2 Kings 9-10; Psalm 49; Matthew 7
2 Kings 9-10
The ten tribes of Israel, having turned away from God, quickly descended into the same lifestyle as the pagans around them. Idolatry and wickedness inevitably led to cruel behavior, which was the reality of the pagan world in those times. God used these cruel customs to pour out His judgment on the house of Ahab. Consequently, Jezebel and all of Ahab's sons were killed.
After defeating all of Ahab's descendants, Jehu also dealt with all the priests and servants of Baal, whom Ahab and Jezebel supported. While this was right in God's eyes, it was not enough.
Therefore, on the one hand, God blessed Jehu: "The Lord said to Jehu, 'Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your descendants shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.'" (2 Kings 10:30)
However, Jehu did not destroy the golden calves that Jeroboam had set up in Bethel and Dan for worship. These places and objects of idolatry were deeply rooted in the people's lives, and Jehu was not fully committed to serving God: "But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin." (2 Kings 10:31)
This distinction marked the kings of the northern kingdom: even the best of them, like Jehu, did not completely abandon idolatry.
Psalm 49
A psalm of the sons of Korah speaks of the futility of life without God: "...for they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. For no one can buy life from death." (Psalm 49:7-8) Only in God can one find meaning that extends beyond earthly life: "But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me." (Psalm 49:15)
Matthew 7
The concluding chapter of the Sermon on the Mount focuses on three main themes:
1. Examine yourself before addressing others' faults. Self-examination and overcoming your sins and shortcomings help you rightly approach how to assist others.
2. There will always be less true Christians: "For the gate is narrow, and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:14)
3. The Importance of Obeying the Word we preach and hear: "You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles?" (Matthew 7:16) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
These teachings emphasize the significance of genuine faith, introspection, and obedience to God's commands.
The ten tribes of Israel, having turned away from God, quickly descended into the same lifestyle as the pagans around them. Idolatry and wickedness inevitably led to cruel behavior, which was the reality of the pagan world in those times. God used these cruel customs to pour out His judgment on the house of Ahab. Consequently, Jezebel and all of Ahab's sons were killed.
After defeating all of Ahab's descendants, Jehu also dealt with all the priests and servants of Baal, whom Ahab and Jezebel supported. While this was right in God's eyes, it was not enough.
Therefore, on the one hand, God blessed Jehu: "The Lord said to Jehu, 'Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your descendants shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.'" (2 Kings 10:30)
However, Jehu did not destroy the golden calves that Jeroboam had set up in Bethel and Dan for worship. These places and objects of idolatry were deeply rooted in the people's lives, and Jehu was not fully committed to serving God: "But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin." (2 Kings 10:31)
This distinction marked the kings of the northern kingdom: even the best of them, like Jehu, did not completely abandon idolatry.
Psalm 49
A psalm of the sons of Korah speaks of the futility of life without God: "...for they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. For no one can buy life from death." (Psalm 49:7-8) Only in God can one find meaning that extends beyond earthly life: "But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me." (Psalm 49:15)
Matthew 7
The concluding chapter of the Sermon on the Mount focuses on three main themes:
1. Examine yourself before addressing others' faults. Self-examination and overcoming your sins and shortcomings help you rightly approach how to assist others.
2. There will always be less true Christians: "For the gate is narrow, and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:14)
3. The Importance of Obeying the Word we preach and hear: "You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles?" (Matthew 7:16) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
These teachings emphasize the significance of genuine faith, introspection, and obedience to God's commands.
Posted in Reading Bible Together