Bible Reading Reflection from 1Chronicles 1-9

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day] 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙:𝟛𝟚

"The sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine, whom she bore, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan."

Abraham married Keturah after Sarah died! And had begotten Midian through that marriage.

Moses married a Midianite woman. However, later, Israelites were prohibited to have any relationship with the Midianites!

A lot of children of Abraham through many wives, and much bloodshed! He should have married only Sarah. Then, there would be no such people, and Muslims (not the people but the false religion developed through Ishmael), huh! 😂

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚:𝟙𝟟

"Abigail bore Amasa, and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite."

We often see a non-Israelite, being part of the great program of God. Jesus’ ancestry includes Moabite, prostitute, illegitimate son, etc.

Amasa was a son of an Ishmaelite. Does that mean it was okay to have intermarriage? No. It was a sin. And whatever is against the scriptural teaching is sin, till today, and forever will be.

What it shows us is that God, still, is sovereign even over sins. And God, still, loves each individual.

What if God rejects all the children of Bathsheba because it was an illegal marriage? Are the children responsible for their parent’s sins? Should you kill a son of a prostitute or of a raped victim? What wrong has that son done? Doesn’t he have all the rights and opportunities as any other child? We can't look down on them because of their parents. God didn't, does not, and will not.

That's what we learn from such a scandal of ancestry.

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟛:𝟚𝟙

"The sons of Hananiah were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shecaniah."

Why a list of dead people? We never know some of them, never heard of them apart from this chapter?

In itself, this chapter, including 1 and 2 is boring!

But it is written as proof that God had preserved His promise to raise up Messiah from the descendants of David [and Abraham], no matter how challenging it had been.

It shows the faithfulness and power of God!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟜:𝟙𝟘

"Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!’ And God granted him what he requested."

In this list of names, suddenly there's a mention of prayer, and God answered that prayer. Interesting! 👍

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟝:𝟚𝟘

"They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him."

The narrative suggests that they were losing but when they put their trust in God and cried out to God, they were helped by God.

‘Trusted’ and ‘cried’ are the keywords here – what they did. And what God did were, help them, and deliver the enemies into their hands. Wow!

Let's be fervent in prayer all the time!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟞:𝟞𝟜

"So the sons of Israel gave to the Levites the cities with their pasture lands."

This chapter gives a lot of consideration to the concerns [needs] of the Levites. And so, as Moses commanded them, they gave cities to the Levites!

When we have little, giving a little of what we have is not that tough. But I have heard from lots of people that when you have much, to give proportionately from what you have is really tough!

Giving 10 out of 1000 is 0.1 percent.

To give 0.1 percent when you have millions is another thing!

But some things are commanded and must be fulfilled. Israelites were commanded, and so, so far, so good! 👍

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟟:𝟙𝟛

"The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah."

The chronicle of the tribe of Naphtali is very short. It's obvious there were not many significant people from this tribe. Even Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49 is short.

Would people remember you and your descendants after you die?

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟠:𝟜𝟘

"The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons and grandsons, 150 of them. All these were of the sons of Benjamin."

This chapter is devoted to the descendants of Benjamin. Indeed, they were mighty people of war. Gifted, skilled, and even brave. Even the first king of united Israel was from the tribe of Benjamin, King Saul.

Even the great Apostle Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin, Saul of Tarsus.

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟡:𝟚

"Now the first who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites and the temple servants."

This chapter focuses on the return of the worship team from exile.

The worship team is essential for Worship, Community, and Livelihood. The worship team includes the Priests and the Levites. BTW, the worship leader is not the guy with the guitar, it's the man with the Bible [I agree with John Piper]. The worship leader of any church is the teaching pastor!

Singing is just a tiny part of worship. Remember that!

Bible Reading Reflection from 2 Kings 18-25

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟠:𝟛, 𝟝

v3. "He did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done."

v5. "He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him."

Finally, a king like David, even better than King Solomon.

But, look at the situation. Though his kingship followed the instructions of the law, he was bullied by the Assyrians, and he had to pay taxes (tributes) to them. His forefathers had brought [led] to those circumstances.

Now, we could be [if not are] godlier and more righteous than the Americans or English, but our forefathers were heathens, uncivilized and uneducated, so, even if we are godly and educated, we do not see anyone among us as smart as Spurgeon or Luther or Edwards!

Our present life affects future generations!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟡:𝟟

“Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.”

A rumor was enough to humble that mighty king of Assyria. God is Almighty. He can frighten the mighty with just a rumor.

