Day 238..."Wicked counsel? How we treat people does matter"

Ahaziah succeeds his father but is also wicked. I am intrigued by the concept of "wicked counsel." In this context, we see counsel can be either good or evil. Is a person about as good as their counsel? When Ahaziah is put to death (due to the killing of sons) there is no successor. Athaliah, the mother, takes over in the void. Later, she will be overthrown and put to death in what she considers treason. Joash becomes king in a "tuck a king in a hideaway" story. Isaiah 41 continues a more upbeat message of hope..."I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it." Perhaps the most compelling teaching of treating the "least of these" well comes from the parable of the "last judgment." How we treat people does matter! This is clear in the parable of the "good Samaritan" and "Lazarus and the rich man."

Day 237..."Worst eulogy ever...Soaring...The tenants"

Jehoshaphat demonstrates his fear of defeat and prays for strength. Jahaziel has some of the most beautiful words for him in II Chronicles..."Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” This is good advice for any situation..."Be not afraid or dismayed." Who has the worst eulogy ever? It could be Jehoram. He died a horrible death and because he mistreated everyone the final words about him were..."He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he departed with no one's regret." Ouch...no one regreted his death.

We have made it to hopeful words in what some refer to as II Isaiah (chapters 40-55). There is a strong teaching about the Bible included..."The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." We find in this chapter one of my favorite passages..."but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary;they shall walk and not faint." WOW!!! These are words for the discouraged people in exile and inspire us still today. I have used these words in running a marathon. The parable of the tenants is actually a prelude message to Jesus' death on the Cross. Those who rejected Jesus treated the world as theirs and disrepected God. In this action they rejected both God (the Owner) and the Son (Jesus) would be put to death on the Cross.

Day 236..."Jehoshaphat...Under armour apparel...We do not know what the next moment holds"

Jehoshaphat teams with Ahab for battle after seeking a word from the Lord. Ahab dies with an arrow between or should I say "under armour." He is disguised (to turn the attention to Jehoshaphat) but dies anyway in an incidental shot of an arrow. His death comes at sunset. In chapter 39 of Isaiah, we read of Babylon's rise to power. Tomorrow...we will read as the tone of Isaiah changes to a message of hope. The parable of the "unwise servant" is another truth about being ready when the moment master returns. Many of the parables tell us to be ready! We do not know what the next moment holds.

Day 235..."Asa stumbles...get affairs in order...uninvited guest"

Asa stumbled in turning to military might and not God. He had done so well on a previous occasion, when he faced one million, to trust God against all odds. What happened? Is trusting God not an ongoing work in progress. We have to trust God in all circumstances. Jehoshaphat also begins his reign by honoring God and the strength is evident. In Isaiah 38, we read of getting ones affairs in order..."“Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” Hezekiah was told he would die but... after an earnest prayer... was given fifteen more years to his life. The parable of the wedding feast does not sound very "Kingdomlike" upon first reading as one guest is turned away. There there must be meaning to the wedding garment required. Is our invitation to the Kingdom of God dependent upon a life that makes preparations to be ready? The ousted man would have been offered proper attire. Did the man without a wedding garment refuse the host's apparel? The NIV study notes suggests this was the problem, as he refused the opportunity to dress properly.

Day 234..."Asa...Remnant...Unproductive"

Asa had a glorious reign in honoring God. The land and people were at peace most of the time. When there was war, he had the faith in God's power to scare an army of 1 million away! He is one of the few good kings following David and Solomon. Isaiah again refers to a better day with a remnant..."For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." Jesus tell the "parable of the unproductive tree." Is this not a message like the "parable of the talents." Use what God has given or do not take up the potential of the soil! There is no room for complacency with the Kingdom of God.

Day 233..."Rehoboam is down and up...trust in the Lord...net results"

Rehoboam turns from God and Egypt plunders Jerusalem. He turns back to the Lord and restores order. Amazing how trusting the Lord works even today! Israel has the same story in Isaiah chapter 36...trust the Lord instead of deceptive earthly power. The net result is trusting the Lord seperates us from the life God intends or a life of collapse. This truth is evident in the "parable of the fish in the net." Reverend Edward Chandler stated this theme beautifully yesterday in his message!

