“RUNNERS take your marks,” the starter barks his signal, and the crowd turns quiet attention to the athletes walking towards the line. “Get set”… in position now, muscles tense, nervously anticipating the sound of the gun.  It resounds!  And the race begins.  In any contest, the start is important, but the finish is even more crucial.  Often a front-runner will lose strength and fade to the middle of the pack.  And there is the tragedy of the brilliant beginner who sets the pace for a time, but does not even finish.  He abandons the race burned out, exhausted, or injured.

The book of 1 Samuel is about great beginnings… and tragic endings. It begins with Eli as high priest during the time of the judges.  As a religious leader, Eli certainly must have begun his life with a close relationship to God [Wall].  In his communication with Hannah, and in his training of her son Samuel, he demonstrated a clear understanding of God’s purposes and call (Chapters 1, 3).  But his life ended in ignominy as his sacrilegious sons were judged by God and the sacred ark of the covenant feel into enemy hands (Chapter 4).  Eli’s death marked the decline of the influence of the priesthood and the rise of the prophets in Israel.

Samuel was dedicated to God’s service by his mother, Hannah. He became one of Israel’s greatest prophets.  He was a man of prayer who finished the work of the judges, began the school of the prophets, and anointed Israel’s first kings.  But even Samuel was not immune to finishing poorly.  Like Eli’s family, Samuel’s sons turned away from God; they took bribes and perverted justice.  The people rejected the leadership of the judges and priests and clamoured for a king “as all the other nations have” (8.5).

Saul also started quickly. A striking figure, this handsome (9.2) and humble (9.21; 10.22) man was God’s choice as Israel’s first king (10.24).  His early reign was marked by leadership (Chapter 11) and bravery (14.46-48).  But he disobeyed God (Chapter 15), became jealous and paranoid (Chapters 18, 19), and finally had his kingship taken away from him by God (Chapter 16).  Saul’s life continued steadily downwards.  Obsessed with killing David (Chapters 20-30), he consulted a medium (Chapter 28) and finally committed suicide (Chapter 31).

Among the events of Saul’s life is another great beginner – David. A man who followed God (13.14; 16.7), David ministered to Saul (Chapter 16), killed Goliath (Chapter 17), and became a great warrior.  But we’ll have to wait until the book of 2 Samuel to see how David finished.

As you read 1 Samuel, not the transition from theocracy to monarchy, exult in the classic stories of David and Goliath, David and Jonathan, David and Abigail, and watch the rise of the influence of the prophets. But in the midst of reading all the history and adventure, determine to run your race as God’s person from start to finish.

VITAL STATISTICS

PURPOSE: To record the life of Samuel, Israel’s last judge; the reign and decline of Saul, the first king; and the choice and preparation of David, Israel’s greatest king

AUTHOR: Possibly Samuel, but also includes writings from the prophets Nathan and Ga (1 Chronicles 29.29)

SETTING: The book begins in the days of the judges and describes Israel’s transition from a theocracy (led by God) to a monarchy (led by a king)

KEY VERSES: “And the LORD told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king… Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do’ “ (8.7,9).

KEY PEOPLE: Eli, Hannah, Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, David

THE BLUEPRINT

Eli and Samuel (1.1-7.17) We see a vivid contrast between young Samuel and Eli’s sons.  Eli’s sons were selfish, but Samuel was helpful.  Eli’s sons defrauded people, but Samuel grew in wisdom and gave the people messages from God.  As an adult, Samuel became a prophet, priest, and judge over Israel.  A person’s actions reflects his character.  This was true of Samuel and Eli’s sons.  It is also true of us.  Strive, like Samuel, to keep your heart pure before God.

1. Samuel’s birth and childhood
2. War with the Philistines

Samuel and Saul (8.1-15.35) Saul showed great promise.  He was strong, tall, and modest.  God’s Spirit came upon him, and Samuel was his counsellor.  But Saul deliberately disobeyed God and became an evil king.  We must not base our hopes or future on our potential.  Instead, we must consistently obey God in all areas of life.  God evaluates obedience, not potential.

Saul and David (16.1-31.13) David quickly killed Goliath, but waited patiently for God to deal with Saul.  Although David was anointed to be Israel’s next king, he had to wait years to realise this promise.  The difficult circumstances in life and the times of waiting often refine, teach, and prepare us for the future responsibilities God has for us.

1. Samuel anoints David
2. David and Goliath
3. David and Jonathan become friends
4. Saul pursues David
5. Saul’s defeat and death

MEGATHEMES

King

EXPLANATION: Because Israel suffered from corrupt priests and judges, the people wanted a king. They wanted to be organised like the surrounding nations.  Though it was against his original purpose, God chose a king for them.

IMPORTANCE: Establishing a monarchy did not solve Israel’s problems. What God desires is the genuine devotion of each person’s mind and heart to him.  No government or set of laws can substitute for the rule of God in your heart and life.

God’s Control

EXPLANATION: Israel prospered as long as the people regarded God as their true king. When the leaders strayed from God’s law, God intervened in their personal lives and overruled their actions.  In this way, God maintained ultimate control over Israel’s history.

