Gomer redeemed. God told Hosea to get Gomer back.
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Day 177 (June 26): God’s mercy for Israel, Hosea’s wife redeemed, wicked Israel, leaders judged, call to repentance, impending doom

Arabs for Christ / FreeBibleimages.org

Welcome to Livin’ Light’s Bible-In-A-Year challenge of discovering God’s love for us and His purpose for our lives. Here is the format for this great adventure: The daily reading assignment is posted at 5 a.m. After each day’s reading, Leigh An Coplin, the blog host, shares observations and poses questions about difficult passages to Rob Fields, who studied Christian Education at Asbury Seminary and currently teaches Biology in the Orlando area. To start from the beginning, click on 365 Bible Readings and scroll down to Day 1. The reading schedule is taken from The One Year Chronological Bible NLT. 

Today’s Reading
— Hosea 2:14-8:14
(753 BC) Click here for a timeline of the entire Bible.

Questions & Observations

Q. (Hosea 2:14-23, Hosea 3:5): I can guess that this is a metaphorical story for Christ coming?

A. You could make that argument, but I think that it most likely is about the restored nation of Israel that will be established after the captivity.

O. (4:12): I see humor in this that God is accusing them of making an idol out of wood and thinking it can help them.

O. (5:15): God points out how Israel and Judah are predictable in their pattern of sin and punishment, followed by crying to God to bring them out of their despair.

Q. (6:10): God calls Israelites “prostitutes,” referring to their attitude toward Him.  They should be like a bride and groom with God.  It’s a sacred relationship and when the Israelites seek another God, it’s like cheating on a spouse — God being the offended spouse — prostituting themselves out to a false god — a prostitute is a false substitute for genuine love).  I see more relationship comparisons.  In a marriage, the relationship may not always provide everything we want.  There are times that the romance is gone, sometimes for a reason, but we have to stick with it and wait for it to come back around.  If we can’t wait and seek something else to fill that void, then the marriage will be ruined.  Same with God.  If we do not abide by his rules, then our life goes down the wrong path because we are not including Him in the relationship.  We may seek other things, work, alcohol, possessions, luxury that get in the way.  Then when we realize that the void cannot be filled with other things and return to God, He may wait for us to show repentance before He returns to our life.

A. The idea of Israel and Judah being required to “earn” its way back to a proper relationship with her Husband is a good one for what is going to happen.

Q. (8:4): I wondered if this was a problem.  Because, starting with Saul, God told whom He wanted to be king.  Then, after Solomon, we seldom heard God telling whom He wanted to be king.  And, He led very few of the revolts to dethrone a king.  The leaders were acting out their own desires.  I doubted that all of the kings were David’s descendants.  Were Judah’s kings all from David’s line?

A. Yes, as best I can tell.  When God spoke of Himself being faithful to David’s line — via Solomon and Rehoboam — He really meant it.

Q. (8:13b): Is returning to Egypt a metaphor, like they will be in the same despair as they were in Egypt?

A. The only part that is a metaphor is the location.  The people will once again be slaves to another nation (not Assyria), and will have to begin all over again with God.  But God knows what He is doing here, and the results will be interesting to say that least.

Video: Check out the Bible Project’s summary of Hosea, https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-hosea/#:~:text=It%20reveals%20deep%20truths%20about,message%20to%20all%20future%20generations.

Spread the Word! Christian shirts get noticed.  Check out these conversation starters: https://livinlight.org/shop/

Tomorrow’s reading: Hosea 9-14

Hosea was a young prophet that God used to give warnings to His people.
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Day 176 (June 25): Songs for salvation, warnings, Ahaz closes temple, rejects God, Hezekiah, Hoshea, Hosea’s kids’ names

Arabs for Christ / FreeBibleimages.org

Welcome to Livin’ Light’s Bible-In-A-Year challenge of discovering God’s love for us and His purpose for our lives. Here is the format for this great adventure: The daily reading assignment is posted at 5 a.m. After each day’s reading, Leigh An Coplin, the blog host, shares observations and poses questions about difficult passages to Rob Fields, who studied Christian Education at Asbury Seminary and currently teaches Biology in the Orlando area. To start from the beginning, click on 365 Bible Readings and scroll down to Day 1. The reading schedule is taken from The One Year Chronological Bible NLT. 

Today’s Reading
— Isaiah 12:1-6
— Isaiah 17
— 2 Chronicles 28:16-21
— 2 Kings 16:10-18
— 2 Chronicles 28:22-25
— 2 Kings 18:1-8
— 2 Chronicles 29:1-2
— 2 Kings 15:30-31
— 2 Kings 17:1-4
— Hosea 1-2:13
(753-725 BC) Click here for a timeline of the entire Bible.

Questions & Observations

O. (Isaiah 12:2): With Jesus’s death, we have victory.  God has won the battle.  That’s why people proclaim “Jesus has risen” on Easter.  Through His resurrection, He proved that He was the Messiah.  Heaven is won for us. We just have to proclaim it to enter.

O. (12:4): Thank you God and Jesus for the sacrifice and giving me a ticket to heaven.  Just thinking that it had to come to Jesus dying on the cross makes me feel unworthy and sad that we forced His death.  Our sins are so bad that Jesus, sinless, had to take our punishment for our redemption.  It was God’s only option for getting His children to heaven.  That’s how much God and Jesus love us!

Q. (12:6): Would the people whom Isaiah is speaking to have any idea what Isaiah is talking about?

A. I would think so.  Isaiah is reminding the people that they should be depending upon God, and that He is the faithful one they have too quickly forgotten.

Q. (17:4-6): I am getting tired of this repetitive gloom.  But, God often calls on our patience (he has been patient with us … and Israel).  And, if you take the time to read it, God paints a specific picture of what it will look like after the invasion, pointing out things that are important like a few olives left on a tree, which is vital when food is scarce.

A. If you’re tired of the gloom, you’re not going to like the next part of the story.  It’s going to be gloomy for a while.

O. I am surprised that Hezekiah followed God after ruling alongside his father, Ahaz, who built altars to worship false gods.  Of course, it can be just part of the plan.

Q. (Hosea 1:1): In 2 Kings 17:4, the Bible says that Hoshea was imprisoned by the king of Assyria.  Are Hoshea and Hosea not the same person?

A. Hoshea and Hosea are different people.  Hoshea is the last king of Israel before it is destroyed and resettled, and Hosea is a prophet in Israel during its final days.

