Month: July 2024

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36
  Romans 1:18-32
  Psalm 10:1-15
  Proverbs 19:6-7

1 Chronicles 15:2 — David almost immediately realizes that it was his sin that caused the death of Uzzah (see yesterday’s notes on 1 Chronicles 13:10), and so he gathers over 800 Levites to carry the Ark. Notice that he recognizes the eternal mandate of the Levites to minister. Now that the Exiles have returned to the land, the Chronicler is reminding them that the deeds of David hundreds of years ago are as relevant today as they were then.

1 Chronicles 15:29 — What was David’s dancing and why did it bother Michal? From Hard Sayings of the Bible:

Was David’s Public Dancing Indecent?

Was Michal correct in her estimate of David’s dancing in front of the ark of God as it was being brought to the tent David had prepared for it in his city? Or did she misinterpret David’s actions and purpose?

If David had expected his wife Michal, the daughter of Saul, to rejoice with him in the arrival of the ark of God in the capital city, he had a long wait coming. It is a real question if this ever was a happy marriage, for as Alter notes, “Until the final meeting between Michal and David, at no point is there any dialogue between them—an avoidance of verbal exchange particularly noticeable in the Bible, where such a large part of the burden of narration is taken up by dialogue. When the exchange finally comes, it is an explosion.”

In one sentence Michal’s sarcastic words tell us what she thinks of David’s actions. To her way of thinking, the king had demeaned himself by divesting himself of his royal robes and dressing only in a “linen ephod” (2 Sam 6:14). With abandoned joy David danced before the Lord as the ark, properly borne this time on the shoulders of the Levites, went up to Jerusalem.

Michal did not even deign to go out on the streets to be part of the festivities, but she watched from a window (2 Sam 6:16). Obviously, there was more bothering Michal than David’s undignified public jubilation. Her words about David “distinguish[ing] himself” are further punctuated by her disdainfully emphasizing the fact three times over that the king had “disrob[ed]” (the final clause of 2 Sam 6:20 literally reads, “as any vulgar fellow, disrobing, would disrobe”). Was David’s dress, or lack thereof, as scandalous as Michal made it out to be? Though some have thought that they detected overtones of orgiastic rituals in preparation for sacred marriage rites (in, for example, the presence of slave girls), such suggestions are overdrawn if we are to take seriously David’s rejoinders to Michal in 2 Samuel 6:21–22. David speaks of his election and appointment to the office of king by God. He does rub in the fact that God chose him over her father Saul. But as far as David was concerned, it was not an issue of public nudity or scandalous dress, but a matter of humiliating himself before the Lord. Furthermore, he danced not for the “slave girls,” but for the Lord. The “linen ephod” consisted probably of a linen robe used normally by the Levites.

Kaiser, Walter C., Jr., Peter H. Davids, F. F. Bruce, and Manfred T. Brauch. Hard Sayings of the Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1996.

1 Chronicles 16:7 — This psalm was edited by David and placed in our Psalter as Psalm 105. Notice the similarity between Psalm 105:1-15 to 1 Chronicles 16:8-22. The major difference is between 1 Chronicles 16:15:

Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations …

and Psalm 105:8:

He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

Psalm 105:8 is edited for the purposes of continual praise; there the psalmist reflects on God’s effective and eternal covenant, whereas the Chronicler emphasizes that in David’s first use of the psalm, the people are reminded to be mindful of this covenant. Similar to God’s gift of salvation, we have been given a great gift, but we must also be mindful of what we have been given in order to work out our own salvation (Philippians 2:12).

1 Chronicles 16:26 — The Chronicler is emphasizing parts of Israel’s history that are important for the post-Exilic people to know – all gods are idols except the LORD of Israel. He is greater because He is the Creator. It is His power as Creator that gives Him authority over us.

Romans 1:18 — A false teaching going around today is that love is God. While God is love (1 John 4:8), God is also wrathful in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Who are these people that He is angry at? Keep reading.

Romans 1:21-22 — I’m writing today’s piece from Canada, where the largest Protestant denomination is debating whether or not to allow atheists to be ministers. This followed the election of a practicing homosexual as Moderator (head of the church). Paul said this is the result of bad theology (Romans 1:26-27).

Romans 1:29 — Speaking of fruits of bad theology, the United Church of Canada has opened the doors to accept fornication since 1965 and accept abortion since 1971. Now they are struggling with whether or not to ordain atheists as ministers. As Paul goes on to expound in Romans 6:23 – these sins will result in death, and yet there are those who not only do this, but approve of this in their formal church documents.