Day 232..."After David and Solomon...Highway of the Lord...Rich Toward God"

The road gets bumpy after David and Solomon. The Kingdom begins to crumble. Rehoboam seeks advice but makes things harder and, consequently; there is a revolt. This rebellion would subside some, but, as we read earlier in I and II Kings...the kingdom would begin to crumble. Isaiah writes of a highway of the Lord filled with wonderful images..." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down,the grass shall become reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness." In five chapters, we will read of greater signs of hope for a better day for Israel. The parable of rich fool tells of the folly of becoming rich in possesions but not toward God. A wise life is one that is rich toward God. How simple this message is but how quickly we forget and live the "bigger barn syndrome."

Day 231..."Solomon's Splendor told again...motives for serving"

In II Chronicles 7, 8, 9 we have Solomon's splendor retold again. All of the splendor even took the Queen of Sheeba's breath away. (See Day 193)
The passage..."if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land" is seen on bumper stickers. I wonder how many realize this comes from the story of Solomon. Obviously, this is a wonderful standard of a prayer for a nation, church, or in the life of an individual. Isaiah 34 is very destructive for those who have disobeyed the Lord. The NIV study notes compares Edom to Sodom and Gomorrah. The "parable of the servant" leads one to understand that a sense of duty is reason enough serve. Have we overblown expectations of receiving thanks for the priviledge of serving God? A good question to ask in checking our motives.

Day 230..."Ark is brought to the temple...Being a neighbor!

Solomon continues to set up the temple with the addition of the Ark of the Covenant. A grand sound was heard with the choir and instruments..."and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord.“For he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever”Later we read of the human need of redemption. I was intrigued in this text from II Chronicles of honesty about sin..."for there is no one who does not sin." Human imperfection and the need of redemption and forgiveness is clear in this passage. Isaiah also speaks with eloquence in the reading..."The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure."
The "good Samaritan" offers a shocking answer to the question about "who is my neighbor?" We have an answer we may not expect...our neighbor is an enemy, or another culture, a person who requires something of us...THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ABOUT NEIGHBORS IN A GLOBAL SENSE AND NOT JUST ACROSS THE FENCE!

Day 229..."Solomon builds and furnishes the temple...PERSISTENCE!!!

Our reading today focuses on Solomon buidling the temple. I found myself drawn to the dimensions. If I interpret the measurements correctly the vestibule hovered magnificiently over the temple and was 180 feet high. If this is right, this would be taller than any structure in Pensacola. Isaiah has images of the Spirit descending and changing the environment..."until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." Isaiah provides word pictures of beautiful imagery. The parable today is about the persistent widow. Is talent more important or persistence? In the parable, persistence seems to matter the most!

Day 228..."Solomon put people to work...asking for help at midnight"

We shift to Solomon's reign at II Chronicles begins. Solomon prays to the Lord for wisdom... "Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” The Lord blesses (because he only asked for wisdom) in many other ways. The temple construction creates quite an economic boom employing 153,600 people. Solomon ponders how majestic it is to build the temple..."But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?" Isaiah again turns the people away from alliances and fast horses by saying..."Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses,who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong,but do not look to the Holy One of Israelor consult the Lord!" He then exposes the folly of it all..."The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit." The parable of the "friend at midnight" is a very "down to earth" parable. Who has not resented being asked to help someone only to reconsider and do the right thing for a neighbor. Often in these moments of reconsidering...we have our best growth!

