and Amos' harsh indictment of Judah and Israel for not understanding God's punishment. This is what Amos referred to. Ahaz first thought his allies were not strong enough. When he sought stronger allies he was roundly defeated again. So he began worshiping the gods of Damascus. The only thing that could have saved his reign, the one thing he needed to do was the furthest from his mind—ask God for salvation. Therefore, he was punished. Go to God when you feel alone and weak. He will help.

Ahaz ransacked and boarded up the Temple.

What a sad day for Israel. In less than 400 years the Temple David envisioned to honor God, the building that represented God's presence with Israel, which ushered in the pinnacle of Israel's existence has now been abandoned and boarded up by the people who have a perpetual throne in Jerusalem. Sin will ruin even the greatest and most important parts of our existence. Stay away from other gods!

The sin of Jeroboam (the Older) has reached its conclusion—Israel's exile.

Jeroboam erected two golden calves to prevent Israel from returning to Judah to worship God. It was meant to keep the division between Judah and Israel set and Jeroboam (the Older) in power. What it did instead was place the split nation of Israel (and later all the children of Abraham) on a path to being removed from God's Promise to Abraham. Beware your small faults today. They can turn into huge stumbling blocks for future generations.

Israel's obituary consists of one line—they would not listen.

Israel no longer has a country of its own. They are scattered within Assyria. The cause of death: abandoning their god. The symptoms: repeating the sins of the Canaanites who came before them, who God casted out because of sins such as child sacrifice. God tried to help them see the truth of their actions but they were too stubborn to listen. God's prophets were ignored or killed. God's attempts at shocking them into seeing their precarious condition only caused them to seek outsiders as allies. Israel would not listen and therefore must be punished.

"Don't honor other gods: Don't worship them, don't serve them, don't offer sacrifices to them. Worship God, the God who delivered you from Egypt in great and personal power. Reverence and fear him. Worship him. Sacrifice to him. And only him! All the things he had written down for you, directing you in what to believe and how to behave - well, do them for as long as you live. And whatever you do, don't worship other gods! And the covenant he made with you, don't forget your part in that. And don't worship other gods! Worship God, and God only - he's the one who will save you from enemy oppression." (2 Kings 17:35-39, The Message, emphasis original)

Learn from Israel's mistakes! Do not worship other gods!

In a moment of momentous irony, the king of Assyria has to send a priest back to Israel to teach the remnant how to worship God again.

To add insult to captivity, the king of Assyria had to send a priest back into Israel to teach them how to honor and worship God again. "The people … don't know what's expected of them from the god of the land, and now he's sent lions and they're killing people right and left because nobody knows what the god of the land expects of them" (17:26). Someone will honor and worship God. Either His Chosen People or strangers who occupy His People's place will worship Him.

Don't worship other gods!

July 6 - 2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25: Amaziah's Silly Mistake

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God uses a king who cares little for Him to accomplish His purposes.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Amaziah reigned in Judah. He was good, but not like David. He executed his father's assassins. Their children survived in accordance with God's Law.
Amaziah hired soldiers from Israel but God suggested sending them away. Amaziah defeated Seir then installed their gods in his shrines, angering God. God threw Amaziah out.
Amaziah picked a fight with Jehoash, Israel's king. Jehoash defeated Amaziah, looted Jerusalem, and destroyed part of its wall.
Amaziah's servants murdered him. Azariah, his son, reigned.
After Jehoash, his son Jeroboam became king in Israel, continuing to worship at Jeroboam's shrines. God allowed him to extend Israel's borders.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God does not punish children for the sins of their parents, and vice versa.

In Deuteronomy 24, God set the rule that parents and children are not to be executed for the others' sins. Amaziah remembered that aspect of the Law and did not punish the children of his father's conspirators. Parents are not responsible for their (grown) children's mistakes. Children are not responsible for their parents' mistakes.
What does that mean for God's punishments of the people in Canaan, and the families of Korah, Dathan, Abiram, Achan, Baasha, and Ahab? First, we must remember that God's punishments are His punishments and we should not question them because His Reasons may be unknowable to us. Second, God is either punishing the father by having all of his family executed (as in Korah, Dathan, Abiram, Achan and the kings of Israel) or preventing the family from polluting Israel with worship of a foreign god (as with the people of Canaan). This rule is not hard and fast for everything, nor should it be ignored at any convenient time. You did not "inherit" the sins of your ancestors. Your children will (have) not inherit(ed) your sins.

Do not begin worshiping gods who could not protect their former adherents.

Amaziah's treatment of the gods of Seir baffles me. I cannot for the life of me understand why a person would go to war against a people, roundly defeat them, and then take the defeated people's gods and make them their gods. This makes no sense! I'm sure God was similarly surprised by the stupid decision Amaziah made. The only possible explanation is that Seir's gods were more beautiful and/or "freeing." Unfortunately, it led to Amaziah's death.

God used Jeroboam (the younger) to save Israel.

Jeroboam (the younger) did not obey God in any way. God was not impressed with him at all. He continued worshiping the shrines Jeroboam (the older) erected. Yet God used him because "God wasn't yet ready to blot out the name of Israel from history" (2 Kings 14:27). This thought continues the theme found in yesterday's reading. God can use anyone, even those who care little for Him, for His purposes.

Are you worshiping gods who could not protect their former adherents?

April 5 - Judges 16-18: Sampson Fails to Deliver; a Levite Serves a Foreign God

Today’s Reading: Judges 16-18

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Even God's chosen judges are no longer obeying God.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Sampson fell in love with a woman named Delilah who was bribed by the Philistines to find the source of his strength—his hair. The Philistines shaved Sampson, captured him and gouged out his eyes. When they brought him to a feast for sport he asked God for strength to kill everyone. He destroyed the building, killing himself and 3000+ Philistines.
Micah, a man from Ephraim, made an idol. He employed a Levite as the priest to his idol-gods.
The tribe of Dan took the land Micah lived in and killed all the men. However, they continued worshiping Micah's idol-god.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Sampson fails to fulfill his calling because he is sidetracked by (non-holy) women.

As we read yesterday, Sampson was called before he was born to deliver Israel from its Philistine occupation. Unfortunately, he seems to care more for women than accomplishing God's task. These women would eventually lead to his downfall and the failure of his task. Do not allow non-holy (not wholly for God) women and men to sidetrack you from your God-given tasks.

God gives Sampson one last chance to bring judgment against the Philistines.

Sampson has repented of his lackadaisical attitude and now wishes to fulfill his task, at least die trying. So God gives him his chance. God is willing to help anyone who will do His expressed will—even if the person has forsaken Him in the past. This does not mean God wants us to go and kill our enemies as Sampson did. This means our multitude of failures cannot prevent God from using us to set things right on the earth.

The story of Micah and the Levite show how God's chosen tribe no longer obeyed God.

The book of Judges seems to break down from judge-based narratives to more general narratives. Other Jewish history books have a similar ending. Miscellaneous stories which do not fit the normal theme of the narratives are all placed at the end. The timeline is not explicit, so we do not know when the events of Micah and the Levite took place. What we do know, however, is that the Levite decides to take a job which is not connected to the one God has given the Levites. Micah's gods are not the God who has called Israel, saved Israel, or given land to Israel. Because this Levite becomes a priest to a foreign god the entire tribe of Dan fall into idol worship. Priests must be careful not to lead God's Chosen People to the wrong god!

What has you sidetracked from God's work in your life?