The Back to the Bible Reading Plans
Today's reading 2Kings 17-18; John 3.19-36
King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: 2Kings 17; 2Kings 18
2Kings 17
Hoshea was the last king of Israel (2Kings 17.3-7; 2Kings 18-9-12). Shalmaneser king of Assyria capture Samaria in 722 B.C. and deported the Israelites to Assyria. No one knows what happened to the ten tribes after that. Israel was exiled because they worshiped other gods and follow the practices of many nations. (v. 7-21). Samaria was resettled by other peoples who introduced other gods, and the inhabitants continued worshipping these gods. This happened for many generations and that was how the Samaritans came into existence in the times of Jesus from peoples from other nations intermarrying with the remaining peoples from the Northern Kingdom.
Figure 2Kings 17.26
Hezekiah
2Kings 18.2-4; 2Chronicles 29.1-2; 31.2
2Kings 18.5-7; 2Chronicles 31.20-21
2Kings 18.9-12; 2Kings 17.3-7
Hezekiah was a good king. Compare to the other good kings of Judah, he removed the high places and smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses made so when the Israelites looked at it they were saved from the poisonous venoms. They were offering incense to the bronze snake.
Sennacherib threatens Jerusalem 2Kings 18.13, 17-37; Isaiah 36.1-22 and 2Kings 18.17-35; 2Chronicles 32.9-19.
Kings of Israel and Judah
Information on the Kings of Israel
Information on the Kings of Judah
2 Kings 17, with Commentaries, verse by verse
2 Kings 18, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Guzik on 2Kings 17
Guzik on 2Kings 18
Links to Commentaries and other References - Old Testament
Today's Reading John 3
King James Version with Web Encyclopedia links: John 3
John 3.1-21
John 3 with Commentaries, verse by verse
John 3.22-4.3
Jesus was with his disciples where they were baptizing. An argument developed over the matter of ceremonial cleansing between John the Baptist's disciples and a certain Jew. They came to John and reported that Jesus was baptizing.
John gave the analogy of being the bridegroom's friend (in today's culture, the best man) assisting the bridegroom in the wedding. The friend would be joyful when he heard the bridegroom's voice. What John was saying was that he was Jesus' servant helping Him (Jesus, the bridegroom) to announce the Kingdom of God (the bride) John's attitude was one of humility. He must increase, I must decrease. John the Baptist denied been the Messiah.
John spoke about Jesus who is the one from above is above all, and what He saw and heard from divine experience is the truth but no one accepts His testimony. The person who accepts Jesus' testimony has accepted the truth that that Jesus came from heaven and that God was acting in him for the salvation of the world. That person therefore certifies that God is truthful. He then said in verse 36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
What does this passage mean to us today. Either we believe that Jesus is from heaven and we get eternal life from Him or we do not. There is no neutral ground on this matter. Either you believe or you do not.
Deffinbaugh Series on John
Ray Stedman on the Gospel of John
IVP Commentary on John
David Guzik's Commentary on John
Precept Austin on John
Links to Commentaries and other References - John
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian
Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.
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