TODAY'S READING IN THE ONE YEAR BIBLE
JUNE 23- 2 Kings 4:18-5:27; Acts 15:1-35; Psalm 141:1-10; Proverbs 17:23
I hope you are enjoying reading through The Second Book of Kings!
These historical narratives give us much to think about.
The prophets remind us of those who testify of God’s truth among the leaders, the kings and commanders of ‘this world’. All of us who have heard the Word are to be faithful to deliver it to others as the Holy Spirit directs us.
Elijah and Elisha have had their work cut out for them. The religion of Baal with its luring promises of material prosperity and provision for sexual promiscuity had become the official state religion with the reign of Ahab and Jezebel. This evil continued with Ahab’s sons, Ahaziah and Jehoram.
Elijah expressed the heart of his mission and message to call God’s people back to Himself in repentance and faith when he cried out to the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in prayer:
"Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again." (1 Kings 18:37)
True repentance involves fresh obedience:
“Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people did not answer him a word.” (1 Kings 18:21)
God vindicated His Name in answering the prayers of His servants.
Elijah and Elisha also had a ministry to those who were outside the covenant promises of Israel. Elijah went to the widow at Zarephath. Elisha was called upon, in today’s reading, to minister to the Shunamite (whether a true descendant of Israel or a foreigner living in Shunam, north of Zezreel in the land allotted to the tribe of Issachar, we don’t know) and a Syrian, Naaman.
Jesus referred to incidents in the ministry of Elijah and Elisha in Luke 4:25-27:
"But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; [26] and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. [27] "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."
We see the simplicity of the gospel reflected in the healing of Naaman, captain of the Syrian king’s army who suffered with leprosy (2 Kings 5). A nameless young captive slave girl from Israel serving in Naaman’s household testifies of the power of the LORD God of Israel present with His prophet Elisha. Naaman believes the report that the God of Elisha can heal and requests official permission to be sent to Israel. Naaman brings great wealth to reward those who are able to bring him a cure for his disease.
Because Naaman was a great man he expected to be treated with special dignity. He was offended when, instead of being met by the great prophet Elisha himself, he is met with a messenger with a simple message: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.” (2 Kings 5:10)
The Jordan River has symbolic significance in the Scriptures representing the natural life of man in Adam. We saw this when Joshua and the children of Israel crossed the Jordan at the end of the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. They crossed over on dry ground with the waters of the Jordan backed up as far as Adam. The Jordan has its sources in Mt. Hermon and wanders 200 miles twisting and turning as if attempting to avoid its inevitable fate- to flow into the Dead Sea!
The bodily immersion into the Jordan prefigures identification with the putting to death of the natural man in the Last Adam (Christ) to emerge as a new man (a new creation in Christ). The number seven speaks of the sufficiency of this faith-identification with the Word of God (Christ Jesus). Obedience to this message speaks of believing in the sinless substitute who was put to death on the cross, was buried and raised to be the Author of new life and the federal head of a new humanity, a restored human race.
The pride of the natural man resists God’s Wisdom, His simple plan of salvation to turn from our own plan of salvation and believe on the person and perfect redeeming work of Jesus Christ.
Notice the contrast between “the great man” and “the little girl” . The great man, Naaman, had come prepared to pay for his cure. The truth of the gospel is that we cannot pay, or deserve God’s favor in healing the leprosy of our sin and restoring us to wholeness as a new creation.
Naaman’s servants confront him with his pride. Naaman finally humbles himself to submit to God’s cure.
Ironically, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, does not understand why his master turns away Naaman’s offer of a reward for his healing. So Gehazi catches up with Naaman and fabricates a story of how Naaman’s money would be useful to support some of their ministry needs. Naaman gives more than what is asked for. Gehazi does not realize that his master is being made aware by the spirit of his deceitful action and is consequentially punished with Naaman’s disease of leprosy coming back upon him.
