07/27/08: 2 Kings 22-25
The Book of the Law (that is, the Torah, which is equivalent to the first five books of the Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy) evidently had been disregarded for a long time, until the high priest in King Josiah's time found it in the temple (2 Kings 22:8). When he read from it to Josiah, the king tore his robes (22:10,11). Even the Passover had not been celebrated "since the days of the judges who led Israel, nor throughout the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah" (23:22).
Tearing one's robe was a sign of great humility before God. Josiah did that because, having heard the words of the law, he fully realized how angry God was, since the people of Judah had not obeyed God's laws for generations (2 Kings 22:13). Because he was a good and honorable king, the waywardness and rebelliousness of his people would have disturbed him greatly. He was told that God intended to bring disaster on the Judaites, due to their disobedience (22:16,17).
Yet, because King Josiah had humbled himself before God, then God promised him that he would be gathered to his fathers and buried in peace, rather than experience the disasters brought upon all the rest (2 Kings 22:19,20). This demonstrates how extremely important humility was (and still is) to God, since eventually Jesus would personify humility all the way to the cross, on our behalf.
However, even though Josiah destroyed all of the idols, high places, and other things that were detestable to God, and even though the Passover celebration was reinstated (2 Kings 23:4-25), God still was determined to remove Judah from His presence, and to reject Jerusalem and the temple (23:26,27). Because of evil King Manasseh and all of his extremely evil practices and actions, God had vowed to hand the people of Judah over to their enemies (2 Kings 21:1-16). This shows how God is extremely patient with people, but He has His limits. They can reach a point of "no return," after which His punishment is inevitable, no matter what they do to turn from their evil ways.
Ultimately, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon removed all the treasures from the temple and the king's palace in Jerusalem, as well as most of the people in Jerusalem, and deported them to Babylon (2 Kings 24:13-16). A few years later, Nebuchadnezzar sent Nebuzaradan to burn the temple, the palace, and the houses and important buildings in Jerusalem, as well as break down all of Jerusalem's walls (25:8-10). "So Judah went into captivity, away from her land" (25:21). This took place in 586 B.C.
Tearing one's robe was a sign of great humility before God. Josiah did that because, having heard the words of the law, he fully realized how angry God was, since the people of Judah had not obeyed God's laws for generations (2 Kings 22:13). Because he was a good and honorable king, the waywardness and rebelliousness of his people would have disturbed him greatly. He was told that God intended to bring disaster on the Judaites, due to their disobedience (22:16,17).
Yet, because King Josiah had humbled himself before God, then God promised him that he would be gathered to his fathers and buried in peace, rather than experience the disasters brought upon all the rest (2 Kings 22:19,20). This demonstrates how extremely important humility was (and still is) to God, since eventually Jesus would personify humility all the way to the cross, on our behalf.
However, even though Josiah destroyed all of the idols, high places, and other things that were detestable to God, and even though the Passover celebration was reinstated (2 Kings 23:4-25), God still was determined to remove Judah from His presence, and to reject Jerusalem and the temple (23:26,27). Because of evil King Manasseh and all of his extremely evil practices and actions, God had vowed to hand the people of Judah over to their enemies (2 Kings 21:1-16). This shows how God is extremely patient with people, but He has His limits. They can reach a point of "no return," after which His punishment is inevitable, no matter what they do to turn from their evil ways.
Ultimately, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon removed all the treasures from the temple and the king's palace in Jerusalem, as well as most of the people in Jerusalem, and deported them to Babylon (2 Kings 24:13-16). A few years later, Nebuchadnezzar sent Nebuzaradan to burn the temple, the palace, and the houses and important buildings in Jerusalem, as well as break down all of Jerusalem's walls (25:8-10). "So Judah went into captivity, away from her land" (25:21). This took place in 586 B.C.
07/27/08: 2 Kings 20
Hezekiah was a good king who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 18:3-6). However, on some level, he was clueless and naive. When messengers from the king of Babylon came with gifts, Hezekiah showed them all the treasures of his palace and kingdom (20:13-15). Trusting these strangers was a foolish thing to do.
Furthermore, when Isaiah told him that all of the treasures and some of his own descendants would be carried off to Babylon, Hezekiah viewed this as a "good" thing, thinking that at least this meant that there would be peace in his own lifetime (2 Kings 20:17-19). So either he was incredibly naive or else just very self-centered.
Some have believed that when Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death, and then God extended his life fifteen years (2 Kings 20:1-6), God did this because Hezekiah was such a righteous, faithful king. Yet, it also can be considered that God had His own agenda (as He always does). Had He not spared Hezekiah, Israel probably would have been taken captive by Assyria. But since it was God's plan for Israel to be taken captive by Babylon, He spared Hezekiah's life, who then showed all of Israel's treasures to messengers from Babylon, motivating Babylon to take the treasures and people back to Babylon.