Q. Can you explain Hosea 1:10-2:1?

A. God is talking about the renewal of His people after their various periods in exile.  Under the leadership of men like Ezra and Nehemiah, among others, God will restore Israel/Judah, but not for a while.  There’s a long way to go before that!

For further study: Why did God tell Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute? https://www.gotquestions.org/Hosea-marry-prostitute.html

Spread the Word! Christian shirts get noticed.  Check out these conversation starters: https://livinlight.org/shop/

Tomorrow’s reading: Hosea 2:14-8:14

Prophet Isaiah
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Day 175 (June 24): Call to trust God, Foretell invasion, Messiah message, Assyria, Renewal from David’s line, Judah, Israel to reunite

Glory Story / FreeBibleimages.org

Welcome to Livin’ Light’s Bible-In-A-Year challenge of discovering God’s love for us and His purpose for our lives. Here is the format for this great adventure: The daily reading assignment is posted at 5 a.m. After each day’s reading, Leigh An Coplin, the blog host, shares observations and poses questions about difficult passages to Rob Fields, who studied Christian Education at Asbury Seminary and currently teaches Biology in the Orlando area. To start from the beginning, click on 365 Bible Readings and scroll down to Day 1. The reading schedule is taken from The One Year Chronological Bible NLT. 

Today’s Reading
— Isaiah 8-11
(734-730 BC) Click here for a timeline of the entire Bible.

Questions & Observations

Q. (Isaiah 8:6-7): I notice God is using water images to describe his care — gently flowing waters of Shiloah— and his anger — a mighty flood from the Euphrates River. God is not talking about a real flood right, just that it will feel like one when the king of Assyria sweeps through. What is the significance of using water?

A. In a primarily agrarian society, it would have been imagery they would have been very familiar with.  Also, in Israel, there are many water courses called wadis — we would call them creek beds in the US — that would have been prone to flooding, so floods are familiar to these people as well.

Q. (8:8): Immanuel is the Lord, right?

A. Yes.  Isaiah is saying that God will remain faithful to His people, or perhaps he is calling out for the God who is with them to have mercy.

O. (8:13-14): Love these verses!

Q. (8:16-17): I don’t understand how these verses fit in with the threats of the previous verses.  If this prophecy is imminent, why follow it with these instructions?

A. It appears that these verses are meant to be instruction for Judah, which will be able to see that Isaiah’s words will come true, just as God told him: and therefore, they will hopefully, turn back to God.

Q. (8:19): This really says point blank how ridiculous it is to call on the dead for guidance.  Why should you consult someone who isn’t there?  Consult God who is sovereign.

A. Manipulating the dead for personal gain was common practice in that day, and Israel had been taken in by all kinds of pagan practices in this era.  But yes, talking to God would be the wise move.

Q. (9:1-7): This passage jumps from the 700s BC to when Jesus comes to eternity.  That’s pretty cool.  This sound like a marvelous time.  Is this the same glory described in Amos 9:11-15?  I don’t know if this is Jesus being born that is being described or the second coming of Christ.

A. It is casting a vision for the Kingdom of God, which is associated with the Jewish Day of Resurrection (much of which Isaiah and the other prophets help shape, so keep your eyes peeled for other visions), and what Christians call the Second Coming.  Both of these concepts center around the end of life as we know it and the establishment of the Messiah as the true Godly ruler.  That’s the point of deviance between Jews and Christians: who this Messiah/Christ is.  Jews believe that the Messiah has not yet come, while Christians believe that He has in the person of Jesus.

Q. (9:6b): I have heard this verse before, but I don’t know what “the government will rest on his shoulders” means.

A. He will be the foundation of the government.  It will “rest” upon Him.

Q. (9:8-10:4): “His fist is still poised to strike” is said 4 times here.  God is really ticked?  Rightly so!!!  Does God’s anger go away in the NT after Jesus’s death on the cross?  I just imagine that with this ultimate sacrifice — ultimate pain suffered by God and Jesus — that maybe nothing else could hurt his feelings.  He is given all he can give, so with Jesus’ death, he lays our salvation in our laps.  If we can’t accept what He did for us, then we don’t deserve heaven.

A. Our world today is no less sinful than the world these words were written in.  I would say it God’s anger — or wrath — does not “go away” in our present world, but I think it’s fair to say that the sacrifice of Jesus altered the way God deals with sin.

Q. (9:18-21): Is this judgment day being described here?

A. It’s a description of the demise of Israel.

Q. (10:1): God speaks frequently about unjust judges and unfair scales.  I guess those who are in positions of ruling may be punished more severely for their sins?

A. In Luke 12:48, Jesus reminds us that to whom much is given, much is expected. And, James 3:1 warns that people in positions of authority — he’s talking about teachers, but the point is extensive — will be held to a higher standard.  I think it is very fair to say that this is a Biblical standard.

O. (10:15): I like Isaiah’s metaphors for God’s power: Nothing has (good) power without the will of God.

Q. (10:20): Isaiah is speaking of Assyria here when he says, “allies who seek to destroy them?”

A. Not specifically.  He’s saying that Israel will no longer have to make “deals with the devil”: They will be free from having to make deals with other nations who may not have their best interest at heart.

Q. (11:15-16): Is the Euphrates like this today, split into seven streams?  Is “seven” significant here?  Also, is there some re-enacting of Exodus going on here?

A. No, the Euphrates is a huge river even today.  These verses are talking about defeating the enemies of Israel.  The Assyrians would have come from Iraq, where the Euphrates runs through.  Isaiah is basically saying that God will defeat two of Israel’s enemies — at least — by destroying their water supply.  He is also using Exodus imagery, but only to show that God has already “defeated” the Red Sea when the people crossed over.