Psalm 10:11 — The United Church of Christ (US-based) published a devotional that says:

Atheists are wrong, but they could be on to something. Maybe God is gone. Absent. Absence is not the same thing as non-existence. When someone you love dies, you encounter the presence of their absence.

This is the same thinking that David was struggling with – there are those who believe God is hiding and will not see what is going on. But David realizes (Psalm 10:12-15) that God sees everything, He will punish sin, and He will help His children!

Proverbs 19:6-7 — Solomon notices the problem that James will address a thousand years later in James 2:4 – partiality is the tendency of man. Though it is natural, it is still sin (James 2:9).

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17
  Romans 1:1-17
  Psalm 9:13-20
  Proverbs 19:4-5

1 Chronicles 12:22 — Day by day the numbers grew. Daily faithfulness brings daily rewards.

1 Chronicles 13:1 — David’s leadership involved consulting with his captains. Afterwards, he then presented his plan to the people, and as a result, it had universal acclaim (1 Chronicles 13:4). He forgot, though, that the Ark of God was not to be carried in a cart (1 Chronicles 13:7 – compare 1 Chronicles 15:15), and he also skipped the part in God’s Law about multiplying wives (Deuteronomy 17:17). But he did seek the LORD (1 Chronicles 14:10, 1 Chronicles 14:14).

1 Chronicles 13:10 — Why was the LORD so angry at Uzzah that He killed him? Couldn’t God have prevented the oxen from stumbling? Even more troubling – the sin wasn’t solely Uzzah’s – it was David’s. David was obligated to read the entire Law and hand copy it (Deuteronomy 17:18). In spite of the instructions found in the Law, David gave the orders to move the Ark on an oxcart (1 Chronicles 13:6-7); as a result, a bystander was killed for disobeying the Law, even though he meant well. The LORD, given His control of the world, allowed/caused the oxen to stumble. Why? The LORD is a jealous and holy God (Exodus 34:14). As we know from the New Testament, the wages of even just one sin (James 2:10) is death (Romans 6:23), and so Uzzah died as a result of the sin of David. This is another example of substitutionary death in the Old Testament, specifically with David. David’s sin with the Ark led to the death of Uzzah. David’s sin with Bathsheba led to the death of Uriah (2 Samuel 11:17) and his first son (2 Samuel 12:18). To top things off, 70,000 men died (2 Samuel 24:15) for David’s ill-advised census (2 Samuel 24:2) because it was done improperly (Exodus 30:12).

Substitutionary death is a big theme in the Bible. Paul teaches us in Romans 5:12 that one man’s sin caused many to die, but it was (Romans 5:19) one man’s perfect obedience to all 613 laws of the Torah that can bring eternal life (Romans 5:21) to all who believe.

It doesn’t seem “fair” to us, but let’s remember:

• God created morality – so it’s like arguing with Shakespeare what “Wherefore art thou Romeo?” really means;
• God created us (Genesis 2:7) – so it’s like arguing with your artist neighbor who threw away a broken clay pot (Isaiah 45:9 and Romans 9:21);
• All men are sinners (Romans 3:23) and deserve death (Romans 6:23), and God has appointed that day (Hebrews 9:27); and finally
• Uzzah should have known he was forbidden from touching the Ark (Numbers 4:15) – and if he didn’t know, take note that his biblical illiteracy was fatal.

Romans 1:5 — Remember Paul’s preaching on the resurrection? Here is the basis of his message – the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Romans 1:17 — In the early 1500s, a monk named Martin Luther made a discovery. From R. C. Sproul:

He says, “Here in it,” in the gospel, “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, ‘the just shall live by faith.’” A verse taken from the book of Habakkuk in the Old Testament that is cited three times in the New Testament. As Luther would stop short and say, “What does this mean, that there’s this righteousness that is by faith, and from faith to faith? What does it mean that the righteous shall live by faith?” Which again as I said was the thematic verse for the whole exposition of the gospel that Paul sets forth here in the Book of Romans. And so, the lights came on for Luther, and he began to understand that what Paul was speaking of here was a righteousness that God in His grace was making available to those who would receive it passively, not those who would achieve it actively, but that would receive it by faith, and by which a person could be reconciled to a holy and righteous God.