Day 227..."David's reign ends as does I Chronicles...Real Strength...Forgiving and forgiven"

I Chronicles comes to an end with an offering for the temple and the end of era - David's reign and death. The freewheel offering is given with great joy! The generous outpouring of the people created a festive and abundant atmosphere. David's reign is summed up..."He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor." What a wonderful tribute! Solomon becomes king as I Chronicles ends. Isaiah writes in protest of the alliances with Egypt and exposes the folly. Does strength come from fast horses? No. Real strength comes not in alliances with strong nations...but rather in quietness and trust. "“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”But you were unwilling, and you said,“No! We will flee upon horses”, ... These passages sum up the human condition of placing our trust in the wrong people and nations. The parable of the "unforgiving servant" is also revealing of the human condition...we like the idea of personal forgiveness but are reluctant to offer forgiveness to others. How hypocritical! Jesus says we are to forgive 70x7 or 490 times. The 490 is symbolic of greater mercy than we could ever imagine! This is more like the mercy God shows to each of us!

Day 226..."David prepares for Solomon...The greater the debt the greater the love"

David continues to organize Israel in the reading of I Chronicles, chapter 27, as he focuses on the masterminding the military. I noticed those under 20 years of age did not count in the numbers. Is this oversight somehow fulfilling Israel becoming more numerous than the stars? I am not real clear on the "why" this is mentioned like this and I am still researching. David prepares the way for Solomon. David's explanation is interesting as to why he will not build the temple..."God said to me, ‘You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood." David also says to Solomon his son... “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished." Isaiah states a very human condition...“Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me." Is this not also contemporary to honor God with lips but not with a life? The parable of the "two debts" is simple. The greater the debt the greater the love. I am reminded of the mother who was asked which child she loved the most and she responded..."it depends on which one needs me to love them the most!"

Day 225..."David organizes musicians...Counting the cost"

David's organization continues with a massive organization of 288 musicians. "Sing choirs of angels!" A wide assortment of instruments are included. They were all skilled. In music, even then, you either have or you do not! He also organizes gatekeepers and persons for the treasury. In today's message, I referred to a firm foundation and Isaiah speaks eloquently about this..." therefore thus says the Lord God,“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone,a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line." Zion is a "Kingdom of God" like image in the Old Testament..."the city of God." The plumb line is used to determine accuracy in foundations. The parable of a king estimating readiness for war has the same message of the tower. Preparation for war and finishing a tower requires counting the cost. The cost of discipleship requires "bearing the cross." We are at our best, when we are willing to pay the price of discipleship. What may seem initially costly is better for the long-term. A king is wise to consider the cost before battle and a disciple must count the cost in everyday life of good long-term decisions.

Day 224..."David the organizer...Rather be discerning than have a high IQ...Going the Distance"

In chapters 23 and 24 of I Chronicles, we read of systematic and detailed organizational plans laid out by David. David is preparing the way of Solomon and providing necessary structure for a kingdom. Why was counting people bad in yesterday's reading and good in today's? Previously, David was trusting his own strength by military numbers and not God's! In today's reading, the numbers are for organization consistent with trusting God. David is a good organizer. Isaiah, chapter 27, deals with the redemption of Israel. I was captivated by one passage..."For this is a people without discernment." Is discernment not one of the greatest qualities to possess? The difference of knowledge and wisdom rests on the ability to discern. The building of the tower is a commitment message. Do we do things half way? Do we finish? Have we commitment? Are we willing to go the distance?

Day 223..."Satan tempts David...The Lord is a Rock...Build on the Rock!"

Satan tempts David to take a census and he does. The Lord is not pleased and sends a plague of pestilence and 70,000 men fall. David repents and the Lord restores him. After David identifies the place of the temple, he begins to make preparations for Solomon to build the temple. The instruction is given to "be strong, courageous, not afraid, and be not dismayed." Isaiah, chapter 26, offers these beautiful words..."You keep him in perfect peacewhose mind is stayed on you,because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." This is a word for a way to peace. From the Lord is a rock... we move to the parable of "the wise and foolish builders." In this parable, we are compelled to build on the rock by hearing and understanding the Word. Two images of rocks are offered for solid living. The Lord is a rock and build on a rock!

