Month: July 2025

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13
  Romans 15:23-16:9
  Psalm 25:16-22
  Proverbs 20:16-18

2 Chronicles 32:1 — We met Sennacherib last month in 2 Kings 18.

2 Chronicles 32:9 — Sennacherib was at Lachish. Yes, indeed he was. In Lachish today, you can see the siege ramps Sennacherib built:

Lachish Archaeological Site¹

In the British Museum, you can see the massive Lachish Reliefs that depict this battle:

Lachish Relief (British Museum)²

2 Chronicles 32:18 — Today this is called PsyOps:

Psychological operations (PSYOPS) are planned operations to convey selected information and indicators to audiences to influence their emotions, motives, and objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of governments, organizations, groups, and individuals.

2 Chronicles 32:21 — The Chronicler simplifies the account, noting that Hezekiah prayed, and the LORD sent an angel to deliver them.

2 Chronicles 32:25 — Hezekiah was the great king of Judah who started with such an urgent following of God. He was also the king who had previously stripped the Temple of the gold to bribe Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:14-16), who had lifted up his heart (2 Chronicles 32:25), and who had boasted to the Babylonians of his wealth (2 Chronicles 32:31). Even good rulers can struggle greatly, but in spite of his sins, he was recognized as one of the chiefest sons of David (2 Chronicles 32:33).

2 Chronicles 33:1 — The worry of every parent’s heart.

2 Chronicles 33:9 — The son of the great King Hezekiah made the people “do worse than the heathen.” But God wasn’t done with Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:13)!

Romans 15:24 — Interestingly, there is some debate as to whether Paul reached Spain. Since the answer is not found within Scripture, it is hard to be dogmatic on the issue.

Romans 15:27 — Paul contrasts carnal things with spiritual things as a motive for Christian giving. The spiritual things are by necessity better, but they can be recognized with the carnal things.

Psalm 25:16 — Like Hezekiah, the psalmist cries out for mercy. Can God bring people out of distress (Psalm 25:17)? Hezekiah can emphatically testify: “Yes!”

Proverbs 20:16 — Solomon argues against cosigning for people. We’ve addressed the fact that up to 75% of borrowers with a cosigner end up defaulting on their loan. If you are dealing with someone who is surety (a cosigner) for a stranger (much less a close relative), know that this is someone without wisdom and makes very poor (unwise) financial choices. He is headed for bankruptcy soon. Don’t lose your collateral (garment).

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

_____
Image¹ Credit: Wilson44691, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image² Credit: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21
  Romans 15:1-22
  Psalm 25:1-15
  Proverbs 20:13-15

2 Chronicles 30:5 — What does it mean from “Beersheba to Dan?” In America we would say “from the Atlantic to the Pacific.” Basically, this is the whole length of the kingdom.

Early Historical Israel

Yes, even those who had been violating the Second Commandment by using graven images in the worship of the LORD are now invited to return to keep the Passover. Hezekiah is preaching to those who survived the Assyrian Captivity of 722 BC; the captivity effectively ended the Northern Kingdom (2 Chronicles 30:6). What is his message?

• Return to the place God said to be (2 Chronicles 30:1, 2 Chronicles 30:5)
• Repent of sinning against God (2 Chronicles 30:6-8)
• Receive His mercy (2 Chronicles 30:8-9)

2 Chronicles 30:9 — Hezekiah was inspired by God (for the words are preserved by God) to offer a promise of release to the captives if they would repent. But the majority in Israel “laughed them to scorn and mocked them” (2 Chronicles 30:10). The people were willing to suffer the indignity of captivity rather than repent! The religious leaders were willing to suffer eternal torment (Luke 16:24) rather than repent (Luke 16:31). God’s mercy is available, but few there be who partake of it (2 Chronicles 30:11).