Has God ever frightened you? Have you ever been frightened enough? Was it from God or from the Devil? Hmmm! Could be from any of them!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟘:𝟚

"Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD"

Hezekiah was really sad. His prayer was genuine. His tears were real. He did pray fervently. He turned his face to the wall. To have a kind of privacy, to call upon God. To not be distracted by the people and things around him.

Jesus often withdrew himself to the mountains to pray. Do we withdraw our face, attention, time to pray?

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟙:𝟡

"But they did not listen, and Manasseh seduced them to do evil more than the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the sons of Israel."

What a story of contrast. His father Hezekiah was the most righteous king of Judah, [the son] Manasseh was the most wicked king.

If you are righteous, don't think your children too will be, or for that matter, your family members or church members will be!

It proves that religiosity or faith is not a birthright.

The father-son tops the list Downward or Upward! 😂😬

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟚:𝟙𝟡

"Because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD."

Again and again, the Scriptures recorded how repentance, humility, and trust in God are what God seeks in a man. They are the means of restoration. They are the means of relenting God's judgment. The message is the same for us today as well, both individually and corporately.

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟛:𝟚𝟞-𝟚𝟟

“However, the LORD did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath with which His anger burned against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him. The LORD said, "I will remove Judah also from My sight, as I have removed Israel. And I will cast off Jerusalem, this city which I have chosen, and the temple of which I said, 'My name shall be there.'"”

Sin is serious, consequential, and dangerous. No amount of your good deeds can take away sin. Because sin is cosmic treason against God [I think R.C. Sproul said that].

Even in this present society. If you kill a man, you will be put in jail. You may be a doctor saving hundreds of people, but the court will not pardon you for that one single act of crime.

Even our Lord Jesus didn't undo the deed of Adam and Eve. They ate the fruit and the whole world plunged into damnation, and so, everyone dies someday. Jesus came, but still the sin of Adam reigns. He himself died, and we all will die.

It teaches us, sin is that evil!

Josiah was a good king, but God must punish the kingdom because of Manasseh!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟜:𝟚

"The LORD sent against him bands of Chaldeans, bands of Arameans, bands of Moabites, and bands of Ammonites. So He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken through His servants the prophets."

God is in control of everything. God sent Chaldean to kill His people! The Talibans are under God; so is a coronavirus, Modi, and everyone!

There's safety for those who call out to Him! Let's call upon God, especially in troubled times!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟝:𝟡

"He burned the house of the LORD, the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; even every great house he burned with fire."

And so, the prophecy was fulfilled. If God did that, why won't He punish the wicked of our generation?  Note the account: the greater to lesser listing–God's house to ordinary homes.

Bible Reading Reflection from 2Kings 9-17

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day] 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟡:𝟛𝟚

“And he lifted up his face to the window and said, "Who is on my side? Who?" Two or three eunuchs looked out at him."”

This chapter recorded many powerful questions of Jehu. He is winsome, fearsome, and successful!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟘:𝟙𝟠-𝟙𝟡

"Then Jehu gathered all the people and said to them, "Ahab served Baal a little; Jehu will serve him much. Now, summon all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests; let no one be missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal; whoever is missing shall not live." But Jehu did it in 𝕔𝕦𝕟𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘, so that he might destroy the worshipers of Baal."

Still, Jehu, being Jehu, the trickster. He is a master in battle strategy; gathering armies for himself, attacking decisively, killing two kings, executing the children of two kings, and now, the worshipers of Baal!

Something to learn from Jehu! 👍

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟙:𝟙

"When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she rose and destroyed all the royal offspring."

Look out that you do not marry a woman who will dominate you and your family like this woman Athaliah! It's a sin. She is stupid. And You too will be proven to be a stupid man, and there will be chaos everywhere she is.

The character of godliness and gentleness is for everyone. She might have a Ph.D. but without those characteristics, she is like a poison. A poor ugly looking woman with them [godliness and gentleness] is an excellent woman.

Think! Maybe those girls with a Ph.D. look attractive just because of make-up! 😂 Perhaps, those poor ladies with make-up and given an opportunity to study will be more beautiful and brilliant than those girls with Ph.D.! 🙂

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟚:𝟙𝟝

"Moreover, they did not require an accounting from the men into whose hand they gave the money to pay to those who did the work, for they dealt faithfully."

Wow! Faithful people. Has anybody trusted you like that? How many people or friends do you have that can have your trust?

This passage should stir us to be faithful (especially in managing money and funds etc.)

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟛:𝟚

"He did evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel sin; he did not turn from them."

How many times have we seen the name of Jeroboam mentioned in the history of the Kings? He is used as an example of a wicked king.

Would we want to be used as an example for sin, evil, wicked things? Of course, not!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟜:𝟙𝟡

“Jehoash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son in marriage.' But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trampled the thorn bush."”