Day 222..."Ammonites embarrass Israel...Stay Awake!"

The Ammonites embarrassed David's messengers by cutting their clothes off at the hip and shaving them. This humiliation was unnecessary! David's men came in goodwill but their mistreatment would lead to war and the Ammonites defeat. The victories of David continue to accumulate in I Chronicles. Isaiah speaks of a time in the future with no death and tears..."He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces." We will read this again in Isaiah 65:19. The parable today advises to stay awake. The theme of staying alert is the same as the ten virgins with their lamps. Readiness is part of the disciple's life. We never know what the future holds and we want to be ready for whatever God has in mind. Our life can change quickly and we certaintly want to live, as if we are ready to die. We also want to live in anticipation of the coming of the Kingdom of God!

Day 221..."A house of cedar...the Lord has a tent"..."Use it or lose it!"

David realizes he has a house of cedar and the Lord a tent! Can you say mixed up priorities! This discrepency was pretty obvious. Are our priorities any different today? Does the Lord receive less and our accomodations more? Solomon will have the honor of building a temple. He also will have issues, as he builds a house larger than the temple. David does have a blessed kingdom and exudes confidence...with all the victories. In a stark contrast, Isaiah today offering a very bleak forcast of destruction and judgement. One image really got my attention..."all joy has grown dark; the gladness of the earth is banished." Can we imagine no joy and gladness? The parable of the talents teaches us many lessons. One of the obvious ones is "use or lose" what the Lord has given you. The faithful servants heard those precious words..."well done good and faithful servant." The unfaithful servant let his fear get the best of him. What is the most valuable message of the parable? God seeks us to use our resources for Him. The meaning "then" was money. I think the message easily applys to the use of all of our gifts. Have we any under a rock?

Day 220..."Reasons to Sing...The Ark creates a reason to sing...Keep your lamp ready"

The Ark creates quite a stir and is reason to sing and dance. David danced and this made Saul's daughter angry. This sounds a bit like the "elder brother" in the parable of the prodigal son. I like the practical word of..."Chenaniah should lead the music" for "he understood it." Of all the gifts music is one of the most special! In Isaiah the word is..."Make sweet melody; sing many songs,that you may be remembered.” Music appears prominent in both Old Testament readings. In the parable of the 10 virgins, five were ready and five were not. One interpretation is the "lamp" represents our hearts. Are we ready at any given moment for what God has in mind? Speaking of singing..."GIVE ME OIL IN MY LAMP...KEEP ME BURNING, BURNING, BURNING. GIVE ME OIL IN MY LAMP I PRAY."
Where is Chenaniah? Or Phil Igney?

Day 219..."David as King...Making the best of a rotten situation"

David is annointed King and the Ark is to be returned. This Ark can lead to death, when God is disrespected as evidenced by Uzzah's sudden death. David takes on additional wives and prevails against the Philistines. In the oracle of Jerusalem there is a word that sounds epicurean...“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Atonement or the "lack of" is also mentioned.
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager" is disturbing upon a superficial view.
Is Jesus commending a man who wasted? No. The parable is more about making the best of a bad situation. There is something to be said about "making the best" out of some of the rotten situations of life.

Day 218..."David becomes king...Mighty men..."yes" and "no" answers"

We read in I Chronicles, chapter 11, of David's becoming king. One of the different twists of I Chronicles is David's "mighty men." There is an inner circle of three and then thirty for the mighty men. The mighty men were described as talented..."They were bowmen and could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the right or the left hand." David enjoyed support..."all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king."
Isaiah 21 focuses on the fall of Babylon...“Fallen, fallen is Babylon;and all the carved images of her god she has shattered to the ground.” The "parable of the two sons" is an interesting story about commitment. One son said "yes" but meant "no." The other said "no" but meant "yes". It is far better to say "no" and then act in the "yes" than to say "yes" and then act in the "no". I have know many saints in the church which have come through... even after initially saying no. Thank God that people change minds and follow God.

