Navigating the Worlds of Science and Religion
Nehemiah 4: Opposition to the construction of the wall grew considerably as the people became more organized. Enough to the point that Nehemiah set up guards to protect the workers and prayed to God for his help. The opposition pulled back because they realized it would no longer be easy to destroy them.
Continue reading “1/16 Reading (Nehemiah 4-6; Philippians 1)”
Introduction to Nehemiah: Nice little tidbit from the introduction in the NRSV study bible: āThe Nehemiah section of Ezra-Nehemiah depicts the final stage of Jewish reconstruction after exile, featuring Nehemiah as the Jewish governor under Persian rule, who rebuilds Jerusalemās walls (1.1ā7.5) and oversees many reformsā (p. 685). Good to know.
Introduction to Historical Books section in NRSV: The following quote comes from the introduction to the historical books section in the NRSV study bible:
2 Chronicles 26: Amaziahās son, Uzziah, takes over as king. As with the two kings before him, his reign started well in that he followed God and did what he was supposed to do. Eventually, he failed to do this just like his two predecessors. His sin was that he went into Godās sanctuary and burned incense. Only priests who were descended from Aaron were allowed to do this. God inflicted him with a skin disease and he lived alone until he died.
Continue reading “12/8 Reading (2 Chronicles 26-28; Ephesians 1)”
2 Chronicles 13: Rehoboamās son, Abijah, takes over. He goes to war with the northern kingdom and wins, even though he is vastly outnumbered. In his speech to the people of the northern kingdom, he apparently pushed the narrative that Davidās line is the only true royal line and the temple is the only legitimate place to worship. As with his father, he had a bunch of wives, 14.
Continue reading “12/4 Reading (2 Chronicles 13-15; Colossians 1)”
For Chronicles: Chronicles is a retelling with significant variations of the books of Genesis through Kings. It is likely that its author had some access to many external sources not found in our canonical Bibles, but the main feature of Chronicles is the remarkable way in which its author deals with sources, rewriting them to fit a particular notion of historical probability, namely, what really could have happened based on notions of how the world worked. (NRSV Study Bible, p. 315)
Continue reading “11/17 Reading (1 Chronicles 1-3; Romans 6)”
2 Kings 10: Jehu continues his violent ways and kills Ahabās 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.
Introduction to 2 Kings: Just a quick explanation of how Israel and Judah end.
1 Kings 13: This is a really strange story about Jeroboam and a man of God. We are never told his name. The man of God successfully predicts something in front of Jeroboam almost in what seemed to be an attempt to make him leave his evil ways. The man of God then leaves and refuses to eat or drink with Jeroboam because God explicitly told him not to. He then leaves town and is approached by another prophet who tricks him into returning to his home and eating and drinking. God gets angry and a lion kills the man of God on his way back home. The old prophet gets his body and buries him in his own grave and mourns his death.
Continue reading “11/2 Reading (1 Kings 13-15; Galatians 1)”
Introduction to 1 Kings: Itās interesting to read that we donāt know who wrote the two books of Kings. I do like that based on whatās written here that we can determine when they were most likely written. For example, ābased 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 eraā (CEB Study Bible, p. 514 OT).
Continue reading “10/28 Reading (1 Kings 1-3; Psalms 52-55)”