Daily Truthbase: truth

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2 John & 3 John Walking in Truth and Love

TMS Mt 28:19-20 The Great Omission

Mt 28:18 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

19 Go therefore and

make disciples of all the nations,

baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe/obey all things that I have commanded you;

and lo, I am with you always,

even to the end of the age." Amen

Observations: 28:19-20 What is the Great Commission of Jesus, to make obedient disciples, has become the Great Omission of the modern church. With a focus on evangelism, growth, missions, outreach, and a host of other good, but secondary things. Churches exist to bring glory to God by making reproductive disciples. Anything less is missing the mark. Baptizing does presuppose converts which are the result of evangelism, but it is subordinate (grammatically and practically to making disciples).

There is one main verb in 19-20, the imperative command to make disciples (followers of Jesus). The imperative is modified by three participles:

as you go/going (which means it's a lifestyle thing, starting where you are);
baptizing is more than a ritualistic getting wet, but is an immersion in the name/power of the triune God (see the upcoming Catacomb Church Blog for more about how to help people get plugged into the power of God);
teaching them to obey; this is the missing link of ministry, many focus on belief, but the Scriptures and Jesus focus on obedience for those who have believed. In some churches, people just show up on Sunday every now and then to make sure salvation is still by faith, and then go home to live lives that bring no glory to God (nor themselves in the final accounting).

For those who do obey Jesus and follow this command to make disciples (who can teach others to obey this command, ie, reproductive disciples), Jesus makes a promise of His abiding presence until He comes back for them at the end of this present age.

Application: The key test of a reproductive disciple is that they can repeat the process with someone else. See (and obey) the 7PASSAGES in the Sidebar.

Prayer: Lord, thanks that You give meaning and purpose in this life, as well as Your presence to those who believe and obey You, and glory in the next. Help me embrace Your commission as the guiding force for my life. Amen.

2John & 3John These two tiny letters from John the Apostle are much easier to understand than his other writings. The first is addressed to an elect/chosen lady and her children. It's most likely that John has personified the church as a chosen lady (matching the greeting in verse 13, possibly envisioning the church as the Bride of Christ, and the believers as her children). The second is to a man named Gaius, who might have been any one of the three men by that name mentioned in Acts 19-20 or Romans 16, or an unknown church leader. In both epistles John encourages his readers to walk in truth and love, and then gives some specific warnings and instructions to keep the believers from being sidetracked.

2John 1

1:1 The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth; 2 for the truth’s sake, which remains in us, and it will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in/by/en truth and love.

4 I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.

5 Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning,

that we love one another.

6 This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments.

This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning,

that you should walk in it.

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist.

8 Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and doesn’t abide in the teaching of Christ, doesn’t have God. He who abides in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.

10 If anyone comes to you, and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him, 11 for he who welcomes him participates in his evil works.

12 Having many things to write to you, I don’t want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you, and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full. 13 The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.

Observations: 1:1-3 John, the beloved disciple and apostle identifies himself as an elder (presbuteros cf 1Pt 5:1). He personifies the church he truly loves as a “chosen or elect lady” (cf verse 13), and the believers as her children (a verse demonstrating the corporate aspect of election). The reason for the figure of speech isn't given, but perhaps there was a need to keep the identity or location secret to avoid persecution. However, everyone who knows (perfect tense) the truth loves the recipients for the sake of the truth in them. He uses the perfect tense to indicate that the knowledge of the truth occurred in the past with continuing results into the present, and then he stresses the permanently abiding nature of the truth in the into the future (eis the Age). He then wishes them God's covenantal blessings of grace, mercy (usual translation of hesed) and peace which will be with them by means of (en) truth and love (themes in 1John).

1:4-6 John rejoices that he found “some” (no word in the Greek, but it fits the context from the preposition ek) of her children walking in the truth according to the commandment. He repeats the concept of walking according to the commandment in verse 6, forming an inclusio around “love” at the end of verse 5 and beginning of verse 6. The chief commandment Jesus gave His followers according to John in 13:34 is love, for one another. He exhorts the church to continue to manifest the love Jesus modeled (self-sacrificial service of another's needs).

1:7 He warns them of Satan's agents, the false teachers who seek to deceive believers to keep them from following the truth. They don't acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah in the flesh. In 1John 4:3-4, he wrote of Jesus having come in the flesh (perfect tense). Here he uses the present tense “coming” possibly looking forward to the second coming. In any event, the false teachers are anti-Messiah (Christ=Messiah, the Anointed One). They deny that the Messiah came, and would return, since He didn't come the first time.

1:8 John tells them to watch out that they aren't swayed from believing the truth, so that “we” don't lose (literally apolllumi “destroyed”) what “we've produced/worked for,” but might receive a full reward. Note three things: 1) John includes himself in those who would suffer loss if the readers stray from the truth; 2) reward is the result of laboring or working in helping others walk according the truth; 3) reward can be full, or partial, or lost (as in experience destruction). The word for reward is also used of paying wages. No work, no wages. This is one of the more ignored passages in modern evangelicalism, and it destroys a lot of bogus theology.

1:9 Whoever transgresses (steps over the line) and doesn't abide in the teaching of Christ (as in love one another) doesn't have God. To have God was explained in 1John, of having an abiding, intimate relationship with Him. To not have Him, is to not have that “abiding in the vine" relationship (Jn 15) which results in loss of reward (see comments on Mt 7 “I never knew you”). This does not mean that people never had, nor lose their forgiveness/justification, but they lose out on the blessings of God now, and in the future kingdom. Whoever abides in the teaching of Christ (through obedience) has both the Father and Son (Jn 14:21). The distinction between the Father and Son probably points to Judaizers who claimed God was their Father, and didn't give allegiance to His Son (Mt 3:9), but were instead trying to get believers to follow OT ritual.

1:10-13 John was all for love, but love must be guided by truth and discernment (Phil 1:9-10) if one is to reap reward. In fact those who don't bring the teaching about walking in love and obedience to gain and keep reward should not be welcomed, nor allowed into the house (church?) for those who welcome them share in their evil works and punishment. John has more to say, but wants to speak in person, so that his joy might be made full. He closes with a greeting from a sister church.

Application: What work have you done that God will reward? Are you in danger of losing it by valuing the acceptance of people more than the praise of God?

Prayer: God, may I abide in Your truth, and Your commandments, and You, so that I keep away from what is false, and do the things for which You will reward me. Thanks for abiding with me. Amen.

3John 1 Imitate what is Good

1:1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.

5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. 6 They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God, 7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. 11 Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.

