June 22
Amos 7:1-9:15; 2 Kings 14:28-29, 15:8-29, 15:6-7; 2 Chronicles 26:22-23; Isaiah 6:1-13
Context is critical to understanding the Bible. We need to know when it was written, who wrote it, and who the audience was. In the Chronological One Year Bible, the books of the prophets are inserted directly into Israel and Judah’s timeline of events so we can understand more fully their meaning and context. For example, many of the words of Amos may seem harsh; “I will keep my eye on them for harm and not for good” (Amos 9:4). “Surely the eyes of the Sovereign Lord are on the sinful kingdom. I will destroy it from the face of the earth” (Amos 9:8). “The days are coming...when I will send a famine through the land...a famine of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11). We may wonder how to connect these statements with a God of love, mercy, and kindness.
King after king in Israel is described as having done “evil in the eyes of the Lord.” The last king that is not described this way reigned roughly 130 years prior to the events of today, and his success may only be due to the brevity of his reign and description. After 100+ years of wooing and wrestling with a wayward people, God has been more than patient with them. Even in bringing his judgment and wrath upon them, we see his heart of love and grace as he announces future restoration and hope for Judah.
Father God, thank you for your patience towards me and for placing my judgment upon Jesus. Amen.
How does context help you understand Amos and Isaiah? How can you be more intentional about understanding context in your future readings?
Context is critical to understanding the Bible. We need to know when it was written, who wrote it, and who the audience was. In the Chronological One Year Bible, the books of the prophets are inserted directly into Israel and Judah’s timeline of events so we can understand more fully their meaning and context. For example, many of the words of Amos may seem harsh; “I will keep my eye on them for harm and not for good” (Amos 9:4). “Surely the eyes of the Sovereign Lord are on the sinful kingdom. I will destroy it from the face of the earth” (Amos 9:8). “The days are coming...when I will send a famine through the land...a famine of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11). We may wonder how to connect these statements with a God of love, mercy, and kindness.
King after king in Israel is described as having done “evil in the eyes of the Lord.” The last king that is not described this way reigned roughly 130 years prior to the events of today, and his success may only be due to the brevity of his reign and description. After 100+ years of wooing and wrestling with a wayward people, God has been more than patient with them. Even in bringing his judgment and wrath upon them, we see his heart of love and grace as he announces future restoration and hope for Judah.
Father God, thank you for your patience towards me and for placing my judgment upon Jesus. Amen.
How does context help you understand Amos and Isaiah? How can you be more intentional about understanding context in your future readings?
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