Day 11 Reviewed

2 Kings 24 - 2 Chronicles 6

• Jehoiachin

     I just couldn't skip over this, even though the details are a little spotty for me, there was something here too cool to miss.
     I had to do a little additional research to find out more about Jehoiachin, because the books at this point in the Bible jump around from story telling to history, and some is out of order, making it a little harder to follow for a first timer.
     Jehoiachin was a king. He reigned only for 100 days, and was succeeded by his uncle. According to what I looked up, he was the last heir to the Jewish throne! Interesting. He was taken captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, and imprisoned for 37 years, until a (new?) king, Evil-merodach redeemed him.
     "And Jehoiachin changed his prison clothes, and had his meals in the king's presence regularly all the days of his life; and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, a portion for each day, all the days of his life," (2 Kings 25:29-30).
     This struck me as an awesome thing to have said about one's life! Quite simple, but awesome! I won't dwell too much. But to add a detail like, "changed his prison clothes," spoke volumes I think. We know that we have gone to from slave to free in Jesus Christ, but have you changed your prison clothes? Do you wear a garment of praise, of righteousness, of peace, of servitude? Do you sit in the king's presence regularly and allow him to provide for you? Something I need to consider!!

• Record Keeping  (1 Chronicles)

     The lists of recorded generations in the Bible amazes me. I know my parents and grandparents, but beyond that I've never met anyone who came before me. I think I do have a little family history recorded somewhere, but nothing to the extent of generation upon generation! Sometimes I'm tempted to feel like it's just me. Like I didn't really come from anything...but just as recorded here, I come from generations upon generations! I am just the last down a loooong line right now. Gives a little perspecitve, hm? :)

• David passing the Torch

     Along those lines, a quick generational blessing. David tells his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake  you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished," (1 Chronicles 28:20). Such a great lesson, to look for what God has set aside for us to do and even pass that annointing/ blessing on to the next generations, empowering them let God work mightily through them, bearing fruit, in peace, with ease.
     Solomon, for one, picked up this torch and kept it ablaze. He worked on the temple with gusto. Not only was it superb in it's building mechanics, but also in it's dedicated purpose. Solomon prayed and interceded fervently for the people and their interaction with God surrounding the temple. I mean, his prayers were so inspiring, they could be a model for intercession today!! His hearts cry was that through their sin and repentance, and through anyone's interaction with the temple, even foreigners, that they would come to know the true, living God! (2 Chronicles 6).
     It's no wonder he had such powerful prayers, after asking God humbly and earnestly for wisdom and understanding to lead his people well!

Day 10 Reviewed

1 Kings 15 - 2 Kings 23

     I know I had never read the books of Kings all the way through before!
     I love when in the midst of a long story (many of which I followed decently well), there is some short, quick, golden nugget I can grasp on to. The ones that the Holy Spirit highlights, because they are intended not just for the historical Israelites, but for God's people in all times!
     In 1 Kings 18:21, Elijah, a prophet says, simply, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." And I love how my bible says next, "And the people did not answer him a word." What could they say? There wasn't a lot of room for interpretation there. Pretty simple! Easy. Pick your side. Ha. Love it!

• It's Easy for God!

     God longs to act on behalf of his people, and it's so easy for Him! He so desires for his people to turn to Him and seek Him for any and all provision, and so ready to provide it for them. In 2 Kings, when his people needed water, God wanted to be their provider. Perhaps He wanted to show them that they needed Him even for their most basic, fundamental need. In fact, pure water is probably one of the only things in life that we truly need!  
     So, the prophet Elisha brings the Word of God to the people, saying, "Make this valley full of trenches...You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts. And this is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord; He shall also give the Moabites into your hand," (2 Kings 3:16-18).
    A slight thing!! This was easy for God! A piece of cake!
     You need it.
     You ask Me.
     Here you go!  
     But it's interesting that God didn't provide any rain - just water. This way, the people would have to acknowledge that it was God who provided it! Where else would it have come from?
     I like the last line, too: Oh, by the way, I'll also subdue another one of your enemies. Me! I will do this for you!

• 2 Kings 4 Story

     I enjoyed this story of God tending to a needy widow. To me it's a great example of a reference point of how to start receiving God's provision.
    1. Ask for it - She asked the prophet to help her take care of her sons
    2. Present God with what you have - "What shall I do for you?," replied Elisha. "Tell me what you have?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil." (4:2)
    3. Do what God says to do next - Elisha tells her to employ help of family and friends, borrowing all the vessels she could, go home, and start pouring the oil.
    4. Be at ease, as you watch God work!! - "So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured. And it came about when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, 'Bring me another vessel.' And he said to her, 'There is not one vessel more.' And the oil had stopped." (4:5-6). So, she sold the oil to pay for a debt, provide for her sons, and live.
   
     This is still God today! He still acts on behalf of His people who ask Him. Why He doesn't make Himself more obvious sometimes, I wonder? Perhaps He is obvious. Perhaps it's my dull perception :)