12 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true. 13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; 14 but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

Observations: 1:1-4 John writes to Gaius, whom he loves in truth (truly), and prays that Gaius might prosper in all things physical, including health, just as he is prospering spiritually. This raises the question of: “How does one have a prosperous soul?” Our soul consists of our mind, will/values, and emotions, and is what makes us distinctively us. It is what we exchange for things during our time on earth. It is what we must deny if we are to follow Christ, and lose if we are to gain heavenly or kingdom rewards (Lk 9:23-26). The testimony of the brothers let John know that his soul was prospering, by reporting how Gaius walked/live in the truth. He particularly demonstrated his commitment to truth by his love and service for others. John has no greater joy (as do most Biblical parents) than to hear that their children (in this case a spiritual one) walk in the truth. Worldling parents are proud that their children are successful in the world's eyes. Those who love God are most proud that their children are successful in God's sight. Being righteous is all about being careful to do what is right in God's sight, which means walking according to His commands, and loving others Biblically.

1:5-8 John commends Gaius for faithfully seeing to the needs of those itinerant ministers who were at or passing through his location. They were workers for the truth (verse 8) who went out (missionaries) for the sake of the Name of Jesus, receiving no support from the Gentiles (to whom they ministered). The recipients of Gaius' hospitality testified to the love he had shown them. John says he does well/good (good works) in sending them to their next destination provisioned in a manner worthy of the ambassadors of the Most High God. John says believers ought to receive/welcome such workers of the truth (as contrasted with 2John 10, where believers are told to reject the false teachers). Those who welcome and encourage workers for the truth (financially and otherwise) share in their work (sun-ergos) as fellow-workers.

1:9-11 John said he wrote (instruction/truth) to the church but one of Satan's agents, Diotrephes, was taken captive by pride (loves to be first) to do his will (cf 2Tim 2:24-26), and was opposing the written revelation of the apostles. If John comes to visit, he will highlight and admonish his deeds, which include maligning the apostles with wicked words (this usually happens to all who speak God's words, because Satan's agents are ubiquitous). Diotrophes wasn't just content to speak against the truth and those who communicated it, but he would reject those who brought itinerant workers who brought the truth and toss out of the chuch those who would welcome them. Here is a clear example of what Paul talked about in Acts 20:29-30. People would rise to position of power in the church, not to help others obey Jesus, but to do the devil's work. John counsels Gaius (in a good lesson for all believers) to not imitate what is evil, but follow the good examples. Those who do good, are of God. Those who do evil haven't seen God. In 1John is was made clear that to see God in John's thinking is to have an abiding, intimate relationship with Him.

1:12 In contrast to Diotrephes, Demetrius had a good testimony from all, and the truth as well. John even gave him honor with apostolic approval. We're not told what he did, but it would have been the opposite of Diotrephes, walking in truth and love for the service of others.

Like his last letter, John wants to say more, but hopes to do so in person. He wishes Gaius the covenantal blessing of peace, and extends greetings.

Application: Believers need to be workers for the truth and join with others in imitating what is good, and opposing evil in the church.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray You would encourage and support those who work for sharing Your truth with others, and that You would restrain and rebuke the agents of the evil one who lead others astray. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God loves it when His children walk in the truth.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is the Messiah, who came in the flesh, and will come again to reward His faithful servants, who obey His command to love one another.

Us in a nutshell: We need to walk in truth and love to gain our reward, welcoming those who do so, and rejecting those who don't.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Isaiah 6-12 A Righteous Messiah and Remnant

Isaiah 6-12 A Righteous Messiah and Remnant

Psalm 73:1-20 Perilous Prosperity of the Wicked

Psalm 73:1 “(A Psalm by Asaph) Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked...11 They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?" 12 Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches. 13 Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence, 14 For all day long have I been plagued, and punished every morning. 15 If I had said, "I will speak thus"; behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me; 17 Until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end. 18 Surely You set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction. 19 How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors. 20 As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when You awake, You will despise their fantasies..."

Observations: 73:1-3 This, and the next ten Psalms are attributed to Asaph (along with Ps 50), a musician, also called a seer in 2Ch 29:30. His confidence that God rewards the pure in heart slips as he enviously considers the prosperity of the wicked.

73:4-16 A catalog of the carefree wicked life leads Asaph to think he has cleansed his heart and kept his hands clean in vain, for the evil have it easy, and the pure have pain.

73:17-20 It's only when we step back and look at things from God's perspective that life comes into focus. When Asaph glimpses the future he realizes that God is just setting the wicked up for destruction. They will be destroyed and their fantasy of invincibility will dissipate as a dream when one wakes.

Application: Don't think the present is the future. God's just plans and promises will turn things around and in some cases, upside down.

Prayer: Lord, may I persist in purity, and hang my hope on the future You have promised, since that is the ultimate reality. Amen.

Proverbs 19:1-3 Who Causes Your Problems?

Pr 19:1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. 2 It isn't good to have zeal without knowledge; nor being hasty with one's feet and missing the way. 3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.“

Observations: 19:1 Another one of those "Betters."
19:2 The converse could also be true.
19:3 Like Adam, we blame God for the problems we've brought upon ourselves.

Application: Knowing and doing God's will zealously is all good.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for the folly of blaming You for my blunders. Amen.

Isaiah 6-12 These chapters start with the commissioning of Isaiah, and end with a contemplation of the Messiah's righteous reign in Jerusalem. They contain some of the best known Messianic prophecies, as well as predictions of Judah's discipline and restoration. The post is a little long, but encompasses all the initial prophecies to Judah (Babylon next).

Isaiah 6 Cleansed and Commissioned

6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. 3 One called to another, and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Hosts! The whole earth is full of his glory!" 4 The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 Then I said, "Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of Hosts!" 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. 7 He touched my mouth with it, and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin forgiven." 8 I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am. Send me!"

9 He said, "Go, and tell this people, ‘You hear indeed, but don’t understand; and you see indeed, but don’t perceive.’ 10 Make the heart of this people fat. Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed." 11 Then I said, "Lord, how long?" He answered, "Until cities are waste without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land becomes utterly waste, 12 And Yahweh has removed men far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. 13 If there is a tenth left in it, that also will in turn be consumed: as a terebinth, and as an oak, whose stock remains when they are felled; so the holy seed is its stock."

Observations: 6:1-8 King Uzziah was one of the good kings of Judah, who didn't finish as well as he started, because he intruded into the temple and was struck with leprosy, becoming unclean. Isaiah sees the triply Holy God on His kingly throne in the midst of the praise of the seraphim. He is immediately conscious of his unclean lips (reflection of heart), which he confesses. Compared to the holiness of God, the best of humans is unclean. The application of a burning coal takes away his guilt/iniquity, and his sin is covered/forgiven. It is then that he hears God's voice seeking volunteers to serve. Seeing our sin and dealing with it via confession is the prelude to hearing God's voice. Knowing the uncleanness of his people, He responds to God's general invitation with putting himself at God's disposal, asking Him to use him.

