Dear Friends,
As the Bible is not chronological,
to have a better understanding of
the context of each Biblical book,
we have been covering the Bible
by time sequence, phase by phase.
It also deepens our insight on the
development of the mega themes.
We begin with the 5 books of Laws
(from Genesis to Deut) by Moses
to appreciate the Redemptive
Plan of God for mankind as well
as the poetry book of Job (which
occurs in the time of Genesis) to
understand the sovereignty of God.
In the Second Phase, we then
meditated on the six historical
books (from Joshua to 1 Chron)
up to King David (the high point
of Israel history) as well as the
poetry book of Psalms where
we learn to pray and praise God.
We then go on to the Third Phase
on the reign of King Solomon
in 2 Chronicles as well as cover
the wisdom poetry in Proverbs,
Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes.
We continued to I Kings, where
Solomon’s zeal for God cools
as pagan wives turn his heart
away from godly worship. The
next century sees the decline
of the two nations, indifferent
to God’s prophets and precepts
We also cover Obadiah & Joel.
Continuing, we go to 2 Kings,
where the author weaves the
historical threads of two nations
into one fabric. In Israel, 19 wicked
kings in succession ascend the
throne, leading the people even
further from God. In spite of the
efforts of Elisha & other prophets
judgment can no longer be stayed.
Israel finally receives her reward:
captivity and dispersion by
the Assyrians. To the south,
Judah survives 150 years longer.
But in the end the damage
done by her corrupt leadership
again brings a bitter harvest:
70 years of exile in Babylonia.
We will cover the first half
of 2 Kings in one weekend
under the following 2 divisions:
Ministry of Elisha (2Kings 1-8)
Jehu, Joash & Assyria (2K9-17)
Shalom/Chris