Video: Summary of Isaiah by the Bible Project, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/isaiah-1-39/

Spread the Word! Christian shirts get noticed.  Check out these conversation starters: https://livinlight.org/shop/

Tomorrow’s reading
— Isaiah 12:1-6
— Isaiah 17
— 2 Chronicles 28:16-21
— 2 Kings 16:10-18
— 2 Chronicles 28:22-25
— 2 Kings 18:1-8
— 2 Chronicles 29:1-2
— 2 Kings 15:30-31
— 2 Kings 17:1-4
— Hosea 1-2:13

Prophets warn Israelites and Judeans would not listen to God's warnings through the prophets.
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Day 174 (June 23): Jotham rules Judah, sorrow in Samaria, Jerusalem, Ahaz rules Judah, Isaiah’s message to Ahaz, virgin birth sign

Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org

Welcome to Livin’ Light’s Bible-In-A-Year challenge of discovering God’s love for us and His purpose for our lives. Here is the format for this great adventure: The daily reading assignment is posted at 5 a.m. After each day’s reading, Leigh An Coplin, the blog host, shares observations and poses questions about difficult passages to Rob Fields, who studied Christian Education at Asbury Seminary and currently teaches Biology in the Orlando area. To start from the beginning, click on 365 Bible Readings and scroll down to Day 1. The reading schedule is taken from The One Year Chronological Bible NLT. 

Today’s Reading
— 2 Kings 15:32-38
— 2 Chronicles 27:1-9
— Micah 1
— 2 Kings 16:1-9
— Isaiah 7
(790-735 BC) Click here for a timeline of the entire Bible.

Questions & Observations

Q. (2 Chronicles 27): Did the Amonites get anything back from paying this tribute?

A. Technically, as a “vassal” state, the Amonites got the protection of Judah’s troops, if needed.  Other than that, tribute is a one way street: the mightier one gets the gold.

Q. (Micah 1:1): Do we know anything about Micah?  Just another prophet?

A. We do not know much outside of what he tells us within the text.  And there is a reference to him in Jeremiah 26:18.  He was most likely from the tribe of Judah, and lived in the Southern part of the kingdom.  He was a contemporary of both Isaiah and Hosea, which I presume we will continue reading in parallel.

Q. (1:5): But Jotham was following God, so I would assume that the people of Judah were too.  Or, do we not know if Jotham was ruling when Micah wrote this?

A. We don’t exactly know, but the story tells us our answer anyway.  The problem was not whether the king was following God (even if he represented the people), but that the people were still worshipping idols, in both capitals, Jerusalem and Samaria.  None of the kings mentioned in Micah did enough to combat this heresy.

Q. (1:6-7): We keep hearing of this looming destruction.  Is this a ploy to warn the nation of Judah and hopefully they will turn toward God to avoid the destruction?  Just a small side question: Do we call the Israelites in Judah “Judeans?”

A. Yes, Judeans is correct.  It’s not a ploy, and Isaiah in will reach a point, after Israel is destroyed, of basically telling Judah, “be careful, or you’re next!”

O. (2 Chronicles 28:12): I like seeing Israel react to this warning.  This means they acknowledge His power.

Q. (Isaiah 7:13-16): Isaiah is speaking of Jesus here, right?  What is the purpose of Isaiah revealing the virgin birth to King Ahaz?  The two kingdoms that v. 16 is talking about is Aram and Israel?

A. The verses here establish a “type” or format for this prophecy.  In the contemporary sense of these words, Isaiah is telling the king that God is faithful and will be “with them.”  So in that sense, it does refer to Jesus, but not exclusively.  The NT writers understood that Jesus was “God with us” in the fullest sense, not just as an ally or close at hand, but God made flesh, so they connect this prophecy from Ancient Times to our understanding of the way that God chose to go about being “with us” in multiple senses of the word.

Q. (Isaiah 7:17-20): So, in 2 Kings 16:5, Ahaz calls on Assyria to fight Aram and Israel, but here Assyria is wiping out Jerusalem?

A. Assyria will not destroy Jerusalem, for reasons that will be explained later, but yes, the king of Judah is encouraging Assyria to conquer Israel.

For further study: Do prophets still exist today? https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/do-prophets-still-exist-today-11577805.html

Spread the Word! Christian shirts get noticed.  Check out these conversation starters: https://livinlight.org/shop/

Tomorrow’s reading: Isaiah 8-11

Amos and Isaiah visions Kings of Judah were ruthless and did nothing to direct the people out of their disobedience
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Day 173 (June 22): Amos and Isaiah visions: destructiion, redemption, future; Israel’s repair, Jeroboam II, short-reign kings, Uziah dies

Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org

Welcome to Livin’ Light’s Bible-In-A-Year challenge of discovering God’s love for us and His purpose for our lives. Here is the format for this great adventure: The daily reading assignment is posted at 5 a.m. After each day’s reading, Leigh An Coplin, the blog host, shares observations and poses questions about difficult passages to Rob Fields, who studied Christian Education at Asbury Seminary and currently teaches Biology in the Orlando area. To start from the beginning, click on 365 Bible Readings and scroll down to Day 1. The reading schedule is taken from The One Year Chronological Bible NLT. 

Today’s Reading
— Amos 7-9
— 2 Kings 14:28-29
— 2 Kings 15:8-29
— 2 Kings 15:6-7
— 2 Chronicles 26:22-23
— Isaiah 6:1-13
(790-739 BC) Click here for a timeline of the entire Bible.

Questions & Observations

O. (Amos 7:1-3): Just a dream, but we do see God rewarding Israel since Amos was calling out to Him to spare the nation from locusts.

Q. (Amos 7:10): We are talking about Jeroboam II here, right?  If it’s the first Jeroboam, then we are not in chronological order.

A. Yes.

Q. (Amos 7:17): Is Amos speaking of this judgment day again for Israel?

A. All of the prophets from this section of Israel’s history will be talking about this upcoming day of judgment for Israel.

Q. (8:10): Amos is still speaking to Jeroboam II?

A. He is speaking to the nation of Israel, though the king is usually thought of as the nation’s representative.

Q. (9:1): He is speaking here of the Temple of the Lord?  He must see it as a place of blasphemy since it is supposed to be used as a place where the Israelites praise their sovereign Lord.  It has been plundered for other gods.  What a slap in the face to God.

A. If we examine the record of what God has done for these people, it does indeed appear that way.  Wait until we get to Hosea.  He has some very colorful language for this insult.

Q. (9:7): What is the meaning of this line of questioning?  I did think the Israelites were the most important people to God.  Is he putting the Israelites in their place because they have not obeyed God’s laws, saying that they may as well be any other nation?

A.  Israel was chosen by God for the purpose of being a light to all nations, at which they have failed miserably.  Just because they were His chosen does not mean He cares for these nations (some of which have ties to Israel such as Edom) any less.