6:9-10 Each of the major prophets is told that the people won't pay attention to them. So why send them? God sends prophets to vindicate His justice, so that when He judges, there is no excuse. Some hearers might respond, but the motivation of God's servant must be that of faithfulness to his Master. The heart, ears, eyes, eyes, ears, heart structure in verse 10 is called chiasim and emphasizes the center, the eyes. Israel saw God's works, but wouldn't listen to His words, and therefore didn't set their hearts to do His will. Isaiah's preaching would make their hearts fat/dull/insensitive (6:9) because they didn't want to submit to God.

John quotes this passage in Jn 12:37-42 to explain how people could fail to believe in the miracles they had seen.

[Note: John quotes from both Isaiah 53 and Isaiah 6, and attributes both texts to one prophet, Isaiah. Over half a dozen other NT passages do the same thing. It's clear that the NT authors viewed Isaiah as one continuous work, not something written by multiple authors.]

6:11 Isaiah asks how long God's people would reject Him; the sad answer is “until they are consumed, and only the underground root and stump remained."

Application: You don't need a call to serve God; you already have a written invitation; respond to it, and enlist in God's service.

Prayer: Holy God, You've saved me so You can use me in Your service. Here I am; whatever You want me to do, I will do. Amen.

Isaiah 7 Who You Gonna Trust?

7:1 It happened in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. 2 It was told the house of David, saying, "Syria is allied with Ephraim/Israel." His heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind. 3 Then Yahweh said to Isaiah, "Go out now to meet Ahaz 4 Tell him, ‘Be careful, and keep calm. Don’t be afraid, neither let your heart be faint 5 because Syria, Ephraim/Israel, and the son of Remaliah, have plotted evil against you, saying... 7 This is what the Lord Yahweh says: "It shall not stand, neither shall it happen." 8... within sixty-five years Ephraim shall be broken in pieces, so that it shall not be a people; 9...If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.’"

10 Yahweh spoke again to Ahaz, saying, 11 "Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above." 12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, neither will I tempt Yahweh." 13 He said, "Listen now, house of David. Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 He shall eat butter and honey when he knows to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child knows to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land whose two kings you abhor shall be forsaken.

Observations: 7:1-9 Ahaz, the very wicked grandson of Uzziah, is facing the united forces of the northern kingdom of Israel, and Syria. They had not prevailed against Jerusalem because Judah was still ruled by the House of David, according to the Davidic Covenant (2Sam 7), even though Ahaz was as bad as Ahab. Ahaz was looking to Assyria for help(2Kg 16:5-8), and God graciously sends Isaiah to encourage him to base the establishment of his kingship on belief/trust in God,rather than Assyria.

7:10-16 God offers to give Ahaz whatever sign he wants (Uzziah had asked for a sign that his promised healing would occur), that the promised security will come but Ahaz refuses to even comply with God's request (probably because of his plan to seek Assyrian help). So God gives the sign of Emmanuel (God with us). A young woman would conceive and bear a son, calling him Emmanuel. While still young, the enemies of Judah would be destroyed. Jewish custom considered the “age of accountability” to be thirteen, when a boy embraced the law for himself (Bar Mitzvah). This prophecy was initially fulfilled in Ahaz's day; Syria fell in a couple of years, and Samaria about a decade later (2Kg 15:29,30 16:9).

Matthew 1:23 applies verse 14, which is a promise that God would deliver His people, to the birth of the Messiah. The word used for virgin is that of an unmarried woman, who in Ahaz's day, got pregnant, and bore a son. See additional comments under the NT consideration of the topic.

7:17-25 Then God delivers the bad news, two different kings, from Egypt and Assyria, would devastate Judah, as agents of God. These are the very kingdoms that Judah would trust in to deliver them.

Application: Trusting in the ever-present Mighty God for protection is a far better choice than trusting in man, which usually backfires.

Prayer: Emmanuel, thanks that You are always with me; I trust in You, and not any frail human, to protect and deliver me. Amen.

Isaiah 8 Sanctuary or Snare

8:1 Yahweh said to me, "Take a large tablet, and write on it with a man’s pen, ‘For Maher Shalal Hash Baz’; 2 and I will take for myself faithful witnesses to testify: Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah." 3 I went to the prophetess, and she conceived, and bore a son. Then Yahweh said to me, "Call his name ‘Maher Shalal Hash Baz.’ 4 For before the child knows how to say, ‘My father,’ and, ‘My mother,’ the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria." 5 Yahweh spoke to me yet again, saying, 6 "Because this people have refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son; 7 now therefore, behold, the Lord brings upon them the mighty flood waters of the River: the king of Assyria and all his glory. It will come up over all its channels, and go over all its banks. 8 It will sweep onward into Judah. It will overflow and pass through; it will reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, Immanuel.

9 Make an uproar, you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Listen, all you from far countries: dress for battle, and be shattered! Dress for battle, and be shattered! 10 Take counsel together, and it will be brought to nothing; speak the word, and it will not stand: for God is with us." 11 For Yahweh spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, 12 "Don’t say, ‘A conspiracy!’ concerning all about which this people say, ‘A conspiracy!’ neither fear their threats, nor be terrorized. 13 Yahweh of Hosts is who you must respect as holy. He is the one you must fear. He is the one you must dread. 14 He will be a sanctuary, but for both houses of Israel, he will be a trap and a snare for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 Many will stumble over it, fall, be broken, be snared, and be captured."

16 Wrap up the testimony. Seal the law among my disciples. 17 I will wait for Yahweh, who hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. 18 Behold, I and the children whom Yahweh has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Yahweh of Hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion. 19 When they tell you, "Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter": shouldn’t a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20 Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them. 21 They will pass through it, very distressed and hungry; and it will happen that when they are hungry, they will worry, and curse by their king and by their God. They will turn their faces upward, 22 and look to the earth, and see distress, darkness, and the gloom of anguish. They will be driven into thick darkness.

Observations: 8:1-8 Mrs. Isaiah was a saint; “You're going to name him what????” The name means “swift to the spoil, hasten to the prey/plunder” or something like that. They probably just called him Baz. It's likely Baz was the fulfillment of the Immanuel prophesy of 7:14 (cf 8:8), indicating that God indeed was with them, as the king of Assyria destroyed Syria and Israel as predicted. Unfortunately, as also predicted, the flood waters of Assyria would do some damage to Judah because they trusted in Assyria rather than the gentle stream of Yahweh, who oversaw the land of Judah.

8:9-15 The only One to fear or dread is the Lord of Hosts, who is a sanctuary for those who trust Him and a snare or stumbling block for those who don't.