Furthermore, when Isaiah told him that all of the treasures and some of his own descendants would be carried off to Babylon, Hezekiah viewed this as a "good" thing, thinking that at least this meant that there would be peace in his own lifetime (2 Kings 20:17-19). So either he was incredibly naive or else just very self-centered.
Some have believed that when Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death, and then God extended his life fifteen years (2 Kings 20:1-6), God did this because Hezekiah was such a righteous, faithful king. Yet, it also can be considered that God had His own agenda (as He always does). Had He not spared Hezekiah, Israel probably would have been taken captive by Assyria. But since it was God's plan for Israel to be taken captive by Babylon, He spared Hezekiah's life, who then showed all of Israel's treasures to messengers from Babylon, motivating Babylon to take the treasures and people back to Babylon.
06/15/08: 2 Kings 3-9
Elisha had a great gift of prophecy, as well as a great gift of performing miracles. This was demonstrated in 2 Kings 3-9, although I'm sure these were not a complete list of all the things he did.
Many people have a hard time accepting Elisha's miracles as just that: miraculous. They try to "spin" them into being natural occurrences that ignorant people of that time simply misconstrued as being miraculous. Personally, I have no problem at all accepting Elisha's (and Elijah's) miracles as acts of God, using these two men as "tools" to perform the supernatural.
Before Elijah had been taken up into heaven, Elisha had asked to inherit a double-portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9). It appears that this request was granted to him by God.
Many people have a hard time accepting Elisha's miracles as just that: miraculous. They try to "spin" them into being natural occurrences that ignorant people of that time simply misconstrued as being miraculous. Personally, I have no problem at all accepting Elisha's (and Elijah's) miracles as acts of God, using these two men as "tools" to perform the supernatural.
Before Elijah had been taken up into heaven, Elisha had asked to inherit a double-portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9). It appears that this request was granted to him by God.
06/06/08: 2 Kings 1-2
The greatest of all prophets, Elijah, was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind while he was still alive (2 Kings 2:11). God stated the following, which was written by the prophet Malachi: "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes" (Malachi 4:5). This is a prophecy that Elijah would return again, in the future, just prior to the period known as the "Day of the Lord"--the final portion of the final seven years of the age (the 70th Week).
Elijah, along with Moses, was seen by Peter, James, and John at the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-4). John the Baptist was a "type" of Elijah, because he proclaimed the coming of Jesus (17:10-13). Elijah and John the Baptist even dressed the same way (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4). However, neither of these were the prophesied coming of Elijah prior to the Day of the Lord.
Most (including myself) believe that Elijah will be one of the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3-12). I suspect that Moses will be the other witness, although some believe that it will be Enoch who, like Elijah, was taken away alive (Genesis 5:24). The two witnesses will prophesy for 1,260 days--the final 3½ years of the 70th Week. During that time (at the opening of the Seventh Seal), the great and dreadful Day of the Lord will begin.
Notice that one of the things the two witnesses will do is to destroy their enemies with fire (Revelation 11:5). Similarly, Elijah was able to bring fire down from heaven and destroy 2 captains and 100 men (2 Kings 1:10,12). At the end of that 3½-year period (which also will be at the end of the final 7 years), at the blowing the Seventh Trumpet, Jesus will return to earth to rule and reign (Revelation 11:15-17).
Elijah, along with Moses, was seen by Peter, James, and John at the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-4). John the Baptist was a "type" of Elijah, because he proclaimed the coming of Jesus (17:10-13). Elijah and John the Baptist even dressed the same way (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4). However, neither of these were the prophesied coming of Elijah prior to the Day of the Lord.
Most (including myself) believe that Elijah will be one of the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3-12). I suspect that Moses will be the other witness, although some believe that it will be Enoch who, like Elijah, was taken away alive (Genesis 5:24). The two witnesses will prophesy for 1,260 days--the final 3½ years of the 70th Week. During that time (at the opening of the Seventh Seal), the great and dreadful Day of the Lord will begin.
Notice that one of the things the two witnesses will do is to destroy their enemies with fire (Revelation 11:5). Similarly, Elijah was able to bring fire down from heaven and destroy 2 captains and 100 men (2 Kings 1:10,12). At the end of that 3½-year period (which also will be at the end of the final 7 years), at the blowing the Seventh Trumpet, Jesus will return to earth to rule and reign (Revelation 11:15-17).