IMPORTANCE: God is always at work in this world, even when we can’t see what he is doing. No matter what kinds of pressures we must endure or how many changes we must face, God is ultimately in control of our situation.  Being confident of God’s sovereignty, we can face the difficult situations in our lives with boldness.

Leadership

EXPLANATION: God guided his people using different forms of leadership: judges, priests, prophets, kings. Those whom he chose for these different offices, such as Eli, Samuel, Saul, and David, portrayed different styles of leadership.  Yet the success of each leader depended on his devotion to God, not his position, leadership style, wisdom, age, or strength.

IMPORTANCE: When Eli, Samuel, Saul, and David disobeyed God, they face tragic consequences. Sin affected what they accomplished for God and how some of them brought up their children.  Being a real leader means letting God guide all aspects of your activities, values, and goals, including the way you bring up your children.

Obedience

EXPLANATION: For God, “to obey is better than sacrifice” (15:22). God wanted his people to obey, serve, and follow him with a whole heart rather than to maintain a superficial commitment based on tradition or ceremonial system.

IMPORTANCE: Although we are free from the sacrificial system of the Jewish law, we may still rely on outward observances to substitute for inward commitment. God desires that all our work and worship be motivated by genuine, heartfelt devotion to him.

God’s Faithfulness

EXPLANATION: God faithfully kept the promises he made to Israel. He responded to his people with tender mercy and swift justice.  In showing mercy, he faithfully acted in the best interests of his people.  In showing justice, he was faithful to his word and perfect moral nature.

IMPORTANCE: Because God is faithful, he can be counted on to be merciful towards us. Yet God is also just, and he will not tolerate rebellion against him.  His faithfulness and unselfish love should inspire us to dedicate ourselves to him completely.  We must never take his mercy for granted.

WARNINGS have many forms – lights, signs, sights, sounds, smells, feelings, and written words. With varied focus, their purpose is the same – to advise alertness and caution because of imminent danger.  Responses to these warnings will also vary, from disregard and neglect to evasive or corrective action.  How a person reacts to a warning is usually determined by the situation and the source.  An impending storm is treated differently from an oncoming car, and the counsel of a trusted friend is heeded much more than the flippant remark by a stranger or the fearful guess of a child.

Second Peter is a letter of warning – from an authority none other than the courageous, experienced, and faithful apostle. And it is the last communication from this great warrior of Christ.  Soon thereafter he would die, martyred for the faith.

Previously Peter had written to comfort and encourage believers in the midst of suffering and persecution – an external onslaught. But three years later, in this letter containing his last words, he wrote to warn them of an internal attack – complacency and heresy.  He spoke of holding fast to the non-negotiable facts of the faith, of growing and maturing in the faith, and of rejecting all who would distort the truth.  To follow this advice would ensure Christ-honouring individuals and Christ-centred churches.

After a brief greeting (1.1), Peter gives the antidote for stagnancy and shortsightedness in the Christian life (1.2-11). Then he explains that his days are numbers (1.12-15) and that the believers should listen to his messages and the words of Scripture (1.16-21).

Next, Peter gives a blunt warning about false teachers (2.1-22). They will become prevalent in the last days (2.1, 2), they will do or say anything for money (2.3), they will spurn the things of God (2.2, 10, 11), they will do whatever they feel like doing (2.12-17), they will be proud and boastful (2.18, 19), and they will be judged and punished by God (2.3-10, 20-22).

Peter concludes his brief letter by explaining why he has written it (3.1-18) – to remind them of the words of the prophets and apostles that predicted the coming of false teachers, to give the reasons for the delay in Christ’s return (3.1-13), and to encourage them to beware of heresies and to grow in their faith (3.14-18).

Addressed to those who “have received a faith as precious as ours”, 2 Peter could have been written to us. Our world is filled with false prophets and teachers who claim to have the truth and who clamour for attention and allegiance.  Listen carefully to Peter’s message and heed his warning.  Determine to grow in your knowledge of Christ and to reject all those who preach anything inconsistent with God’s word.

VITAL STATISTICS

PURPOSE: To warn Christians about false teachers and to exhort to grow in their faith in and knowledge of Christ

AUTHOR: Peter

TO WHOM WRITTEN: The church at large and all believers everywhere

DATE WRITTEN: About A.D. 67, three years after 1 Peter was written, possibly from Rome

SETTING: Peter knew that his time on earth was limited (1.13, 14), so he wrote about what was on his heart, warning believers of what would happen when he was gone – especially about the presence of false teachers. He reminded his readers of the unchanging truth of the gospel.

KEY VERSE: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (1.3).

KEY PEOPLE: Peter, Paul

SPECIAL FEATURES: The date and destination are uncertain, and the authorship has been disputed. Because of this, 2 Peter was the last book admitted to the canon of the New Testament Scripture.  Also, there are similarities between 2 Peter and Jude.