8:16-22 Those who don't trust Yahweh, their God, and turn to His Law and Testimony, but instead turn to chirpers and mutterers, will wind up distressed, anguished, and in darkness. No morning for them, only mourning. But those who trust, will shine with the Messiah (Hebrews 2:18 and Isaiah 9).

Application: If we trust in God's person and promises, and fear only Him, we won't need to fear anyone or anything else, and will end up in the light instead of in the darkness (chirp, mutter).

Prayer: God, I stake my security and success only on You, and will not seek the counsel or benefits of those who don't walk with You, who'll end up in darkness. Amen.

Isaiah 9 The Everlasting Father and Mighty God is Born

6 For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Hosts will perform this.

13 Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought Yahweh of Hosts. 14 Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day. 15 The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail. 16 For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed. 17 Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane/unholy and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

18 For wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke. 19 Through the wrath of Yahweh of Hosts, the land is burnt up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother. 20 One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry; and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied. Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm: 21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Observations: 9:1-7 In contrast to the gloom of the last chapter for those who don't fear and trust God, here God promises light and joy, freedom from oppressors (Mt 4:15-16), and a reign of peace by the Prince of Peace. The Messiah will bring in the righteousness and justice God required of His people in chapter 1. We can trust Him to bring about the complete fulfillment of His plan. Note that the child is called the Everlasting Father, and Mighty God, and He will sit on the throne of David, ruling over God's people, the Hebrews. It's hard to imagine how that could come to pass, unless God becomes man.

9:8-21 Four stanzas of judgment are pronounced (up to 10:4); each ending with “For all this his anger is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still.” Meaning God will continue to judge His unholy/profane(common) people. For their prideful self-reliance (9:8-12); evil civil and religious leadership (9:13-17); social wickedness (9:18-21); and unjust greed (10:1-4), God will not spare His wrath expressed through the rod of the king of Assyria, who get's his recompense in the next chapter.

Application: God wants righteousness and justice, and He will eventually personally establish it. In the meantime, He will punish the unrighteous and unjust. So it makes sense to turn to Him and seek Him and do His will now, or else we will suffer His wrath.

Prayer: God, I look forward to rejoicing in Your righteous reign, and I will seek to reflect Your desires in my relationships with others. Amen.

Isaiah 10 The Proud are Humbled

10:1 Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers who write oppressive decrees; 2 to deprive the needy from justice, and to rob the poor among my people of their rights, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey! 3 What will you do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth? 4 They will only bow down under the prisoners, and will fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

5 Alas Assyrian, the rod of my anger, the staff in whose hand is my indignation! 6 I will send him against a profane/unholy nation, and against the people who anger me will I give him a command to take the spoil and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 However he doesn’t mean so, neither does his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off not a few nations. 8 For he says, "Aren’t all of my princes kings? 9...Isn’t Samaria like Damascus?" 10 As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols, whose engraved images exceeded those of Jerusalem and of Samaria; 11 shall I not, as I have done to Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols? 12 Therefore it will happen that, when the Lord has performed his whole work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the willful proud heart of the king of Assyria, and the insolence of his haughty looks. 13 For he has said, "By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I have understanding: and I have removed the boundaries of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures. Like a valiant man I have brought down their rulers. 14 My hand has found the riches of the peoples like a nest, and like one gathers eggs that are abandoned, I have gathered all the earth. There was no one who moved their wing, or that opened their mouth, or chirped."

15 Should an ax brag against him who chops with it?...16 Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, will send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory a burning will be kindled like the burning of fire. 17 The light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy one for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day. 18 He will consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body. It will be as when a standard bearer faints. 19 The remnant of the trees of his forest shall be few, so that a child could write their number.

20 It will come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and those who have escaped from the house of Jacob will no more again lean on him who struck them, but shall lean on Yahweh, the Holy one of Israel, in truth/faithfulness. 21 A remnant will return, even the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. 22 For though your people, Israel, are like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness. 23 For the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, will make a full end, and that determined, in the midst of all the earth. 24 Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, says "My people who dwell in Zion, don’t be afraid of the Assyrian, though he strike you with the rod, and lift up his staff against you, as Egypt did. 25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation against you will be accomplished, and my anger will be directed to his destruction." 26 Yahweh of Hosts will stir up a scourge against him, as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb. His rod will be over the sea, and he will lift it up like he did against Egypt. 27 It will happen in that day, that his burden will depart from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing oil. 33 Behold, the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, will lop the boughs with terror. The tall will be cut down, and the lofty will be brought low. 34 He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon will fall by the Mighty one.

Observations: 10:1-4 See end of last chapter.

10:5-19 After using the king of Assyria to judge His proud people, who don't rely on Him, God will judge the pride of the king, for his failure to acknowledge Yahweh.

10:20-34 God gives comfort to His people, saying their discipline has a determined end, and then a remnant will return and God will destroy Assyria.

Application: God knows what He's doing, and will do what He's determined and promised, so His people have a basis for faith and hope.

Prayer: God, You have purposed to humble the proud and protect the humbled, may my daily dependence upon You always keep me in the latter camp. Amen.

Isaiah 11 The Righteous Branch and Remnant

11:1 A shoot will come out of the root/stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of Yahweh will rest on him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Yahweh. 3 His delight will be in the fear of Yahweh. He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide by the hearing of his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the poor, and decide with equity/justice for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his waist.

6 The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat; The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow and the bear will graze. Their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child will play near a cobra’s hole, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. 9 They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea.

10 It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and his resting place will be glorious. 11 It will happen in that day that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 12 He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 13 The envy also of Ephraim will depart, and those who persecute Judah will be cut off. Ephraim won’t envy Judah, and Judah won’t persecute Ephraim. 14 They will fly down on the shoulders of the Philistines on the west. Together they will plunder the children of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the children of Ammon will obey them. 15 Yahweh will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his scorching wind he will wave his hand over the River, and will split it into seven streams, and cause men to march over in sandals. 16 There will be a highway for the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, like there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

Observations: 11:1-9 Of all the wonderful characteristics of the Branch/Messiah, which is emphasized and elaborated upon? The fear of God. Probably a really really good thing to have. According to God's purpose, righteousness and justice will characterize His reign, resulting in peace. By His word the wicked will be slain, and the knowledge of God will fill/control the earth.

11:10-16 When the Messiah comes, all nations will seek Him at Jerusalem, His resting place. To which, He will again re-gather the Israelites, not just from Assyria, but the four corners of the earth. God will cut off Israel's enemies. God's plans for the Jews have not yet been accomplished, and are yet future. Topographical and geological changes in the earth will occur, and the nations will obey Israel.

Application: The characteristics of a Spirit filled/controlled believer, are wisdom, understanding, counsel (God's perspective), might/bravery, fear of the Lord, righteousness, and justice in dealing with others. These are all found through His word (recorded by the Spirit of Truth). How many of them do you own?

