2 Kings 13-14; 2 Chronicles 25; Psalm 53; Matthew 12
2 Kings 13-14
God's faithfulness to His covenants is another important theme in the Bible. Despite the apostasy and idolatry of the kings of Israel, God responds to their prayers and protects them when they turn to Him: "So Jehoahaz pleaded with the LORD, and the LORD listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel because the king of Syria oppressed them" (2 Kings 13:4). "For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter; and whether bond or free, there was no helper for Israel. And the LORD did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash" (2 Kings 14:26-27). Scripture emphasizes that God does this for the sake of His covenant with Abraham: "But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and regarded them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence" (2 Kings 13:23).
The ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha were marked by numerous miracles, including healing various diseases. Moreover, to emphasize the significance of Elisha's ministry, God resurrected a man who accidentally fell on his bones (2 Kings 13:21). However, this does not mean that the prophets themselves were completely free from illnesses, as claimed by proponents of the prosperity gospel: "Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, 'O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!'" (2 Kings 13:14).
2 Chronicles 25
The mixing of the kings of Israel and Judah with pagan nations and their idolatry was a significant problem. This ultimately led to Amaziah's downfall. Worshiping idols was fashionable, so while continuing to serve Jehovah, Amaziah also adopted the gods of Seir to worship them (2 Chronicles 25:14-25).
Psalm 53
Denying the existence of God is utter foolishness, leading to corruption.
Matthew 12
In describing the Pharisees' hostile attitude toward Christ, Matthew highlights the danger of religiosity that lacks the sincere willingness to submit to God and His word. Such people constantly find fault, focusing on trivial matters (plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath) and ignoring the more significant things (healing a person). They disregard the clear indications of the prophets about the Messiah (Matthew 12:15-21) and even accuse Christ of acting by the power of Beelzebub. Jesus responds to this by saying that if they reject Him and His salvation, believing Him to be a representative of Beelzebub, they deprive themselves of the possibility of salvation altogether. This is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
God's faithfulness to His covenants is another important theme in the Bible. Despite the apostasy and idolatry of the kings of Israel, God responds to their prayers and protects them when they turn to Him: "So Jehoahaz pleaded with the LORD, and the LORD listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel because the king of Syria oppressed them" (2 Kings 13:4). "For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter; and whether bond or free, there was no helper for Israel. And the LORD did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash" (2 Kings 14:26-27). Scripture emphasizes that God does this for the sake of His covenant with Abraham: "But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and regarded them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence" (2 Kings 13:23).
The ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha were marked by numerous miracles, including healing various diseases. Moreover, to emphasize the significance of Elisha's ministry, God resurrected a man who accidentally fell on his bones (2 Kings 13:21). However, this does not mean that the prophets themselves were completely free from illnesses, as claimed by proponents of the prosperity gospel: "Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, 'O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!'" (2 Kings 13:14).
2 Chronicles 25
The mixing of the kings of Israel and Judah with pagan nations and their idolatry was a significant problem. This ultimately led to Amaziah's downfall. Worshiping idols was fashionable, so while continuing to serve Jehovah, Amaziah also adopted the gods of Seir to worship them (2 Chronicles 25:14-25).
Psalm 53
Denying the existence of God is utter foolishness, leading to corruption.
Matthew 12
In describing the Pharisees' hostile attitude toward Christ, Matthew highlights the danger of religiosity that lacks the sincere willingness to submit to God and His word. Such people constantly find fault, focusing on trivial matters (plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath) and ignoring the more significant things (healing a person). They disregard the clear indications of the prophets about the Messiah (Matthew 12:15-21) and even accuse Christ of acting by the power of Beelzebub. Jesus responds to this by saying that if they reject Him and His salvation, believing Him to be a representative of Beelzebub, they deprive themselves of the possibility of salvation altogether. This is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Posted in Reading Bible Together