Psalm 9:14 — David rejoiced in the salvation of the LORD, i.e. his deliverance from Saul and the Philistines. Paul rejoiced in the salvation of the LORD, i.e. his preservation to be a testimony in Rome. Martin Luther discovered the salvation that came not from becoming righteous but from receiving the righteousness of God. Thank the LORD for His salvation!

Proverbs 19:5 — Truth is your ultimate defense. Yes, in the short run, it may seem that lying may save you trouble – like the time when a parent without discernment asks his two sons if they stole a candy bar (both of them had). One son admits it and is punished, the other denies it and is not punished. But even though in the short run telling the truth may seem costly, telling a lie is far more expensive.

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18
  Acts 28:1-31
  Psalm 9:1-12
  Proverbs 19:1-3

1 Chronicles 11:2-3 — The beginning of the Davidic reign is marked by:

• The promise from the LORD God that David would rule,
• A covenant between the elders of Israel and David in Hebron, and
• The fulfillment of Samuel’s declaration of the Word of the LORD.

The nation of Israel was not an accident, but a fulfillment of the Word of the LORD. As David stayed near the LORD, the LORD blessed David (1 Chronicles 11:9), saved his mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:14), and received the offering of the mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:18).

1 Chronicles 11:41 — As we walk through the halls of the Davidic Museum in Chronicles, we look at the exploits of the warriors who trusted David and David’s LORD and won many battles. But in this Hall of Fame, we see the name of Uriah the Hittite, and our memories are triggered by the warning of the courtier in 2 Samuel 11:3.

1 Chronicles 12:1 — Ziklag, the small town on the frontier of the border with the Philistines, was the headquarters of David’s government-in-exile. In this passage we have the roll call of those willing to break with Saul, even those of Saul’s brethren, the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 12:2). We also must be willing to give up our tribal loyalty for loyalty to the Word of the LORD.

Acts 28:6 — Paul puts no faith in the opinion of the crowds. He had preached the gospel in Lystra and went from being a curiosity (Acts 14:7) to being worshipped (Acts 14:11) to being stoned (Acts 14:19) … all in the span of a few verses!

Remember, though, even Paul’s LORD had the multitudes shouting “Hosanna!” (Matthew 21:9) one day, and then less than a week later shouting “Crucify!” (Matthew 27:22)

Acts 28:14 — Interesting that the soldiers who earlier wanted to kill Paul (Acts 27:42) were now allowing Paul to spend a week with his fellow cultists (from their perspective) in Puteoli (Acts 28:13).

Acts 28:23 — Some preachers today say that we need to “unhitch” ourselves from the Old Testament. Paul used the Old Testament as a bridge to bring his beloved fellow Israelites to faith in his LORD Jesus, the Messiah.

Acts 28:31 — The history of the Church ends with Paul preaching Jesus. May our lives end on the same note!

Psalm 9:3 — Yes, the psalmist tells what has happened to Paul. His enemies were turned back from their purposes of killing him (Acts 27:42) and from their judgment of him (Acts 28:4). The LORD was Paul’s refuge (Psalm 9:9), and Paul put his trust in the LORD (Psalm 9:10). At every opportunity he sought to share the name of the LORD with the Israelites of Rome and so declared His doings (Psalm 9:11).

Proverbs 19:1 — Yes, riches are enjoyable but better to be poor with integrity.

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14
  Acts 27:21-44
  Psalm 8:1-9
  Proverbs 18:23-24

1 Chronicles 9:1 — Sin has consequences. Have you caught that message yet? The transgressors are contrasted with Phinehas who the LORD was with.

1 Chronicles 9:34 — In the previous verses we saw the records of the porters (1 Chronicles 9:22), the door openers (1 Chronicles 9:27), those in charge of the vessels (1 Chronicles 9:28), the bakers (1 Chronicles 9:32), and the singers (1 Chronicles 9:33). As we read earlier, the Chronicles were written during the Return after the Exile. As Grace to You (GTY) points out:

The chronicler’s selective genealogy and history of Israel, stretching from Adam (1 Chr. 1:1) to the return from Babylon (2 Chr. 26:23), was intended to remind the Jews of God’s promises and intentions about: 1) the Land; 2) the nation; 3) the Davidic king; 4) the Levitical priests; 5) the temple; and 6) true worship, none of which had been abrogated because of the Babylonian captivity. All of this was to remind them of their spiritual heritage during the difficult times they faced, and to encourage them to be faithful to God.

1 Chronicles 10:1 — We leave the genealogies and jump right into the death of Saul. We see the history in Chronicles starting with the fact that Saul died for his transgression. Immediately afterwards, we return to the Kingdom of David (1 Chronicles 10:14).