Prayer: God, may Your Spirit permeate my thinking, valuing, and actions, so that I accomplish Your purposes for me. Amen.

Isaiah 12 A Future Psalm

12:1 In that day you will say, "I will give thanks to you, Yahweh; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation." 3 Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.

4 In that day you will say, "Give thanks to Yahweh! Proclaim/call on his name. Declare his doings among the peoples. Proclaim that his name is exalted! 5 Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth! 6 Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion; for the Holy one of Israel is great in the midst of you!"

Observations: 12:1-6 Isaiah prophesies that when the Messiah comes back to Israel, they will rejoice in His salvation, and give thanks that His anger is turned away. They will proclaim to all the earth the excellencies of His name and deeds. He will be in the midst of their praise on Mount Zion, Jerusalem. This hasn't happened yet.

Application: Those who've experienced God's discipline and deliverance in their lives should proclaim the manifold wonders of their God to others.

Prayer: God, You are my strength and song; I delight in Your deliverance of my life from sin, and your workings in my life in the present. I look forward to the time when all will know You as I do; may my praise of You further that objective. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God is clearly in control of the events of our lives and history. Sin angers Him. He sends prophets to warn and comfort, and demonstrate His justice. He can use proud, evil people to judge His unsanctified people, and then judge the proud evil judger. He desires righteousness and justice (reflections of His character) and will eventually establish a righteous rule over the earth, when the Messiah sits on David's throne. He will again regather His people the Jews, in Jerusalem, where they will be the chief nation, and all other nations will seek Him there. He specifically marks out the enemies of Israel for destruction. When His knowledge controls the earth and the actions of its inhabitants, there will be peace.

Us in a nutshell: We can know and serve God when sanctified by Him, in response to our confession of sin. If we trust in anyone or anything other than God, we will regret it; they will fail us, or turn on us, and God will judge us for disloyalty. When our hearts are not set on seeking God, we won't be able to see or understand His works and purposes. The temporary gains of sin will be more than offset by the judgment God will bring upon us, particularly for injustice to our neighbor. We should proclaim the excellencies of God's name and deeds so others can know Him.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Isaiah complete text

Isaiah 6

Isaiah 7

7:1 It happened in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. 2 It was told the house of David, saying, "Syria is allied with Ephraim." His heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind. 3 Then Yahweh said to Isaiah, "Go out now to meet Ahaz, you, and Shearjashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway of the fuller’s field. 4 Tell him, ‘Be careful, and keep calm. Don’t be afraid, neither let your heart be faint because of these two tails of smoking torches, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah. 5 Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have plotted evil against you, saying, 6 "Let’s go up against Judah, and tear it apart, and let’s divide it among ourselves, and set up a king in its midst, even the son of Tabeel." 7 This is what the Lord Yahweh says: "It shall not stand, neither shall it happen." 8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within sixty-five years Ephraim shall be broken in pieces, so that it shall not be a people; 9 and the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.’"

17 Yahweh will bring on you, on your people, and on your father’s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria. 18 It will happen in that day that Yahweh will whistle for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. 19 They shall come, and shall all rest in the desolate valleys, in the clefts of the rocks, on all thorn hedges, and on all pastures. 20 In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired in the parts beyond the River, even with the king of Assyria, the head and the hair of the feet; and it shall also consume the beard. 21 It shall happen in that day that a man shall keep alive a young cow, and two sheep; 22 and it shall happen, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter: for everyone will eat butter and honey that is left in the midst of the land. 23 It will happen in that day that every place where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silver shekels, shall be for briers and thorns. 24 People will go there with arrows and with bow, because all the land will be briers and thorns. 25 All the hills that were cultivated with the hoe, you shall not come there for fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of sheep."

Isaiah 8

Isaiah 9

9:1 But there shall be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time he has made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, on them the light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian. 5 For all the armour of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Hosts will perform this.

8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it falls on Israel. 9 All the people will know, including Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart, 10 "The bricks have fallen, but we will build with cut stone. The sycamore fig trees have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place." 11 Therefore Yahweh will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies, 12 The Syrians in front, and the Philistines behind; and they will devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 13 Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought Yahweh of Hosts. 14 Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day. 15 The elder and the honourable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail. 16 For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed. 17 Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 18 For wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke. 19 Through the wrath of Yahweh of Hosts, the land is burnt up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother. 20 One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry; and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied. Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm: 21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Isaiah 10

5 Alas Assyrian, the rod of my anger, the staff in whose hand is my indignation! 6 I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people who anger me will I give him a command to take the spoil and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 However he doesn’t mean so, neither does his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off not a few nations. 8 For he says, "Aren’t all of my princes kings? 9 Isn’t Calno like Carchemish? Isn’t Hamath like Arpad? Isn’t Samaria like Damascus?" 10 As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols, whose engraved images exceeded those of Jerusalem and of Samaria; 11 shall I not, as I have done to Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols? 12 Therefore it will happen that, when the Lord has performed his whole work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the wilful proud heart of the king of Assyria, and the insolence of his haughty looks. 13 For he has said, "By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I have understanding: and I have removed the boundaries of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures. Like a valiant man I have brought down their rulers. 14 My hand has found the riches of the peoples like a nest, and like one gathers eggs that are abandoned, have I gathered all the earth. There was no one who moved their wing, or that opened their mouth, or chirped." 15 Should an axe brag against him who chops with it? Should a saw exalt itself above him who saws with it? As if a rod should lift those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up someone who is not wood. 16 Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, will send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory a burning will be kindled like the burning of fire. 17 The light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy one for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day. 18 He will consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body. It will be as when a standard bearer faints. 19 The remnant of the trees of his forest shall be few, so that a child could write their number.

24 Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, says "My people who dwell in Zion, don’t be afraid of the Assyrian, though he strike you with the rod, and lift up his staff against you, as Egypt did. 25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation against you will be accomplished, and my anger will be directed to his destruction." 26 Yahweh of Hosts will stir up a scourge against him, as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb. His rod will be over the sea, and he will lift it up like he did against Egypt. 27 It will happen in that day, that his burden will depart from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing oil. 28 He has come to Aiath. He has passed through Migron. At Michmash he stores his baggage. 29 They have gone over the pass. They have taken up their lodging at Geba. Ramah trembles. Gibeah of Saul has fled. 30 Cry aloud with your voice, daughter of Gallim! Listen, Laishah! You poor Anathoth! 31 Madmenah is a fugitive. The inhabitants of Gebim flee for safety. 32 This very day he will halt at Nob. He shakes his hand at the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. 33 Behold, the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, will lop the boughs with terror. The tall will be cut down, and the lofty will be brought low. 34 He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon will fall by the Mighty one.

