Thoughts on the Bible Readings November 4th (2 Chronicles 33; Hosea 1; Acts 14, 15)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Manasseh comes to the throne in BC 695 as we are told in the 2 Chronicles 33. His reign was the most evil of all Judah's kings and lasted for 55 years. Manasseh filled the streets of Jerusalem with innocent blood and history says that Isaiah the prophet is sawn in two at his command (Hebrews 11verses37). Manasseh even burned his sons in the fire as a sacrifice to idols. Manasseh was taken into captivity by the Assyrians; and while in prison he repents and prays to God. Because his repentance is genuine the Almighty causes Manasseh to be restored to the throne of Judah. But the great damage of his long and evil rule could not be reversed among his people. Manasseh's son Amon comes to Judah's throne at the age of twenty-two. Amon is wicked like his father and ruled for two years until his servants make a conspiracy against him and kill him in his own house. In the prophecy of Hosea, we have an enacted parable about God's enduring love for His people Israel; His marriage to them, their unfaithfulness and His restoration of them to His favour. The prophet Hosea was a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel, between the approximate years of BC 790 to BC 714. Initially this was a time of great prosperity under king Jeroboam 2. Chapter 1 tells of the prophet's wife, and three children (two sons and a daughter). The children were born to another man as Hosea's wife was unfaithful for many years - just like Israel were to their God. The firstborn was a son, whose name Jezreel meant "God sows" i.e. grain, or seed (the valley of Jezreel is one of the most fertile in all the land of Israel). But this spoke of the destruction and scattering of the seed of Israel; that Yahweh would cause in bringing judgment on the nation of Israel. Next a sister was born and given the name Lo-ruhamah meaning "without mercy", for God was at this time not having mercy on His people; but rather judging them for their unfaithfulness. Lastly another son was born and given the name Lo-ammi meaning "not my people"; since their actions proved that they were not behaving as the people of God. After leaving Antioch in Pisidia following the persecution from the Jews Paul and Barnabas come to Iconium and enter the synagogue and begin preaching. Chapter 14 of Acts tells of the unbelieving Jews who stir up the peace of the city, whose people then make an attempt to stone the two Apostles. Their response is to flee to the nearby cities of Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia (which means "wolf country") in the wild north of Turkey. Verse 10 says that the Apostles cure a crippled man. The unsophisticated heathen now decide that Paul and Barnabas are gods clothed as men. These citizens think that Barnabas is Zeus, the chief god; and Paul is Hermes, the messenger of Zeus. Paul and Barnabas quickly tear their own clothes trying to convince the pagan priests that the Apostles are men like themselves. Paul and Barnabas teach the people of Lystra from the Word of God. The first quotation used was from Jeremiah 10verses12 - one should read the entire context where "Yahweh the Living God" is contrasted with the idols of the nations. Next the population of Lystra turn on Paul, who continues to be persecuted by the Jews who came from Iconium. They stone Paul and drag him out of the city thinking that he was dead. Paul writes on this in 2nd Timothy 3; and I believe he also alludes to it in 2 Corinthians 1verses8-10 (which seems to imply that he was in fact resurrected at that time). Did Paul avoid these vicious foes? No! He stands again and walks back into Lystra - what a witness this is to the power of God. The next day the Apostles continue to travel to Derbe. These cities are part of Galatia - the Apostle Paul would later write a letter to the Galatians. Shortly after the events we have read, Paul and Barnabas revisit those believers and tell them (14verses22) that, "it would be with great pressures on believers that God would bring them into His kingdom". Paul's personal example strongly bore witness to that. The Apostles make administrative arrangements in the communities of the believers and return to Antioch in Syria from where the first missionary journey had started. There they rejoice with their home ecclesia about what God had accomplished through them. Chapter 15 commences by telling us that the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas, had not been with their home ecclesia for very long before believers from Jerusalem come to Antioch in Syria seeking to enforce Jewish customs on these newly baptised converts. A decision is made to resolve the matter by way of a conference in Jerusalem- the year is 44AD. Verse 5 speaks of the matters which are of prime concern to the converts from the Pharisees i.e. circumcision and the keeping the laws of Moses. Peter commences the discussion by explaining how by the conversion of Cornelius God had indicated that these matters were not necessary. What mattered was what they believed. Further the keeping of law was a yoke of bondage which the Jews themselves were not able to keep. Paul and Barnabas speak next and describe how the miracles and signs God did through those Apostles was evidence of God's acceptance of Gentiles, who He would save by His grace. James, the Lord's half-brother, who had acted as Chairman of the Conference, summarises the outcomes in verses 13-21. He adds many supporting Scriptures in his summary. The Council (Conference) writes a letter, the contents of which we are told in verses 22-35; only four binding essentials were to be required of Gentile believers and these were mostly moral behaviours and an attempt not to offend Jewish believers. Two representatives from Jerusalem (Judas and Silas) are chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas with the circular letter to Gentile converts which was to begin its journey at Antioch. The chapter concludes with a sad rift between Barnabas and Paul over the matter of whether Barnabas' nephew John Mark should accompany them in this task. The result is that Barnabas takes Mark with him and goes to Cyprus, while Paul travels with Silas throughout Syria and Cilicia. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-bible-readings-november-4th-2-chronicles-33-hosea-1-acts-14-15/?feed_id=104191&_unique_id=6909ac60d8fc2