Acts 27:21 — Paul brings a polite “I told you so” to the crowd; his response was in contrast to the centurion who believed the ship’s owner to his own hurt. Paul believed God (Acts 27:25) because the Creator of time can see the future as well as the past. Paul, having predicted what would happen, had an “ethos” (credibility) with those onboard. He offered a “logos” (argument) to them which reminded everyone that the One who gave Paul his wisdom has a new message for those in the boat. His new message was amplified by the “pathos” (emotion) of his appeal (“be of good cheer”).

Acts 27:35 — Paul didn’t utter a discreet prayer … he gave thanks to God in the presence of them all! Yet, he did it in such a way that they were all of good cheer.

Acts 27:43 — Paul earned favor in the eyes of the centurion and was able to save not only his own life but also those of the other prisoners. Sounds a bit like Acts 16.

Psalm 8:1 — Every time I read this psalm, I think of Ron Hamilton and his song “How Majestic is Thy Name”:

Proverbs 18:24 — No friends? Be a friend!

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40
  Acts 27:1-20
  Psalm 7:1-17
  Proverbs 18:22

1 Chronicles 8:33 — We discover another familiar name in the genealogy – Saul, the son of Kish. We find his four sons are led by Jonathan. We see that Jonathan’s line extended fourteen generations and included 150 people. Even though Jonathan’s father had abandoned the faith, Jonathan’s descendants were known as “mighty men of valor” (1 Chronicles 8:40). If each generation was 30 years, 14 generations stretched to 420 years. Going from 1010 BC forward 420 years takes us to 590 BC or roughly the fall of the Southern Kingdom (586 BC). While the Southern Kingdom saw the family line of David fall into despair, Jonathan still had descendants of valor at the end of the Judaean Kingdom.

Acts 27:6 — Why are obscure details like this in the inspired Word of God? Because it is a historic document containing the actual historic record of Paul’s journeys.

Acts 27:11 — This verse gives good insight into free will and persuasion. Debates about free will center on man’s decisional ability. Here we see that this decision was rooted in who the centurion believed more. Even though Paul would be verified (Acts 27:20), and it seemed to be general sailing knowledge (Acts 27:9), Paul’s message was unpersuasive because of the perceived “ethos” of the ship owner. Surely the ship owner had better knowledge of the sea than some renegade tentmaker. Also, the “creature comforts” appealed to the centurion (Acts 27:12). The centurion made a reasonable decision for someone who only considered the “natural” facts. Yet, when one adds the fact that Paul was not a mere tentmaker but the mouthpiece of the Creator of seas, his credibility would surpass that of even the ship’s owner! This issue comes up today – do we go for a respected theological scholar at an Ivy League school who questions the authority of Scripture, or do we go with the Scripture because its author is the Creator of the land those Ivy League schools are built on?

Psalm 7:1 — Speaking of who we believe and trust, the psalmist declares that he has put his trust in the LORD. The psalmist knows he faces immediate danger like Paul (Psalm 7:2), and that only the LORD can deliver him. Yes, salvation is of the LORD (Psalm 7:10)!

Proverbs 18:22 — As I write this note, I’m on my honeymoon with my beautiful bride and thankful for this “good thing;” I have been in need of this “favor of the LORD!” William Jennings Bryan used this verse when he wrote to his soon-to-be wife’s father about the reasons why he should consent to their marriage. Bryan’s father-in-law retorted that Paul said it was good for those that were single to remain single. Bryan retorted that Solomon had been single and married so it was better to take his advice over Paul’s!

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81
  Acts 26:1-32
  Psalm 6:1-10
  Proverbs 18:20-21

1 Chronicles 5:20 — Buried in the genealogies we see references to people who cried to God and were heard “because they put their trust in him!”

1 Chronicles 5:25-26 — However, when they sinned against the LORD, He brought judgment.

1 Chronicles 6:3-4 — Remember Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1)? The Chronicler lists them in contrast to Phinehas (Numbers 25:11).

1 Chronicles 6:8 — Remember Zadok (2 Samuel 8:17)? Now we see why biblical passages tell about someone being the son of someone else … because some names were reused.

1 Chronicles 6:27 — Did you catch what was written about Samuel and his father, Elkanah? Might have skipped it because most people just remember his mother, Hannah. Sad to remember that the sons of Samuel (1 Chronicles 6:28) did not walk in his ways (1 Samuel 8:2-3).