This account is a wonderful testimony of the simplicity of the gospel of Christ:
“ that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” (Romans 10:9)
But it is also a warning to keep the message clear that the gift of new life in Christ cannot be merited, earned or bought.
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Acts 15:1-35
This chapter shows us how the gospel of grace is defended in the early church. There are insights into how problems are solved and decisions are made in the church.
The apostles and elders met to consider this question. (Acts 15:6)
Some were teaching that you must follow through with the initial circumcision rite in order to be bona fide Christians. These teachers were Judaizers, insisting on conformity to the laws of Moses as a prerequisite to the Christian faith.
1. There was opportunity for discussion (v. 7) Especially by representatives of those who are affected by the decision.
2. Peter spoke up (v. 7)
3. Paul and Barnabus reported (v. 12)
4. James spoke up (v. 13)
5. Task forces chosen by the whole church. Unanimity among leaders is sought.
6. They sensed the witness of the Holy Spirit (v. 28)
7. The people were glad and encouraged in the Lord (v. 31)
What a wonderful model for the church- to first get the mind of the Spirit and then shared confirmation of the mind of the Spirit in the church.
Acts 15:28a (NASB) 28 "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us
READING FROM THE PSALMS- Psalm 141:1-10;
Verse 8 summarizes David’s prayer to be able to resist temptation:
Psalm 141:8
For my eyes are toward You, O God, the Lord;
In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless.
READING FROM Proverbs 17:23
The dangerous impact of giving into bribery:
A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom
To pervert the ways of justice.
PRAY FOR THE NATIONS
INDIA
(We are continuing to pray for the nation of India and now are focusing on different regions in the northeast.)
PRAY FOR ASSAM
Area: 78,400 sq. km. Noted for tropical forests (60% of the state) and for the Brahmaputra River. Main exports: tea, oil and forest products.
Population: 31,758,087; 41 people/sq km. Large scale immigration from Bangladesh.
Capital: Dispur. Major city: Guwahati 1.1 m
Religion: 65% Hindu. Muslim 30.9% Christian 3.7%; Buddhist 0.2% Other 0.2%
Assam remains the major spiritual challenge in northeast India. After two centuries of Christian work, professing Christians are a small marginalized minority. Pray for a reversal of this trend and for revival, vision and impact on society to characterize the many lukewarm, traditional congregations.
An evangelical witness has been present for over 100 years but there appears to be little interest in reaching Hindus or Muslims among the dominant Christian groups.
The history of violence and conflict is largely due to the co-existence of many different peoples and religions. Continued immigration of Bengali speakers from Bangladesh is a major source of resentment and tension as is the migration of Hindi speakers from elsewhere in India. Ethnic rebels and violent separatist groups still operate, ostensibly to create an independent Assamese homeland. Any Christian witness must be done with sensitivity to this. Inter-ethnic and interdenominational Christian unity would be a powerful witness, but it is rarely displayed.
The Assamese speaking people are mostly Hindu and include some of the least evangelized major Hindu people clusters in India. Several groups- such as Brahmin, Bania, Kaibartta, Namasudra, Mahishya and Kayastha- number over 500,000 but have no known Christian groups and little to no witness.
Bengali speaking Saikhs are largely Muslim and comprise about 80% of all Indian Muslims. Many have immigrated from poor overpopulated Bangladesh, with considerable hostility generated among Assamese. Muslims are majorities in six of Assam’s 23 districts. There is virtually no Christian witness to or among the 9.7 million Muslims, and only a few Bengali Christians are known.
Assam tea-estate workers number in the millions. Nearly 70% of Assam’s workforce is tied to agriculture. Many are migrant Santal, Munda, Kharia, Orang or other tribal minorities from other states. They are open to the gospel, but few are there to share it.
(from OPERATION WORLD, p. 420) To order the book go to www.operationworld.org
Pastor David
So, naturally, we proclaim Christ! We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can, all that we know about him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ. (Colossians 1:28, J.B. Phillips paraphrase)
New Life Community Church, Concord, MA 10742
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