1 Chronicles 1 – 1 Chronicles 2

We turn the page again to the 13th book of the Bible, and as we start reading we get name after name, after name. I know these two chapters weren’t the most fun to read. Someone even said, “I’ll join you after you get through Chronicles. I can’t pronounce half the names anyways!” Not sure I’d agree with that approach. Sure the names are different. Someone might say the same 4000 years from now as they look at our names. Yet, they still tell a story, and not just any story, God’s story. Which makes it our story! So I’d encourage you to keep reading on. As we do, here’s a good intro on what to expect as we keep reading through the Chronicles of Ancient Israel:

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 1 Chronicles 3-5

2 Kings 23 – 2 Kings 25

Our story of 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings comes to an unfortunate end. Not long ago Israel was sent into exile by the Assyrians, and today’s reading places Judah into the hands of the Babylonians.

Despite the Josiah. Despite the resurgence in faith. Despite all the good things that seem to be taking place as one false altar after another is torn down and left in shambles. Despite all of that, the inevitable happens . . . the consequence of the peoples unfaithfulness, leads to deportation and exile.

One of thee things that I had forgotten was that a remnant is always left behind for Judah. Under the reign of Jehoiachin, as the people were deported to Babylon, “the poorest of the land” (24:15) were left behind in Jerusalem. Then again under the reign of Zedekiah as Nebuchadnezzar attacked a second time, “the captain of the guard left some of the poorest people of the land to be vinedressers and tillers of the soil” (25:12). Finally, Gedaliah is appointed as “governor over the people who remained in the land of Judah, whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had left” (25:22).

All of this is an interesting feature to take note of. One might ask, why leave the remnant behind? Is this for a faithful rebuilding? I’d like to think so, however the footnote in my Bible does’t leave me too much hope. “After a few months in office he (Gedaliah) is assassinated by Ishmael and ten other men. Many of the remaining people flee to Egypt at this point, taking the prophet Jeremiah with them (Jer. 43-44). ” (Lutheran Study Bible, Augsburg Fortress, p. 636) While I know that God isn’t done with the people, the people see to be done with God or at least Jerusalem and the once Promised Land.

Peace,
Pastor

Our next reading: 1 Chronicles 1-2

Thursday, April 25: 2 Kings 12 – 2 Kings 14
Friday, April 26: 2 Kings 15 – 2 Kings 17
Saturday, April 27: 2 Kings 18 – 2 Kings 19
Sunday, April 28: 2 Kings 20 – 2 Kings 22

Over the past few day’s I’ve enjoyed a long weekend vacation. It’s hard to believe that it’s been since mid October since I last took a Sunday off. Six months is a long time without a break. Honestly, every day I said to myself, “I should blog.” Then I thought it’s okay to step away. I’ve kept up on my reading, still true to that!

So . . . where to start?

I enjoyed a comment by one of my faithful readers, “I can’t wait to be done with the kings.” With warning, we might be close to being done with 2 Kings, but we still have the Book of Chronicles to go. Same story . . . different verse. For all of those times we’ve read “and all the acts of (insert kings name here) are written in the book of Annals” it means there is more to the story, hence the stories of Chronicles.

While we have all that to look forward too, the last half of 2 Kings has brought a steady decline to the story of Israel and Judah. A decline that has ended with the exile of Israel in Chapter 17. No longer are they a great and mighty nation. Now , the sins of king after king, have led to exile at the hand of the Assyrians. What a sad tragedy. One can’t say they weren’t warned. Still sad to see God’s people now exiled (again!)

As we lament over Israel, Judah isn’t fairing much better. It seems for every king who “does right in the eyes of the LORD” another king comes along and “does evil in the eyes of the LORD.” Even for the bloodline of David, things don’t bode so well. Ahaz . . . Menasseh . . . those were some real doozies. Sacrificing their children, building high altars to false gods, and innocent blood shed. What a mess. To right their horrible wrongs, Hezekiah and Josiah provide faithful leadership. In each of their reigns, faithfulness is restored, portions of the Temple rebuilt, and in Josiah’s case the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. I wanted to ask, “how do you loose that?” Even with the occasional resurgence in Judah’s story, the domino’s are already in motion. The exile of Judah won’t be too far behind.

Perhaps like the comment shared by one of my faithful readers, I’ll be glad when this part of the story comes to an end. No one like exile and banishment, yet is it out of the darkest times that we find restoration and hope. Hope that comes only in God!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 2 Kings 23-25

2 Kings 9 – 2 Kings 11

Jehu is appointed King of Israel!
Jezebel dies after being tossed out of the window!
Two great highlights from our reading today.

As the thrones of both Israel and Judah change hands yet again, we encounter the one time, in the nations split history when the kings were nearly from the same linage and family. Let’s not forget that as Solomon strayed from God’s ways, the kingdom was torn in two and Israel was appointed a king that did not come from the linage of King David.

Yet, when Ahaziah of Judah married Athaliah of Israel, the two nations come close to having leaders from the same family when the next generation takes their respective throne. Now I realize that Joash and Jehu are cousins, but this is about as close as it might get. Granted the nations are still at odds with one another, and Joash is only 7 years old as he takes the throne. Yet, still there is hope, and this odd little “semi-reunion” in the family of Abraham.

Not to make things more complicated, because its complicated enough, but here’s a great diagram on the linage of the kings and how they are/are not related to one another.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

May 5, 2019

This is a great chance to show your support of our youth. This year we will welcome back Grandma’s BBQ, and your dinner will include 1/2 BBQ chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, roll, dessert, and a drink. Tickets are $10 each and this Sunday will be the last chance to pick up a ticket.