Isaiah 11

11:1 A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of Yahweh will rest on him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Yahweh. 3 His delight will be in the fear of Yahweh. He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide by the hearing of his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the poor, and decide with equity for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his waist. 6 The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat; The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow and the bear will graze. Their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child will play near a cobra’s hole, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. 9 They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 12

4 In that day you will say, "Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name. Declare his doings among the peoples. Proclaim that his name is exalted! 5 Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth! 6 Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion; for the Holy one of Israel is great in the midst of you!"

2 Kings 15-17 Israel Gets Their Chosen Consequence

Psalm 56:1-9 When I'm Afraid

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Silent Dove in Distant Lands." A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

Ps 56:1 “ Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me. 2 My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me. 3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. 4 In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? 5 All day long they twist my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They conspire and lurk, watching my steps, they are eager to take my life. 7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, God. 8 You number my wanderings. You put my tears into your bottle. Aren’t they in your book? 9 Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this, that God is for me...”

Observations: The Inscription - David is fulfilling his vow to praise God for saving him from the Philistines (56:10-13 will be covered next time round; this content is so good, I split it, so we'd see it again). David was called the sweet singer of Psalms, so he probably wrote the tune as well, and then gave it to the “choir” to be used in public worship. The “tune” refers to the blameless. peaceful dove, David the anointed - but not ruling king, persecuted so he has to flee to distant lands, when he should have been reigning in the palace at Jerusalem. Only verses 3 and 4, and the last half of 9 would ever make it into a modern hymnal, because most people don't walk with God close enough to attract the opposition of folks taken captive to do Satan's will of afflicting saints.

The Context is 1Sam 21 when David pretended to be mad to escape the Philistines, and contains one of my favorite verses: 1Sam 21:15 Am I so short of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence?

56:1-2 & 5-6 The wicked twist words (lie), conspire against, attack, fight, oppress the righteous, and look for any opportunity to harm them, resulting in pain and tears (56:8).

56:3-4 However, those who know God as revealed in His word, have no need to fear man, but can confidently put their trust in God, knowing that He is for the righteous, knows what's going on, feels our pain, and will judge the wicked and save the righteous. Praise time!!

Application: When the crocodiles are causing you to shed real tears, don't succumb to fear, but remember: who God is, as well as what He has done and promised to do. Then start planning how you will praise Him for His deliverance/salvation.

Prayer: God, whose word and works I praise, keep me focused on You and Your trustworthy promises, and deliver me from the wicked, so I can praise You even more. Amen.

Proverbs 15:6-10 Would You Rather Be Loved or Loathed by God?

Pr 15:6 “In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but in the income of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, not so with the heart of fools. 8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but He loves him who follows after righteousness. 10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way, and whoever hates reproof/correction shall die.

Observations: Both the religious and secular activities of those who don't pay attention to God's word (see Psalm 50 for a Biblical definition of the wicked) are an abomination. He tends to discipline and destroy abominations (cf. Exodus generation). On the other hand, those who are rightly related to God, pursuing wisdom and righteousness, experience His love.

Application: Chase after righteousness and wisdom and your prayers will be more pleasing to God than great philanthropy.

Prayer: Righteous God, may I be a cause of delight to You and not a cause for discipline, but when I need it, help me be quick to learn. Amen.

2 Kings 15-17 At the end of these chapters, the Northern Kingdom of Israel will cease to exist, forever, the consequence of refusing to seek and do God's will. The same fate awaits people and nations who do likewise. Chapter 15 summarizes the reign of Azariah/Uzziah of Judah, and six of the last seven kings of Israel. It also introduces us to Pul, the Babylonian name for Tiglath-pileser III, king of Assyria, who starts executing God's final judgment on Israel. Don't get bogged down in all the names, but get the lessons God intends. In Chapter 16, Ahaz of Judah remodels the temple in Jerusalem to serve another god (oh-oh, this can't be good), and in Chapter 17, Israel is totally taken out of the promised land into the land of permanent punishment. Make sure you understand why, or you might find yourself in a similar consequence.

2 Kings 15 One Good King Goes Bad, Six Bad to the Bone

15:1 In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign. 2 He was sixteen years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 3 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 4 However the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. 5 Yahweh struck the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house. Jotham the king’s son was over the household, judging the people of the land. 6 Now the rest of the acts of AzariahAzariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his place.

19 There came against the land Pul/Tiglath Pileser, the king of Assyria; and Menahem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. 20 Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and didn’t stay there in the land. 21 Now the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 22 Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his place. 23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria for two years. 24 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh: he didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. 25 Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him, and struck him in Samaria, in the castle of the king’s house, with Argob and Arieh; and with him were fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his place. 26 Now the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 27 In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria for twenty years. 28 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh: he didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.

29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath Pileser/Pul, king of Assyria, came, and took Ijon, and Abel Beth Maacah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria. 30 Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and struck him, and killed him, and reigned in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah. 31 Now the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

32 In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign. 33 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok. 34 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh; he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. 35 However the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of Yahweh. 36 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 37 In those days Yahweh began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah. 38 Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.

Observations: 15:1-8 A good teenage king in Judah, doing what's right, gets hit with leprosy. Why did that happen? Comparing 2 Kings 14:21 with 2 Chronicles 26:1 reveal that Azariah is Uzziah. The high places remained, and the people practiced the sensual pagan worship that prevented God from fully blessing them. Azariah/Uzziah (contracted form) also got incensed and censured over incense. 2 Chronicles 26 gives the tragic story:

26:5 (Uzziah) set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God: and as long as (Uzziah) sought Yahweh, God made him to prosper.16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Yahweh his God; for he went into the temple of Yahweh to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17...the (high) priest went in after him, with him eighty priests of Yahweh, who were valiant men: 18 and they resisted Uzziah the king, and said to him, "It isn’t for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but for the priests the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary; for you have trespassed...19 Then Uzziah was angry; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy broke forth in his forehead before the priests in the house of Yahweh, beside the altar of incense.”

15:9-31 Bad Israelite king reigns, gets killed by bad Israelite king, who gets killed by another bad Israelite king...yawn. A couple of noteworthy items is that God keeps his promise to Jehu of a four generation dynasty, fulfilled with the six month reign of Zechariah (the king, not the prophet). Menaham acts like a pagan king, instituting a reign of terror, which brings an even more terrifying king, Pul, AKA Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria. Pul extracts tribute (~$2,000,000), then exports Naphtali, a harbinger of things to come.

15:32-38 With tragic irony the chapter ends with Jotham rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem which his son will destroy in the next chapter.

Application: Sin always gets worse when we don't listen to warnings from godly people, and repent. If we remain stubborn, will live to regret it.

