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Hosea 4-7
In this section the Lord brings His accusations against not only Israel but Judah too. And He zeroes in on the priests several times. “Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, for with you is my contention, O priest.”Hosea 4:4 ESV This correction of the priests is the context for one of the…
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Hosea 1-3
The opening chapters of Hosea are a prophetic picture of Yahweh’s relationship with Israel. If they were a couple today, we’d expect them to either be in counseling or the office of a divorce attorney. First- the context… We are going back in time a few years. When Hosea’s ministry begins, things are pretty politically…
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Psalm 48
In the Septuagint this psalm’s heading says, “A Psalm of praise for the sons of Core on the second day of the week.” The second day of the week would be a Monday. Maybe the Lord knew we needed a Monday song to face another work-week. This psalm is about Zion. And as we’ve read…
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2 Chronicles 30-31
With the temple sparkling again and the priesthood back in order, Hezekiah and the elders decide it would be good to observe the Passover. One problem. They’re a month too late. They decide to go ahead and do it anyway. Imperfectly. (Oh and it was.) They send couriers throughout ALL Israel- even to the farthest…
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2 Kings 18:1-12, 2 Chron. 29
Ok – I’m getting granular. 😲 Gasp! Not you! Shocking. 😏 Alright smarty-pants. I know that the reading plan lists 2 Kings 18, but that one chapter covers the entire scope of King Hezekiah’s life and reign. Verse 13 to the end covers a bit of history that we don’t read about until 2 Chronicles…
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Isaiah 26-27
Let’s review context. Isaiah is singing again about “THAT Day.” In Chapter 25 he exulted in the victory of Yahweh over death. In Chapter 26 the celebration continues. It feels like it could’ve come right out the book of Psalms. It is highly poetic and bursting with imagery. The first 5 verses are, in fact,…
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Isaiah 24-25
When I read these chapters, here is the musical underscore that pops into my mind. Go ahead. Give it a listen. It’s only 2 minutes long. Use headphones for the full experience. I’ll just sit right here til you get back… 🪑 See? Epic huh? And fitting because these are a couple of EPIC chapters.…
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Isaiah 21-23
In each of these chapters Isaiah delivers a message for various recipients. All of these were given around the year 712 BC. CHAPTER 21 – Babylon, Edom, and Arabia This is amazing. Isaiah foresees what Daniel will later describe. Look at this: “Look! They are preparing a great feast. They are spreading rugs for people…
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Isaiah 18-20
🌨️🌨️🌨️☃️🌨️🌨️🌨️ ❄️❄️❄️🏂❄️❄️❄️ 🚪 [-knock-knock-knock!] 🤔 hello? 🥶 umm…. Hi. 😧 Get inside! What on earth are you doing out in this weather? You’re frozen. Here… have some coffee ☕️ 😶🌫️ ☕️ thanks… 🤔 Why are you here? You DO realize that we’re supposed to be in the middle of the winter storm of the decade,…
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Isaiah 15-17
Chapters 15-16 are for the land of Moab, descendants of Abraham’s nephew Lot. The Moabites have long been deep in idolatry, but there is a sad tone to this prophecy. The LORD isn’t exulting over their destruction. This feels more like grief: 😭 “My heart weeps for Moab. Its people flee to Zoar and Eglath-shelishiyah.…
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Isaiah 13-14
“The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.”Isaiah 13:1 ESV 🤔 What exactly is an “oracle?” The Hebrew word is massa and it means “a burden,” or something that you carry. Isaiah and the other prophets were given weighty messages from God to humanity. They had to carry those heavy words and…
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2 Kings 17
Meanwhile in Israel… The end has come. While Ahaz is leading Judah further into idolatry, a man named Hoshea becomes the last king of Israel. He isn’t descended from any of Israel’s previous kings. He formed a conspiracy and assassinated the previous king Pekah (boo… Drat. I can’t unthink that now); who Josephus says was…
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