July 2 - 2 Kings 1-4: These are the Days of Elijah Elisha

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 1-4

The Message

English Standard Version

Today, July 2, is officially halfway through the Bible in a year! Congratulations! You have done it! It's all downhill from here!

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Elijah did not die. He was taken to be with God. How cool is that!

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Ahaziah, injured, consulted Baal-Zebub. Instead he heard Elijah's message, "You will die." Joram became king.
Elisha asked for Elijah's spirit. God escorted Elijah from the earth. Elisha took his place.
Jericho had bad water. God, through Elisha, purified it.
Children laughed at Elisha's baldness. Bears mauled them.
Joram, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom warred with Moab. God gave them victory.
God, through Elisha, helped a widow pay her debts.
An old couple allowed Elisha into their home. When their son died, God, through Elisha, revived him.
God, through Elisha, fed a hundred men with twenty loaves of bread.

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

The third captain sent by Ahaziah understood Elijah's position and asked for mercy.

Two captains with their fifty men died when they attempted to get Elijah to surrender. The third one humbled himself and asked for mercy. God not only spared their lives, He told Elijah to go with them. When we humble ourselves before holy people, God has mercy on us.

God took Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind.

Elijah had a difficult life. During all of it, Elijah faithfully set things right for God and only once did he question God's plan—when he asked to die. Because Elijah was so willing to do what God asked him to do, God allowed him not to see death. When we obey God no matter what, God will bless us in the end.

Elisha started where Elijah stopped.

Elisha's life starts off less dramatic than Elijah's; however, we know more things Elisha did. All of these things were done by God through Elisha. Anyone can be used by God to do great and small tasks. Not all tasks are dramatic; but all tasks are equally important to God.

Don't make fun of balding holy men.

Or the bears will get you.

Do you know a holy person you do not want to leave?

June 30 - 2 Chronicles 19-23: Jehoshaphat's (Not so Grand) Sons

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 19-23

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Influenced by Israel, the kings of Judah did not stay faithful to God.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jehoshaphat angered God by helping Ahab.
Jehoshaphat appointed judges and priests and urged them to judge fairly.
Moabites and Ammonites attacked Judah. God caused them to kill each other.
Jehoshaphat died a good king.
Judah's next king, Jehoram, married Ahab's daughter and killed his brothers. God gave him a bowel disease and he died. Judah was glad to see him go.
Jehoram's son Ahaziah, the next king, was killed for not obeying God.
Only Joash survived a horrible massacre of the royal family. Six years later, Jehoiada the priest placed him on the throne. Judah revived their covenant with God.

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

God was angry at Jehoshaphat for coming under Ahab's influence, not for visiting Ahab.

Jehoshaphat set into motion a bad precedent by working with Ahab. By "cozying up to God-haters" (19:2, The Message), Jehoshaphat gave an example which his children and grandchildren emulated. His son married Ahab's daughter, and things went south for two generations. Jehoshaphat's son and grandson led all of Judah to compromise their standing with God by worshiping Baal. Do not make alliances with those who are not converted to God setting all things right. It may spoil your family for generations to come.

Heed Jehoshaphat's words to the judges and priests.

Last week the Supreme Court of the United States came out with several large rulings. Instead of dissecting the rulings I wish to repeat what Jehoshaphat charged the judges with,

This is serious work; do it carefully. You are not merely judging between men and women; these are God's judgments that you are passing on. Live in the fear of God - be most careful, for God hates dishonesty, partiality, and bribery. … Do your work in the fear of God; be dependable and honest in your duties. When a case comes before you involving any of your fellow citizens, whether it seems large (like murder) or small (like matters of interpretation of the law), you are responsible for warning them that they are dealing with God. Make that explicit, otherwise both you and they are going to be dealing with God's wrath. Do your work well or you'll end up being as guilty as they are. … Be bold and diligent. And God be with you as you do your best. (19:6-11)

Judges, honor God and be above reproach or you are no different than the criminals you judge.

God protected Judah from the Moabites and Amorites because they called out for protection.

I love this part of the story. Jehoshaphat sees they are vastly outnumbered. He calls all of Judah into Jerusalem to do the one thing they know will work—call out to God for salvation. They humbled themselves before God and told God they could survive only through His help. And God protected them. God protects His Chosen People when they call on Him for protection.

Mothers have a large influence over their children's morality.