THE BLUEPRINT

While Peter wrote his first letter to teach about handling persecution (trials from without), he wrote this letter to teach about handling heresy (trials from within). False teachers are often subtly deceitful.  Believers today must still be vigilant against falling into false doctrine, heresy, and cult activity.  This letter gives us clues to help detect false teaching.

1. Guidance for growing Christians (1.1-21)
2. Danger to growing Christians (2.1-22)
3. Hope for growing Christians (3.1-18)

MEGATHEMES

Diligence

EXPLANATION: If our faith is real, it will be evident in our faithful behaviour. If people are diligent in Christian growth, they won’t backslide or be deceived by false teachers.

IMPORTANCE: Growth is essential. It begins with faith and culminates in love for others.  To keep growing we need to know God, keep on following him, and remember what he taught us.  We must remain diligent in faithful obedience and Christian growth.

False Teachers

EXPLANATION: Peter warns the church to beware of false teachers. These teachers were proud of their position, promoted sexual sin, and advised against keeping the Ten Commandments.  Peter countered them by pointing to the Spirit-inspired Scriptures as our authority.

IMPORTANCE: Christians need discernment to be able to resist false teachers. God can rescue us from their lies if we stay true to his word, the Bible, and reject those who distort the truth.

Christ’s Return

EXPLANATION: One day Christ will create a new heaven and earth where we will live for ever. As Christians, our hope is in this promise.  But with Christ’s return comes his judgment on all who refuse to believe.

IMPORTANCE: The cure for complacency, lawlessness, and heresy is found in the confident assurance that Christ will return. God is still giving unbelievers time to repent.  To be ready, Christians must keep on trusting and resist the pressure to give up waiting for Christ’s return.

REAL heroes are hard to find these days. Modern research and the media have made the foibles and weaknesses of our leaders very apparent; we search in vain for men and women to emulate.  The music, film, and sports industries produce a steady stream of “stars” who shoot to the top and then quickly fade from view.

Judges is a book about heroes – 12 men and women who delivered Israel from her oppressors. These judges were not perfect; in fact, they included an assassin, a sexually promiscuous man, and a person who broke all the laws of hospitality.  But they were submissive to God [Wall], and God used them.

Judges is also a book about sin and its consequences. Like a minor cut or abrasion that becomes infected when left untreated, sin grows and soon poisons the whole body.  The book of Joshua ends with the nation taking a stand for God, ready to experience all the blessings of the promised land.  After settling in Canaan, however, the Israelites lost their spiritual commitment and motivation.  When Joshua and the elders died, the nation experienced a leadership vacuum, leaving them without a strong central government.  Instead of enjoying freedom and prosperity in the promised land, Israel entered the dark ages of her history.

Simply stated, the reason for this rapid decline was sin – individual and corporate. The first step away from God was incomplete obedience (1.11-2.5); the Israelites refused to eliminate the enemy completely from the land.  This led to intermarriage and idolatry (2.6-3.7) and everyone doing “as he saw fit” (17.6).  Before long the Israelites became captives.  Out of their desperation they begged God to rescue them.  In faithfulness to his promise and out of his loving-kindness, God would raise up a judge to deliver his people and, for a time, there would be peace.  Then complacency and disobedience would set in, and the cycle would begin again.

The book of Judges spans a period of over 325 years, recording six successive periods of oppression and deliverance, and the careers of 12 deliverers. Their captors included the Mesopotamians, Moabites, Philistines, Canaanites, Midianites, and Ammonites.  A variety of deliverers – from Othniel to Samson – were used by God to lead his people to freedom and true worship.  God’s deliverance through the judges is a powerful demonstration of his love and mercy towards his people.

As you read the book of Judges, take a good look at these heroes from Jewish history. Take note of their dependence on God and obedience to his commands.  Observe Israel’s repeated downward spiral into sin, refusing to learn from history and living only for the moment.  But most of all, stand in awe of God’s mercy as he delivers his people over and over again.

VITAL STATISTICS

PURPOSE: To show that God’s judgment against sin is certain, and his forgiveness of sin and restoration to relationship are just as certain for those who repent

AUTHOR: Possibly Samuel

SETTING: The land of Canaan, later called Israel. God had helped the Israelites to conquer Canaan which had been inhabited by a host of wicked nations.  But they were in danger of losing this promised land because they compromised their convictions and disobeyed God.

KEY VERSE: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit” (17.6).

KEY PEOPLE: Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Abimelech, Jephthah, Samson, Delilah

SPECIAL FEATURE: Records Israel’s first civil war

THE BLUEPRINT

The Military Failure of Israel (1.1-3.6) The tribes had compromised God’s command to drive out the inhabitants of the land.  Incomplete removal of evil often means disaster in the end.  We must beware of compromising with wickedness.

1. Incomplete conquest of the land
2. Disobedience and defeat

The Rescue of Israel By the Judges (3.7-16.31) Repeatedly we see the nation of Israel sinning against God and God allowing suffering to come upon the land and the people.  Sin always has its consequences.  Where there is sin we can expect suffering to follow.  Rather than living in an endless cycle of abandoning God and then crying out to him for rescue, we should seek to live a consistent life of faithfulness.

