The Assyrian king mocked the God of Israel at the end of chapter 18. We heard God's answer yesterday in chapter 19, and we were introduced to the prophet Isaiah. Hezekiah asked to live for a longer time, and his request was granted. I have heard that there is actually scientific proof of the long day miracle that was given to Hezekiah. What a shame that he did not ask God not to send his sons to Babylon!
https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ki.21.nlt
This psalm comes at a very fitting time in relation to our readings yesterday and today in John. If we are one with Jesus, then we are one with one another.
https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.133
Today we hear again about our vital relationship of oneness with Jesus. We didn’t choose this! He has chosen us. If you are one who has difficulty believing that there is anything good about you, let your identity and worth be based on this passage! Here also we find the promise repeated of answered prayers when we pray for the sake of Jesus’ name— which is to say, for his glory. Note that this is not just ‘dropping or using Jesus’ name’. God realizes when we are praying selfish prayers, and He is not fooled by our tacking on ‘in Jesus name’ at the end.
Translation notes:
4Remain [joined to//in] me, and I will remain [joined to//in] you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain [joined to//in] me.
5“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain [joined to//in] me, and I [to/in] them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
6Anyone who does not remain [joined to//in] me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.
7But if you remain [joined to//in] me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
16You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, [for my name’s sake/for the sake of my glory//using my name].
This must be one of the worst mistakes in the NLT! We don’t simply ‘use’ Jesus’ name and cash in on this promise! This translation shows that the translator has been affected by modern Christian culture and did not consider what this really means. But then, I must admit, every translator, including me, falls in this regard from time to time, and that is why it is said in the NIV introduction, “No translation is perfect.”
https://www.bible.com/bible/68/jhn.15
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