April 28 - Evening
"In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twenty years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.
In the time of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maakah, Janoah, Kedesh and Hazor. (Map) He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria. Then Hoshea son of Elah conspired against Pekah son of Remaliah. He attacked and assassinated him, and then succeeded him as king in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah."
- Second Kings 15:27-30
In the time of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maakah, Janoah, Kedesh and Hazor. (Map) He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria. Then Hoshea son of Elah conspired against Pekah son of Remaliah. He attacked and assassinated him, and then succeeded him as king in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah."
- Second Kings 15:27-30
The "Fourth Generation" and the Fifth Cycle of Discipline for Northern Israel
The last six kings (753-721) of the northern kingdom ruled in evil times as their four-generation society of oppression and violence engulfed their culture. The fifth cycle of judgment culminated in this “fourth generation” with the invasion of the Assyrians, the destruction of Israel’s capital city Samaria and the deportation of many Israelites to foreign lands.
Four of the last six kings of Israel were assassinated. The last king was taken prisoner by Assyrian king Shalmaneser.
Zechariah, the fifth generation of Jehu’s dynasty, replaced his father Jeroboam II and reigned only six months. Shallum attacked and killed Zechariah at a public gathering.
Shallum then reigned one month in Samaria and then Menahem from Tirzah attacked and killed him. (Map)
Menahem faced a new threat coming from the north of the now subdued Aram. The Assyrians led by King Tiglath-Pileser III (Pul in the NIV) invaded the land. Menahem gave him 37 tons of silver to guarantee his position on the throne. (Map) This political expense was passed on to the people as a 1 ¼ pound tax of silver. Menahem reigned for ten years and died in 742 BC.
Pekahiah, son of Menahem, reigned for two years. One of his officers, Pekah, son of Remaliah, took fifty men into the most secure part of the palace, the royal citadel, and killed Pekahiah. (Map)
Pekah, son of Remaliah, (mentioned in Isaiah 7:4-10) lost several of his northern cities (Map) to Tiglath-Pileser, King of Assyria. After twenty years Pekah was assassinated by Hoshea who replaced him as king.
Hoshea began reigning in 731 BC. He was a vassal king for the rising Assyrian empire. The new Assyrian king, Shalmaneser, discovered that Hoshea had sent ambassadors to So the king of Egypt. When Hoshea stopped paying tribute Shalmaneser put him in prison in 724 BC. Shalmaneser then invaded the land of Israel and led a three year Assyrian siege against Samaria.
In 721 BC the Assyrians captured Samaria and deported (Map) the Israelites of Israel into Assyria and dispersed them throughout the Assyrian Empire. Many of the Israelites from the northern kingdom of Israel fled for refuge in Hezekiah's southern kingdom of Judah. It was at this time Hezekiah expanded the walls of Jerusalem to protect these new settlers on the west hill or western ridge of Jerusalem (or, today what is called Mount Zion and the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.) (Map) (Photo of the remains of this wall Hezekiah built to protect the refugees from northern Israel fleeing to Jerusalem.)
Patria (Gr) – Family (Eng) – patria is Greek word that comes from pater, meaning “father.” Patria is used in classical Greek to refer to “a family” or “a tribe.” It is used three times in the NT:
Ephesians 3:15; Luke 2:4; Acts 3:25.
Do I treat people fairly? Am I concerned with justice in my society?
I will not allow myself to live selfishly and use oppression, force and violence to get what I want.
I will not allow myself to live selfishly and use oppression, force and violence to get what I want.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Spiritual gift
Church
Worship team
Nation
International relationships
World
Congo-DRC
Someone to Quote
"The only program which can meet all the alarming facts of the situation is the worldwide spread of Christianity in its purest form." - John Mott
Something to Ponder
Five Hebrew words for “Faith”
Prop – Gen. 15:6, the word for “amen.” It means to use God as a prop and to use God as a foundation, to lean on Him.
Slam – Psalm 37:3, translated as “faith” or “trust.” This is an ancient wrestling term that refers to one wrestler picking up the other and slamming them down. The idea is to pick up you problems and slam them on the Lord.
Flee – Psalm 57:1, used to say “flee like a bunny.” Just like a rabbit flees from a large animal instead of staying and fighting the predator, we are to flee to the Lord as if he were a cleft in a rock. We flee to him for safety.