1. First period: Othniel
2. Second period: Ehud and Shamgar
3. Third period: Deborah and Barak
4. Fourth period: Gideon, Tola, and Jair
5. Fifth period: Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon
6. Sixth period: Samson

The Moral Failure of Israel (17.1-21.25) Despite the efforts of Israel’s judges, the people still would not turn wholeheartedly to God.  They all did whatever they thought was best for themselves.  The result was the spiritual, moral, and political decline of the nation.  Our lives will also fall into decline and decay unless we live by the guidelines God has given us.

1. Idolatry in the tribe of Dan
2. War against the tribe of Benjamin

MEGATHEMES

Decline/Compromise

EXPLANATION: Whenever a judge died, and people faced decline and failure because they compromised their high spiritual purpose in many ways.  They abandoned their mission to drive all the people out of the land, and they adopted the customs of the people living around them.

IMPORTANCE: Society has many rewards to offer those who compromise their faith: wealth, acceptance, recognition, power, and influence.  When God gives us a mission, it must not be polluted by a desire for approval from society.  We must keep our eyes on Christ who is our Judge and Deliverer.

Decay/Apostasy

EXPLANATION: Israel’s moral downfall had its roots in the fierce independence that each tribe cherished.  It led to everyone doing whatever seemed good in his own eyes.  There was no unity in government or in worship.  Law and order broken down.  Finally idol worship and man-made religion led to the complete abandoning of faith in God.

IMPORTANCE: We can expect decay when we value anything more highly than God.  If we value our own independence more than dedication to God, we have placed an idol in our hearts.  Soon our lives become temples to that god.  We must constantly regard God’s first claim on our lives and all our desires.

Defeat/Oppression

EXPLANATION: God used evil oppressors to punish the Israelites for their sin, to bring them to the point of repentance, and to test their allegiance to him.

IMPORTANCE: Rebellion against God leads to disaster.  God may use defeat to bring wandering hearts back to him.  When all else is stripped away, we recognise the importance of serving only him.

Repentance

EXPLANATION: Decline, decay, and defeat caused the people to cry out to God for help.  They vowed to turn from idolatry and to turn to God for mercy and deliverance.  When they repented, God delivered them.

IMPORTANCE: Idolatry gains a foothold in our hearts when we make anything more important than God.  We must identify modern idols in our hearts, renounce them, and turn to God for his love and mercy.

Deliverance/Heroes

EXPLANATION: Because Israel repented, God raised up heroes to deliver his people from their path of sin and the oppression it brought.  He used many kinds of people to accomplish this purpose by filling them with this Holy Spirit.

IMPORTANCE: God’s Holy Spirit is available to all people.  Anyone who is dedicated to God can be used for his service.  Real heroes recognise the futility of human effort without God’s guidance and power.

OUR CHURCHES come in all styles and shapes – secret meetings in homes; wide-open gatherings in amphitheatres; worship services packing thousands into a sanctuary while an overflow crowd watches on closed circuit television. Buildings will vary, but the Church is not confined to four walls.  The church of Jesus Christ is people, his people, of every race and nation who love Christ and are committed to serving him.

The “Church age” began at Pentecost (Act 2). Born in Jerusalem, the church spread rapidly through the ministry of the apostles and the early believers.  Fanned by persecution, the gospel flame then spread to other cities and nations.  On three courageous journeys, Paul and his associates established local assemblies in scores of Gentile cities.

One of the most prominent of those churches was at Ephesus. It was established in A.D. 53 on Paul’s homeward journey to Jerusalem.  But Paul returned a year later, on his third missionary trip, and stayed there for three years, preaching and teaching with great effectiveness (Acts 19.1-20).  At another time, Paul met with the Ephesian elders, and he sent Timothy to serve as their leader (1 Timothy 1.3).  Just a few years later, Paul was sent as a prisoner to Rome.  In Rome, he was visited by messengers from various churches, including Tychicus.  Not written to counteract heresy or to confront any specific problem, Ephesians is a letter of encouragement.  In it Paul describes the nature and appearance of the Church, and he challenges believers to function as the living body of Christ on earth.

After a warm greeting (1.1, 2), Paul affirms the nature of the Church – the glorious fact that believers in Christ have been showered with God’s kindness (1.13, 14), filled with the Spirit’s power (1.15-23), freed from sin’s curse and bondage (2.1-10), and brought near to God [Wall] (2.11-18). As part of God’s “household”, we stand with the prophets, apostles, Jews, Gentiles, and Christ himself (2.19-3.13).  Then, as though overcome with emotion by remembering all that God [Wall] has done, Paul challenges the Ephesians to live close to Christ, and he breaks into spontaneous praise (3.14-21).

Paul then turns his attention to the implications of being in the body of Christ, the Church. Believers should have unity in their commitment to Christ and their use of spiritual gifts (4.1-16).  They should have the highest moral standards (4.17-5.20).  For the individual, this means rejecting pagan practices (4.17-5.20), and for the family, this means mutual submission and love (5.21-6.9).

