Where we are have come from(readings for Sunday 8th September):
Deuteronomy 30.15-20
Psalm 1
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14.25-33
Readings for today
Psalm 101
2 Kings 18.9-18
1 Timothy 4.6-16 |
thought for today
To get the best continuity with yesterday I am sure its best to start the 2 Kings reading at 18.1. The Bible is clear the collapse of the Northern Kingdom was a result of their rebellion against God. Just as they are descending into the last phases of this under Hoshea, the last King of Israel, Judah annoints one of the few good Kings - Hezekiah. He starts a religous and social reformation. The Assyrians under Shalmaneser do not come south into Hezekiah's territory, but ten years later under Sennacherib they do, in a big way and Hezekiah has a choice to make. He chooses submission, but it doesn't seem to be enough - the Assyrian army comes to the gates of Jerusalem. And.... Next instalment tomorrow (if you can't wait read on in 2 Kings.
But what does this gripping story have to do with the exhortations in 1 Timothy? Or with our lives today. The author of 1 Timothy (maybe Paul, Maybe not) uses a curious phrase - train yourself to be godly. I think Hezekiah might have been attempting to do this. Among all the self help books about being rich, assertive, healthy or happy I don't see many about being godly, but it might be the most important journey of all.
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission
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