Tag: History

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Isaiah 13-15; Psalms 99-101

Isaiah 13: Even though I am struggling with Isaiah a little bit, I really do need to get into the history of this book. I need to figure out what scholars have learned about the historical setting of this book.

This chapter is about the overthrow of Babylon. We learn in the beginning that God intends to unleash his fury on Babylon. God will put together a huge army to take out Babylon. There is a lot of description here about the horrible things that will help to these people. It’s kind of intense. For example, this is pretty intense: “Their infants will be crushed before their eyes; their houses plundered, their women raped” (CEB, v. 16, p. 1114 OT). DAMN!

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Visit to the Bible Collection at the Stuttgart Library

10/15/18

Today I met with Dr. Christian Herrmann, the head of the Historical Collections department at the Württembergische Landesbibliothek (State Library of Württemberg). I reached out to him a little over a week ago to see if I could set up a visit to look at the Bible Collection, which he also oversees. I was expecting a simple visit where he would set me up in a room with a few editions and let me just look over them. I was in for a surprise. He took me downstairs to the full collection and spent almost 2 hours with me showing me several different versions of the Bible.

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12/9 Reading (2 Chronicles 29-31; Psalms 73-74)

2 Chronicles 29: This is the first of four chapters focusing on Ahaz’s son, Hezekiah. According to the CEB study bible notes this length is second to only David and Solomon, indicated the Chronicler felt Hezekiah’s reign was pretty good. This chapter focuses on his work to restore the Temple. He establishes rules again and rededicated the temple to God.

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11/10 Reading (2 Kings 10-12; Romans 1)

2 Kings 10: Jehu continues his violent ways and kills Ahab’s family, cementing his rule over Israel. He then kills Baal worshippers, this eliminating Baal from Israel. However, he continues in evil ways and continues to sin against God. We continue to see the downfall of Israel.

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11/7 Reading (2 Kings 1-3; Galatians 4)

Introduction to 2 Kings: Just a quick explanation of how Israel and Judah end.

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10/28 Reading (1 Kings 1-3; Psalms 52-55)

Introduction to 1 Kings: It’s interesting to read that we don’t know who wrote the two books of Kings. I do like that based on what’s written here that we can determine when they were most likely written. For example, “based on the latest events recorded in 2 Kings, the author must be living either in exile in Babylon or in Jerusalem in the post-exilic era” (CEB Study Bible, p. 514 OT).

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9/21 Reading (Joshua 10-12; 2 Thessalonians 2)

Joshua 10: Chapter is all about Israel’s victories in the south over the five kings. The kings are all executed. One question I do have comes from this verse: “Isn’t this written in the Jashar scroll?” (CEB Study Bible, p. 343 OT; Joshua 10.13) What’s the Jashar scroll? According to the notes it is “an ancient source mentioned also in 2 Samuel 1:18. The origin and contents of the scroll are unknown, but apparently it contained at least these two poems and perhaps others” (p. 343 OT).

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9/13 Reading (Deuteronomy 25-27; 1 Thessalonians 1)

Deuteronomy 25: We learn about corporal punishment, how to handle oxen when they are working, improper touching by a woman when she is defending her husband in a fight (her hand is to be cut off is she grabs the other man’s genitals), and honest business practices.

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Introduction to Deuteronomy

Introduction to Deuteronomy: I’m always fascinated by the introduction section to each book. Even if I don’t have much to say about what I’ve read, I still find it very interesting. The NRSV study bible provides extensive detail about each book in the introduction. Discussion of authorship, date, and historical context always intrigue me. It makes me want to read more about each book in the Bible. Just to better understand all of this stuff is really interesting to me. For example, it’s really interesting that the structure and messages in Deuteronomy match other historical documents from other cultures, such as the Vassal Treaty of Esarhaddon (672 bce) (p. 248).

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8/14 Reading (Leviticus 16-18; Acts 7)

I have to admit, reading Leviticus is really tough. Just so many rules. Now I see why so many people have chuckled when I mentioned that I am currently reading Leviticus. I recognize the importance of the chapter, but wow!

Leviticus 16: The chapter is about the day of Atonement. Aaron was charged with doing a lot. He had to offer and slaughter a bull as a “sin offering for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and his house” (Lev. 16.11). He had to slaughter a goat as a sin offering for the people. This allowed him to make atonement for the sanctuary and the full tabernacle because of the uncleanliness of the people as well as their sins. We learn that this is supposed to happen every year forever:

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