Today, I was asked to help a friend out and post for her group in her daily Bible challenge. I had permission to write whatever I wanted as long as I posted the Bible verses they were to read. This is what I wrote: (sorry for any typos, my phone doesnt always like it when I talk into it.) Todays Bible Readings for June 10, 2014 are found in: 2 Chronicles chapters 29,30, and 31. And John 18:1-23. All in Character As I was reading through Chronicles, some words stood out to me more so than others as well as details about what was being read. One of the things that stood out to me was King Hezekiahs character. Didnt it you? As I read John 18:1-23, I looked at Peters character. I think we all remember throughout the Bible of stories of Peters character. I couldnt help but see the difference of the two. I think about where we fit in to all of this. Oftentimes, we can have a character of pride, we can act out of fear (which can come in many forms.) Whether fear of dying, fear of being rejected, fear of opinions or pleasing people, ect. Or we can be overly confident and rely on ourselves or lose focus and start to slip. Who does that sound like? Sounds like some of Peters weaknesses right? When I looked at King Hezekiah, I know neither him nor Peter was perfect, but he had a level mindset. He did what was good and pleasing in the sight of God. I look at him as like a pillar for the people. Dont you? We all know what that word is, but to further go into it, I looked up the dictionarys definition. This is what I found: 1. an upright shaft or structure, of stone, brick, or other material, relatively slender in proportion to its height, and of any shape in section, used as a building support, or standing alone, as for a monument. King Hezekiah was a good king. Just by looking at the subtitles in the Bible of what we read today, we can see some of his accomplishments. In chapter 29, He reigns in Judah, he cleans the temple, and he restores temple worship. In chapter 30, Hezekiah keeps the Passover and it talks about his reforms in 31. He became king at just 25 years of age. In Chapter 29 verse 2, it says and he did what was right in the side of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done. It then talks about what the people had done before them and how they turned their backs from God and theyd be sure to catch the wrath of God if it hadnt changed. He commanded them to sanctify themselves in the house of the Lord. And well, youve read it. In first 10, he said, now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us. 11 my son, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that you should minister to him and burn incense. Hasnt God chosen us all to STAND? And to sand before Him and minister and serve Him? Think about that. Who or what are we truly serving? The Bible says we can only serve one master. So are we serving self or are we serving God? Or maybe we are serving flesh or fear? Hmm.... The word that stood out to me and verse 10 was the word covenant. What is a covenant? I wont go into a long detailed analytical thing, but it could get broken apart very deep within its meaning. The Greek word διαθηκη (diatheke), usually translated “covenant” in English versions of the Bible, is a legal term denoting a formal and legally binding declaration of benefits to be given by one party to another, with or without conditions attached. In secular contexts it was most often used of a “last will and testament.” In the Greek version of the Old Testament διαθηκη was used as the ordinary rendering for the Hebrew word ברית. ברית (berith) is also translated “covenant” in English versions, but, like διαθηκη, it also refers to legal dispositions or pledges which may or may not have the character of an “agreement.” Sometimes a ברית is more in the nature of a one-sided promise or grant. When English readers see the word “covenant” in the Bible, it is important to bear this in mind, because the true sense is often missed if readers suppose that the word must refer to a reciprocal “agreement” or “contract.” The issue is important because misunderstandings along this line can have some serious consequences for theology. (If youd like to finish reading deeper into it, you can visit bible-researcher) The people rose up and gathered their brethren, sanctified themselves, and went according to their commandment of the King at the words of the Lord to cleanse the house of the Lord. Then the priest went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse that and brought out all of the debris that they found in the temple of the Lord to the court of the house of the Lord. The Levites took it out and carried it to the Brook Kidron. As I read in John, I found it interesting that very same place, was where Jesus and his disciples went over into the garden where Jesus was betrayed in Gethsemane. After reading about all that they done in the 2Chronicles 29, after they began to sanctify on first day of the first month in on the eighth day of the month they came to the festival of the Lord. Then they sanctified the house of the Lord and eight days in on the 16th day of the first month they finished. Again, I dont want to overload your minds, but eight is a significant number. The number eight represents a new beginning. Notice, this was right before King Hezekiah restores temple worship. They worshipped and done all these things with praises and gladness. (Just like we should.) and it goes on about the Passover and everything that King Hezekiah did. In 30:8 it says, then the runners went throughout all is your and Judah with the letters from the king and his leaders and spoke according to the commandment of the King: children of Israel, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; then he will return to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the Kings of Assyria. And do not be like your fathers in your brother and, who trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, so that he gave been up to astonishment, as you see. No do not be stiffnecked as your fathers war but yield yourselves to the Lord; and enter his sanctuary, which he has sanctified forever and serve the Lord your God that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. For if you return to the Lord, your brethren in your children will be treated with compassion by those who believed them captive so that they may come back to this land; for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn his face from you if you return to him. And as we know, the runners spread the message from city to city even though they were mocked in scorned and laughed at. 12 the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to do the commandment of the king in the leaders at the word of the Lord. What does it mean to have a singleness of heart? God wants us to have a singleness of heart. To separate our hearts desires. To have one heart and one way so we can be God-fearing. (Read Jeremiah 32:29) You see, King Hezekiah wasnt just a king. Though he was young he was a person of authority, he was challenged, but did not give into the ways of the world, rather he corrected it and he didnt do it out of judgment he did it out of love. He feared the Lord. He had a heart to do what was good and right. Not for his benefits, but for the glory of God. Every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all of his heart so he prospered. I could go on, but to sum it up, is though Peter may have had insecurities and issues like anyone else, he also had strong points. Today I ask you which character would you rather have? One like King Hezekiah you served the Lord with all his heart and confidently and boldly trusted in God or like Peter who was shallow-minded, often gave into fear and pride, was unstable in his ways, doubted, fell because he lost focus on God, and ended up denying God because he have into that fear of others opinions? We are all called to lead, but what do you want to teach or show someone in character?
Posted on: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 23:29:43 +0000
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