Well, the good news is we're in the last chapter of the first half of Isaiah. After today, it's called the "New Testament" half of Isaiah. The bad news is, in this last chapter of the Hezekiah historical interlude, we come to that time when even the best kings of Israel make poor decisions.
...continue reading "Isaiah 39"Category: History
Isaiah 38
This is the second of three events we see in the "historical interlude" in the middle of the book of Isaiah, all related to King Hezekiah. These are cross-referenced in II Kings 20 and II Chronicles 32.
...continue reading "Isaiah 38"Isaiah 37
This is a continuation of the "historical interlude" from the reign of Hezekiah, as found in II Kings and cross-referenced in II Chronicles.
...continue reading "Isaiah 37"Isaiah 36
The next few chapters, chapters 36-39, are referred to as an historical interlude. It's very specific to the reign of Judah's King Hezekiah.
...continue reading "Isaiah 36"Intro to the Prophets and Isaiah
As Israel and, eventually, Judah race toward oblivion for life as they've known it, the Kings and Chronicles give way to prophets who seem to be God's final effort to turn their trajectories toward His will and away from their idolatry and rebellion.
In my attempt to read chronologically, one of my reading plans says Amos is next and the other says Isaiah. So I have decided to start with Isaiah. Although I'll start Amos after Isaiah 8, and will keep checking in with the Kings and Chronicler.
...continue reading "Intro to the Prophets and Isaiah"Intro to II Kings
Continuing in the attempt to read the bible chronologically, we are now ready for II Kings and the remainder of II Chronicles. These will be spread out over the corresponding events in the major and minor prophets of each leader.
...continue reading "Intro to II Kings"Goin’ Back to Go Forward
I have been on a very long journey to read the Old Testament in chronological order, which (once passed the first few books) is much more difficult than I would have guessed. Once I got passed the divided kingdom and it was going to take a few different books at once to move forward, I made a decision to go back and read more of the end of the united kingdom before it got too far away. So I read some Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
Now, I am heading back to the narrative; but as a refresher, I am going to read through some I Kings and II Chronicles that I've already reviewed.
...continue reading "Goin’ Back to Go Forward"I Kings 22 (final chapter)
Well...if you've following along on the recent adventures in my blog you'll know that Ahab finally brought God to the end of His mighty patience and God poured out a most severe judgement. Ahab finally expressed some grief and humility- bringing God to delay the judgement package until Ahab's son.
...continue reading "I Kings 22 (final chapter)"I Kings 16 – 18: Ahab and Elijah
Just as a brief reminder of how we arrived here. Israel split into two after Solomon. In the north, the nation that held onto the name Israel, was the rebellious half. It's first leader, Jeroboam, had a covenant with God; but promptly began to ignore by making idols, adding new worship centers and festivals to keep people from going to Judah. He then went off the deep end and started a full blown false religion.
This was followed by his son, just as wicked, but only ruling for a fraction of the time and replaced by his assassin, Baasha, ending the Jeroboam dynasty with a count of 2. Baasha's dynasty also held a two count, as his drunk son was assassinated, while getting drunk, by one of his military's leaders, Zimri.
Zimri lasts seven days and is replaced by Omri. That brings us up to speed.
...continue reading "I Kings 16 – 18: Ahab and Elijah"I Chronicles 29 David’s Goodbye
The final chapter of I Chronicles. The end of the Davidic era and the beginning of the reign of Solomon. So very much happened in David's life. From a young shepherd boy to a young man taking on a giant in the name of God and country, to a prince, to an outlaw, to a King with 40 years of wins and losses. His early life touched the edges of the chaos of the judges and his late life passed on the fortune and peace of a modern age. He expanded the kingdom, brought music and worship to His people and to us, and made way to bring the presence of the lord to the people- first by the Temple, and eventually through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
...continue reading "I Chronicles 29 David’s Goodbye"