The violence in our world seems inexplicable, but it’s nothing new. When Jehoram took power in Judah, he immediately murdered all his brothers, potential rivals for the throne. The chronicler says of Jehoram, He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done…He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Jehoram’s father followed the Lord wholeheartedly and God blessed the kingdom as a result. Yet Jehoram ran the opposite direction.

Why the turn?

Jehoram grew enamored with the legacy of Ahab and the rulers of the kingdom of Israel. He even married a daughter of Ahab. Perhaps the way they wielded power appealed to Jehoram. Maybe his wife whispered in his ear. Regardless, he allowed his heart to slip north, away from obligations and restraints, and ultimately away from the Lord.

What draws you and me away from the Lord? The desire to chart our own path, or gain more social media followers? Perhaps to get ahead. Maybe to simply fit in—to drift along, allowing the influencers bidding for our attention to do as they will.

Don’t sell out. Ruin results from decisions like Jehoram’s. Indeed make a turn, not away from the Lord, but back to him.

2 Chronicles 21 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Roger Bradshaw

You don’t have to read the Bible very much to realize it’s not all angel food cakes and showers of blessings. Authors of scripture felt free to curse those who pursued lifestyles of oppression.

Like this line from the psalmist: May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame. May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow.

An interesting denunciation for those of us with roofs of shingles or asphalt or concrete. Nothing can root and grow on my roof (my eaves, when filled with leaves, are a different story). But I’ve seen grass growing on roofs, and it makes for a poor crop.

Grass fails to flourish on a roof. No one bails hay on the roof and then feeds their livestock. Grass shrivels in such an environment—thus the curse.

The writer hopes those oppressing the people of God wilt, with prosperity eluding them. May good parents, hurrying by with their children, point out the errors of these bullies.

History teaches us that for a season, oppressors have their way. The cycle continues unabated somewhere in the world all the time. But one day, the Lord will return and cycles of hate and persecution will end. In the meantime let us encourage one another with this line from the same psalmist:

The blessings of the Lord be on you; we bless you in the name of the Lord.

Psalm129 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Dieter de Vroomen

Naaman, a powerful general from a hostile neighbor, traveled to Israel seeking a cure for his chronic skin disease. In his desperation he sought out Elisha, the prophet he heard of from the mouth of a slave girl.

Not even coming to the door, Elisha sent instructions for Naaman to go wash in the river. Naaman, incredulous over the simplicity of the cure, turned away in rage. But wiser heads prevailed. Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he tells you, “Wash and be cleansed!”

Naaman cooled off, dipped seven times in the river, and emerged with the healthy skin of a young boy.

Why did Naaman balk at the initial prescription? The plain nature of the cure irked Naaman. He expected a mighty quest, sacrifices and fire, lightning bolts and incantations. Naaman expected magic. Instead, take a bath—all so blasé.

Earlier the Lord spoke to Elijah in a whisper, not a tornado or fire or earthquake. Now God healed the rotting skin of Naaman through a river baptism, without even a preacher to do the dunking. In most cases the Lord works imperceptibly, plainly, with no flash or magic.

Drying off after the Jordan, Naaman resolved to worship the Lord, and only the Lord, for the rest of his life. His need for magic and flash washed downstream. Like the good general, I often wish for more magic when I actually need more God.

2 Kings 5 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jong Marshes

Miracles surfaced from Elisha’s wake during his years of ministry. In one situation, a hungry crowd sat hoping for a something to eat, but knew the kitchen was out of food. A man arrived with 20 small loaves of barley bread.

Elisha, calling on God, opened the meal. As his servant handed out bread, Elisha confidently assured this is what the Lord says; “They will eat and have some left over.”

Which proved true. Everyone filled their bellies and indeed had leftovers. Elisa fed 100 grown men through this miraculous breaking of bread.

Elisha’s feast points to a later feeding. With less food—only 5 loaves and 2 fish—Jesus fed more people—5,000 men plus women and children. Twelve baskets of leftovers lay among the satisfied crowd.

Elisha didn’t realize what future his meal of barley bread portended. Thanks to the perspective of our time in history, we understand the difference. Jesus fed more people, dropped miracles like change from his pockets, and opened the way to the God Elisha proclaimed.

Jesus changed even the miracle business. When I’m uncertain of my future it helps to remember—Jesus is so much more.

2 Kings 4 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Markus Spiske