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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Ezra 7:1-7:28
- Poetry/Prophecy: Nahum 1:1-2:13
- New Testament: Luke 14:1-14:24
In Ezra, King Artaxerxes of Persia continues the tradition of giving support and resources to the ministry of the temple in Jerusalem. Today we meet Ezra the priest, who is given authority by Artaxerxes to oversee the ministry and to teach and administer the law of God to the surrounding peoples.
In Nahum, we hear an oracle against Nineveh. It is to be utterly destroyed, accomplishing God’s vengeance against Nineveh for the wrongs done by them to Judah. Judah will then be liberated from Nineveh’s influence.
And in Luke, Jesus speaks of banquets and places of honor. Who should be invited? Where should they sit? All of this speaking in parables tells us something about the kingdom of God and the invitation to be part of it.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Ezra 6:1-6:22
- Poetry/Prophecy: Micah 6:1-7:20
- New Testament: Luke 13:22-13:35
In Ezra, Darius finds the memorandum of his predecessor, King Cyrus of Persia, allowing the Jews to rebuild the temple of God. Failing to find Cyrus’s later edict commanding them to stop, Darius heavily supports their efforts, and the temple is completed. The Jews dedicate the temple and celebrate the Passover.
We complete the book of Micah. God lays out His case against his people. Micah laments the disappearance of the righteous and the proliferation of evil, asking God to send deliverance.
And in Luke, Jesus talks of the narrow door and those who are left outside it.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Ezra 4:1-5:17
- Poetry/Prophecy: Micah 5:1-5:15
- New Testament: Luke 13:1-13:21
In Ezra, local opponents of the temple rebuilding convince King Cyrus of Persia to halt the operation. The rebuilders, however, recommence in the second year of King Darius of Persia. When they are questioned, they send a letter to Darius inviting him to search the records to confirm their permission to continue.
In Micah, we are told that a coming king who would save God’s people will be born in Bethlehem, a city of little reputation. God promises that He will remove all idolatry from among His people and make them secure among the nations.
And in Luke, Jesus warns about a judgment and a need to bear fruit in light of this. He downplays the misfortunes of life which are neither connected to nor as important as this judgment. And Jesus heals a woman who has been stooped over for 18 years. He does so on the Sabbath, drawing the acclaim of the people and the ire of the leadership.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Ezra 3:1-3:13
- Poetry/Prophecy: Micah 3:1-4:13
- New Testament: Luke 12:35-12:59
In Ezra, the altar is re-established and sacrifices are re-commenced. The Festival of Temporary Shelters is observed, and the people rejoice.
In Micah, God expresses His disappointment with false or, perhaps more accurately, mercenary prophets. We then hear about a future when all of the nations of the earth will exist in peace and will seek God’s will on His mountain.
And in Luke, Jesus tells parables encouraging his followers to remain faithful even after his earthly ministry. He emphasizes the need for his people to become adept at “interpret(ing) the present time.”
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Ezra 1:1-2:70
- Poetry/Prophecy: Micah 1:1-2:13
- New Testament: Luke 12:13-12:34
We begin the book of Ezra with King Cyrus of Persia sending some 40,000-plus exiles from Judah back to their homeland to rebuild God’s temples. They take with them many gifts from their neighbors and many of the temple furnishings looted by King Nebuchadnezzar during the exile.
We begin the book of Micah with God lamenting the spiritual adultery and condemning the dishonesty and defrauding of the poor and defenseless perpetrated by his people.
And in Luke, Jesus tells the parable of a rich man who looked for fulfillment among the “abundance of his possessions.” Jesus has a lot to say about our worry about material things and how it fails to align with God’s priorities.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 35:16-36:23
- Poetry/Prophecy: Jonah 3:1-4:11
- New Testament: Luke 12:1-12:12
We complete the book of 2 Chronicles. Josiah is killed in battle against the king of Egypt. After a succession of wicked kings – Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah – the people of Judah are exiled to Babylon. However, all is not lost: King Cyrus of Persia has the desire to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
We also complete the book of Jonah. Jonah does go to Nineveh, and the people repent. God accepts this and decides not to destroy the city. Jonah becomes increasingly angry about this situation. The book ends without resolving the tension between Jonah and God.
And in Luke, Jesus tells his disciples to fear God, not people. He states that those who acknowledge him in front of men will be acknowledged by him in front of God.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 34:19-35:15
- Poetry/Prophecy: Jonah 1:1-2:10
- New Testament: Luke 11:37-11:54
In 2 Chronicles, King Josiah of Judah repents after hearing the Law Scroll read aloud, and humbly seeks God’s will. In response to Josiah’s repentance, God promises not to bring judgment on Judah during Josiah’s life. At Josiah’s urging, the people renew their covenant with God and observe the Passover.
We begin the book of Jonah with Jonah attempting to flee from God after God sends him to preach to the city of Nineveh. The boat on which Jonah sails is buffeted by storm, and Jonah convinces his fellow travelers to throw him overboard to calm the sea. Jonah is swallowed by a huge fish. He remains in its stomach for three days and nights until it “disgorges” him on dry land.
And in Luke, Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and experts in religious law. This leads them to begin plotting against him.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 34:1-34:18
- Poetry/Prophecy: Obadiah 1-21
- New Testament: Luke 11:1-11:36
Today in 2 Chronicles, we read about the youthful King Josiah of Judah and his diligence in removing pagan practices from the land and rebuilding God’s temple. During the renovation process, the Law Scroll is discovered. Shaphan the scribe is poised to read it in front of the king.
In Obadiah, which we read in its entirety (21 verses), utter destruction is foretold for Edom, which turned its back on the nation of Israel when the latter was under attack.
And in Luke, Jesus talks about prayer. He then responds to allegations that he was using demonic power to cast demons out of people. He talks about the wickedness of the generation, pointing out that other seemingly more wicked groups of people repented in response to influence much lesser than that of Jesus. And Jesus talks about inner light.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 32:27-33:25
- Poetry/Prophecy: Amos 8:1-9:15
- New Testament: Luke 10:21-10:37
In 2 Chronicles, we read about the death of King Hezekiah. His son Manasseh starts very badly, committing all sorts of evil acts. However, he comes to a place of repentance, and finishes strong. His son Amon, who starts and remains evil, then takes over as king when Manasseh dies, and Amon’s son Josiah succeeds him when Amon is killed by his servants.
We complete the book of Amos, with God promising persistence in His judgment against Israel until only a small remnant remains. Still, that remnant will be regrown in the fullness of time.
And in Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan when an expert in religious law tests him.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 32:1-32:26
- Poetry/Prophecy: Amos 7:1-7:17
- New Testament: Luke 10:1-10:20
In 2 Chronicles, King Hezekiah marshals Judah’s forces when King Sennacherib of Assyria invades. The people stand firm against Sennacherib’s psychological warfare, and God delivers His people.
In Amos, God shows Amos various versions of what He could do to His people. Amos begs for mercy, and God relents, settling on a lesser punishment. When Amaziah the priest tries to send Amos away, Amos sticks to his guns.
And in Luke, Jesus sends 72 missionaries out to spread the Gospel ahead of his visits to various towns and cities. These missionaries are allowed to wield God’s power in remarkable ways.
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