Nice parable indeed! Nice one, for the proud and haughty!

May we not boast like that!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟝:𝟙𝟞

"Then Menahem struck Tiphsah and all who were in it and its borders from Tirzah, because they did not open to him; therefore he struck it and ripped up all its women who were with child."

I had a neighbour who was named after Menahem. But how bad is this king! Why would people name after him!? Don't give a biblical name to your kids without studying its content!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟞:𝟟

“So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son; come up and deliver me from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of the king of Israel, who are rising up against me."”

If he would humble before God than before the king of Assyria; If he would ask God for help than the help of Tiglath-Pileser; he didn't. The prophets were still there. But yes, it's not a week event. It's a compressed story of generations.

There are times or seasons when we don't seek God like King Ahaz. We would say Ahaz is foolish and wicked, but perhaps we are more so.

When was the last time you humbled yourself before God and begged for help? We love the help, recommendations, and favor of men, nah!?

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟛

"Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah through all His prophets and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you through My servants the prophets."

God remains faithful! He did every possible way for the Israelites to repent, yet they did all ways to run away from God. Don’t we see ourselves?

Bible Reading Reflection from 2Kings 1-8

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙:𝟙𝟙-𝟙𝟚

"So he again sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he said to him, "O man of God, thus says the king, 'Come down quickly.'" Elijah replied to them, "If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty." Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty."

The king didn't mind killing another group of 50. Elijah did ask God to consume them. And God killed them.

The king didn't change his mind. Elijah won't compromise either. And definitely, God won't.

Satan will not change his mind. The government will remain secular. The servants of government– employees, bureaucrats, officers, policemen, etc. may need to do like the third group!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚:𝟙𝟠

“They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?"”

Many times, people come up with stupid ideas, plans, and even adventures for vain things! This is a verse to remember when it happens again next time.

BTW, some people are looking for salvation in their devotion, good works, and religious activities; it's vanity. It's only in Christ.

Some people are looking for God's will in dreams, visioners, and luck; it's vanity. Read your Bible, Obey, And Pray; That's All!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟛:𝟙𝟜

"Elisha said, ‘As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you.’"

Elisha regarded some men more than some people!

The king of Judah was far godlier than the king of Israel!

One righteous man's presence brings favor to the whole armies!

May we be that man.

BTW, Jesus's act of sacrifice saves many wretched sinners!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟜:𝟛𝟘

"The mother of the lad said, "As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." And he arose and followed her."

The woman was importunate that Elisha had to go with her.

In the New Testament, another woman was so importunate that Jesus healed her daughter.

The Lord teaches us to be importunate in prayer. It involves trust, persistence, never ceasing, and never giving up. No deadline but until!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟝:𝟙𝟛

“Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, "My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?"”

Man [people] reject Christ, not because they think Christ is difficult to follow but because they think Christ is not worth their time to follow.

It's not because they are incompetent to think (intellectually) but because they are depraved to reason (morally); it's a moral problem.

Gospel is a moral issue, not an intellectual issue. Illiterate, uneducated, and less intelligent people can perfectly follow Christ as much as the intellectuals. Please note, that the intellectuals must believe and follow exactly like the rest.

Namaan was ready and hoping for something great but he was told something so simple and ridiculous, and only then he would be cleansed. It's faith in Yahweh that delivers us, not what we do or who we are, or where we come from.

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟞:𝟚𝟠-𝟚𝟡

“And the king said to her, "What is the matter with you?" And she answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give your son that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.'  So we boiled my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, 'Give your son, that we may eat him'; but she has hidden her son."”

God allowed such evil among His people. No surprise Indians are killing one another because of cows or politics or anything! And the world goes on. One day there will be judgment btw! Until then, life goes on!

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟟:𝟟

"So they fled away in the twilight and abandoned their tents, their horses, and their donkeys, leaving the camp as it was, and fled for their lives."

God is above and beyond our understanding! He let those women eat their own babies in poverty and the next day in prosperity they sold many things for just a small amount!

God did so in an amazing way by scaring the mighty Assyrians. God can do anything and will do anything to fulfil what He has said.

 

𝟚 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟠:𝟙𝟘

“And Elisha said to him, "Go, say to him, 'You shall certainly recover,' but the LORD has shown me that he shall certainly die."”

Elisha knew what a wicked thing Hazael will do. But he didn't warn the king nor try to stop Hazael.

It's God who will allow it to happen. And Elisha could only weep. The weeping of Elisha couldn't change the heart of Hazael. Rather, he went and killed the king confirming the beginning of his wicked deeds.