Paul then reminds them that the Church is in a constant battle with the forces of darkness and that they should use every spiritual weapon at their disposal (6.10-17). He concludes by asking for their prayers, commissioning Tychicus, and giving a benediction (6.18-24).

As you read this masterful description of the church, thank God [Wall] for the diversity and unity in his family, pray for your brothers and sisters across the world, and draw close to those in your local Church.

VITAL STATISTICS

PURPOSE: To strengthen the believers in Ephesus in their Christian faith by explaining the nature and purpose of the Church, the body of Christ

AUTHOR: Paul

TO WHOM WRITTEN: The Church at Ephesus, and all believers everywhere

DATE WRITTEN: About A.D. from Rome, during Paul’s imprisonment there

SETTING: The letter was not written to confront any heresy or problem in the churches. It was sent with Tychicus to strengthen and encourage the churches in the area.  Paul had spent over three years with the Ephesian church.  As a result, he was very close to them.  Paul met with the elders of the Ephesian church at Miletus (Acts 20.17-38) – a meeting that was filled with great sadness because he was leaving them for what he thought would be the last time.  Because there are no specific references to people or problems in the Ephesian church and because the words “at Ephesus” (1.1) are not present in some early manuscripts, Paul may have intended this to be a circular letter to be read to all the churches in the area.

KEY VERSES: “There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God [Wall] and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (4.4-6).

KEY PEOPLE: Paul, Tychicus

SPECIAL FEATURES: Several pictures of the church are presented: body, temple, mystery, new man, bride, and soldier. This letter was probably distributed to many of the early churches.  [aka “Who’s your new man” banter]

THE BLUEPRINT

In this letter, Paul explains the wonderful thing that we have received through Christ and refers to the church as a body, a temple, a bride, and a soldier. These all illustrate unity of purpose and show how each individual member is a part that must work together with all the other parts.  In our own lives, we should work to eradicate all backbiting, gossip, criticism, jealousy, anger, and bitterness, because these are barriers to unity in the church.

1. Unity in Christ (1.1-3.21)
2. Unity in the body of Christ (4.1-6.24)

MEGATHEMES

God’s Purpose

EXPLANATION: According to God’s eternal, loving plan, he directs, carries out, and sustains our salvation.

IMPORTANCE: When we respond to Christ’s love by trusting in him, his purpose becomes your mission.  Have you committed yourself to fulfilling God’s purpose?

Christ the Centre

EXPLANATION: Christ is exalted as the central meaning of the universe and the focus of history.  He is the head of the body, the church.  He is the Creator and Sustainer of all creation.

IMPORTANCE: Because Christ is central to everything, his power must be central to us.  Begin by placing all your priorities under his control.

Living Church

EXPLANATION: Paul describes the nature of the church.  The church, under Christ’s control, is a living body, a family, a dwelling.  God [Wall] gives believers special abilities by his Holy Spirit to build the church.

IMPORTANCE: We are part of Christ’s body, and we must live in vital union with him.  Our conduct must be consistent with this living relationship.  Use your God-given abilities to equip believers for service.  Fulfil your role in the living church.

New Family

EXPLANATION: Because God through Christ paid our penalty for sin and forgave us, we have been reconciled – brought near to him.  We are a new society, a new family.  Being united with Christ means we are to treat one another as family members.

IMPORTANCE: We are one family in Christ, so there should be no barriers, no divisions, no basis for discrimination.  We all belong to him, so we should live in harmony with one another.

Christian Conduct

EXPLANATION: Paul encourages all Christians to wise, dynamic Christian living, for with privileges goes family responsibility.  As a new community, we are to live by Christ’s new standards.

IMPORTANCE: God provides his Holy Spirit to enable us to live his way.  To utilise the Spirit’s power, we must lay aside our evil desires and draw on the power of his new life.  Submit your will to Christ, and seek to love others.

SPARLKING as it crashes against boulders along its banks, the river swiftly cascades towards the sea. The current grabs, pushes, and tugs at leaves and logs, carrying them along for the ride.  Here and there a sportsman is spotted in a canoe, going with the flow.  Gravity pulls the water, and the river pulls the rest… downwards.  Suddenly, a silver missile breaks the surface and darts upstream, and then another.  Oblivious to the swirling opposition, the shining salmon swim against the stream.  They use go upstream, and nothing will stop them from reaching their destination.

The current of society’s river is flowing fast and furious, pulling downwards everything in its way. It would be easy to float along with the current.  But God [Wall] calls us to swim against the flow.  It will not be easy, and we may be alone, but it will be right.

In the book of 2 Kings, we read of evil rulers, rampant idolatry, and a complacent populace – certainly pulling downwards. Despite the pressure to conform, to turn from the Lord and to serve only self, a minority of chosen people moved in the opposite direction, towards God.  The Bethel prophets and others, as well as two righteous kings, spoke God’s word and stood for him.  As you read 2 Kings, watch these courageous individuals.  Catch the strength and force of Elijah and Elisha and the commitment of Hezekiah and Josiah, and determine to be one who swims against the current!

