Thoughts on the Bible Readings September 7th (2 Kings 13; Ezekiel 3; 2 Corinthians 10, 11)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Kings 13 commences with the story of Jehoahaz reigning in Israel and Israel's oppression at the hands of Ben-Hadad who ground Israel down until Yahweh sent them a deliverer (allowing them to live again in their own houses). But Israel's idolatry still persists. Then in the 37th year of Jehoash (called also Joash) as Jehoash begins an inglorious rule in Israel at 16 years of age this monarch also continues in the sins of Jeroboam 1, whose pattern was followed by every ruler of the northern kingdom. Before his death Elisha is visited by the indifferent northern king - Jehoash. Elisha spoke of Yahweh's deliverance in the sign of the arrows; but the prophet becomes angry with the casual attitude of Jehoash to this graceful gesture from the Almighty. Elisha is buried and sometime later there is a curious incident where a man is raised by contacting Elisha's bones (verses 20-21). God shows mercy to His people when Hazael, Ben Hadad's son came to the throne and in three battles Jehoash recovers those formerly lost cities to the Syrians according to Elisha's prophecy of deliverance by the LORD's arrows. In Ezekiel chapter 3 we have a sign of the effects of the Almighty's judgment on the prophet personally. The scroll he was required to eat was sweet in his mouth (as he understood the necessity of his Sovereign's judgments), but in his belly the scroll tasted bitter since it spoke of great human suffering. Compare the Apostle John's experience in Revelation 10. 2 Corinthians 10 tells us that the battle for Christ's soldiers is in the realm of their mind - a spiritual warfare designed to bring every thought into captivity to Christ. The great Apostle answers his critics who claim that he could cogently argue, but was a weak orator. Paul promises to sort these foes out when he comes to Corinth. Commendation from the tongue of humans is worthless. The Apostle's approval would come from the Lord Jesus Christ. In chapter 11 Paul tells them that he loves and guards them from their enemies and would be deceivers. The Apostle says that he is as a true husband to the disciples who he has begotten in Christ verses compare Galatians 4 verses 19-20. Paul gives an analogy from Genesis 3 proving that the events of the temptation in Eden really happened. Then from verses 7-15 the Apostle sarcastically compares himself with the false teachers - the Judaizers. Finally, from the 16th verse to the chapter's end he composes a catalogue of his sufferings in order to assert his credentials as a committed Apostle of Christ. Paul concludes the list with an account of an act earlier after his conversion of which he was ashamed. His seemingly fleeing from Damascus after having been let down the wall in a basket to escape. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/ 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-september-7th-2-kings-13-ezekiel-3-2-corinthians-10-11/?feed_id=100089&_unique_id=68bbbd5b797c7