Q. (9:11-15): This prophecy sounds similar to the Flood.  I don’t know why in v. 15 God says that the Israelites will never be uprooted again because we have seen time and time again where no matter if a group starts out with lots of goodness, someone turns away from God.  Is this because God is similar to a parent in this regard: After the punishment is over, we want to restore harmony and enjoy the rewards of getting rid of bad behavior?

A. I’m not trying to dodge this question, but I’d like to let the story unfold so you and our readers can see more clearly what God is up to and the ways that He goes about restoring Israel.

Q. (2 Kings 15:16): This is at least the second time where it is mentioned that pregnant women were cut open.  This is so detestable.  Why this practice?

A. It demonstrates brutality against the vulnerable, and in doing so, causes intimidation.  There is also the added “bonus” of killing the next generation of ones’ enemies.

Q. (Isaiah 6:1-13): Is Isaiah having a vision here?  What is going on in this passage?

A. This is probably the most well known passage for Isaiah’s book, one of the largest in the OT.  He is indeed having a vision — called into God’s service as a prophet — in which he sees the commissioning ceremony of a royal messenger.  Isaiah is being selected to proclaim a message that will be ignored by his people — hearing but not understanding — but that he will also cast a vision for the way that God will restore his people.  The last section of Isaiah (chapters 40-66) contains some of the most beautiful words ever composed in their descriptions of God and His ability to restore and make all things new.

For further study: Genealogy of the kings of Israel and Judah, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_of_Judah#/media/File:Genealogy_of_the_kings_of_Israel_and_Judah.svg

Spread the Word! Christian shirts get noticed.  Check out these conversation starters: https://livinlight.org/shop/

Tomorrow’s reading
— 2 Kings 15:32-38
— 2 Chronicles 27:1-9
— Micah 1
— 2 Kings 16
— 2 Chronicles 28
— Isaiah 7

His prophecy is precisely dated to two years before the earthquake in Uzziah’s (787-734BC) and Jeroboam II’s (791-750BC) reigns. This earthquake is usually set around c. 750BC. So Amos prophesied circa 752BC.
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Day 172 (June 21): Israel’s neighbors of judged, Israel and Judah prophecies about destruction, Israel ignores God’s warnings to change or face wrath

The Jewish Museum / A gift of the heirs of Jacob Schiff

Welcome to BibleBum where we are exploring the entire Bible in one year to better learn how to follow God’s instructions and discover the purpose for our lives.  The BibleBum blog uses The One Year Chronological Bible, the New Living Translation version.  At the end of each day’s reading, Rob, a cultural history aficionado and seminary graduate, answers questions from Leigh An, the blogger host, about the daily scripture.  To start from the beginning, click on “Index” and select Day 1.

Today’s Reading
— Amos 1-6
(766 BC) Click here for a timeline of the entire Bible.

Questions & Observations

Q. (Amos 1:4): Didn’t God raise up these kingdoms to punish Israel?  Now they are being punished for doing what God made them do?  But, if I have my thoughts correct, God was just using them.  They were evil anyway.  He wouldn’t do that to His followers.

A. God is using these nations to punish Israel, but that does not make them any less responsible for their sins.  Like we read in Jonah, God sees the need for repentance in every nation.  And there is a great wave coming: Israelite and Gentile alike in this area are going to be swept away.

O. (1:3-2:3): Now, God is showing all nations, not just Israel, His authority.  He is the God of Israel and He is destroying these other nations for bringing harm and suffering to His people.  Now all can see that God takes care of His people.

Q. (2:16): On what day?

A. The day when His wrath is poured out.  Verse 13 points to a day in the future when the people will groan and suffer for their sins.

Q. (3:3-7): I don’t understand the point these verses are trying to make.  To some of the questions I answer “no,” to others “yes” and some are “maybe.”  To 6b I would say “no” to this answer remembering that the answer would be for that date in time in the OT.  And, verse 7 says He tells of disasters before they happen.  This is so the people know that God’s predictions do come true, so He had to have planned them?

A. Yes, you’ve got it right.  Amos is using metaphorical language; so don’t worry so much about the “content” of the question.  They are basically saying, as you suggest, God will not bring this judgment without warning the people, as He has done over and over again, and as Amos is doing here.

Q. (3:10-11): Do we know who the enemy is that is going to impart this destruction?  Is it unimportant who the enemy is?

A. It won’t really matter in the narrative of the story, but sure, the nation is the Assyrians, who originate from what is today Iraq.  Around 730 BC, they moved into what is now Jordan with a huge army and conquered/destroyed everything in their path, including the entire nation of Israel, which is also being called Samaria.  They will not conquer Judah, Jerusalem in particular, for reasons that we will see.  Feel free to read more about the Assyrians from this era here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Assyrian_Empire

Q. (3:12, 4:1): So, for those living high on the hog, God will strip them of their luxurious life and leave them with little?  4:1 cracks me up!

A. It’s a pretty well known line from the OT.

Q. (4:6-10): This answers the question in 6b if God brings disasters … at this time in history.

A. Remember, the punishment is always predicted beforehand.  That’s what bothers me about folks like Pat Robertson making judgments about natural disasters: he only does it afterward.  The Bible, and the OT in particular, is clear that if God brings disaster, His reasons for doing so are spoken loud and clear through His prophets.  Nearly all the prophets — with the possible exception of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, for reasons that will become clear — proclaim a message of repentance.  They say, “It’s not too late!  Turn from this, or God will bring disaster upon you!”  That is a central theme of most of these prophecies and the genre of these books: Turn back now, for it’s not too late to avoid disaster.  But if you keep going, you’ll only have yourself to blame.

Q. (4:12-13): Amos is talking about the disasters God announces in 3:12-15?

A. Yes.

Q. (5:2): This sounds like a permanent death sentence for Israel, but they get an out in v. 4?

A. Nope.  It’s the same thing I’ve answered in the questions above, Amos is saying its not too late to turn, but if you don’t it will be a death sentence.

O. (5:21): I don’t know if this applies to today, but I think we can link it.  There are people who go to church just because they are “supposed to.”  I don’t know if this will get them into heaven, but like you said in a reading a while back, God doesn’t want us to just skate by.  He wants us to take Jesus’ example and love others the way He loves us.  So, merely showing face at church is an injustice to God.

I admit I used to be like this.  In a way, though, I’m glad that I felt I had to go to church because it helped me to remember to stay connected to God.  Now, that I am more into my faith — and try to live it, rather than be exposed to it — I have a greater appreciation for being part of the church.  I would encourage everyone to make sure they have a church that fits them.  Once you do that, reach out to get involved.  I think it’s a two-way relationship.