2 Chronicles 30:18 — Notice the sense of urgency within Hezekiah:

• First year, first month – repaired the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 29:3) … if we read 2 Chronicles 29:17 correctly – this was the first day of his reign!
• In just 16 days, the Temple was cleansed and sanctified (2 Chronicles 29:17)
• As soon as it was ready, Hezekiah rose early to sacrifice (2 Chronicles 29:20) … Hezekiah didn’t wait until he had “enough priests” (2 Chronicles 29:34)
• Still in the first month he launched a nationwide evangelistic campaign (2 Chronicles 30:1)
• Less than 30 days later, they held the greatest Passover in memory (2 Chronicles 30:26) … Hezekiah didn’t wait until next year (11 months later) to have Passover as the Law required (Leviticus 23:5)
• Hezekiah knew the people weren’t ready so he grabbed the Levites who were (2 Chronicles 30:17) and prayed to God for permission (2 Chronicles 30:20) … Hezekiah didn’t wait until the people were cleansed (2 Chronicles 30:18)

What was the cause for this urgency? 2 Chronicles 30:9 tells of the Assyrian destruction of the Northern Kingdom. The captives were gone and in danger of being assimilated into the pagan society. Hezekiah wanted his kinfolk to return, not just to the land of Israel but to the Lord of Israel. Also, Hezekiah likely realized his weakened military position (he could not defend against an Assyrian attack, but God could!). So, he needed to make sure the land was right with God.

Hezekiah had a sense of urgency and a whole-hearted commitment (2 Chronicles 30:21). God said it was good and right and truth (2 Chronicles 30:20).

Romans 15:1 — How are Christians supposed to act toward each other?

• Helping the weak (Romans 15:1)
• Edifying our neighbor (Romans 15:2)
• Pleasing one another (Romans 15:3)
• Patient and Consoling with each other (Romans 15:5)
• Receiving one another (Romans 15:7)
• Counseling one another (Romans 15:14)

Jay Adams talks about this verse as the key authority for biblical counseling:

Whenever the process of sanctification slows down (or halts) in a Christian’s life, and he is not able to rectify that situation (for whatever reason), he needs the help of other believers who can direct him to God’s answers to his problems and how to bring about a change that honors Him. Counseling is not a great thing — in itself — but becomes necessary whenever such rescuing of a brother or sister is called for.

Jay Adams is the popularizer of Biblical Counseling, also called “nouthetic counseling:”

The word “nouthetic” comes from the Greek word “noutheteō.” The word, which is primarily used by Paul in the New Testament, is translated into English as “admonish,” “correct,” or “instruct.” This is the word that occurs in Romans 15:14.

Psalm 27:5 — In spite of the vast wasteland that has migrated from the television to YouTube, you can memorize Scripture to music found on YouTube. Here’s an example from Musical Memory Verses:

Proverbs 20:14 — Much wisdom in negotiation technique is contained in just 19 words. Learn and be wise!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

_____
Image Credit: File:Early-Historical-Israel-Dan-Beersheba-Judea-Corrected.png – Wikimedia Commons. commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Early-Historical-Israel-Dan-Beersheba-Judea-Corrected.png.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 29:1-36
  Romans 14:1-23
  Psalm 24:1-10
  Proverbs 20:12

2 Chronicles 29:3 — A good way to start on the very first month of his reign:

• Repairing the LORD’s house (2 Chronicles 29:3)
• Recalling the Levite’s responsibility (2 Chronicles 29:5)
• Repenting for fathers’ sins (2 Chronicles 29:6)
• Recognizing God’s wrath (2 Chronicles 29:9)
• Restoring Israel’s covenant (2 Chronicles 29:10)
• Rallying the city’s rulers (2 Chronicles 29:20)
• Rendering the lambs’ blood (2 Chronicles 29:22)
• Rejoicing in Asaph’s songs (2 Chronicles 29:30)
• Receiving the people’s offerings (2 Chronicles 29:31)

Romans 14:3 — Paul is repealing virtually all of Kashrut (the Jewish dietary laws). Interesting that the prohibitions against eating blood are still maintained (Acts 15:29). He goes on to repeal the festivals and Sabbath (Romans 14:5). Notice that Paul did not reiterate the 4th Commandment in Romans 13:9.

Romans 14:10 — The Judgment Seat of Christ is introduced for the first time here. Erwin Lutzer is “amazed at the number of people who don’t realize that the Bible teaches that we shall all (Christians) stand before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ to give an account.” John MacArthur shows it will be an evaluation of our lives. John Piper reminds us “Salvation is owned by faith. Salvation is shown by deeds.” Hampton Keathley has an in-depth discussion of the doctrine of rewards. Adrian Rogers points out:

First, God will be judging both the saved and the sinners.
Next, God judges the saved as sons and daughters.
Then God judges the saved as servants.