Day 217..."Saul death told again...The difference between knowing a name and being known"

Chapter 9 of I Chronicles tells of more genealogy...the returned exiles, and Saul's genealogy. This is followed in chapter ten by the first real story of I Chronicles the death of Saul. In this account, he fell on his own sword. The Isaiah reading (chapter 20) is short and tells of troubles for Egypt and Cush. Today, I will be preaching on this parable of "False Security." The knowing of Jesus' name is not enough. People can and do misuse the name of Jesus for their own purposes. Disciples know Jesus but also are known. There is a difference in serving for the sake of Jesus' name and using the name of Jesus for other motives.

Day 216..."And the genealogy goes on..."in that day"..."Invite"

The genealogy of I Chronicles continues in chapters seven and eight with Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Asher, and Saul. After laying out destructive images Isaiah looks to the future with hope when Egypt, Assyria, and Israel will be friends and blessed by the Lord..."In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.” The parable of the "Great Banquet" is a metaphor for the Kingdom of God...invite others...(if you are rejected) invite whoever will come...even in the unusual places! This is an excellent message for the Church. Invite everyone and especially those who are outsiders..."‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled."

Day 215..."And more genealogy...It does matter how you treat people...A dramatic parable"

First Chronicles chapters 5, 6 continues with more genealogy from Reuben, Gad, Manasseh, and Levi. The blogger asked about Chronicles also being known as a continuation of Kings and even III Kings and IV Kings. Obviously, some of the history is the same. The six chapter of genealogy does stand out. Ezra is considered the author by Jewish tradition (perhaps along with Nehemiah) of Chronicles. Isaiah has a glimmer of hope in the reference to Zion which is the city of God. The "parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man" has at least two messages. 1) The way we treat people on earth does have an impact on eternity. 2) Humankind is so blind to the truth about God's love and compassion. Even a supernatural return from the dead would not change the minds of people. (If Moses could not do it) The story is another reminder that parables have a truth in them in which we see but do not perceive and hear but do not understand. This story is filled with drama in realizing it is too late...and too late to warn other family members. (See also day 122)

Day 214..."More Genealogy...Great Seats!

Our journey through I Chronicles chapters three and four contain more genealogy with the descendents of David, Judah, and Simeon. Isaiah writes that Damascus will be in ruins. There are also other signs of destruction in chapter seventeen. The reason for the peril is forgetting the Lord..."For you have forgotten the God of your salvationand have not remembered the Rock of your refuge;therefore, though you plant pleasant plants and sow the vine-branch of a stranger, though you make them grow on the day that you plant them,and make them blossom in the morning that you sow, yet the harvest will flee away in a day of grief and incurable pain." The parable of the "Wedding Feast" encourages to sit humbly at a banquet and then await the an invitation to a more honored seat. The reason...humility leads to honor..."For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” This is the same message as yesterday with the sinners prayer. Humility will lead to a better seat in the Kingdom of God than self-righteousness.

Day 213..."Is this not in the Book of Chronicles? Unfair Pay!

How many times have we read..."is this not in the Book of Chronicles?" Now we begin to read the history again. Today and tomorrow we will be reading a terse genealogy...Adam to Abraham...Abraham to Jacob...and the genealogy of David. Isaiah forecasts the fall of Moab. He is strong in number today but weak and few in number in three years. The "parable of workers in the vineyard is one labeled by cynics as ..."the parable of unfair pay." Is this not a "parable of umerited grace" as opposed to unfair pay.
(See day 40) Imagine how great it is to serve the Lord for an entire lifetime.
Who really gets cheated? One obvious message is there is still time for all of us to work in the Kingdom of God.