The church should reach out to you, but you have to reach also.  Use your talents to get involved.  I confess, that I have always battled to stay awake for church.  The monotone of most of the preachers I had would put me to sleep — that and actually sitting with no activity for an hour will do it.  But, since I have found pastors that bring you into the Bible stories, I’m wide awake and take the message with me.  So, I encourage everyone to find a church that is engaging so you go out of desire and not obedience.

O. (6:6): It sounds like there were selfish people that thought as long as the disaster isn’t affecting them, they will not be alarmed and change their actions.  And, it’s this kind of attitude that infuriates the Lord, causing him to inflict punishments.

Q. (6:8): God’s frustration was started by Solomon who built his own palace larger than the Temple of the Lord?

A. No, that’s not what Amos is referring to here.  Solomon built his palace in Jerusalem, which is part of Judah, and this judgment is against Israel.  God is saying He is greatly displeased with the arrogance of the people trusting in stone walls and fortresses rather than God.  They are trusting their own might and power, rather than God’s.  We can clearly see here how far Israel — and to a lesser extent Judah — has fallen from being a people who trusted God with their whole heart, as when they first entered the Promised Land.  And, just as Moses predicted back in Deuteronomy, if the people reach that point, then they will suffer the judgment of God and be removed from the land.  We are at the precipice of that day.  Bad things are coming for the nation who have forsaken their God.

O. (6:14): God has had it with Israel!

For further study: Lessons to learn from Amos, https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/who-is-amos-in-the-bible.html

Spread the Word! Christian shirts get noticed.  Check out these conversation starters: https://livinlight.org/shop/

Tomorrow’s reading
— Amos 7-9
— 2 Kings 14:28-29
— 2 Kings 15:8-29
— 2 Kings 15:6-7
— 2 Chronicles 26:22-23
— Isaiah 6:1-13

Jonathan says he's the source of God's fury and causing the waves so he volunteers to jump in the water to calm the storm.
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Day 171 (June 20): Amaziah then Uzziah rule Judah, Jehoash then Jeroboam II rule Israel, Uzziah’s pride, Jonah stubborn toward God

Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org

Welcome to Livin’ Light’s Bible-In-A-Year challenge of discovering God’s love for us and His purpose for our lives. Here is the format for this great adventure: The daily reading assignment is posted at 5 a.m. After each day’s reading, Leigh An Coplin, the blog host, shares observations and poses questions about difficult passages to Rob Fields, who studied Christian Education at Asbury Seminary and currently teaches Biology in the Orlando area. To start from the beginning, click on 365 Bible Readings and scroll down to Day 1. The reading schedule is taken from The One Year Chronological Bible NLT. 

Today’s Reading
— 2 Kings 14:1-14
— 2 Chronicles 25:1-24
— 2 Kings 13:12-13
— 2 Kings 14:15-16
— 2 Kings 14:23-27
— 2 Chronicles 25:25-28
— 2 Kings 14:17-22
— 2 Kings 15:1-5
— 2 Chronicles 26:1-21
— Jonah 1-4
(796-760 BC) Click here for a timeline of the entire Bible.

Questions & Observations

Q. (2 Kings 14:1-4): Why did the Judeans — is that what we call them now — kill one king just to put his son on the throne?

A. I don’t know exactly, perhaps they thought the son would be better than his father.

Q. (14:5-6): But, this law does not apply to the kings because we have read many times where God’s punishment for a king’s sins will follow his descendants for many generations.

A. You’ve already noted the distinction.  To have mercy or not on the next generation is God’s decision, and He may do as He pleases, but that doesn’t mean that we as people should seek to make the same judgment.

Q. (14:11-14): I am interested to know what the purpose behind this battle was and how it shapes the future of Israel.  Neither king was fully loyal to the Lord.  Joash of Israel plundered Jerusalem and raided the Temple.

A. The version from Chronicles makes the meaning a bit more clear: Joash’s victory is the result of Amaziah’s ambition and bragging as king.  God uses the Israelites to put Amaziah in his place.

Q. (14:15): I was going to ask the same question, “Why would a king adopt the gods of a kingdom that he just defeated?”

A. Not very smart, is it?

Q. (2 Kings 13:12-13, 14:15-16): This is the same information in two places in 2 Kings. Is this a typo or different authors or what?  I know, it’s no big deal.  It just stands out.

A. It does stand out, but I don’t have any particular understanding as to why it is in there twice.

Q. (14:23): I guess although Jeroboam did not follow the Lord, he must have been a renowned king in the people’s eyes because so many kings followed his direction — and here this king, Jeroboam II, is named after him?

A. Yes.  He brought freedom — as the people saw it — to Israel, and allowed them to break the yoke of the “cruel” rule of David and his descendents.

Q. (14:24, 27): Verse 24 says that Jeroboam was evil.  Then, v. 27 says that God will use him to save Israel.  Just wait, right?

A. Yep.

O. (15:3): This sounds like a broken record that the kings did good in the eyes of the Lord but did not destroy all of the false gods/idols.  I wanna say, someone just do it.  But, when you see the size of the armies (2 Chronicles 26:3) that they can muster, it must be a huge community.  And, to govern such a huge area would be very difficult.  Some of these shrines may have been hidden.  Still, it sounds like God expected them to be destroyed, no matter what.  If God is trying to establish a nation that follows Him and is like no other, then He would not want any other gods in his territory.  He has and would give them anything, if they would just follow Him — which, like us, is the best thing to do and will make us the happiest.  But, all of the distractions and temptations really make us question the security we have built up for ourselves.  So, those temptations make it hard to completely convert to God.  But, it’s what we are called to do and it is the right choice — really, the only choice, the way I see it.

O. (2 Chronicles 26:18-20): Don’t mess with God!

Q. (Jonah 1:17): Like many of the stories in the Bible, this one seems a little far-fetched.  But, we know it’s true.  We know from reading God’s word, that what He says is true.  So, for Jonah, what a ride!  Any idea where Jonah came from?  He just pops out of nowhere.