The book continues the history of Israel, halfway between the death of David and the death of the nation. Israel had been divided (1 Kings 12), and the two kingdoms had begun to slide into idolatry and corruption towards collapse and captivity.  Second Kings relates the sordid stories of the 12 kings of the northern kingdom (called Israel) and the 16 kings of the southern kingdom (called Judah).  For 130 years, Israel endures the succession of evil rulers until they were conquered by Shalmaneser of Assyria and led into captivity in 722 B.C. (17:6).  Of all the kings in both the north and south, only two – Hezekiah and Josiah – were called good.  Because of their obedience to God and the spiritual revivals during their reigns, Judah stood for an additional 136 years until falling to Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians in 586 B.C.

Throughout this dark period, the Bible mentions 30 prophets who proclaimed God’s message to the people and their leaders. Most notable of these fearless people of God are Elijah and Elisha.  As Elijah neared the end of his earthly ministry, Elisha asked for a double portion of his beloved mentor’s spirit (2:9).  Soon after, Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind (2:11), and Elisha became God’s spokesman to the northern kingdom.  Elisha’s life was filled with signs, proclamations, warnings, and miracles.  Four of the most memorable are the flowing oil (4:1-7), the healing of the Shunammite woman’s son (4:8-37), the healing of Naaman’s leprosy (5:1-27), and the floating axe-head (6:1-7).

Even in the midst of terrible situations, God will have his faithful minority, his remnant (19:31). He desires courageous men and women to proclaim his truth.

VITAL STATISTICS

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the fate that awaits all who refuse to make God their true leader

AUTHOR: Unknown. Possibly Jeremiah or a group of prophets

SETTING: The once-united nation of Israel has been divided into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, for over a century

KEY VERSES: “The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: ‘Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.’  But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the LORD their God”  (17:13, 14).

KEY PEOPLE: Elijah, Elisha, Shunammite woman, Naaman, Jezebel, Jehu, Joash, Hezekiah, Sennacherib, Isaiah, Manasseh, Josiah, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar

SPECIAL FEATURES: The 17prophetic books at the end of the Old Testament give great insights into the time period of 2 Kings.

THE BLUEPRINT

The Divided Kingdom (1:1-17:41) Although Israel had the witness and power of Elisha, the nation turned from God and was exiled to Assyria.  Assyria filled the northern kingdom with people from other lands.  There has been no return from this captivity – it was permanent.  Such is the end of all who shut God out of their lives.

1. Elisha’s ministry
2. Kings of Israel and Judah
3. Israel is exiled to Assyria

The Surviving Kingdom (18:1-25:30) The northern kingdom was destroyed, and prophets were predicting the same fate for Judah.  What more could cause the nation to repent?  Hezekiah and Josiah were able to stem the tide of evil.  They both repaired the temple and gathered the people for the Passover.  Josiah eradicated idolatry from the land, but as soon as these good kings were gone, the people returned again to living their own way instead of God’s way.  Each individual must believe and live for God in his or her family, church, and nation.

1. Kings of Judah
2. Judah is exiled to Babylon

MEGATHEMES

ELISHA

EXPLANATION:   the purpose of Elisha’s ministry was to restore respect for God and his message, and he stood firmly against the evil kings of Israel.  By faith, with courage and prayer, he revealed not only God’s judgment on sin, but also his mercy, love, and tenderness towards faithful people.

IMPORTANCE: Elisha’s mighty miracles showed that God controls not only great armies, but also events in everyday life. When we listen to and obey God, he shows us his power to transform any situation.  God’s care is for all who are willing to follow him.  He can perform miracles in our lives.

IDOLATRY  

EXPLANATION: every evil king in both Israel and Judah encouraged idolatry.  These false gods represented war, cruelty, power, and sex.  Although they had God’s law, priests, and prophets to guide them, these kings sought priests and prophets whom they could manipulate to their own advantage.

IMPORTANCE:   an idol is any idea, ability, possession, or person that we regard more highly than God.  We condemn Israel and Judah for foolishly worshipping idols, but we also worship other gods – power, money, physical attractiveness.  Those who believe in God must resist the lure of these attractive idols.

EVIL KINGS / GOOD KINGS

EXPLANATION:   only 20 per cent of Israel and Judah’s kings followed God.  The evil kings were short-sighted.  They thought they could control their nations’ destinies by importing other religions, forming alliances with pagan nations, and enriching themselves.  The good kings had to spend most of their time undoing the evil done by their predecessors.

IMPORTANCE: although the evil kings led the people into sin, the priests, princes, heads of families, and military leaders all had to co-operate with the evil plans and practices in order for them to be carried out.  We cannot discharge our responsibility to obey God by blaming our leaders.  We are responsible to know God’s word and obey it.

GOD’S PATIENCE

EXPLANATION: God told his people that if they obeyed him they would live successfully; if they disobeyed, they would be judged and destroyed.  God had been patient with the people for hundreds of years.  He sent many prophets to guide them.  And he gave ample warning of coming destruction.  But even God’s patience has limits.