1 Chronicles 6:33 — Now, we read as the genealogies go backward from Heman to Israel/Jacob (1 Chronicles 6:38). The Chronicler is recording their direct connection from the Temple to the founding father, Jacob/Israel.

Acts 26:2-3 — Here we see some of the tension addressed in Proverbs. Is Paul flattering King Agrippa or is he merely recognizing and appropriately acknowledging the expertise of Agrippa? Flattery is saying something false, but it’s clear that Agrippa does have special knowledge.

Acts 26:8 — Notice the continual emphasis of Paul’s message on the resurrection: he preached it in Athens (Acts 17:18, Acts 17:32), in Jerusalem (Acts 23:6-8), before Felix (Acts 24:15, Acts 24:21), and now before King Agrippa! Yes, we don’t see people resurrected daily like we see the sun rise, but if we believe that the LORD God is the Creator of the world, if He gave His life for us, then He can bring anyone back to life! Yes, Paul keeps coming back to this message (Acts 26:23), and it causes a response whenever he mentions it. The Athenians mocked (Acts 17:32), the Sanhedrin split (Acts 23:7), Felix deferred (Acts 24:22), and Festus called him “mad” (Acts 24:24).

Romans 1:4 says the resurrection is how we know Y’shua, who his neighbors thought was merely the son of Joseph & Mary but was really the Son of God with power! We can know that resurrection power (Philippians 3:10) through salvation (1 Peter 3:21). Yes, we’ll see more of Paul’s preaching on the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15!

Acts 26:20 — That is the message for today! “Repent and turn to God!” The Bible is pretty clear: if you’ve repented, you will act like you have!

Psalm 6:4 — The Old Testament Psalmist prayed for salvation, yet that salvation is now open to all!

Proverbs 18:21 — So much power in so small a member. Use it wisely!

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17
  Acts 25:1-27
  Psalm 5:1-12
  Proverbs 18:19

1 Chronicles 4:10 — The prayer of Jabez lay in relative obscurity for many years until Bruce Wilkinson wrote a small book on this verse and sold nine million copies. While many have their own definitions of what it means to enlarge their coasts, and the prophets of profit focus on the financial, may we pray more importantly to be kept from evil and that God’s hand would be with us. If we keep ourselves from evil and if God’s hand is with us, we will have all the blessings we need.

1 Chronicles 4:43 — As has been noticed in our YouVersion group, the Amalekites caused many problems for the Israelites since Saul disobeyed the LORD’s command in 1 Samuel 15:18.

Acts 25:11 — It’s interesting that Paul expressed no reservations to the death penalty, even when it might have been applied to him personally! God had told Paul that he would be sent to Rome, and now the Roman empire makes sure that the Roman citizen appeals to Caesar in Rome!

Psalm 5:8 — The Psalmist, like Jabez, realized that God’s blessing comes:

• when you cry to the LORD (Psalm 5:2-3)
• when you abstain from evil (Psalm 5:4-6)
• when you follow the LORD (Psalm 5:7-8)
• then God will bless the righteous (Psalm 5:12)

Proverbs 18:19 — Let us live peaceably then with all men (Romans 12:18)!

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4
  Acts 24:1-27
  Psalm 4:1-8
  Proverbs 18:16-18

1 Chronicles 3:10 — Now we’re back to familiar names. The kingly line of David going all the way to Josiah and his descendants that were wiped out by Nebuchadnezzar.

1 Chronicles 3:16 — Later we’ll read in Jeremiah 36:30-31 of the curse on the line of Jehoiakim. Jeconiah, his son, was further cursed (Jeremiah 22:30).

Acts 24:5 — By the way, we need a few more “ringleader(s) of the sect of the Nazarenes!”

Acts 24:14 — Yes! We have seen in the Law where it talks of Jesus! The Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world!

Acts 24:16 — Like Paul, can you say that you have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward man?

Psalm 4:4 — Speaking of a clean conscience, are we able to say we are free of unconfessed sin?

Psalm 4:8 — We can sleep because of safety in Him!

