Read: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21
Josiah orchestrated a Passover that surpassed all other Passovers since the days of Samuel. Josiah contributed thousands of lambs and goats and bull for the people. The priests and Levites carried out their services according to all Josiah asked and the law required. There was much celebration and joy in the city.
Josiah heard that Neco king of Egypt was going to fight at Carchemish and went to oppose him. The king of Egypt told him he was not coming up against him, but Josiah fought him anyway. Josiah was wounded in the battle and died. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned his death. His son Jehoahaz was made king but only reigned 3 month because the king of Egypt took him to Egypt and set his brother Eliakim over Judah and made them pay him tribute of silver and gold.
The king of Egypt changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim was evil and fought against Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and was taken in chains to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar also took the vessels out of the house of the Lord and took them to Babylon.
Jehoiachin became the next king and he was also evil. He only reigned three months and ten days because Nebuchadnezzar had him brought to Babylon and made his brother Zedekiah the king over Judah and Jerusalem. He ruled for 11 years and was evil. He refused to listen to Jeremiah and he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and polluted the land with idolatry.
God sent many prophets to bring Judah back to him but they mocked them and refused to listen. So God brought the king of the Chaldeans against them who killed their young men in war and had no compassion on the people. They took all that was of value from the Temple and the palace of the king and burned down the Temple and took the people into exile to Babylon.
The land lay desolate for 70 years. Cyrus became king in Persian and just like Jeremiah had prophesied, he commanded that a house be built in Jerusalem for the Lord. He asked for volunteers of the Jews to go and build it.
Today we begin to read the first letter Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. Paul had heard that they were arguing about which leader they followed. He encouraged them to be united and be of the same mind and judgment.
He told them that none of them were lacking in any gift. They were all waiting for Christ to be revealed and prayed that they would be sustained to the end so that they could stand guiltless before him.
Lord, may we stand guiltless before you in the end. May we read nothing but Jesus crucified, buried and resurrected. May we not let our different denominations divide us and may we fear only you. Thank you that you are our light and there is nothing else for us to fear.
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