Prayer: God, help me be quick to hear at the low volume, and turn my feet toward Your ways. Amen.

2 Kings 16 Worst Temple Makeover Ever

16:1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah, Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign. 2 Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he didn’t do that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh his God, like David his father. 3 But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yes, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Yahweh cast out from before the children of Israel. 4 He sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. 5 Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him. 6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath, and lived there, to this day. 7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, who rise up against me." 8 Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of Yahweh, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria. 9 The king of Assyria listened to him; and the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried its people captive to Kir, and killed Rezin.

10 King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, and saw the altar that was at Damascus; and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and its pattern, according to all its workmanship. 11 Urijah the priest built an altar: according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus, so Urijah the priest made it for the coming of king Ahaz from Damascus. 12 When the king had come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king drew near to the altar, and offered on it. 13 He burnt his burnt offering and his meal offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, on the altar. 14 The bronze altar, which was before Yahweh, he brought from the forefront of the house, from between his altar and the house of Yahweh, and put it on the north side of his altar. 15 King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, "On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meal offering, and the king’s burnt offering, and his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meal offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice; but the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by." 16 Urijah the priest did so, according to all that king Ahaz commanded.

17 King Ahaz cut off the panels of the bases, and removed the basin from off them, and took down the sea from off the bronze oxen that were under it, and put it on a pavement of stone. 18 The covered way for the Sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king’s entry outside, turned he to the house of Yahweh, because of the king of Assyria. 19 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 20 Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.

Observations: 16:1-11 Wicked king Ahaz of Judah, forsakes Yahweh, cutting himself off from God's protection, despite warnings from Isaiah (famous Chapter 7), Hosea, and Micah. He gets invaded by Israel and Syria, and looks to Tiglath Pileser/Pul for salvation rather than Yahweh, calling himself Pul's servant and son. Most pagan kings went by the name Ben (son of) “X” where “X” was the god of the land (as in Ben-Hadad). Covenantal relationships were expressed as father-son, in which the father protected the son, and the son loyally served the father. Ahaz transfers his allegiance from Yahweh, the Creator God, to a creature. Ahaz gives gifts to Pul from Yahweh's house, instead of worshiping Yahweh with them.

16:12-20 Experience is a poor means of determining truth, especially if it conflicts with Revelation (see the first of the 7QUESTIONS in the sidebar, “How do you know what's true?”). The experiencing and faulty reasoning of Ahaz led him to conclude that if someone worships “X” and wins, then “X” must be the thing to worship. We make the same error today, replacing “X” with money, fame, success, etc. Ahaz, with the priests' cooperation, even replaces Yahweh's altar with one dedicated to the gods of Damascus. Hadad, known as Baal (remember him?), was the chief deity in Syria. So like Jereboam institutionalized Baal worship in Israel, Ahaz does the same in Judah. 2 Chronicles 26 says it tragically:

“19 Yahweh brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he had dealt wantonly in Judah, and trespassed severely against Yahweh. 20 Tilgath Pilneser king of Assyria came to him, and distressed him, but didn’t strengthen him. 21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of Yahweh, and out of the house of the king and of the princes, and gave it to the king of Assyria: but it didn’t help him. 22 In the time of his distress, Ahaz trespassed yet more against Yahweh. 23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which struck him; and he said, "Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, so I will sacrifice to them, that they may help me." But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.”

Application: Determine truth (that which best explains all the facts) from Reality (experience) and Reason, understood in light of God's Revelation, not the other way around; otherwise you'll wind up worshiping a lie.

Prayer: God, You are the only true source of blessing; I won't seek it elsewhere. Amen.

2 Kings 17 Israel Gets Their Chosen Consequence

4 The king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison. 5 Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years. 6 In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

7 It was so, because the children of Israel had sinned against Yahweh their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,
8 and walked in the statutes of the nations, whom Yahweh cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they made.
9 The children of Israel did secretly things that were not right against Yahweh their God: and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city; 10 and they set them up pillars and Asherim on every high hill, and under every green tree; 11 and there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the nations whom Yahweh carried away before them; and they worked wicked things to provoke Yahweh to anger;
12 and they served idols, of which Yahweh had said to them, "You shall not do this thing."
13 Yet Yahweh testified to Israel, and to Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets." 14 Notwithstanding, they would not listen, but hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers, who didn’t believe in Yahweh their God.
15 They rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom Yahweh had commanded them that they should not do like them. 16 They forsook all the commandments of Yahweh their God, and made themselves molten images, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served Baal.
17 They caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger.

18 Therefore Yahweh was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. 19 Also Judah didn’t keep the commandments of Yahweh their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. 20 Yahweh rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. 21 For he tore Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drove Israel from following Yahweh, and made them sin a great sin. 22 The children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they didn’t depart from them; 23 until Yahweh removed Israel out of his sight, as he spoke by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day.

32 So they feared Yahweh, and made to them from among themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places. 33 They feared Yahweh, and served their own gods, after the ways of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. 34 To this day they do what they did before: they don’t fear Yahweh, neither do they follow their statutes, or their ordinances, or the law or the commandment which Yahweh commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; 35 with whom Yahweh had made a covenant, and commanded them, saying, "You shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them; 36 but you shall fear Yahweh, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, and you shall bow yourselves to him, and you shall sacrifice to him. 37 The statutes and the ordinances, and the law and the commandment, which he wrote for you, you shall observe to do forevermore. You shall not fear other gods. 38 You shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you; neither shall you fear other gods. 39 But you shall fear Yahweh your God; and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies." 40 However they did not listen, but they did what they did before. 41 So these nations feared Yahweh, and served their engraved images. Their children likewise, and their children’s children, as their fathers did, so they do to this day.

Observations: 17:1-6 The nation of Israel gets forcibly removed from the land by Assyria. The reasons given are:

17:7 They were disloyal, sinning against their Savior and fearing other gods instead of Him;
17:8 They followed the practices of the nations whom God wanted to use Israel to judge;
17:9-11 They secretly reveled in sensual pagan worship;
17:12 They served idols in defiance of God's explicit commands;
17:13-14 They refused to listen to the prophets, hardening themselves in their unbelief;
17:15-16 They rejected God's covenant and ways, following vanity, and remaking God according to their preferences;
17:17 They didn't train their children to follow Yahweh, but sold them and themselves to demonic worship.

17:18-23 As a result of not doing what was right in His sight, God removed them from His sight. He was also angry with Judah who followed the ways of Israel. God first afflicted, and then when they refused to heed His discipline and prophets, He had them carted away. It's interesting that they so easily departed from Yahweh, and so stubbornly followed false gods. That says something about the demonic pull of sensual pagan practices.

Dt 28:63 “And it shall be, that just as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good and multiply you, so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you and bring you to nothing; and you shall be plucked from off the land which you go to possess. 64 Then the LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods, which neither you nor your fathers have known --- wood and stone.”

