Woohoo! You've arrived the end of another book of the Bible! Nice job everyone. 2 Kings is a really significant book because it shows how people struggle with power and how their pursuit of power leads them to the infamous Babylonian exile. Today's reading shows how the exile starts and the books that follow this will be the prophets response to the people on their path to redemption. I think you'll really benefit and enjoy these readings!
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this teach me about God?
What does this teach me about humanity?
it says that God causes the exile - do you struggle with this or sympathize with it? Is it careless or an act of tough love? How many chance do you think Israel deserves?
- My Thoughts -
When I think of the Babylonian exile I'm reminded of my time working in the homeless camps with Trials for Hope. I've found out that working with the homeless comes with a new set of rules. These people are in survival mode and are looking out for only themselves which can go against the incredible selfless drive of Jonathon and his team at Trials. Jonathon tells me he was working with someone that would really take advantage of him and as soon as Jonathon thought he was making progress with this person, they would screw Jonathon over again and leave him feeling really hurt. This happened over, and over, and over. Eventually Jonathon had to cut off contact with the person. He really struggled with the decision because he felt like he was leaving the person to die without providing him basic provisions, but it had to be done. A few years later Jonathon would reconnect with this person and found out that they are doing really well. They have a home and a stable job. They admitted that it was an act of tough love that made them take responsibility. This person regularly volunteers with Jonathon now and helps other homeless people find homes. I like to believe that this is what God felt when the Israelites were sent into Exile. Heartbroken to do it to someone God loves, but did it because they wouldn't learn otherwise. I'm grateful for the gift of Jesus, who saves us from ourselves so that we do not need to exiled for God again.
If you would like to support the truly life saving work of Trials for Hope or learn more about how you can be involved visit them at https://trials4hope.org/
Prayer
Lord, thank you for journeying with me through this day. In order that I can rest in your shadow, I release the following into your safe keeping:
My loved ones…..
People I carry in my heart today….
The regrets of today….
The achievements of today….
Myself….
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.