It may seem strange to see the mother's names when each king is appointed. However, today's reading gives the reason this is important—Ahaziah's mother Athaliah taught him wickedness. She became so self-important that after her son was executed for his wickedness she ruled Israel with an iron fist. She had all of the family of Jehoram killed (except Joash who escaped). Mothers, teach your children that God is setting all things right and we should join Him. Mothers have a unique position in life. No one—not even fathers—can influence children like their mothers.

Sometimes political change back to God takes time.

Jehoiada did not keep Joash in the Temple and immediately call for him to be on the throne. He took time, allowed Joash to grow, created a consensus among the other leaders, and waited until the time was right to bring the change. We do not know what he had to do in the interim with Athaliah on the throne. However, he had a plan all along to set Judah back on the right path. Setting things right in an entire nation takes time. Do not give up on your leaders when they do not make the "right" decision every time.

What bad influences should you remove to protect your family?

June 29 - 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18: Ahab Receives His Punishment

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18

The Message

English Standard Version

Congratulations! You have finished 1 Kings! That makes 16 books.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God protects the righteous king. He punishes the evil king.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jehoshaphat and Ahab enjoyed peace. Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to help attack Aram. Jehoshaphat wanted God's approve first. Ahab's prophets approved. Jehoshaphat asked for another prophet. Ahab warned, "Micaiah's just a wet blanket."
Micaiah told Ahab that God wanted to send Ahab to his death. He sent Ahab's prophets to encourage him to attack Aram. Ahab locked Micaiah away.
During the battle, God protected Jehoshaphat when he called out for protection. Ahab, in disguise, died in his chariot by a random arrow. Israel's army scattered. Dogs licked up Ahab's blood.
Ahaziah, Israel's next king, outdid his father's wickedness.

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

Ahab did not like Micaiah because he only spoke what God told him to speak.

Reading Ahab's description of Micaiah I cannot help but chuckle, "As a matter of fact, there is still one such man. But I hate him. He never preaches anything good to me, only doom, doom, doom - Micaiah son of Imlah" (1 Kings 22:8; 2 Chronicles 18:7, The Message). Leaders will only love you if you tell them what they want to hear. Do not be afraid to be disliked for speaking God's word—in love.

God sent prophets to send Ahab to his death.

This is a difficult text, especially after yesterday's reading. Apparently, Ahab did not keep his repentant heart. God allowed an angel to lead his prophets to lie to Ahab so that he would attack Ramoth Gilead to his death. Why would God do such a thing? God will have justice, especially to those who are in power.

Who do you not like listening to because they do not agree with you?

June 26 - 1 Kings 15:25-16:34; 2 Chronicles 17: Israel's Revolving Door of Kings

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 15:25-16:34; 2 Chronicles 17

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

While Israel went through many kings who did not serve God, Judah had two kings who obeyed God.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jeroboam's son Nadab was killed by Baasha. God's promise to Jeroboam was fulfilled.
Baasha was openly evil before God. God punished Baasha the same as Jeroboam.
Israel then went through several kings: Elah, Zimri, Omri, and Ahab. Each became more evil than the previous. Ahab and his wife Jezebel openly worshiped Baal and made God angrier than any other king.
In Judah, Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa, became king. He returned Judah to God and tore down the shrines. God blessed Jehoshaphat with a peaceful kingdom. He sent teachers throughout Judah to teach God's Way. Judah prospered greatly under Jehoshaphat.

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

Judah enjoyed peace while Israel had great upheaval.

As we read yesterday, Judah enjoyed peace, with various military victories in the middle. These kings, Abijah, Asa, and Jehoshaphat were mostly good kings. Israel's kings, Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, and Ahab each became more evil than the next. They worshipped other gods and appointed non-holy men to be priests. None of them listened to God's word and because of that several entire families were wiped out. When God's Chosen People serve Him there is peace. When God's Chosen People go against God, there is great upheaval.

Jehoshaphat was loved by his people for following God.

Although there was a step or two between Jehoshaphat obeying God and his people loving him, the direction is clear. Jehoshaphat had a heart for God, acted upon that heart, God secured his place as king, and everyone in Judah loved and honored Jehoshaphat. He re-taught the Law to the Israelites in Judah. The entire country prospered because of Jehoshaphat's faith. When leaders give their heart to God and act upon that faith, the people rejoice and love their leaders.

Are you in a time of peace or upheaval?