17:24-41 The king of Assyria (Pul's son, Shalmaneser died around the time of the siege of Samaria, and Sargon succeeded him) transplanted captives from Babylon into the land God had given to Israel, so God sent lions to cause them to fear (Lev 26:22). The king sends a priest back to teach the pagans God's law. This could be funny, since the Assyrian king is not only doing Yahweh's will in disciplining Israel, but fulfilling Israel's function of being a light to the nations, causing them to learn God's law. However, it's unlikely that the priest would have been a Levitical priest, since he came from Samaria, and went back to calf-worshiping Bethel. So perhaps he taught them the hybrid religion of Israel (and today). They outwardly fear God, but don't worship Him according to His truth, instead, they do their own thing, which pleases their sensual side, rather than God. In any event, God fulfilled His promise to curse, since they chose not to be blessed.

Application: God always, eventually and inevitably responds to our choices with His planned consequences.

Prayer: God, open my eyes to see where I may be like Israel, and I will turn from my stupidity to Your truth. Thanks. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God is patient and gracious, but does mean what He says. He has to follow through on His promises to bless those who choose to serve Him, and curse those who choose to serve themselves or Satan. When someone moves from the curse camp to the bless camp, God moves from the curse mode to the bless mode. When they move back to the curse camp, God moves back to the curse mode. There is no getting around this, otherwise He would be an unjust liar. His righteous rule requires Him to do what He promised. He uses unbelievers to judge His people, and even used sinning Israel, headed for destruction, to punish less sinful Judah. He sends warnings, chastisement, and encouragement to trust and obey Him, which if ignored, result in final, irreparable damage.

Us in a nutshell: We can go from not trusting God, to trusting Him, to not trusting Him, and experience His sovereignly planned consequences at each turn of our roller coaster. We can receive some of His blessings even if we're not wholeheartedly following Him, but eventually we will trip over the sin and values we failed to clean up. The prevalence of sensual worship in the high places, contrary to God clear commands, underscores the importance of loving God with all our minds, heart, and will, and not just our soul (emotions) and body.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

2 Kings complete text

2 Kings 15

15:1 In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. 2 Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 3 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 4 However the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. 5 Yahweh struck the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house. Jotham the king’s son was over the household, judging the people of the land. 6 Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 7 Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his place.

8 In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six months. 9 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as his fathers had done: he didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. 10 Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and struck him before the people, and killed him, and reigned in his place. 11 Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 12 This was the word of Yahweh which he spoke to Jehu, saying, "Your sons to the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel." So it came to pass. 13 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned for a month in Samaria. 14 Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and struck Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and killed him, and reigned in his place. 15 Now the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 16 Then Menahem struck Tiphsah, and all who were therein, and its borders, from Tirzah: because they didn’t open to him, therefore he struck it; and all the women therein who were with child he ripped up. 17 In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel for ten years in Samaria. 18 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh: he didn’t depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. 19 There came against the land Pul the king of Assyria; and Menahem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. 20 Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and didn’t stay there in the land. 21 Now the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 22 Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his place. 23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria for two years. 24 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh: he didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. 25 Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him, and struck him in Samaria, in the castle of the king’s house, with Argob and Arieh; and with him were fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his place. 26 Now the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 27 In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria for twenty years. 28 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh: he didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. 29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel Beth Maacah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria. 30 Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and struck him, and killed him, and reigned in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah. 31 Now the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

2 Kings 16

16:1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign. 2 Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he didn’t do that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh his God, like David his father. 3 But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yes, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Yahweh cast out from before the children of Israel. 4 He sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

5 Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him. 6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath, and lived there, to this day. 7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, who rise up against me." 8 Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of Yahweh, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria. 9 The king of Assyria listened to him; and the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried its people captive to Kir, and killed Rezin.

2 Kings 17

17:1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel for nine years. 2 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him. 3 Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and brought him tribute. 4 The king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison. 5 Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years. 6 In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

7 It was so, because the children of Israel had sinned against Yahweh their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, 8 and walked in the statutes of the nations, whom Yahweh cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they made. 9 The children of Israel did secretly things that were not right against Yahweh their God: and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city; 10 and they set them up pillars and Asherim on every high hill, and under every green tree; 11 and there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the nations whom Yahweh carried away before them; and they worked wicked things to provoke Yahweh to anger; 12 and they served idols, of which Yahweh had said to them, "You shall not do this thing." 13 Yet Yahweh testified to Israel, and to Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets." 14 Notwithstanding, they would not listen, but hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers, who didn’t believe in Yahweh their God. 15 They rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom Yahweh had commanded them that they should not do like them. 16 They forsook all the commandments of Yahweh their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshipped all the army of the sky, and served Baal. 17 They caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger. 18 Therefore Yahweh was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. 19 Also Judah didn’t keep the commandments of Yahweh their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. 20 Yahweh rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. 21 For he tore Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drove Israel from following Yahweh, and made them sin a great sin. 22 The children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they didn’t depart from them; 23 until Yahweh removed Israel out of his sight, as he spoke by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day.

24 The king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Avva, and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they possessed Samaria, and lived in the cities of it. 25 So it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they didn’t fear Yahweh: therefore Yahweh sent lions among them, which killed some of them. 26 Therefore they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, "The nations which you have carried away, and placed in the cities of Samaria, don’t know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions among them, and behold, they kill them, because they don’t know the law of the god of the land." 27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, "Carry there one of the priests whom you brought from there; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the law of the god of the land." 28 So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear Yahweh. 29 However every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities in which they lived. 30 The men of Babylon made Succoth Benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima, 31 and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burnt their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. 32 So they feared Yahweh, and made to them from among themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places. 33 They feared Yahweh, and served their own gods, after the ways of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. 34 To this day they do what they did before: they don’t fear Yahweh, neither do they follow their statutes, or their ordinances, or the law or the commandment which Yahweh commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; 35 with whom Yahweh had made a covenant, and commanded them, saying, "You shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them; 36 but you shall fear Yahweh, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, and you shall bow yourselves to him, and you shall sacrifice to him. 37 The statutes and the ordinances, and the law and the commandment, which he wrote for you, you shall observe to do forevermore. You shall not fear other gods. 38 You shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you; neither shall you fear other gods. 39 But you shall fear Yahweh your God; and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies." 40 However they did not listen, but they did what they did before. 41 So these nations feared Yahweh, and served their engraved images. Their children likewise, and their children’s children, as their fathers did, so they do to this day.

2 John & 3 John Walking in Truth and Love

Isaiah 6-12 A Righteous Messiah and Remnant

2 Kings 15-17 Israel Gets Their Chosen Consequence

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