Psalm 24:7 — The Prussian hymnwriter Georg Weissel draws from this verse when he composed the hymn, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates.“

Proverbs 20:12 — From the Pulpit Commentary:

This apothegm, which seems to be nothing but a trite truism, brings to notice many important consequences. First, there is the result noted in Psalm 94:9, “He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see?” Hence we learn the sleepless providence of God.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27
  Romans 13:1-14
  Psalm 23:1-6
  Proverbs 20:11

2 Chronicles 26:3 — Uzziah’s 52 years was just 3 years shorter than Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:1), but in contrast to Manasseh’s evil reign (2 Chronicles 33:2), Uzziah did what was right in the sight of the Lord (2 Chronicles 26:4).

2 Chronicles 26:13 — The 307,500 man army sounds impressive – discounting even today’s standards (the U.S. has 2,092,900 active service men and women + reserves), but let’s see how this compares to other counts we have in Scripture. Keep in mind that some of these are standing armies – they are ready to fight or are in reserve; some are the result of a census count, which means they are available to be drafted; lastly, some are expeditionary forces, i.e. soldiers in a moving army on a campaign.

• 1,600,000 – David (Israel + Judah, but not Levi or Benjamin) / c. 950 BC / 2 Samuel 24:9, 1 Chronicles 21:5 (see explanation at DefendingInerrancy.com)
• 1,160,000 – Jehoshaphat (Judah + Benjamin) / c. 850 BC / 2 Chronicles 17:14-18
• 1,000,000 – Zerah the Ethiopian / c. 901 BC / 2 Chronicles 14:8
• 800,000 – Jeroboam (Israel) / c. 912 BC / 2 Chronicles 13:3
• 603,550 – Moses (Israel) / c. 1445 BC / Exodus 38:26, Numbers 1:46, Numbers 2:32
• 601,730 – Moses (Israel) / c. 1407 BC / Numbers 26:51
• 600,000 – Moses (Israel) / c. 1446 BC / Exodus 12:37
• 580,000 – Asa (Judah + Benjamin) / c. 901 BC / 2 Chronicles 14:8
• 400,000 – Abijah (Judah) / c. 912 BC / 2 Chronicles 13:3
• 400,000 – Judges (Israel, but not Benjamin) / c. ??? / Judges 20:2, Judges 20:17
• 330,000 – Saul (Israel + Judah) / c. 1050 BC / 1 Samuel 11:8
• >320,000 – Ahaz (Judah) / c. 725 BC / 2 Chronicles 28:6-8
• 307,500 – Uzziah (Judah) / c. 768 BC / 2 Chronicles 26:13
• 300,000 – Amaziah (Judah) / c. 795 BC / 2 Chronicles 25:5
• 210,000 – Saul (Israel + Judah / c. 1040 BC / 1 Samuel 15:4
• 185,000 – Sennacherib and Rabshekah’s Expeditionary Force, both from Assyria / c. 701 BC / 2 Kings 19:35
• 180,000 – Rehoboam (Judah+Benjamin) / c. 930 BC / 1 Kings 12:21
• 42,360 – Zerubbabel (Exiles) / c. 516 BC / Ezra 2:64

Uzziah’s army was fairly small historically speaking, but depending on the strength of the surrounding kings, it was still significant, it was adequately supplied (2 Chronicles 26:14), and it had artillery (2 Chronicles 26:15). Because of Uzziah’s pride in the strength of his army, though, things went bad at the end of his life (2 Chronicles 26:16).

2 Chronicles 27:2 — Obedient kings were tough to find. Here’s a chart comparing each king’s general practice. If you have a better way to organize the data, let me know. This is not a fully precise chart (e.g. analyzing Uzziah’s sin of entering the temple shows a specific practice).

• Worst – Burnt children (violated the 1st and 6th Command)
  • Judah: Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:1-2)
  • Judah: Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:6)

• Worse – Sins of Ahab (Baal / 1st Command)
  • Israel: Ahab (1 Kings 16:31)
  • Judah: Manasseh (2 Kings 21:3)

• Bad – Sins of Jeroboam (Golden Calf / 2nd Command / 1 Kings 12:26-30)
  • Israel: Jehoram (2 Kings 3:3)
  • Israel: Pekah (2 Kings 15:28)

• Good – Solomonic Temple, but left sodomites, high places
  • Judah: Solomon (1 Kings 11:7) – built high places
  • Judah: Asa (1 Kings 15:14)

• Good – Solomonic Temple, removed sodomites but left high places
  • Judah: Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:43, 1 Kings 22:46)

• Better – Solomonic Temple, removed high places
  • Judah: Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:4)
  • Judah: Josiah (2 Kings 23:8)

2 Chronicles 27:6 — A king that could be trusted with success, as opposed to Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16).

