I start with a confession. I've been in a mood as of late. And not a godly mood. Not everyday and not all of the time; but building for the last couple of years since I was at a graduation party and someone pointed out that my brother and cousin were turning fifty years old. And in the final days before my own 50th birthday, last week, this mood left me weepy and fully self-pity and entitlement.
...continue reading "Turning 50 and Nehemiah 13"Category: Grace and Mercy
II Kings 8-9
This section of II Kings is devoted to the ministry of Elisha the Prophet. Chapter 8 starts out with the continuation of the story of the Shunammite woman from Chapter 4, but then continues on to describe the fate of nations.
...continue reading "II Kings 8-9"II Kings 3-4
We've seen Elijah's big exit and Elisha letting everyone know that the new kid is for real! Now Elisha begins his work as God's messenger to the kings.
...continue reading "II Kings 3-4"More Goin’ Back to Go Forward
Continued refresher, as I am going back through some of I Kings and II Chronicles that I've already reviewed before resuming my attempt at chronologically reading the Old Testament.
...continue reading "More Goin’ Back to Go Forward"I Kings 21: God’s Amazing (and Surprising) Grace
We're firmly into Prophet Elijah and King Ahab territory. Mostly recently, Israel was attacked by Syria and God took a very personal interest in King Ahab, assisting for His own name's Sake. While Ahab was partially obedient to his nation's benefit, he was also partially wrong.
...continue reading "I Kings 21: God’s Amazing (and Surprising) Grace"I Kings 19: The Lord is Our Shepherd
We've settled in to the wicked kings that ruled over Israel once it split from Judah. We are currently during the reign of the infamous King Ahab. Elijah and Ahab have gone head to head as Elijah shamed and then had slain the 450 prophets of Baal who professionally served Ahab and Jezebel's court.
God has proven himself as real and Baal has been proven as silent and unresponsive.
Ahab is racing back to Jezreel to meet up with his wicked wife, Jezebel; but God blesses Elijah with the strength to overtake Ahab on foot and get to Jezreel first. This is where the story picks up in Chapter 19.
...continue reading "I Kings 19: The Lord is Our Shepherd"I Kings: 8:12+ and II Chronicles 6 and 7:1-11 Temple Dedication
The Temple has been built and the Lord was faithful to fill it with His presence. Now Solomon dedicates and prays over this House of God. What a seismic moment in their history and ours. To speak into such a profound moment had to come from the Lord. No human, even the wisest one can do that without God's guidance.
Read moreOf The Sons of Korah (Psalm 45)
As mentioned in previous posts, I am reading the Old Testament chronologically; and am in I Chronicles: 26 related to the Temple gatekeepers. Below is a closer look at one of these Sons of Korah "gatekeeper" Psalms 45.
...continue reading "Of The Sons of Korah (Psalm 45)"I Chronicles 10
So far, the author, Ezra, has given us the general genealogies from Adam to David to the exile. Then the narrow genealogies of 10 of the 12 tribes. Then a detailed genealogy of Saul.
Now we begin with the death of Saul leading to the anointing of David.
...continue reading "I Chronicles 10"II Samuel 24 (Wiersbe)
When I first read verse 1 of chapter 24, I thought it was saying God incited David to take the census; but then it wouldn't be sin. Then I read that it was the anger of the Lord that David was responding to. Apparently, I Chronicles says it was satan who incited David. Now Wiersbe is saying the II Samuel does say it was God' but also satan by God inciting satan to incite David so that His will could be done.
...continue reading "II Samuel 24 (Wiersbe)"