Amos 1-5:15 Before we do anything else, let’s note the historical context of Amos’s ministry: The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before …
Author Archives: John S.
Tips on the Prophets
As we begin to read the prophets, it will be helpful to bear in mind the following: More importantly, we should recognize that the prophets each preach into their own historical and geographical context. Reading these prophets chronologically, together with the corresponding historical narratives, should help us understand that context and thus gain a better …
June 3 / Jonah
Jonah 1-4 I’m guessing we all have at least a passing familiarity with the story of Jonah and the whale (or fish). But what about Jonah and the worm? Though the worm may not seem as spectacular as the whale, it is every bit as much a part of the story, and every bit as …
June 2 / II Kings 14; II Chronicles 25
II Kings 14; II Chronicles 25 Imagine this… Your favorite NFL team wins the Super Bowl. Hoorah! The team owner then immediately trades the entire team — coaching staff, star quarterback, everybody — for the team with the worst record in the league. Sports commentators go nuts. Everyone jeers. Boo! Hiss! But against all better …
June 1 / II Chronicles 22:10-24:27; II Kings 13
II Chronicles 22:10-24:27; II Kings 13 “Treason! Treason!” (II Ch. 23:13) So screams Athaliah, who herself treasonously stole the throne of Judah — how familiar that sounds! — when Jehoiada the priest reveals Joash/Jehoash as the rightful king of Judah. Joash, rescued as a baby by Jehosheba/Jehoshabeath, Jehoiada’s wife and Joash’s aunt, grows up hidden …
Continue reading “June 1 / II Chronicles 22:10-24:27; II Kings 13”
June 2023 Readings
Date Reading(s) Verses 01-Jun II Chronicles 22:10-24:27; II Kings 13 76 02-Jun II Kings 14; II Chronicles 25 57 03-Jun Jonah 1-4 48 04-Jun Amos 1-5:15 74 05-Jun Amos 5:16-9:15 72 06-Jun Hosea 1-5:7 65 07-Jun Hosea 5:8-9:17 65 08-Jun Hosea 10-14; II Kings 15:1-7 73 09-Jun Isaiah 6; Isaiah 1-2 66 10-Jun Isaiah 3-5 …
May 31 / II Chronicles 21-22:9; II Kings 11-12
II Chronicles 21-22:9; II Kings 11-12 Today we get a closer look at the horrible consequences of Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab. At the center of that alliance is Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah, who leads her husband, Joram/Jehoram of Judah away from the LORD and into Baal worship. He, in turn, leads Judah astray, but that is …
Continue reading “May 31 / II Chronicles 21-22:9; II Kings 11-12”
May 30 / II Kings 8:16-10:36
II Kings 8:16-10:36 Remember how good King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with wicked King Ahab of Israel that almost got him killed in battle? And remember how I said there were more serious consequences to come? Well, today we begin to see those consequences. The alliance between Jehoshaphat and Ahab is one of …
May 29 / II Kings 5-8:15
II Kings 5-8:15 When the Syrian siege of Samaria results in such severe famine that mothers resort to eating their own children, what does the king of Israel do? Does he turn to the LORD, pleading for mercy? Does he lead the people in a prayer of confession and repentance for their decades of sin …
May 28 / II Kings 2-4
II Kings 2-4 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I …