2 Chronicles 28:9-13 — Remember that “LORD” is the name “Jehovah/Yahweh” – the specific personal name for the God of Israel. So why should Israel (that had been so disobedient to the LORD) listen to a prophet of the LORD (2 Chronicles 28:9), or speak in the name of the LORD (2 Chronicles 28:9) about sins against the LORD (2 Chronicles 28:10) that results in the wrath of the LORD (2 Chronicles 28:11), or listen to a prophet of the LORD that might result in conviction among the leaders (2 Chronicles 28:13)? Pekah, the ruler at this time (2 Chronicles 28:6), was “Bad” not “Worse/Worst.” While he violated the 2nd Commandment by building the Golden Calf for the worship of the LORD in a city other than Jerusalem, he kept the 1st Commandment. Only a few kings (Ahab, Ahaz, Manasseh) actively promoted the worship of Baal over the LORD. The rest pulled an Aaron and declared a feast to the LORD (Exodus 32:5) to dedicate the molten calf (Exodus 32:4) as the god who brought Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 32:4). This was a direct violation of the 2nd commandment – not “another god” but “the God” in the wrong way (see Nadab & Abihu – Numbers 3:4).

2 Chronicles 28:23 — Everything is easier than repenting and following the LORD.

Romans 13:1 — The man who has called upon the name of the LORD (Romans 10:13), has a changed form (Romans 12:1), and has a relationship with government that reflects submission.

Romans 13:9 — Are we free from the Law in the Age of Grace? Has the freedom to eat bacon extended to the freedom to do whatever? No – absolutely not! Commandments 6-10 – the entire second half of the Law – is directly restated and summarized and even given enforcement power (Romans 13:4)!

Psalm 23:1 — From our good friend Patch the Pirate … very close to word perfect according to the KJV!

Proverbs 20:11 — Reputations start early. What’s yours?

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28
  Romans 12:1-21
  Psalm 22:19-31
  Proverbs 20:8-10

2 Chronicles 24:7 — We think of the destruction of the Temple in 586 BC as disgraceful, yet when we realize that the descendants of Solomon (the sons of Athaliah would have also been the sons of Jehoram), the very builder of the temple’s descendants until the 6th generation “had broken up the house of God.”

2 Chronicles 24:10 — One of the few times you see “all the people” rejoicing about a mandatory tax, perhaps because the people realized that there was a king focused on eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in this building project!

2 Chronicles 24:17 — Can one man make a difference? Let’s see … when Jehoiada is not around, they kill his son (2 Chronicles 24:21) for speaking the words of God (2 Chronicles 24:20)! Interesting that Joash’s slaying of a priest is avenged by an Ammonite and a Moabite (2 Chronicles 24:26). They possibly had good intentions (avenge their friend), but God says it’s better to let a bad king be in power than to bring a better king (2 Chronicles 25:2) in the wrong way (see 1 Samuel 24:6).

2 Chronicles 25:4 — We’ve read of Moses prohibiting human rulers from punishing the children for the sins of their fathers (Deuteronomy 24:16). In other words, human vengeance is prohibited, but God can and does judge the children for the sins of their fathers (Exodus 34:7).

2 Chronicles 25:6 — National unity was the goal of Jehoshaphat as exemplified in the wife of Jehoram, and the fault of Amaziah. Separation is required from those who are not followers of our LORD (2 Chronicles 25:7). We can’t say “But I’ve already spent …” Whether its money spent on things that God warns us against, e.g. alcohol (Proverbs 20:1), drugs, pornography, etc. But “… the LORD is able to give thee much more than this.” Be willing, able, and ready to take a radical stand for God.

2 Chronicles 25:14 — “My God beat your god … so I will serve your god!” Honestly, I’m struggling to follow Amaziah’s logic here! The prophet will echo this struggle in 2 Chronicles 25:15. Speaking of bad logic, why pick a fight with a stronger nation (2 Chronicles 25:17)?