Day 212..."Exile of Judah...Destruction in various forms"

Judah also falls into exile. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, brings destruction to Judah including burning the house of the Lord. The Book of II Kings ends with Jehoiachin, the king of Judah, being released from prison...thirty-seven years after the exile. We begin the Book of I Chronicles tomorrow. From the desolation of II Kings we move into the desolation of Isaiah chapter fifteen. In the parable of the "Pharisee and tax collector" we have another form of desolation. Pride leads to destruction, as the Pharisee's prayer blinded him from seeing his own self-destruction in attitude..."thank God I am not a sinner." The sinner's prayer is "Lord, have mercy on me a sinner." You can build a life around that prayer!

Day 211..."As kings go Josiah was good...Come on... join the party!"

Josiah is a good king. We read about his many reforms regarding idol worship. As we might say it..."he did a good housecleaning." He got rid of numerous distractions of worshiping God. Josiah is decribed as one who honored the Lord. His sudden death meant another era of bad kings. Isaiah paints the gloom of exile in an historical era compatible with II Kings. Assyria, Babylon,
and the Philistia nations are put on notice. Though Israel is in disarray and these nations have the upper hand...God will prevail. The "elder brother" was just as lost as his "younger brother." He was unable to celebrate with and for his brother. If we are unable to celebrate with others, we are missing part of the joy of the Kingdom of God. Joy awaits, in the Kingdom, those who know they are lost. Those who remain bitter will have to move beyond their bitterness to join the celebration. The good news is God awaits both the prodigal to come home and invites the elder to join the party!

Day 210..."An eight year old king...destruction...coming home"

Manasseh ruled for fifty-five years but did "evil in the sight of the Lord." Josiah becomes the youngest king, age 8, and "did what was right in God's sight." Isaiah writes of the destruction and doom that will come to those who have disobeyed God for so long. The hopeless and disturbing images include (being like) hunted gazelle, sheep without a shepherd, infants brutally killed, houses plundered, and wives ravished.

The parable of the "prodigal son" does offer one of the greatest words of hope in the Bible. We are welcome by God even if we have journeyed in disobedience (the far country). The good news is we are not only welcomed home but received with a celebration! What a glorious image of the Kingdom of Heaven!

Day 209..."A fifteen year life extension...Isaiah appears in II Kings...The Lord is our strength and salvation...The most joyous housecleaing!"

The words of II Kings speak more to the heart today in chapters nineteen and twenty. I like the image of downward and upward..."And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord will do this." After a prayer, Hezekiah is given a fifteen year life extension..."Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.” The word comes that after Hezekiah the people will be in Babylon.
In the Book of Isaiah, chapter 12, is very hopeful...“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid;for the Lord God is my strength and my song,and he has become my salvation.” These words of hope I believe inspired the chorus..."First Song of Isaiah." We sing this at the Cokesbury at Summit Park Campus 9:30 service.

When was the greatest housecleaning of all time? Obviously, the woman who searched for her precious lost coin. She found it and there was joy! Have we considered the joy in Heaven, when we are found by God!

Day 208..."Why Exile?...A Stump with Hope...A Found Sheep"

Hosea had the dubious honor of being the king when Israel went into exile. Judah is still faithful in this era but will also fall later. Why did the exile happen? We have an answer in II Kings..."And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods and walked in the customs of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel, and in the customs that the kings of Israel had practiced. And the people of Israel did secretly against the Lord their God things that were not right. They built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. They set up for themselves pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree, and there they made offerings on all the high places, as the nations did whom the Lord carried away before them. And they did wicked things, provoking the Lord to anger, and they served idols, of which the Lord had said to them, “You shall not do this.” Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.” But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God." Notice how many chances God gave Israel! This extended passage will help us understand the rest of the Old Testament and the "why" of exile. Israel also compounds their trouble by seeking alliances with nations such as Egypt and Assyria instead of their LORD GOD. Isaiah teaches about the "stump" of Jesse to continue along the lines of a remnant..."There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit." Jesus will be in the genealogy of Jesse. This word offers hope.

God cares for Israel in spite of their disobedience. This is evident in the parable of the "lost sheep." A sinner can be found and returned to the fold! Jesus will seek those lost...especially the sinners. Jesus is the Messiah to restore the brokenness of Israel...and the world!