DAILY BIBLE READING

Jul 5: 2King 12-13; 2Chron 24
Jul 6: 2King 14; 2Chron 25
Jul 7: Jonah
Jul 8: 2King 15; 2Chron 26
Jul 9: Is 1-4
Jul 10: Is 5-8
Jul 11: Amos 1-5
Jul 12: Amos 6-9

NOTES ON THE READINGS

·         From now through the end of September the “chronological plan” of Bible reading will weave our readings in the “historical” books of the Old Testament with the “prophetic” books.  We will continue/finish 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, as the pace picks up toward judgment of Israel (712 B.C.) and Judah (586 B.C.), then follow with the books related to Israel’s exile and return (Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther).  The writing prophets spoke to this same era, so we will read what they had to say. 

·         It’s very helpful to note what was happening in the history as background and context for what the prophets say.

·         We begin with the “Assyrian crisis.”  Assyria was a dominant power in the Middle East from about 934 to 612 B.C.  Click here for a timeline of its history.  Transportation, science, medicine, philosophy, government, and more all advanced during this period in Assyria.  But they were also known for a thirst to conquer including a brutal approach to war and subjugation of their enemies.  They were rightly to be feared.

·         Jonah was sent to preach to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, during the height of their arrogance and terror.  Understandably, he was reluctant (that’s an understatement).  To read my sermon on Jonah from 2009, click here.

·         The first half of Isaiah (chapters 1-39) addresses the Assyrian crisis in Israel and Judah.  Assyria ultimately conquered Israel and dispersed its people.  (The diaspora still is key to understanding Israel’s history and present.)  So we begin reading Isaiah this week – but there is much more to come.

·         Amos is also a prophet foretelling the Assyrian threat and the fall of Israel.  He is a “layman” (see ch. prophet-missionary who leaves Judah to warn Israel of what is to come. Click here for my sermon last fall on Amos.

DEVOTIONS

I think it’s my favorite quote in the Old Testament:  “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs” (Jonah 2:8, NIV).

Yes, I know there are a lot of Old Testament passages to choose from, and maybe this is only my “favorite du jour.”  But one of the reasons I like this one is that it’s a little more obscure than, say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).  (That’s a good one too!)

The literal translation in Hebrew is something like this: “Those who grasp idols of nothingness abandon their mercy.” 

Jonah prayed this from the belly of the whale, but his whole book is about the contrast of worthless idols and trust in God.

The pagan sailors prayed worthless idols without effect when the storm hit.

Jonah turned to his own worthless idol of self-reliance when God called him to go to Nineveh. 

The Ninevites worshiped their own worthless idols before Jonah arrived.  But they had sense enough to turn when the truth was preached. 

Jonah again turned to his own worthless idol of self-pity at the end of the book.

Whatever we substitute for God  – physical idols, special relationships, power, money, sex, knowledge, superstitions – when we look to one or more of these for meaning, direction, and provision, we “forfeit the grace that could be ours.”

God is just waiting to show his mercy.  He wants to take care of us.  He wants to direct us.  He wants to fulfill us.  But as long as we substitute gods of our own making for the real and living God, he will not force himself on us.