Previous Weeks |
| Temple ruined, but God’s promise lives 20 December, 2009 |
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After the death of Josiah at the battle of Megiddo in 609BC, his son, Jehoahaz, became king in Jerusalem; however, he reigned for only three months. Since Jehoahaz did not support Egyptian interests, Pharaoh Neco removed him to Egypt and placed another of Josiah’s sons, Eliakim, on the throne of Jerusalem. Neco changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim, an indication of Egypt’s dominance over Judah. Eager to maintain good relations with Egypt, Jehoiakim heavily taxed the people of Judah in order to pay tribute to Neco. [More] |
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| Fidelity to God and the law of Moses 13 December, 2009 |
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Chapters 21–23 of 2 Kings describe the reigns of two kings of the southern kingdom of Judah: Manasseh and his grandson, Josiah. These three chapters tell the story of Judah’s worst king as well as one of Judah’s greatest kings. Manasseh had one of the longest reigns of any king of Judah, 55 years. Not only did Manasseh worship gods other than the God of Israel but he built altars to these false gods in the courts of the temple of Solomon. He even sacrificed his son to one of these gods. He engaged in soothsaying, consulted mediums and wizards, and did many other things in total disregard for the law that Moses had given to Israel. [More] |
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| Hezekiah, faithful king who offers a glimmer of hope 6 December, 2009 |
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Chapter 17 relates one of the most important events in the two books of Kings: the demise of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, while Hoshea reigned as its last king. Hoshea had no choice but to become the vassal of the Assyrian king; however, he soon violated his covenantal obligations. [More] |
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| False gods and the killing of kings 29 November, 2009 |
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The reign of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, begins Chapter 13 of 2 Kings. Jehoahaz ruled the northern kingdom of Israel for 17 years. These were difficult years for Israel since it was continually plagued by warfare with the kings of Syria. The author makes it clear that the oppression by Syria was the result of Israel’s idolatrous behaviour. At one point, Jehoahaz did turn to God for help and God sent an unnamed person to deliver Israel from the oppression of Syria. By the time of Jehoahaz’s death, the army of Israel was decimated. The reign of Jehoahaz’s son, Joash, is dealt with in four verses. He followed in the sins of his ancestors and died. The most important event that took place during Joash’s reign was the death of the prophet Elisha. [More] |
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| Ahab’s dynasty destroyed 22 November, 2009 |
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Chapter 9 begins the fulfilment of the prophetic word spoken by Elijah in 1 Kings 21:17-24. In this passage, Elijah foretold the destruction of the dynasty of Ahab. [More] |
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| Elisha cures Naaman the leper in miracle of the Jordan River 15 November, 2009 |
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Chapters 5–8 present yet another series of the marvellous deeds performed by the prophet, Elisha. [More] |
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| Signs the Word of God was powerful in land of Israel 8 November, 2009 |
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The second book of Kings is a continuation of 1 Kings. It completes the history of the monarchy of ancient Israel that began with the reign of King Saul in 1 Samuel. [More] |
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| The ‘lawless one’ and the return of Jesus 1 November, 2009 |
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Last week’s article on the first letter to the Thessalonians was mostly concerned with Paul addressing the Thessalonians’ concern with the return of Jesus. They were particularly concerned with what would happen to those who had died before the second coming of Jesus. [More] |
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| Vigilant, alert – ready for the Lord’s return 25 October, 2009 |
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In 2:1–12 Paul reminisces about his first visit to Thessalonica when he introduced the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of that city. They graciously received him and readily accepted his teaching. His memories of Thessalonica move him once again to a prayer of thanksgiving. He praises God that the Thessalonians received the word of God “not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word.” (2:13) Paul recognises that the Thessalonians have paid no small price for their faith for they have endured much hardship from their neighbours for accepting Jesus Christ. [More] |
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| Vigilant, alert – ready for the Lord’s return 25 October, 2009 |
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In 2:1–12 Paul reminisces about his first visit to Thessalonica when he introduced the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of that city. They graciously received him and readily accepted his teaching. His memories of Thessalonica move him once again to a prayer of thanksgiving. He praises God that the Thessalonians received the word of God “not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word.” (2:13) Paul recognises that the Thessalonians have paid no small price for their faith for they have endured much hardship from their neighbours for accepting Jesus Christ. [More] |
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| Letter predates Gospels by 20 years 18 October, 2009 |
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The first letter to the Thessalonians holds a special place in the New Testament. It was the very first document of the Christian Scriptures to be composed, predating the Gospels by about 20 years. As a result, this gives us an insight to some of the earliest teaching regarding the Christian faith. [More] |
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| God, Israel and the role of the prophets 11 October, 2009 |
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The last three chapters of 1 Kings describe two wars that Ahab, the king of Israel, engages in with Syria. Between the two wars is the incident of Naboth’s vineyard. In all three of these events, the most important issue is the role that prophecy plays in the unfolding narrative. [More] |
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