Week 27 Mon Is. 55-60 Tue Is. 61-66 Wed 2 Kings 21; 2 Chron. 33; Obadiah
Look for: · The Lord’s hand is not shortened · A new heavens and new earth · He did evil in the eyes of the Lord · Innocent blood · Finding the Book of the Law of the Lord
Short Readings:
New Testament –
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Read With Me – A Chronological Bible Reading Program
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Looking Into the FutureIsaiah’s final chapters are loosely structured and are difficult to read with understanding. These chapters may be organized as follows: Condemnation of empty religion (58-59); A vision of Zion’s glorious future (60-62); God’s vengeance on the nations (63:1-7); A new heaven and earth (65:17-25). Isaiah ends on a vividly poetic note (66:22-24) demonstrating that man’s continuous rebellion makes it necessary for the ministry of God’s suffering servant – the Messiah. Judah’s Best of Kings & Worst of KingsHezekiah, a good king is followed by his wicked son, Manasseh. Manasseh’s reign is distinguished by full-scale reversal of all of his father’s reforms and the introduction of several pagan religions. It is further marked by severe persecution of those faithful to the Lord. The “innocent blood” of 2 Kings 21:16 probably refers to those of Judah who remain loyal to God after Manasseh’s long reign (55 years). Amazingly, Josiah, one of the best of the Kings of Judah, follows Manasseh (after Amon’s brief reign). His religious reform exceeds even Hezekiah’s reforms. Josiah is king when Assyria is crumbling and Babylon has not yet reached dominating power. This power vacuum among nations allows Josiah to lead independence, expansion, and prosperity in Judah. It has the feel of a new and glorious era to the faithful who survived Manasseh, and Judah has high hopes for the future. No doubt Josiah’s tragic death in battle shatters many dreams. Judah falls to Babylon within 22 years of Josiah’s death; testifying to Judah’s continued hard-headed rebellion against God. Obadiah – A Reader’s GuideThe shortest book of the Old Testament, Obadiah’s prophecy against Edom carries one of the strongest messages of judgment. Obadiah prophesies in response to Edom plundering Jerusalem; which occurs several times, making it difficult to date the book. The book may be organized as follows: Terrible sin of Edom (1-14); Judgment against Edom (15-16); Deliverance in Mount Zion (17-21). The deliverance in Zion (v. 17) is prophetic of those in the church (Heb. 12:22). A key verse is “But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance” (v. 17). Zephaniah – A Reader’s GuideIt is likely that Zephaniah is the first to break the long prophetic silence after Manasseh’s reign. The book may be organized as follows: Sins of Judah (1:1-2:3); Sentence against the nations (2:4-3:8); Salvation of the remnant (3:9-20). Zephaniah is the only prophet of royal descent. Zeph. 1:1 traces his genealogy four generations to Hezekiah the king of Judah. A key verse is “Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near” (1:7). Nahum – A Reader’s GuideSome 150 years after Jonah brought about Nineveh’s repentance, the prophet Nahum sees the coming fall of wicked and arrogant Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. The book may be organized as follows: Verdict against Nineveh (Ch. 1); Vision of Nineveh’s fall (Ch. 2); Vindication of Nineveh’s fall (Ch. 3). This, of course, signals the collapse of Assyria, that evil nation to which Judah has been in bondage for so long. Nineveh falls in 612 B.C. Years earlier, Isaiah sees this as judgment on its arrogance (Is. 10). A key verse is “The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies” (1:2). |
Read With Me – Week 27
July 1, 2017 by gvayers
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