TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
2 Kings 23:31-25:30
Acts 22:17-23:10
Psalm 2:1-12
Proverbs 18:13
2 Kings 23:33 — The nation that once had collected tribute from others now is forced to pay tribute. On this day that we recognize America’s independence from foreign powers, let’s look at how Judah lost her independence from foreign powers.
2 Kings 24:14 — We will meet four of these captives in the Book of Daniel.
2 Kings 25:9 — So ends the great building of Solomon – both the house of the LORD and the house of the king.
2 Kings 25:30 — This obscure phrase at the end of the Book of 2 Kings has a remarkable confirmation in the Pergammon Museum in Berlin. From the Bible and Archaeology Online Museum:
This clay tablet from ancient Babylon describes monthly rations allowed to Jehoiachin, a Jewish king. The biblical account of King Jehoiachin is found in 2 Kings 25:29-30, which also states that he received a “regular allowance” from the king of Babylon. The tablet was made in c. 595-570 BC, and was discovered in Babylon in c. 1900. The text is in the Akkadian language using cuneiform script, and the tablet measures roughly 4 x 4 inches. The artifact is now located in the Museum of the Ancient Near East, Pergamum Museum, Berlin.
Acts 22:21 — Paul was able to speak to his people until he said that God sent him to preach to another people. When Paul left the synagogue and started preaching to others, the trouble usually started.
Acts 22:25 — Again, Paul was able to use whatever tools he had on hand to further the gospel. Later he would use his identification as a Pharisee (Acts 23:6) to re-direct the debate.
Acts 23:9 — Ah, the wisdom of Gamaliel took root (Acts 5:34)! Then again, Paul invoked it earlier (Acts 22:3).
Psalm 2:6 — The king of Judah was deposed, but the King of Kings will one day take his throne!
Proverbs 18:13 — As many a mother has said, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.”
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