IMPORTANCE: God is patient with us.  He gives us many chances to hear his message, to turn from sin, and to believe him.  His patience does not mean he is indifferent to how we live, nor does it mean we can ignore his warnings.  His patience should make us want to come to him now.

JUDGEMENT

EXPLANATION: after King Solomon’s reign, Israel lasted 209 years before the Assyrians destroyed it; Judah lasted 345 years before the Babylonians took Jerusalem.  After repeated warnings to his people, God used these evil nations as instruments for his justice.

IMPORTANCE:   the consequences of rejecting God’s commands and purpose for our lives are severe.  He will not ignore unbelief or rebellion.  We must believe in him and accept Christ’s sacrificial death on our behalf, or we will be judged also.

“MIRACULOUS!” . . . “Revolutionary!” . . . “Greatest ever!” We are inundated by a flood of extravagant claims [Versatility] as we flip through television channels or magazine pages.  The messages leap out at us.  The products assure us that they are new, improved, fantastic, and capable of changing our lives.  For only a few pounds, we can have “cleaner clothes”, “whiter teeth”, “glamorous hair”, and “tastier food”.  Cars, perfume, diet drinks, and mouthwash are guaranteed to bring happiness, friends, and the good life.  And just before an election, no-one can match the politicians’ promises.  but talk is cheap, and too often we soon realise that the boasts were hollow, quite far from the truth.

“Jesus is the answer!” . . . “Believe in God!” . . . “Follow me to Church!” Christians also make great claims [Versatility] but are often guilty of belying them with their actions.  Professing to trust God [Wall] and to be his people, they cling tightly to the world and its values.  Possessing all the right answers, they contradict the gospel with their lives.

with energetic style and crisp, well-chosen words, James confronts this conflict head-on. It is not enough [Military] to talk the Christian faith, he says; we must live it.  “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims [Versatility] to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such faith save him?” (2.14).  The proof of the reality of our faith is a changed life.

Genuine faith will inevitably produce good deeds. This is the central theme of James’ letter, around which he supplies practical advice on living the Christian life.

James begins his letter by outlining some general characteristics of the Christian life (1.1-27). Next, he exhorts Christians to act justly in Society (2.1-13).  He follows this practical advice with a theological discourse on the relationship between faith and action (2.14-26).  Then James shows the importance of controlling one’s speech [Show me your company,..] (3.1-12).  In 3:13-18, James distinguishes two kinds of wisdom, earthly and heavenly.  Then he encourages his readers to turn from evil desires and obey God [Wall] (4.1-12).  James reproves those who trust in their own plans and possessions (4.13-5.6).  Finally, he exhorts his readers to be patient with each other (5.7-11), to be straightforward in their promises (5.12), to pray for each other [Kisses The Knee] (5.13-18), and to help each other [Kisses The Knee] remain faithful to God [Wall] (5.19, 20).

This letter could be seen as a how-to book on Christian living. Confrontation, challenge, and a call to commitment await you in its pages.  Read James and become a doer of the word (1.22-25).

VITAL STATISTICS

PURPOSE: To expose hypocritical practices and to teach right Christian behaviour

AUTHOR: James, Jesus’ brother, a leader in the Jerusalem Church

TO WHOM WRITTEN: First-century Jewish Christians residing in Gentile communities outside Palestine, and all Christians everywhere

DATE WRITTEN: Probably A.D. 49, prior to the Jerusalem council held in A.D. 50

SETTING: This letter expresses James’ concern for persecuted Christians who were once part of the Jerusalem Church

KEY VERSE: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do” (2.18).

THE BLUEPRINT

James wrote to Jewish Christians who had been scattered throughout the Mediterranean world because of persecution. In their hostile surroundings they were tempted to let intellectual agreement pass for true faith.  This letter can have rich meaning for us as we are reminded that genuine faith transforms lives.  We are encouraged to put our faith into action.  It is easy to say we have faith, but true faith will produce loving actions towards others.

1. Genuine religion (1.1-27)
2. Genuine faith (2.1-3.12)
3. Genuine wisdom (3.13-5.20)

MEGATHEMES

THE MOULDED bunny lies in the basket, surrounded by green paper “grass”. With Easter morning eyes wide with anticipation, the little boy carefully lifts the chocolate figure and bites into one of the long ears.  But the sweet taste fades quickly, and the child looks again at the chocolate in his hand.  It’s hollow!

Empty, futile, hollow, nothing… the words rings of disappointment and disillusionment. Yet this is the life-experience of many.  Grasping the sweet things – possessions, experience, power, and pleasure – they find nothing inside.  Life is empty, meaningless… and they despair.

Almost 3,000 years ago, Solomon spoke of this human dilemma; but the insights and applications of his message are relevant in our time. Ecclesiastes, Solomon’s written sermon, is an analysis of life’s experiences and a critical essay about its meaning.  In this profound book, Solomon takes us on a mental journey through his life, explaining how everything he tried, tested, or tasted was “meaningless” – useless, irrational, pointless, foolish, and empty – an exercise in futility.  And remember, these words are from one who “had it all” – tremendous intellect, power, and wealth.  After this biographical tour, Solomon made his triumphant conclusion: “Fear God [Wall] and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  For God [Wall] will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (12.13, 14).

