It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Reflection on readings for July 2

Let everything that breathes
    praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
(Psalm 150:6)

2 Kings 20:1-22:2
When he was about to die from the effects of a boil, King Hezekiah called on the prophet Isaiah. This interaction including the cure for the boil can also be found in Isaiah 38. Although King Hezekiah almost died, the Lord decided to let him live another fifteen years--and prevent the Assyrians from taking over Judah. The king of Babylon cam to visit and Hezekiah showed him all his treasures. Isaiah said the day will come when Babylon takes over all that you and your ancestors have stored up.  Hezekiah appeared unconcerned about what would happen to his country or his children after he himself was dead.

A very bad king, Manasseh, followed. So bad that the Lord told them that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed. Amon was the next king, and he also did evil--worshipping idols, abandoning the Lord. His servants killed him substituting his son Josiah as king.

Acts 21:18-26
Paul returned to Jerusalem and told the elders how God wanted them to include previously unincludables (go back and re-read Acts 11:1-18 and 15:1-35).

Psalm 150:1-6
Listen to the Saint Paul Cathedral Choir sing Psalm 150.

Proverbs 18:9-10
One who is slack in work
    is close kin to a vandal.
The name of the Lord 
    is a strong tower;
the righteous run into it
    and are safe.

Prayer for Today: Choose a prayer from Joan Stott's website The Timeless Psalms.

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