Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

Reflections on II Chronicles 20-21

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

An army came up against Jehoshaphat and Judah.  Observe:

  • Seek the Lord’ Help – With the army approaching, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and went to the temple to seek the Lord’s help, crying out to God in prayer. What upcoming battles do you see in your future?  Are you seeking the Lord’s help?  How might 20:6 encourage you?
  • Joyful Praise – When God answered their prayers, the people responded with joy and praise. How will you respond when he answers your prayers for help?

Reflections on II Chronicles 17-19

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Jehoshaphat, another good king, reigns in Judah.

  • Drawing Others to God – Jehoshaphat sought the Lord and walked in his commands (17:3-6). But Jehoshaphat didn’t want to follow God alone; he wanted his people to follow the Lord too.  He sent out the Levites to teach the people God’s Word (17:7-9).  He went among the people himself to bring them to the Lord (19:4).  What might you do to draw your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to the Lord?
  • Bad Alliance – Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, and is confronted with this question in 19:2: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?” Have you made some bad alliances?

II Chronicles 17-21: Jehoshaphat

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) How would you describe Jehoshaphat’s spiritual character in v3-6?

Why is courage necessary to follow the ways of the Lord (v6)?

(17, 19-20) What did Jehoshaphat do to encourage his people to follow the Lord (17:7-9, 19:3-4)?

Jehoshaphat also appointed judges throughout the land.  How were they to judge (19:5-11)?  Why (v7)?

What blessing did God grant Judah because of Jehoshaphat’s faithfulness (17:10)?

How does Jehoshaphat and his kingdom point forward to Jesus (Isaiah 9:6-7)?

How might we seek these same things for our own nation?

Despite all that Jehoshaphat did for his people, what sad verdict do we find in 20:33?  What lessons might we draw from this?

(18, 20-21) Despite his heart for God, Jehoshaphat was not perfect.  What serious mistakes did he make?

18:1, 21:1-20 –

18:2-19:2 –

20:35-37 –

What lessons can we learn from his mistakes (II Corinthians 6:14-18)?

(20) A large army comes against Judah.  How does Jehoshaphat respond (v3-12)?  Why is this a good response (v6)?

What word from God is given to Jehoshaphat and the people (v13-17)?  How do they respond (v18-19)?

In what unusual way does Judah’s army go out (v20-21)?  What does God do? (v22-30)?

What lessons can we learn from this incredible chapter?

Reflections on I Kings 19-22

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Elijah flees to the desert, and God shows his power.

  • Depression – Elijah is depressed. He has fought hard, and won the battle, but one opponent knocks him down.  Now he is weary and ready to give up.  How does God restore him?  With rest, food, exercise, the presence of God, a renewed purpose, and companionship.  How might these things help you when you are depressed?
  • God over all – The Syrian king thinks God is a God of the hills, but not of the valleys and plains. God shows himself God over all places.  He cannot be contained or limited to one place.  You can never go outside of his sphere of activity.  What struggles are you facing?  God is still God even in your place of struggle.  Trust in him and wait for him to act.

Current

On By BrianIn Current Collection

Here are some good posts in response to the flood of recent scandals in Hollywood and beyond:

Hollywood, Capitol Hill and the Human Heart – Nick Batzig (reformation 21)

It’s Past Time to Rethink Modern Sexual Morality – David French (National Review)

Sexual Consent in a Confused, Confusing World – Tim Challies

Q&A#3 Reflections: God is Spirit and Present Everywhere

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#3
Q: What more can we know about God?
A: God is a spirit, present everywhere, and reigning with perfect power, knowledge, wisdom, and goodness.

O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.  – II Chronicles 20:6

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!  – Psalm 31:19

Verses for Further Reflection
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
– John 4:24

Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away?  Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.
– Jeremiah 23:23-24

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
– Psalm 139:7-10

Discussion Questions Related to the Verses
How must we worship, and why?
What does it look like to worship in this way?
What practical benefit do we find in God’s omnipresence?
How might God’s presence help us find peace in our trials?

Reflections on I Kings 17-18

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God raises up Elijah.  Observe:

  • Provision – God provides for Elijah during the drought through a brook and ravens. But then the brook dried up.  Are you trusting in God or the brooks that he gives you?  God then provided for Elijah through a widow in Sidon, the center of Ball worship.  How has God provided for you in unlikely ways?
  • Battle of the Gods – Baal is the god of rain, but God’s prophet Elijah says it won’t rain, and it doesn’t. Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest, and Baal again loses.  There is only one true all-powerful God.  Are you trusting in him or limping between God and something else?

I Kings 17-22: The Days of Elijah

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) Elijah announces a drought because of Israel’s wickedness.  How does God provide for Elijah in v2-7?  In v8-16?

What are the miraculous results for the widow and her son (v8-23)?

To what conclusion does the widow come in v24?

How might people see and come to know God through us?

(18) What question does Elijah ask the people in v21?

When are we tempted to limp (falter, waver, hesitate) in this way?

The prophets of Baal literally “limp” around their altar (v26).  Why is trusting in something other than the Lord like limping? How have you seen this in your life or in other people?

Why does Elijah want God to send fire from heaven (v37)?  What happens when the fire falls?

(19) Elijah plunges from the mountain top of success to the valley of depression.  What outward event triggers his depression (v1-2)?

From the text, what do you think is going on inside Elijah that allows this outward event to trigger his despair?

What does God do so that Elijah will know the Lord (v11-12)?

What does God do to shake Elijah out of his depression?

(20) Back in Israel, Syria invades the country twice.  Both times, God defeats the enemy.  Why (v13, 28)?

(20-22) Despite all the evidence and all the opportunities for Ahab to know and follow the Lord, he continues to go his own way.  What are the results for those around him?  For him?

Reflections on II Chronicles 13-16

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Two good kings, Abijah and Asa, reign in Judah.

  • Rely on God – Abijah’s army won the battle because they relied on God (13:18). When another army came against Asa, he relied on the Lord and was victorious (14:11-12).  Yet in Asa’s later years, he failed to rely on God (16:7-8).  Who are you relying on?  Who do you look to?
  • Revival – Asa rid Judah of idols. He repaired the altar of the Lord and the people made sacrifices to the Lord.  They made a covenant to seek God with all their hearts.  Are you seeking God this way?  What sacrifices do you make for God?  What idols do you need to get rid of?