When Solomon became king, he asked God [Wall] for wisdom (2 Chronicles 1.7-12), and he became the wisest man in the world (1 Kings 4.29-34). He studied, taught, judged, and wrote.  Kings and leaders from other nations came to Jerusalem to learn from him.  But with all of his practical insight on life, Solomon failed to heed his own advice, and he began a downward spiral.  Near the end of his life, Solomon looked back with an attitude of humility and repentance. He took stock of the world as he had experienced it, hoping to spare his readers the bitterness of learning through personal experience that everything apart from God [Wall] is empty, hollow, and meaningless.

Although the tone of Ecclesiastes is negative and pessimistic, we must not conclude that the only chapter worth reading and applying is the last one, where he draws his conclusions. In reality, the entire book is filled with practical wisdom (how to accomplish things in the world and stay out of trouble) and spiritual wisdom (how to find and know eternal values).  Solomon had a very honest approach to life.  All of his remarks relating to the futility of life are there for a purpose – to lead people to seek true happiness in God [Wall] alone.  He was not trying to destroy all hope, but to direct our hope to the only One who can truly fulfil them.  Solomon affirms the value of knowledge, relationships, work, and pleasure, but only in their proper place.  All of these temporal things in life must be seen in light of the eternal.

Read Ecclesiastes and learn about life. Hear the stern warnings and the dire predictions, and commit yourself to remember your Creator now (12.1).

VITAL STATISTICS

PPURPOSE: To spare future generations the bitterness of learning through their own experience that life is meaningless apart from God [Wall]

AUTHOR: Solomon

TO WHOM WRITTEN: Solomon’s subjects in particular, and all people in general

DATE WRITTEN: Probably around 935 B.C., late in Solomon’s life

SETTING: Solomon was looking back on his life, much of which was lived apart from God [Wall]

KEY VERSE: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God [Wall]and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (12.13).

THE BLUEPRINT

Ecclesiastes show that certain paths in life lead to emptiness. This profound book also helps us to discover true purpose in life.  Such wisdom can spare us from the emptiness that results from a life without God [Wall].  Solomon teaches that people will not find meaning in life in knowledge, money, pleasure, work, or popularity.  True satisfaction comes from knowing that what we are doing is part of God’s purpose for our lives.  This is a book that can help free us from our scramble for power, approval, and money, and draws us closer to God [Wall].

MEGATHEMES

Searching

EXPLANATION: Solomon searched for satisfaction almost as though he were conducting a scientific experiment. Through this process, he discovered that life without God [Wall] is a long and fruitless search for enjoyment, meaning, and fulfilment.  True happiness is not in our power to accumulate or attain because we always want more than we can have.  In addition, there are circumstances beyond our control that can snatch away our possessions or attainments.

IMPORTANCE: People are still searching. Yet the more they try to get, the more they realise how little they really have.  No pleasure or happiness is possible without God [Wall].  Without him, satisfaction is a lost search.  Above everything we should strive to know and love God [Wall].  He gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy.

Emptiness

EXPLANATION: Solomon shows how empty it is to pursue the pleasures that this life has to offer rather than a relationship with an eternal God [Wall]. The search for pleasure, wealth, and success is ultimately disappointing.  Nothing in the world can fill the emptiness and satisfy the deep longings in our restless hearts.

IMPORTANCE: The cure for emptiness is to centre on God [Wall]. His love can also fill the emptiness of human experience.  Fear God [Wall] throughout your life and fill your life with serving God [Wall] and others rather than with selfish pleasures.

Work

EXPLANATION: Solomon tried to shake people’s confidence in their own efforts, abilities, and wisdom and to direct them to faith in God [Wall] as the only sound basis for living. Without God [Wall], there is no lasting reward or benefit in hard work.

IMPORTANCE: Work done with the wrong attitude will leave us empty. But work accepted as an assignment from God [Wall] can be seen as a gift.  Examine what you expect from your efforts.  God [Wall] gives you abilities and opportunities to work so that you can use your time well.

Death

Explanation: The certainty of death makes all merely human achievements futile.  God [Wall] has a plan for human destiny that goes beyond life and death.  The reality of aging and dying reminds each individual of the end to come when God [Wall] will judge each person’s life.

IMPORTANCE: Because life is short, we need wisdom that is greater than this world can offer. We need the words of God [Wall].  If we listen to him, his wisdom spares us the bitterness of futile human experience and gives us a hope that goes beyond death.

Wisdom

EXPLANATION: Human wisdom doesn’t contain all the answers. Knowledge and education have their limits.  To understand life, we need the wisdom that can be found only in God’s words to us – the Bible.

IMPORTANCE: When we realise that God [Wall] will evaluate all that we do, we should learn to live wisely, remembering that he is present each day, and learn to obey his guidelines for living. But in order to have God’s wisdom, we must first get to know and honour him.

[Keys: ‘ACKNOWLEDGEMENT’].