Proverbs 18:16 — Is Solomon talking about bribery? See the Pulpit Commentary:

Verse 16. – A man’s gift maketh room for him (comp. Proverbs 19:6). Mattam, “gift,” has been taken in different senses. Some consider it to mean a bribe offered for underhand or fraudulent purposes; but the context does not lead to this conclusion, and the parallel passage mentioned above makes against it … The term here signifies the present which duty or friendship offers to one whom one wishes to please. This paves a man’s way to a great person’s presence. Bringeth him before great men. The Oriental custom of offering suitable gifts to one in authority, when a favour or an audience is desired, is here alluded to (comp. 1 Samuel 10:27; 1 Kings 4:21; 1 Kings 10:25). So the Magi brought gifts so the newborn King at Bethlehem (Matthew 2:11). In a spiritual sense, the right use of riches opens the way to eternal life, evincing a man’s practical love of God and man; as Christ says (Luke 16:9), “Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles” (Revised Version).

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17
  Acts 23:11-35
  Psalm 3:1-8
  Proverbs 18:14-15

1 Chronicles 1:1 — Why the genealogy? And who even wrote this? While we’re not sure exactly, many think it was Ezra:

Just as the author of Kings had organized and interpreted the data of Israel’s history to address the needs of the exiled community, so the Chronicler wrote for the restored community. The burning issue was the question of continuity with the past: Is God still interested in us? Are his covenants still in force? Now that we have no Davidic king and are subject to Persia, do God’s promises to David still have meaning for us? After the great judgment (the dethroning of the house of David, the destruction of the nation, of Jerusalem and of the temple, and the exile to Babylon), what is our relationship to Israel of old?

Zondervan NIV Study Bible.

J. Vernon McGee’s ministry has an infographic on the difference between Kings and Chronicles:

1 Chronicles 2:3-4 — Sin has consequences. We have already read about Judah’s family sins including Er (Genesis 38:7) and Tamar (Genesis 38:26). Now we see as we look back on history, they form part of the chain in the record that takes us to David.

1 Chronicles 2:10 — Who was Nahshon the prince? Well, we know he was Boaz’s ancestor. When we look him up in our Bible Search Engine, he was the captain of the children of Judah under Moses (Numbers 2:3). He was the first prince to offer the sacrifice in the tabernacle (Numbers 2:12). There is an ancient tradition that he was the first to cross the Red Sea.

Acts 23:11 — Just like the post-exilic Israelites wondered if the LORD was still with them and needed to be reassured of His care, Paul was reassured of the LORD’s care for him, even though forty had gathered together to kill him.

Acts 23:16 — God used Paul’s nephew to save his life. Instead of 40 men wanting to kill Paul, the Romans send almost 500 soldiers to protect this one man (Acts 23:23).

Psalm 3:3 — Just like Paul, David knew that the LORD was his shield. We too can rejoice in the salvation that comes from the LORD (Psalm 3:8).

Proverbs 18:15 — Congratulations to you! You are getting knowledge and seeking knowledge found in the Word of God! You are prudent and wise!

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Kings 23:31-25:30
  Acts 22:17-23:10
  Psalm 2:1-12
  Proverbs 18:13

2 Kings 23:33 — The nation that once had collected tribute from others now is forced to pay tribute. On this day that we recognize America’s independence from foreign powers, let’s look at how Judah lost her independence from foreign powers.

2 Kings 24:14 — We will meet four of these captives in the Book of Daniel.

2 Kings 25:9 — So ends the great building of Solomon – both the house of the LORD and the house of the king.

2 Kings 25:30 — This obscure phrase at the end of the Book of 2 Kings has a remarkable confirmation in the Pergammon Museum in Berlin. From the Bible and Archaeology Online Museum:

This clay tablet from ancient Babylon describes monthly rations allowed to Jehoiachin, a Jewish king. The biblical account of King Jehoiachin is found in 2 Kings 25:29-30, which also states that he received a “regular allowance” from the king of Babylon. The tablet was made in c. 595-570 BC, and was discovered in Babylon in c. 1900. The text is in the Akkadian language using cuneiform script, and the tablet measures roughly 4 x 4 inches. The artifact is now located in the Museum of the Ancient Near East, Pergamum Museum, Berlin.

Acts 22:21 — Paul was able to speak to his people until he said that God sent him to preach to another people. When Paul left the synagogue and started preaching to others, the trouble usually started.

Acts 22:25 — Again, Paul was able to use whatever tools he had on hand to further the gospel. Later he would use his identification as a Pharisee (Acts 23:6) to re-direct the debate.

Acts 23:9 — Ah, the wisdom of Gamaliel took root (Acts 5:34)! Then again, Paul invoked it earlier (Acts 22:3).

Psalm 2:6 — The king of Judah was deposed, but the King of Kings will one day take his throne!

Proverbs 18:13 — As many a mother has said, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.”

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