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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Welcome to the 2024 Bible Reading Challenge, presented by VCY America. Join believers around the world as we together read through the entire Bible in 2024. Many people start a Bible reading plan but get lost in the genealogies, lack an easy to use reading plan, or just need friendly encouragement to keep going. We’ve provided the tools to help you succeed in your 2024 Bible Reading Challenge!
Three easy to use tools (print “daily reading” Bible, online mobile app Bible plan, or a booklet with the passages for each day) to help you track each day in the Word.
Joining our email team – we’ll encourage you each day to stay faithful. We’ll share observations, testimonies, and ways to get the most out of the Bible.
I was researching some figures in Church History and came across James H. Brookes, a Presbyterian minister who led the Niagara Bible Conferences – an interdenominational meeting committed to the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture. From Chapter 12 of his memoirs:
Many and many a time Dr. Brookes has been asked: “How did you obtain
your mastery of the Scriptures?” His answer was to the point: “By studying it.”
His idea of Bible study, however, was very different from that of most men. So familiar was he with the Scriptures, that it has been said in all seriousness by admirers: “If all the Bibles were destroyed, Dr. Brookes could produce one from memory.”
On one occasion, while preaching at a conference in Asbury Park, New Jersey, the editor of a New York semi-religious publication was present. He had heard of Dr. Brookes’ marvellous power of quoting the Scriptures, and he determined to test it.
On a note book, during the sermon, he jotted down every verse quoted. Utterly amazed, the man went to Dr. Brookes after the sermon, and pointed out that he had quoted verbatim, almost a hundred separate Bible texts; giving not only the words, but the chapter and verse.
From his earliest youth Dr. Brookes was a Bible student.
As a child he had been expected to learn and quote much Scripture; and his mother was scrupulously careful that the quotation was faultlessly exact. She held that to misquote in the slightest degree was something almost a sin. It was God’s Word, she said, and must be studied, and repeated exactly, or not at all.
(Alas, how would her soul be torn if she heard some of the wretched misquoting of the Scriptures — where any is quoted at all — in many pulpits, even Presbyterian pulpits, today! A sermon was heard by the writer in a St. Louis Presbyterian church, in 1897, in which the Savior was “quoted” as saying certain words which no man, even with a magnifying glass, can find in any portion of the New Testament.)
The influence of that training was marked throughout Dr. Brookes’ career. The Bible was his vade mecum (a handbook or guide that is kept constantly at hand for consultation). He pored over it. He, so to speak, absorbed it. He knew it, and he knew everything worth knowing that had been written about it.
He kept himself thoroughly posted, too, as to the work of the destructive German critics (and their servile American “Men Fridays”) whose hope of recognition and worldly success, in the former country — and to a growing extent in our own— lies in their power to win notoriety, and gather about them a following.
There have been certain deluded men who have ignorantly implied that Dr. Brookes knew little but the English Bible.
It would not be charitable, though doubtless true, to say that he could have taught them Hebrew, Greek and Latin. But it is only a simple fact to state that he was an expert scholar in ancient languages. While in German and French he laid no claims to a profound study, as in the ancient tongues, yet he could easily read both those languages. He studied the German theological professors’ “sensation”-seeking utterances in the original, something which (let it be said under the rose) it is to be doubted if many of their subservient followers in American seminaries can do, with all their I’m-holier-than-thou air of philologic eruditeness.
This acknowledged champion of the Plain People’s English Bible knew all that they did concerning the Bible in the original [languages], and a great deal more, in numerous instances. Having delved deeply into the roots of words, and the textual study of men and times, he was fully equipped to battle with the destructive Biblical critics in their own camp. He saw through the pretensions of many alleged great textual scholars, and despised their lofty and exclusive assumption of sacred learning….
On blank pages of his Bibles, and on the margins of the printed pages, in small, perfect penmanship, he wrote down with the utmost care the rich results of his life-long labors. Only a photograph can adequately describe those marvellous “notes,” and only the multitudes who “heard him gladly,” and the greater multitudes who have read his books in many languages, know the value of them.
To make himself certain as to the use of any one word, he thought nothing of reading the entire Bible through for that particular purpose. If the word appeared three times that fact he established for himself. He believed in being his own concordance. (It should be added here, that he was urged scores of times to
write a concordance.)
It was often his custom to read the Bible through three or four times during a summer vacation.
When he wished to fortify himself as to any doctrine from the Bible, he, of course, read the Bible through with such especial end in view. The passages were carefully marked.
When he reached the end of Revelations, every text bearing on the topic was at his tongue’s end. He had gone to the court of last resort, and all was settled.
The results of that tremendous labor would then be written down, briefly and beautifully, in a portion of his Bible. Dr. Brookes was constantly urging men
to study first the Bible itself, and then the books about the Bible.
He believed too many preachers, young and old, held the books “about the Bible” to be far too important.
Yet he was a great bookman, and his library was a “thing of beauty.” The four walls of his large study were crowded with theological lore, and to the day of his last illness he kept close watch on new works, and secured all the worthy ones.
Williams, David Riddle. James H. Brookes: A Memoir. St. Louis: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1897.
Date: December 6, 2017 Host: Jim Schneider Listen: MP3 | Order Jim began with a question for Randy: How is our Bible IQ as a nation and as a church are we reading our Bibles?
Randy’s response my sound shocking but it’s true. He indicated that many people aren’t reading anything. A recent study found that one out of four adults haven’t opened up any book in the last year.
Randy quoted the following statistics from Al Mohler:
–Fewer than half of all adults can name the four gospels.
–Many Christians can’t identify more than 2 or 3 of the disciples.
According to data from the Barna Research Group:
–60% of Americans can’t name even 5 of the 10 Commandments.
–82% of Americans believe ‘God helps those who help themselves’ is in the Bible.
–The majority of adults believe the Bible teaches that the most important purpose
in life is taking care of one’s family.
–Over 50% of graduating high school seniors thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were
husband and wife.
–A considerable number of respondents thought the Sermon on the Mount was
preached by Billy Graham.
Obviously this shows a great lack of biblical literacy. This shouldn’t surprise us when you consider that only 45% of those who regularly attend a church read the Bible more than once a week. 1 out of 5 people who attend church regularly never read the Bible at all. And the most scary statistic Randy found? 80% of Americans have never read the Bible through even once.
On the flip side, Back to the Bible’s Center for Bible Engagement did a study of those who read the Bible just 4 days a week. Here’s what they found:
–You’re 57% less likely to get drunk.
–You’re 68% less likely to have sex outside of marriage.
–You’re 61% less likely to engage in pornography.
–You’re 74% less likely to engage in gambling.
–You’re 228% more likely to share your faith with others.
–You’re 231% more likely to disciple others.
–You’re 407% more likely to memorize Scripture.
The key is to have a plan and a way to get started. One way to do that is through the 2018 Bible Reading Challenge that was presented on this edition of Crosstalk. It involves use of The One Year Bible published by Tyndale. This King James Version paperback is divided into 365 portions. Each day (15 minutes per day) you’ll read a portion from the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Psalms and Proverbs.
More Information:
To obtain your KJV paperback edition of The One Year Bible for a donation of just $15 or more (price includes shipping) call 1-800-729-9829 or go to www.2018bible.org
