Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
2 Chronicles 25-28
For several years now, several professional sports leagues have made use of modern technology in attempting to settle disputed plays with “instant replay.” Although I think that there can be good arguments on both sides as to whether or not it has helped. I am not sure it has helped increase respect for the referees on the field, but that is another subject. It is true that the outcome of a play hinges on a split-second observation by an official. Take the case of an apparently fumbled ball in football. If a player carrying the ball lets go of it before being tackled, and the opposing team recovers it, possession of the ball goes to the opponent. But if the player releases the ball after his knee hits the ground, his team retains possession. Sometimes it is hard to tell which way it happened. What better way to settle the matter than to look at the video of the play?
But an unexpected twist may show up. Cameras do not always display objects in their proper relationship to one another. This is a feature that directors of action movies count on. As actors pretend to exchange blows with one another, they do not actually make physical contact, but the camera makes it appear as though they did. This optical deception also exists with instant replays in sports. What seemed like a clear-cut way to get a true picture sometimes brings up a whole new set of issues.
The four kings of Judah who are portrayed in our reading displayed a similar kind of inconsistency. They occupied the same throne, had the same mandate from God, roughly the same resources, and yet they went in very different directions. Jotham was a righteous king; Ahaz was depraved; and Amaziah and Uzziah switched when least expected-one by losing his devotion, the other by an excess of it. The reader can often come away confused.
But again, this is all a part of the “gospel according to Ezra.” God is in control in all situations, not just the predictable cases. He honors faith and judges faithlessness. Let us look closely at what these camera angles on the kingdom of Judah reveal as we keep working through this amazing book of the Bible.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to never forget that you are working all things according to the counsel of your own will.
- Lord, please help me to be faithful with the decisions you entrust to me, and the responsibilities you have given to me.
- Lord, please help me to learn from these kings and model your design for leaders.
Political
- Representative Lee Chatfield – District 107 – Lavering
- Representative John Cherry – District 49 – Swartz Creek
- Representative John Chirkun – District 22 – Roseville