A. Well, as we’ve mentioned, the Bible doesn’t feel the need to fill in all of the details that we would want.  This story stands alone as one of 12 Minor Prophets (so named for the length of their story, not because they weren’t important).  But, we do get some information on Jonah, including where he came from, you just have to be able to decipher it from the text.  Our reading from 2 Kings 14:25 notes that Jonah was from Gath-Hepher, which was in Zebulun, part of the Northern Kingdom.  This means that Jonah was most likely a member of that tribe.

Q. (Jonah 3:5): Why burlap?  I think of itchy feed sacks.

A. Just like when the Israelites do it: When the citizens of Nineveh put on burlap, they are making a public display of their mourning and repentence.

Q. (Jonah 3:10-4-11): So, tell me if I have this right.  The people of Ninevah changed their ways and God was feeling sympathetic toward them.  Thus, Jonah was concerned that God would change his mind and not bring destruction to Ninevah.  And, Jonah was worried about looking like a fool after proclaiming such destruction and then it doesn’t happen?  Will we learn the outcome of this?

A. Well, you’re partly right.  Jonah considered the citizens of Ninevah to be his enemies, and he did not want to proclaim a call to repentance, but not because he thought that he would look bad; it was because he was afraid that God might actually grant it!  Jonah had no interest in sharing God’s mercy with this other nation.  He wanted them destroyed!

One of the themes that the writer of Jonah— possibly Jonah himself, we can’t be sure — brings to our attention is the fact that the non-Jews in this story — sailors, Ninevites — act in a much more respectable way than the only Jew — Jonah!  Jonah acts in a petty and childish way, while the other characters are much more responsive to the Word of God than Jonah is.  This is a powerful conviction by the writer: the Jews are failing to be the light to the Gentiles that God has always expected them to be.  Part of their problem, as 2 Kings has told us over and over and over, is that they worship other gods while ignoring the one who gave them their Promised Land.  The Jews are counting on God’s mercy for them, but, as Jonah is doing here, they fail to see that God’s mercy extends to all people, not just to the ones He chose.  His mercy actually angers them!  Think about the great irony of that statement in light of everything we have been reading about Israel and Judah’s unfaithfulness.  Jonah is, in my opinion, one of the greatest writings of the OT for its biting commentary on the way that the Jews were abusing the very love and mercy of God that they were constantly dependent upon.

For further study: Ten lessons from the book of Jonah, https://christiancourier.com/articles/10-great-lessons-from-the-book-of-jonah

Spread the Word! Christian shirts get noticed.  Check out these conversation starters: https://livinlight.org/shop/

Tomorrow’s reading: Amos 1-6

Map of divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel.
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Day 170 (June 19): Jehoahaz and Jehoash rulers of Israel, Jehoash weak on Elisha’s command, Elisha died, King Hazael died

Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org

Welcome to Livin’ Light’s Bible-In-A-Year challenge of discovering God’s love for us and His purpose for our lives. Here is the format for this great adventure: The daily reading assignment is posted at 5 a.m. After each day’s reading, Leigh An Coplin, the blog host, shares observations and poses questions about difficult passages to Rob Fields, who studied Christian Education at Asbury Seminary and currently teaches Biology in the Orlando area. To start from the beginning, click on 365 Bible Readings and scroll down to Day 1. The reading schedule is taken from The One Year Chronological Bible NLT. 

Today’s Reading
— 2 Kings 13:1-11
— 2 Kings 12:17-21
— 2 Chronicles 24:23-27
— 2 Kings 13:14-25
(812 BC) Click here for a timeline of the entire Bible.

Questions & Observations

Q. (2 Kings 13:1): Jehu was mostly good.  I wonder why his son turned evil?

A. There’s no way to tell, and that’s not really the focus of the story anyway.  It is not why you do evil — though that matters to God, just not to this author! — but what evil you do that matters.

Q. (12:18): I would call Joash a wimp!  I wonder why he didn’t ask God for help with enemies like the other kings before him.

A. That would have seemed to be a wise thing to do, but Joash appears to not be in relationship with God at this point.  A similar move by King Asa (back in 1 Kings 15) secured their survival, and it appears that this is what Joash is doing here.

Q. (2 Chronicles 24:23-24): Was the only purpose of God being with the Aramean army to conquer Judah?  The people weren’t following God, he just helped them fight, right?

A. God’s purpose in using other nations, to this point, is to get the attention of either Israel or Judah.  Israel is further gone at this point, but it appears, in this case, that Judah needs some reminding as well.  So, no, the Arameans are not following God, He is using them as a “rod” to discipline His people for going astray.

Q. (24:25): Why would Joash’s officials seek revenge for Joash killing Zechariah, the son of Johoiada the priest when the leaders plotted to kill him (2 Chronicles 24:21)?  Aren’t officials and leaders one in the same?

A. We are not told.  But it appears that even though they were his officials, they did not agree with the decision he made to have Zechariah murdered, and they looked for a time to avenge this murder.  The assassination can also be seen as divine judgment on Joash, which is what Zechariah asked for as he was dying (24:22)

Q. (24:25): Some kings were buried in the City of David and some weren’t, some in the royal cemetery and some not.  I don’t see a rhyme or reason to who was buried where.  The really bad ones were left for the dogs, but some who were kind of bad were still buried in the royal cemetery and some weren’t.

A. I’m not sure what the selection criterion is either, but it looks like the “royal cemetery” is the hall of fame — it’s where the best of the best are buried.  Others in David’s line — the major reason they are buried there at all — are buried in his city, Bethlehem, but not given the ceremonial burial.  So basically, it appears you got the royal burial for being fairly close in popularity and righteous action to the great ancestor, David himself.

Q. (24:26): I have noticed that mothers of kings and here, assassins are sometimes listed.  Why?  Is it because of royal bloodlines?

A. In some cases.  I suspect part of the reason has to do with this being an archive of sorts, so if a family member is known — or worth nothing — they are listed.

Q. (2 Kings 13:14): 2 Kings 13:11 says that Jehoash did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.  So, it surprises me that he visited Elisha and wept because he was dying.

A. I suspect many of these men had moments of character show, and this appears to be one of those moments for these two men.  Even evil people — which on some level, we all are — are capable of great good and mercy.

Q. (13:19): There are so many riddles.  And if you don’t do them just right, you don’t get the full prize.  Why?  He obviously had more arrows and when Elisha told him to pick up his “other arrows,” he meant all of them?

A. Jehoash’s response to the challenge was half-hearted: instead of using ALL of his arrows, he only uses three.  This timid, unenthusiastic response is probably what upset Elisha.  Jehoash could not even muster a strong response when challenged.