The night will be filled with fun as we raffle away several prizes, play games, and raise funds for our youth. Proceeds will help support our initial efforts to attend the 2021 National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis. If you can’t attend, and would like to make a gift, don’t forget our “Donate Now” page, where you can designate a gift towards youth ministry.

2 Kings 6 – 2 Kings 8

Here’s another little gem that sits on my bookshelf. It’s the Twible by Jana Riess.

Much like Twitter, Jana has brought humor to the Good Book by summarizing every chapter in the Bible in 140 characters or less. Who would have thought that was possible! Of course there is some modern day ties to help connect us with the greater story. Take for example:

2 Kings 6:
“Elisha’s YouTube videos go viral! But when famine comes and folks eat their own kids, he gets blamed. You can never win.”

2 Kings 7:
“Turnaround! Arameans are set packing; Isr (short for Israel) has plenty to eat; Elisha is back in good graces. Wait, is that the other shoe dropping?”

2 Kings 8:
“Elisha, consulted about an ill king, says in a stage whisper, ‘He’s gonna die, but why tell him?BTW, my fee’s 40 camel-loads of stuff.'”

You have to love Jana’s creativity that helps to keep the story of Israel engaging to read.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 2 Kings 9-11

2 Kings 4 – 2 Kings 5

I’ve always found it interesting that the Prophet Elijah seems to get the credit as being the greatest and the best. Think about it. When John the Baptist is teaching along the Jordan River, who do people think he is . . . Elijah reincarnated. When Jesus asks his disciples, “who do people say that I am” . . . they state Elijah and several others. On the mountain where Jesus is Transfigured, who appears? Elijah and Moses. While I don’t have the Bible memorized, I think we would be hard pressed to find other references to Elisha out side of the context we are reading in 1 & 2 Kings.

Why does that matter? Well think of it this way:

Elijah:

• Causes the rain to cease
• Provides meal and oil for the widow
• Restores the life of the widow’s son
• Calls fire on the altar
• Causes the rain to end the famine
• Strikes down the soldiers
• and, parts the Jordan

All great moments before being taken away in the chariot of fire and horses. Yet, Elisha by the end of chapter 5 in 2 Kings is beginning to do great (if not greater things). For at this point we have read that Elisha is a part of:

• Parting the Jordan
• Healing the waters
• The mauling bears
• Filling the valley with water
• The unending vessel of oil
• Restoring the life of the Shumammite’s son
• Detoxing the stew
• Feeding of the 100 with 20 loaves
• Healing Naaman
• and, Cursing Gehazi with leprosy

It’s quite an impressive list, and it is only going to get longer.

So why then is Elijah listed as the greater prophet, when Elisha seems to do many greater deeds? Is it because Elijah was the master of Elisha? Is it because Elisha received the double portion of Elijah’s spirit? I honestly don’t have an answer for the questions I’m wrestling with, but its a note worthy observation that has troubled me before and troubles me again as we continue to read through 2 Kings.

What are your thoughts?

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 2 Kings 6-8

Friday, April 19: 1 Kings 18 – 1 Kings 20
Saturday, April 20: 1 Kings 21 – 1 Kings 22
Sunday, April 21: 2 Kings 1 – 2 Kings 3

My apologies to my faithful readers. I didn’t realize I was three days behind in my reflection. I’m still reading every day, I just didn’t take the time to share my thoughts. I guess this little thing called EASTER got in the way. What a blessing to celebrate new life. I pray that your Easter celebrations were rich in joy, love, and life.

Prayers of course extend to Sri Lanka. On a day and time when God’s house should be full of celebration, what an unfortunate loss. When we will ever learn to embrace God’s gift of peace with one another!

So on to some quick reflections . . .

• We’ve got Elijah
• We’ve got (the downright nasty) King Ahab
• We’ve got Naboth’s vineyard
• Several more wicked Kings
• And the transition from Elijah to Elisha

All great things and several of which are worthy of a blog each unto themselves. So with that, I’m going to turn things over to thebibleproject.com as they present us with another great video summary of 1 and 2 Kings.

God’s blessings!
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 2 Kings 4 -5

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, 
taking the spices that they had prepared. 
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 
but when they went in, they did not find the body.  
(Luke 24:1-3, NRSV)

Celebrating the joy of the Resurrection
Sunday, April 21
10:00 a.m.

1 Kings 15 – 1 Kings 17

As the faithfulness of the kings of Israel and Judah may be called into question, we are introduced to the Prophet Elijah. His story begins, for the most part with the Widow of Zarephath. Think of her faithfulness.

Think of her faithfulness! Here she is ready to go out and collect wood to prepare their final meal , and Elijah has the audacity to ask her to bring him something to eat. If only he knew what torment she must have been going through. Yet, with little hesitation, she goes and does as Elijah asked. Much to her surprise, the jar of oil doesn’t run out. Neither does the meal. God’s goodness provides in their time of need. Not an abundance, but enough to sustain day in and day out. Then when tested further, at her son’s death, with God new life is found.

What a great story to have line up with these days of Holy Week! As we venture to the Cross of Christ, we find death. Yet even in death there is an abundance of God’s grace that is poured out . There is an abundance of love that is freely given. And YES, there is new life found as we anticipate the stone being rolled away once again.

Indeed, for the widow, and for us, there is good news to be found!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 1 Kings 18-20.