DBRP_Oct01_2014 2Chron26-27 Ecc3 Mat17

King Joash didn’t end so well, did he?! He killed Jehoiadah’s son Zechariah. When Jesus mentioned killing prophets A through Z, that Zechariah was the Z that he mentioned by name. Time and time again Judah’s kings needed to learn not to be proud, and that certainly happened to Joash’s son Amaziah, who was assassinated like his father.

 

Chapter 2 of Ecclesiastes ended with a significant conclusion or two:

24 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?b 26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

 

Yesterday we heard the words that remind me of Jim Elliot’s words, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

And Jesus said,

28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

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DBRP_Sept30_2014 2Chron24-25 Ecc2b Mat16

Yesterday we heard of Ahaziah’s one year reign, and then his mother Athaliah’s reign. The baby Joash was the only descendant of David saved from slaughter. He was raised in the temple by Jehoiada and at 7 Jehoiada mounted a dangerous coup, which succeeded.

 

In yesterday’s reading, Solomon sought to find meaning in life through pleasure, folly, wine, and hard work. But both the wise man and the fool share the same fate (as far as Solomon could see).

 

In yesterday’s reading, Matthew gave more than one hint that Jesus’ work would benefit more than just the Jews. Note that the baskets used in the feeding of the 5,000 were different than the baskets used for the feeding of the 4,000. In the first miracle, the smaller Jewish basket was used. But in the feeding of the 4,000, the larger Gentile basket was used. (This was the same size basket that was used to lower Paul down from the wall at Damascus.)

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DBRP_Sept29_2014 2Chron22-23 Ecc2a Mat15b

Yesterday we heard of Jehoshaphat’s famous victory, accomplished only by prayer, worship, and the power of the Lord. Then his son Jehoram might possibly be Judah’s worst king, except for several at the very end of that kingdom.

 

Yesterday the theme of Ecclesiastes was given in these words:

2 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

15 What is wrong cannot be made right.

What is missing cannot be recovered.

18 The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief.

To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.

 

In yesterday’s reading, the confrontation with the Jewish religious leaders about traditions of hand washing before eating led to Jesus’ revolutionary teaching about what defiles a person. It is what comes out of the heart that defiles people.

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DBRP_Sept28_2014 2Chron20-21 Ecc1 Mat15a

Yesterday we heard of Jehoshaphat wisely appointing judges, and he also travelled all over Israel encouraging people to follow the Lord.

 

The book of Ecclesiastes is the record of Solomon seeking to find God in a worldly way. This is a book of worldly wisdom. Solomon repeatedly uses the key theme word ‘useless’ to describe our lives on earth. God had not given clear promises about how all mankind will live after death, and Solomon considers the afterlife an open question. Had he known what we know, his opinions on many things would have changed. He does finally come to the same conclusion found in Proverbs, namely that the best thing is to fear God and keep his commands.

 

My friend in Jakarta, Santosa, reads our first chapter of Ecclesiastes.

 

Yesterday we heard of John the Baptist’s beheading. Jesus retreated to the countryside, but a huge crowd followed him. Then he worked several powerful miracles, which all have clear symbolic meanings.

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DBRP_Sept27_2014 2Chron19 Pro31b Mat14

Yesterday we heard the story of how Jehoshaphat helped Ahab in battle. God had already spoken through a prophet that Ahab would meet his downfall and how the dogs would lick up his blood. This happened when they took his chariot back to Samaria.

 

Speaking of a noble and virtous wife, this chapter of Proverbs says:

28 Her children stand and bless her.

Her husband praises her:

29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,

but you surpass them all!”

 

Yesterday we heard of the judgment at the end of time in two parables that spoke about a separation of humanity at the judgment. And we heard of the pearl and the treasure— illustrating the knowing of our Savior.

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DBRP_Sept26_2014 2Chron18 Pro31a Mat13b

Woops. Asa didn’t end nearly as well as he started. And his son Jehoshaphat starts out well, but makes unfortunate alliances.

 

Our last two days in Proverbs! 

10b Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?

She is more precious than rubies.

 

Yesterday we heard the first two major parables in Jesus’ teaching, and the reason why He spoke in parables.

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DBRP_Sept25_2014 2Chron16-17 Pro30b Mat13a

Judah’s kingdom was truly blessed by Asa’s wise reign. The Lord rewarded the country for returning to Him.

 

Today’s highlighted verse is

20 An adulterous woman consumes a man,

then wipes her mouth and says, “What’s wrong with that?”

 

Jesus gave a stinging reply to his critics in yesterday’s reading. The part about a demon leaving a person and then returning with 7 demons is often used to teach that there cannot be a spiritual vacuum in a person. But really, in this context, Jesus is talking about what will happen to his critics.

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