Withstand – Job 13:15, this means to stand your ground, trust and wait though you are in extreme pain (Habakkuk 3:17-18; Daniel 3:17-18).
Hang On – Isaiah 40:31, “Those who hope in the Lord…” This word originally was used in making rope. In rope production you start with only a little strand which could be easily broken. In this case you do not weary, stumble or let go, but instead you begin to bind together more strands of truth and hope to make a great rope that cannot be broken.
Prop – Gen. 15:6, the word for “amen.” It means to use God as a prop and to use God as a foundation, to lean on Him.
Slam – Psalm 37:3, translated as “faith” or “trust.” This is an ancient wrestling term that refers to one wrestler picking up the other and slamming them down. The idea is to pick up you problems and slam them on the Lord.
Flee – Psalm 57:1, used to say “flee like a bunny.” Just like a rabbit flees from a large animal instead of staying and fighting the predator, we are to flee to the Lord as if he were a cleft in a rock. We flee to him for safety.
Withstand – Job 13:15, this means to stand your ground, trust and wait though you are in extreme pain (Habakkuk 3:17-18; Daniel 3:17-18).
Hang On – Isaiah 40:31, “Those who hope in the Lord…” This word originally was used in making rope. In rope production you start with only a little strand which could be easily broken. In this case you do not weary, stumble or let go, but instead you begin to bind together more strands of truth and hope to make a great rope that cannot be broken.
Here’s a Fact
An impression in clay (called a bulla) made in the 700's BC from a seal says in Hebrew: "Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz, King of Judah." The clay impression is1/2 inch in diameter and has a winged scarab beetle similar Egyptian art. According to the Bible Hezekiah (715-686 BC) was the son of Ahaz who ruled Judah. (details)
Proverb
"Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor."
- Proverbs 28:8
- Proverbs 28:8
Coach’s Corner
Love and grace are necessary for God to maintain a relationship with us. Love and grace are also necessary for us to maintain a relationship with other people.
1 Chronicles 25
New International Version (NIV)
The Musicians
25 David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:
2 From the sons of Asaph:
Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision.
3 As for Jeduthun, from his sons:
Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the Lord.
4 As for Heman, from his sons:
Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. 5 (All these were sons of Heman the king’s seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.)
6 All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.
Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. 7 Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord—they numbered 288. 8 Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties.
New International Version (NIV)
The Musicians
25 David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:
2 From the sons of Asaph:
Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision.
3 As for Jeduthun, from his sons:
Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the Lord.
4 As for Heman, from his sons:
Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. 5 (All these were sons of Heman the king’s seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.)
6 All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.
Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. 7 Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord—they numbered 288. 8 Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties.
| 9 The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
the second to Gedaliah, | him and his relatives and sons | 12 | |
10 the third to Zakkur, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
11 the fourth to Izri, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
12 the fifth to Nethaniah, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
13 the sixth to Bukkiah, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
14 the seventh to Jesarelah, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
16 the ninth to Mattaniah, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
17 the tenth to Shimei, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
18 the eleventh to Azarel, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
20 the thirteenth to Shubael, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
22 the fifteenth to Jerimoth, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
23 the sixteenth to Hananiah, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
25 the eighteenth to Hanani, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
27 the twentieth to Eliathah, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
28 the twenty-first to Hothir, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
29 the twenty-second to Giddalti, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth, | his sons and relatives | 12 | |
31 the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer, | his sons and relatives | 12. | |
Psalm 92-93
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 92
A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.
1
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High,
2
proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
3
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.
4
For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
5
How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts!
6
Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand,
7
that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.
8
But you, Lord, are forever exalted.
9
For surely your enemies, Lord, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.
10
You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me.
11
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.
12
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13
planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,
15
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Psalm 93
1
The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
2
Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.
3
The seas have lifted up, Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the Lord on high is mighty.
5
Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days.
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 92
A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.
1
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High,
2
proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
3
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.
4
For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
5
How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts!
6
Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand,
7
that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.
8
But you, Lord, are forever exalted.
9
For surely your enemies, Lord, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.
10
You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me.
11
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.
12
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13
planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,
15
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Psalm 93
1
The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
2
Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.
3
The seas have lifted up, Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the Lord on high is mighty.
5
Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days.