TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33
Romans 16:10-27
Psalm 26:1-12
Proverbs 20:19
2 Chronicles 33:15 — Manasseh seems to have had a genuine conversion. The prayers of his father, though seemingly long without answer, were finally answered.
2 Chronicles 33:19 — What was Manasseh’s prayer? Was it the “Prayer of Manasseh” found in the Old Testament Apocrypha? The fifteen-verse “Prayer of Manasseh” found there is not legitimate because …
… it says men such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not need to repent because they ‘did not sin’ (verse 8). This runs counter to the clear teaching of Scripture that all have sinned (Romans 3:10-12; Romans 3:21-26).
GotQuestions.org
2 Chronicles 33:24 — Regicide (the act of killing a king) has occurred several times in the Southern Kingdom:
- Jehu slaying Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 22:9)
- Jehoiada’s men slaying Athaliah (2 Chronicles 23:15)
- Jehoash slain by his servants (2 Chronicles 24:25)
- Amaziah slain by “they” (2 Chronicles 25:27)
- Amon slain by his servants (2 Chronicles 33:24)
2 Chronicles 34:3 — Unlike his great-grandfather Hezekiah, Josiah didn’t have the same urgency. Then again, Josiah became king at age 8, unlike Hezekiah who suffered through a coregency with an evil king. But when Josiah was 16, in the 8th year of his reign, he sought the LORD, but it wasn’t until he was 26 that he finished purging the land and started repairing the Temple.
2 Chronicles 34:19 — God’s Word often brings a powerful response. This was similar to the Ninevites in Jonah 3:5, who like Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:18) visibly repented. Josiah followed it up by seeking the wisdom of the LORD (2 Chronicles 34:21). God’s wrath would still come but would be delayed (2 Chronicles 34:25). In the meantime, because of Josiah’s leadership, the people did not depart from following the LORD (2 Chronicles 34:33).
Romans 16:10 — Note what Paul’s friends were recognized for:
- “approved in Christ” (Romans 16:10)
- “in the LORD” (Romans 16:11)
- “labor in the LORD” (Romans 16:12)
- “labored much in the LORD” (Romans 16:12)
- “chosen in the Lord” (Romans 16:13)
Paul contrasts these faithful followers with the divisors who serve their own belly (Romans 16:17-18).
Romans 16:22 — A “shout out” from Tertius, Paul’s secretary who took the dictation.
Romans 16:26 — The mystery (Jesus) was revealed and now is being proclaimed to all nations. You have a part in this today!
Psalm 26:2 — Ask God to search your heart today. Listen to the Cathedral Quartet sing “Search Me O God”:
Proverbs 20:19 — Proverbs has advice on making friends and avoiding friends. Avoid the flattering talebearer!
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