Q. (13:23): I wonder if it weren’t for His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, if God would have given up on the Israelites.  I would say “no” because Jesus is prophesied to come from there.

A. Let’s hold on to that one for a few chapters, ok?

Q. (13:24): Hazael kills Ben-Hadad, but then names his son the same thing?  Maybe Ben-Hadad means like strong warrior or something?  That brings up another question.  There are so many kings whose name starts with a “J”.  Do the names have a meaning?  Like mine means “meadow” or something glorious like that.  I just wonder how people in Bible times decided on names for their children.

A. Ok, let’s see.  At least three people in our story have the name Ben-Hadad.  This is because, like the Egyptian “Pharaoh,” it is a title, not a name.  It means Son (ben) of Hadad — the god of the Arameans, also called Syrians in some translations.  So different people who rule as king of this nation carry this title — names like Hazael, who as king, was also technically ben-hadad — which probably help readers keep up with who’s who.  So that’s why the name keeps popping up.

You’ve clearly noticed some pattern in the naming of Jewish men and to a lesser extent women.  One pattern we see is that many Jewish names are based upon the name of God in the OT — The Hebrew YHWH, which is given to us in English as Yahweh or Jehovah.  Note that those first three letters in “Jehovah” are the same ones showing up in most of the names, such as Jehoash, which means God (YHWH) has bestowed.  Many of the names that we have seen or will see come from that pattern.

The catch is that since all of these names are translated into English from Hebrew, there have to be some editing choices.  So once you have settled on the name of God (Yahweh or Jehovah), then you have the “template” for all the other names based upon the name of God.  Feel free to ask about any names you see in the future.  I can usually find their translation from Hebrew.

For further study: Elisha, a role model for leadership in caring for the surrounding community, https://jacl.andrews.edu/the-prophet-elisha-as-an-agent-of-change-for-community-development/

Spread the Word! Christian shirts get noticed.  Check out these conversation starters: https://livinlight.org/shop/

Tomorrow’s reading
— 2 Kings 14:1-14
— 2 Chronicles 25:1-24
— 2 Kings 13:12-13
— 2 Kings 14:15-16
— 2 Kings 14:23-27
— 2 Chronicles 25:25-28
— 2 Kings 14:17-22
— 2 Kings 15:1-5
— 2 Chronicles 26:1-21
— Jonah 1-4

Kings and killings. Being king during the time of the Kings was very harsh. Because of kings' pride wanting to rule and not listen to the Lord, they often were brought to their knees either in death or submission.
Categories365 Daily Bible Readings by

Day 168 (June 17): Judah judged, Ahaziah rules Judah, Jehu gets Israel, Jehu kills two, Jezebel dies, Jehu kills Ahab’s family, Baal’s priest

Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org

Welcome to Livin’ Light’s Bible-In-A-Year challenge of discovering God’s love for us and His purpose for our lives. Here is the format for this great adventure: The daily reading assignment is posted at 5 a.m. After each day’s reading, Leigh An Coplin, the blog host, shares observations and poses questions about difficult passages to Rob Fields, who studied Christian Education at Asbury Seminary and currently teaches Biology in the Orlando area. To start from the beginning, click on 365 Bible Readings and scroll down to Day 1. The reading schedule is taken from The One Year Chronological Bible NLT. 

Today’s Reading
— 2 Chronicles 21:8-20
— 2 Kings 8:23-29
— 2 Chronicles 22:1-7
— 2 Kings 9-10:17
— 2 Chronicles 22:8-9
— 2 Kings 10:18-31
(852-841 BC) Click here for a timeline of the entire Bible.

Questions & Observations

Q. (2 Chronicles 21:8): The Edomites were not a part of Israel or Judah, right?  Were they a vassal state also, like Moab?  They wanted freedom from paying tributes to Judah?

A. Yes.  Israel/Judah became powerful during David and Solomon’s reigns, and took on several vassal states.  But as the power decreased down the line, these servant peoples began to revolt against their ruling nation.

Q. (21:16): It seems ironic that God is waging a war against His Own people.  But, if we want to think deeper, He is actually trying to rid them of evil and reestablish himself.  He needs to show them who is king and who will provide for them.  Are the wicked kings too proud to admit someone is more powerful than they are?  They shouldn’t, they are worshipping other idols.  I don’t understand if they are going to worship something, which they do, why deny God?  They know of His power, yet they belittle it.

A. In Israel, this whole mess began, as the end of the reading told us, with Jeroboam building the golden calves in order to prevent the people from worshipping God Himself.  Every king since then has followed suit, either by doing evil, or like Jehu, not correcting the original error of having set up idols.  Essentially, this is really an issue of control and power.  These kings are capable of controlling these other “gods” and using their “power” for their own purposes, but God will not be so easily manipulated.  The unwillingness to submit to the true God’s demands is at the heart of the corruption you have been seeing.

Q. (2 Kings 9:3): Why should this prophet have to run after anointing Jehu as king of Israel?  This scene is humorous.

A. He was telling the commander of a king’s army to commit treason against that king, and could not know for sure how he would react.  If the commander refused the order, he likely would have killed the prophet.

O. (9:13): We don’t see any deliberation here from Jehu about being anointed.  He took the task by the horns and ran with it.

Q. (9:19): Jehu is saying, “Follow me and you’ll see peace?”

A. He is stalling for time and not lying about his intent by saying he comes in peace when he really does not.

O. (9:30-37): The witch is dead!  And the people said, “AMEN!”

O. (2 Kings 10:27): A toilet?  Now that’s some humor!

Q. (10:31): What, after all of that work for God he is going to follow Jeroboam?  I thought Jehu was going to be a really good king.

A. Relative to the other kings of Israel at the time, he was.  That’s why his family got to rule for the next three generations.

