Purpose

For A Purpose From an earthly perspective in the moment, things can seem to be a disaster. What could be worse than being sold as a slave by your own brothers and shipped to a foreign country? But Joseph reveals a deeper, wider truth when he sees the traumatic event at God’s hand, sending him to save thousands of lives – including those of his brothers. Prayer: Dear Lord, we get so short-sighted and impatient at times. There is no denying that we tend to judge events only from our own immediate perspective. Please help me be more like Joseph with the insight to see life events from a big picture and holistic perspective. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 22

NEVER IN A HURRY

[Scheduled Reading: 2 Chronicles 17-35]

When you’re doing a 60-day Bible read and trekking through the Old Testament, reading assignments start crisscrossing.

You start a particular day’s reading and the story sounds familiar. Didn't I just read this story yesterday?

That’s what happens in 2 Chronicles. The book retraces the events of 1 & 2 Kings - another walk through the good and bad kings. Once again, after Solomon the kingdoms split between Judah (two southern tribes) and Israel (ten northern tribes).

For the rest of the book, the author seems to focus primarily on the kings of Judah (and not so much Israel).

I’ve marked this section as Speed 2 or 3 reading (your pick).

You might slow down for the accounts of Hezekiah (chapters 29-32) and Josiah (chapters 34-35).

More real estate has been given to these two favorable kings – both undertook considerable efforts to restore old customs from the Law.

What’s disturbing is how there never seems to be two good kings in a row. Shocking, really.

We’re now done with the era of kings as both Israel and Judah are exiled. Babylonian rule takes over next… for 70 years.

Stepping back to the big picture...

God is taking His time, working The Seed through the line of King David. Each of Judah’s kings, good ones and bad, are passing along The Seed of Eve that will eventually work it’s way to Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus Christ.

He's never in a hurry. But we are. Back to reading!