Sunday, June 25
God promised future blessing to the nation of Israel even as the kings of northern tribes and many of Judah pursued spiritually rebellious paths. Despite occasional bright spots, like Hezekiah who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, God would judge them because of their sin and judge the surrounding, wicked nations whom God used as tools of judgment on Israel. God chose the prophet Hosea to picture His love for Israel as an adulterous nation.
- Isaiah 12:1-6
- Isaiah 17:1-14
- 2 Chronicles 28:16-21
- 2 Kings 16:10-18
- 2 Chronicles 28:22-25
- 2 Kings 18:1-8
- 2 Chronicles 29:1-2
- 2 Kings 15:30-31
- 2 Kings 17:1-4
- Hosea 1:1-2:13
- Focus Text: 2 Kings 18:1-8
Monday, June 26
God uses marriage to illustrate His relationship to His people. Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness was pictured in Gomer’s marital unfaithfulness. But Israel didn’t see it. They claimed to know God, but showed that they did not truly have that relationship to Him – a warning to us not to rely on religious ritual as a proof of knowing God.
- Hosea 2:14-8:14
- Focus Text: Hosea 8
Tuesday, June 27
Despite Israel’s waywardness, God’s love was greater. Though the LORD would punish, He would also call for repentance and would heal and bless. In the prophet’s closing words, “whoever is wise, let him understand these things.”
- Hosea 9:1-14:9
- Focus Text: Hosea 14
Wednesday, June 28
The leadership of Israel – priest, prophet, and prince – had led the way in sinful rebellion against the LORD. Judgment was certain and judgment was executed after two centuries of the LORD’s patience.
- Isaiah 28:1-29
- 2 Kings 17:5
- 2 Kings 18:9-12
- 2 Kings 17:6-41
- Isaiah 1:1-20
- Focus Text: 2 Kings 17:1-23
Thursday, June 29
The prophet Isaiah is focused on the people of Judah and the city of Jerusalem. God has a beautiful future in store for them (Isaiah 2:2-4), but judgment must come first (2:5- 4:1), because only those who are holy will enter into that glorious future (4:2-6). Setting the stage with a parable (5:1-7), Isaiah then explains the “bad fruit” which are the reasons for the coming judgment and exile (5:8-30).
- Isaiah 1:21-5:30
- Focus Text: Isaiah 5:1-7
Friday, June 30
The nations which God used to discipline His people would themselves be judged for their own wickedness. Mighty nations and long-time neighbors – Babylon, Assyria, Philistia, and Moab – would all fall.
- 2 Kings 16:19-20
- 2 Chronicles 28:26-27
- Isaiah 13:1-16:14
- Focus Text: Isaiah 13:9-12
Sunday, June 18
The readings this week are not for the faint of heart. For example, Athaliah, the blood-on-her-hands queen ruling in Judah, arranged for the entire royal family to be killed, including her own grandchildren!! Except for one infant who was kept in hiding for 6 years, when Athaliah was murdered, he succeeded her as king—at the age of 7!
- 2 Kings 11:1-3
- 2 Chronicles 22:10-12
- 2 Kings 11:4-12
- 2 Chronicles 23:1-11
- 2 Kings 11:13-16
- 2 Chronicles 23:12-15
- 2 Kings 11:17-21
- 2 Chronicles 23:16-21
- 2 Kings 12:1-16
- 2 Chronicles 24:1-22
- 2 Kings 10:32-36
- Focus text: 2 Kings 11:1-3, 21; 12:1-3 (compare 2 Kings 10:27); 2 Chronicles 24:20-21
Monday, June 19
In contrast to the hypocrisy of the kings, the faithful prophet, Elijah, continued to prophesy from his deathbed. Even more remarkable, after he died and was buried, his bones had miraculous powers!
- 2 Kings 13:1-11
- 2 Kings 12:17-21
- 2 Chronicles 24:23-27
- 2 Kings 13:14-25
- Focus Text: 2 Kings 13:14-21
Tuesday, June 20
Unfortunately, the animosity between the kings of Israel and Judah led to civil war, resulting in the sacred temple in Jerusalem being plundered. But worse, the worship of false gods was an ongoing problem, leading God to send a lineup of prophets to announce horrifying judgment if the people failed to repent (or, if they repented, there would be great days ahead). Question: Why did God send the prophet Jonah to an infamous Gentile city? The people there quickly repented. Hint, hint.
- 2 Kings 14:1-14
- 2 Chronicles 25:1-24
- 2 Kings 13:12-13
- 2 Kings 14:15-16. 23-27
- 2 Chronicles 25:25-28
- 2 Kings 14:17-22
- 2 Kings 15:1-5
- 2 Chronicles 26:1-21
- Jonah 1:1-4:11
- Focus Text: 2 Kings 14:9-14, 23-25; Jonah 3:1-10
Wednesday, June 21
You might want to skip reading the book of Amos, if you’re inclined to think you can disobey God and get away with it. Actually… if so, it’s the very reason you should read (and reread) this book! “Sinners in the hands of angry God” is frightening. Shockingly, Amos made clear that the Chosen People were no better off than the pagans!
- Amos 1:1-6:14
- Focus text: Amos 4:1-13; 5:18-27
Thursday, June 22
As stated in Hebrews 11:36-38, prophets were often flogged, chained, imprisoned, stoned, even sawn in two—“the world was not worthy of them.” In other words, the prophets declared the word of the Lord at great risk—mostly criticizing, occasionally energizing—all intended to call the people to repentance.
- Amos 7:1-9:15
- 2 Kings 14:28-29
- 2 Kings 15:8-29, 6-7
- 2 Chronicles 26:22-23
- Isaiah 6:1-13
- Focus text: Amos 7:10-17; 9:1-4, 8-10, 13-15; Isaiah 6:1-8
Friday, June 23
The prophets Micah and Isaiah were contemporaries, and they both pointed fingers of accusation at the Chosen People. The issues included idolatry, empty worship, injustices, self-centeredness, greed, even thievery. Consequently, God was going to unleash the Gentile armies of Assyria to enact His divine judgment. But the news wasn’t all doom and gloom.
- 2 Kings 15:32-38
- 2 Chronicles 27:1-9
- Micah 1:1-16
- 2 Kings 16:1-9
- 2 Chronicles 28:1-15
- Isaiah 7:1-25
- Focus Text: Micah 1:1-16; Isaiah 7:13-20
Saturday, June 24
The prophets are known for their use of images: light, darkness, fire, flames, mountains, rocks, trees, branches, leaves, water, hands, breath, and on and on. Most prophetic language is in poetic verse; consequently, the images are more often metaphoric than literal. “The trees of the field will clap their hands” is an example. But we should always be on the lookout for exceptions.
- Isaiah 8:1-11:16
- Focus Text: Isaiah 8:1-10; 11:1-9
