Tag: Christianity

Day 149 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 22:39-65. After Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples they went to the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed. While they were there Jesus was betrayed, arrested and taken to the house of the high priest. Waiting outside, Peter disowned Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Jesus was interrogated during the night and before daybreak the Sanhedrin had heard enough and were ready to sentence him to death, but only the Romans had the right to execute a death sentence, so they could only express their frustration.

2 Kings 8. The King restored the Shunammite’s Land, and then Hazael murdered Ben-Hadad. The chapter lists two more kings of Judah, Jehoram and Ahaziah.

2 Kings 9. Jehu, a man of action was anointed king of Israel, Joram of Israel was killed, Ahaziah of Judah likewise, and finally Jezebel suffered the most humiliating and violent death possible, thrown out from a window, trampled to death by horses and was then eaten by dogs.

Day 148 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 22:1-38. Judas agreed to betray Jesus, it was Passover so Jesus commemorated the Last Supper with his disciples, after which they went to the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed. Jesus also predicted Peter’s denial.

2 Kings 6. Elisha made an ax head float, “The Floating Ax Head”, the Syrians tried to capture Elisha from which we get the quote”Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” But later Syria besieged Samaria, and the famine was great.

2 Kings 7. When the siege was about to succeed Elisha prophesied “Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.” During the night the Syrians fled and four lepers discovered it. After feasting they went and told the good news to the no longer besieged.

Day 147 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 21:25-38. Jesus told about the signs of the times, the end of the age, the destruction of Jerusalem, the coming of the Son of Man and finally the parable of the fig tree.

2 Kings 3. There was trouble all around: Moab Rebelled against Israel. Israel called for Judah and Edom to help. They gathered their armies and horses, but after seven days without water they called for Elisha. He told them to dig ditches in the desert. They obeyed, and without rain the ditches were filled, they all got water and quenched the rebellion. Then they punished Moab, but the King offered his firstborn son as a burnt offering. This was too drastic even for Israel, so they drew back.

2 Kings 4. Like Elijah, Elisha multiplied a widow’s oil, like Elijah, Elisha raised a person from death, this time the Shunammite’s son. Elisha purified a pot of stew, and at another time he fed one hundred men with twenty small loaves of bread, and there were leftovers, much like Jesus did, but on a much smaller scale.

2 Kings 5. Naaman’s Leprosy was healed. This was so important that Jesus mentioned it to the self- righteous Jews, proving they were not that special. Elisha refused payment for healing Naaman, but his servant Gehazi accepted payment instead, so he became leprous instead of Naaman.

Day 146 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 21:1-24. There is giving and then there is giving. Jesus watched the people give their offerings in the Temple with his disciples, and from that he taught us a lesson about the widow’s two mites. After that he told about the signs of the times, the end of the age and the destruction of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 1. God Judged Ahaziah. Elijah the prophet delivered the messages from God, and so Ahaziah died, left no heir, so Joram, son of Ahab became king.

2 Kings 2. Elijah was taken up to heaven, Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and received it because he witnessed Elijah’s ascension.

Day 145 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 20:20-47, continuing Holy Week, it is now Tuesday, Jesus was teaching in the Temple and his authority was questioned. Standing in Solomon’s colonnades the religious leaders tried to entrap Jesus so they asked him: “Is it legal to pay Taxes to Caesar?” You know the answer, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.” After that it was the Sadducee’s turn: What about the Resurrection? Jesus answered with scripture: “How can David call his descendant Lord?” Jesus finally warned the people: “Beware of the teachers of the Law.”

Proverbs 5 tells of the perils of adultery and does not mince words.

Day 144 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 20:1-19,  continuing Holy Week, it is now Tuesday. Jesus was teaching in the Temple and his authority was questioned. Standing in Solomon’s colonnades he taught the parable of the wicked wine dressers. The religious leaders tried to entrap Jesus, but were afraid of the people.

1 Kings 20. Ahab defeated the Syrians and he did it twice. After that Ahab made a treaty with Ben-Hadad, and that led to the prophecy of Ahab’s Condemnation.

1 Kings 21. Naboth was killed for his vineyard and for that the LORD condemned Ahab.

1 Kings 22. Micalah prophesied against Ahab, Ahab therefore disguised himself for protection but died in battle by a stray arrow. Jehoshaphat became King of Judah, followed by Ahaziah.

Day 143 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 19:28-48. Jesus entered what is called “Holy Week”, beginning with the triumphal entry. Seeing Jerusalem, Jesus wept over it, and after entering Jerusalem Jesus cleansed the Temple.

1 Kings 19. After the fantastic victory at Mount Carmel Elijah fled from Jezebel, the “exhibit A” of names of evil women featured in literature and films.  He fled, got strengthened by an angel that fed him a meal that gave him enough strength to go all the way to Mount Horeb. There he heard “The Still Small Voice.” God reminded Elijah  that “I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” Leaving Mount Horeb Elijah met Elisha and called him to follow Elijah.

Day 142 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 19:1-27 starts with the story of Zacchaeus ( a wee little man), then is recorded Jesus’ parable of the minas. One take home from that parable is: “Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)”

1 Kings 18. This chapter alone makes the reading of all of 1 Kings worthwhile. Elijah met Obadiah and sent a message to King Ahab. When they met, Elijah challenged Ahab to a competition: Four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of Asherah against Elijah alone on Mount Carmel to see whose God is victorious! You know the rest, enjoy reading!

Day 141 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 18 starts by Jesus telling the parable  of the persistent widow, meaning we should always pray, then he added: “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” After that he taught us humility with the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector, reinforced by Jesus blessing the little children, “for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these”. A rich young ruler wanted to inherit eternal life but was not willing to pay the price to follow Jesus. With men it is impossible to have eternal life , but all things are possible with God. Then Jesus predicted His death, and finally a blind beggar received his sight.

1 Kings 17. With Baal worship in full swing Elijah prayed for a multi-year drought. He then went into the wilderness, finding a brook and was fed by ravens. But the brook dried up so he went to a widow in Zarephath. He asks her for water and some bread. That was the last of the flower she had, but she gave it to Elijah anyway. Later the widow’s son died and Elijah revived him. The jar of flour and the jug of oil never emptied as long as Elijah was in the house, miracle upon miracle!

Day 140 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 17. Jesus told about the consequences of sin, the importance of faith and the call of duty. Then is recorded the story of ten lepers healed but only one came back and thanked Jesus, and he was a Samaritan! Finally Jesus spoke of the Coming of the Kingdom of God and the end times.

Not much good in 1 Kings 14, it tells of judgment on the house of Jeroboam and his death, and Rehoboam taking over power and his death.

1 Kings 15, the evil king Abijam reigned in Judah. After his death Asa became king over Judah and he was a good king. Meanwhile in Israel Nadab reigned, and after him Baasha both doing evil things in the eyes of the LORD.

1 Kings 16 displays a depressing list of kings over Israel, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, one worse the the other, finally culminating with Ahab, the worst of them all, setting up Baal worship in Israel.