2 Chronicles 25:27 — The front gate of Lachish:

Lachish Archaeological Site (Israel)

Romans 12:1 — Now that we have called upon the name of the LORD, what should we be doing? Serving Him! Put our all on the altar!

Another encouraging song from Earl Martin that can help us memorize Scripture:

Let’s put together a quick list:

• Give your body to God (Romans 12:1)
• Reject this world’s form (Romans 12:2)
• Renew your mind in the Word (Romans 12:2)
• Be humble (Romans 12:3)
• Be sober (Romans 12:3)
• Use our gifts (Romans 12:6)
• Love one another (Romans 12:9-10)
• Choose good over evil (Romans 12:9)
• Prefer one another (Romans 12:10)
• Serve the LORD (Romans 12:11)
• Rejoice (Romans 12:12)
• Be patient (Romans 12:12)
• Pray (Romans 12:13)

… and we have 8 more verses to go! Make your own list of what a follower of Christ looks like!

Psalm 22:22 — Here’s what David says he will do following his salvation by the LORD. He will testify to the goodness of the LORD (Psalm 22:23, Psalm 22:25).

Proverbs 20:10 — Psst … don’t tell your atheist friends, but the State of Wisconsin conducted 315,166 inspections at 6,830 business locations in 2021 to make sure that Wisconsin merchants were not committing abominations to the LORD.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

_____
Image Credit: Wilson44691, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21
  Romans 11:13-36
  Psalm 22:1-18
  Proverbs 20:7

2 Chronicles 21:1 — We’ve spent four chapters with Jehoshaphat – the most we’ve spent with any king since Solomon, and the most spent until Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29-32).

2 Chronicles 21:4 — How did good king Jehoshaphat’s son become known for filicide (the killing of one’s son or daughter)? He became known because of the pattern of compromise that his father engaged in through his dealings with Ahab. Perhaps the political unity that led to joint fundraising and joint expeditions were meant to lead to a joint kingdom dream. Likely Jehoram didn’t pick his bride – his dad assigned his heir (his eldest male descendant) to the daughter of Ahab.

2 Chronicles 21:12 — Elijah dominated the Kings (from 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 10), but this is the only mention of Elijah in the Chronicles, mainly because Elijah’s ministry was to the Northern Kingdom, while the Chronicles focus on the Southern Kingdom. Jehoshaphat kept intertwining himself with the Northern Kingdom (perhaps he wanted to undo Jeroboam’s split in 1 Kings 12:16). Unity, however, must be built on theology, not just proximity!

2 Chronicles 21:19-20 — What is the worst epitaph: that his bowels fell out or that he “departed without being desired?“

2 Chronicles 22:11 — Jehoshabeath (the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of Jehoiada the priest) was used by God to preserve the line of the Messiah (Matthew 1:9)! By the way, who else was hidden as a small child (Exodus 2:3)?

2 Chronicles 23:1 — The covenant was renewed with a revitalized focus on the Word of the LORD (2 Chronicles 23:3) and the restoration of holiness (2 Chronicles 23:6). This covenant was expanded to all the people (2 Chronicles 23:16) and led to the purification of Israel (2 Chronicles 23:17).

2 Chronicles 23:19 — We have already read in 1 Chronicles about the 4,000 porters (1 Chronicles 23:5) and the list of their responsibilities (1 Chronicles 9:17-26). The point of writing about the porters again and their reintroduction is so that a new generation understood that the Temple had porters before and now in the rebuilt Temple they should fall in line with Joash’s renovations.

Romans 11:26 — God isn’t through with Israel yet! He has a plan for them, but today He has extended His mercy to you (Romans 11:30)!

Psalm 22:3 — Speaking of holiness, why did God forsake His son (Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46)? It is because of this: God is holy and cannot look on evil (Habakkuk 1:13). God made Jesus to be sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). This chapter records the sufferings and glory of Jesus.

• First Cycle: Complaint to God (22:1-2) … then confidence in God (22:3‑5)
• Second Cycle: Complaint (22:6-8) … then confidence and petition (22:9‑11)
• Third Cycle: Complaint (22:12‑18) … then confidence and petition (22:19-31)

Proverbs 20:7 — The lapse of Jehoshaphat’s obedience led to his children loss of blessing. How will your behavior affect your descendants’ blessings?

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.