For further study: Pride and ruin, https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-does-the-bible-say-about-pride.html

Spread the Word! Christian shirts get noticed.  Check out these conversation starters: https://livinlight.org/shop/

Tomorrow’s reading
— 2 Kings 11:1-3
— 2 Chronicles 22:10-12
— 2 Kings 11:4-12
— 2 Chronicles 23:1-11
— 2 Kings 11:13-16
— 2 Chronicles 23:12-15
— 2 Kings 11:17-21
— 2 Chronicles 23:16-21
— 2 Kings 12:1-16
— 2 Chronicles 24:1-22
— 2 Kings 10:32-36

Naaman healed. Naaman was overcome with joy. In spite of the weakness of his faith, God had healed his body!
Categories365 Daily Bible Readings by

Day 167 (June 16): Naaman healed, ax floats, Elisha traps Arameans, Ben-Hadad takes Samaria, lepers to enemy, Shunem woman, Hazael murders Ben-Hadad

Moody Publishers / FreeBibleimages.org

Welcome to Livin’ Light’s Bible-In-A-Year challenge of discovering God’s love for us and His purpose for our lives. Here is the format for this great adventure: The daily reading assignment is posted at 5 a.m. After each day’s reading, Leigh An Coplin, the blog host, shares observations and poses questions about difficult passages to Rob Fields, who studied Christian Education at Asbury Seminary and currently teaches Biology in the Orlando area. To start from the beginning, click on 365 Bible Readings and scroll down to Day 1. The reading schedule is taken from The One Year Chronological Bible NLT. 

Today’s Reading
— 2 Kings 5-8:15
(849-847 BC) Click here for a timeline of the entire Bible.

Questions & Observations

Q. (2 Kings 5:1): I am confused.  Aram was an enemy of Israel, right?  Why would God give the king of Aram, Ben-Hadad, victory over Israel.  Is it because Naaman believed in God?

A. Aram and Israel were at war.  The story didn’t say that Naaman had victory over Israel, only that he was given victory by God.  I don’t think the reason for this had anything to do with Naaman’s belief in the God of his enemy Israel, but rather by God’s mercy.  Remember, God did not ordain this war between Israel and Aram.  The evil kings of both of these nations brought it about.  God is, in this case, not necessarily on one side exclusively.

Q. (5:2): Israel must not have been following God at this time because Israel has been pillaged.  Joram is the king of Israel at this time?

A. Yes, Ahab’s son.

Q. (5:7): Why would Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, think that Israel would help heal the commander of his army, after Aram had invaded Israel?

A. He believed it because Naaman told him so.  The whole reason Naaman even comes to Israel was because of his slave girl informing him about Elisha, who had the power, via God, to heal his leprosy.  I suspect your answer is that if the healing was good enough for Naaman, it was good enough for Ben-Hadad.

Q. (5:15): Why would Elisha not accept the gifts from Naaman?  Because of God’s grace, he does not require gifts?  But, he does like sacrifices, which include gifts.  I probably have this wrong?

A. God’s curing Naaman’s leprosy was a mercy, and did not require a gift.   I suspect it also had to do with the treasures being from Aram, and were probably acquired via pagan ritual.

Q. (5:18,19): So, since Elisha said, “Go in peace” to Naaman’s request of being pardoned when he, with his master King Ben-Hadad, bows to the god Rimmon?  I wouldn’t think God would appreciate this from someone who was just healed of leprosy.

A. Naaman is obligated to bow to Rimmon out of respect for his king; it was a requirement.  But what the text tells us is that Naaman understands who the true God is.

O. (5:20-27): Goes to show you what lies and greed will get you: not ahead like Gehazi thought, but behind with leprosy.

Q. (6:9): So you said that because the kings were not following God, Elisha and other prophets would step in to set them on the right path or give them a glimpse of what God can do if they remain loyal to him.

A. That is the purpose a prophet serves, yes.  In this case, Elisha is keeping Israel out of trouble with Aram.

Q. (6:21-22): Elisha had mercy on the soldiers who came to seize him.  I don’t know why he didn’t do this with the boys who were mocking him in 2 Kings 2:23-24?

A. Well, I don’t have a great answer for that, but part of the answer is the mocking itself: the soldiers were merely under orders to bring in Elisha, but were not disrespecting him.  By tricking the soldiers into basically coming into the capital, he was essentially making them prisoners of war.  Even in ancient society, there were rules about proper ways to treat POWs — killing them wasn’t acceptable.

Q. (6:25): I read this verse to my husband.  His question is: Why would anyone want a donkey’s head and, especially, dove’s dung?

A. In the midst of a famine, it was apparently all that was left that was edible.  This rather gross imagery is meant to show the extent of the famine.

Q. (6:31): Why is burlap significant?

A. It was a symbol of mourning.  The king was in a state of mourning, but he was unwilling to go all the way and be exclusively dressed in burlap, which was probably a pride thing.  He wanted to mourn the terrible situation, but was unwilling to give up his majestic robes.

Q. (6:31): Is this a “be careful what you wish for” question?

A. It was pretty unwise, yes.

Q. (7:1): Bad flour is punishment for the king ordering Elisha’s death?

A. Um, not bad flour, cheap flour.  What Elisha means is that the famine will be over, and crops, including flour, will be readily available.

Q. (7:19-20): They couldn’t eat the cheap flour because: A) they were mourning their kings death and had no appetite? B) the soldiers were away plundering so no matter what the price, there was no one to buy it or eat it? C) the people left behind were distracted and had no interest in going to the market? D) it was trampled just like the king? E) none of the above?

A. NOTA.  There’s no “they” — the prophecy only refers to the king’s servant who scoffs at Elisha’s promise.  The king does not die in this story, only this man, who is trampled at the gate by the people rushing to get food.  So he lived to see the cheap flour, and the end of the famine, but he was not able to enjoy it because he was trampled to death.

Q. (8:7-15): I guess being a prophet isn’t all fun.  It obviously has its hardships and requires a stomach of steel.  Hazael seemed to be blindsided by the news that he would be the leader of such destruction — which he did call “great things.”  Why would God cause such horror?  Will we learn why?

A. Well, you already know part of the reason: Israel and Aram are at war, and Hazael has just made himself king by killing the previous king.  But, yes, I believe the full reason will become clear.

For further study
— The healing of Naaman is symbolic of people coming to Jesus out of the darkness to seek truth, https://bible.org/seriespage/13-healing-naaman-2-kings-51-19
— The DIRT on Naaman, https://www.logos.com/grow/important-detail-forget-story-naaman/

Spread the Word! Christian shirts get noticed.  Check out these conversation starters: https://livinlight.org/shop/

Tomorrow’s reading
— 2 Chronicles 21:8-20
— 2 Kings 8:23-29
— 2 Chronicles 22:1-7
— 2 Kings 9-10:17
— 2 Chronicles 22:8-9
— 2 Kings 10:18-31