NL-Day191 2 Kings 9-10; Psalm 127; John 12:20-50

2KINGS 9-10:
Yesterday we heard one of my favorite Old Testament stories: The one about the three lepers and the famine in Samaria. Elisha's prophecy was so dramatically fulfilled, and the scoffing officer could be a parable for modern times. Then we heard how the woman from Shunem returned and was blessed a second time. The narrative switched briefly to the kingdom of Judah and Ahaziah's reign.

PSALM 127:
About ‘children/sons’ in v. 3, NET’s note says this:

Some prefer to translate this word with the gender neutral “children,” but “sons” are plainly in view here, as the following verses make clear. Daughters are certainly wonderful additions to a family, but in ancient Israelite culture sons were the “arrows” that gave a man security in his old age, for they could defend the family interests at the city gate, where the legal and economic issues of the community were settled.

This psalm would not be considered politically correct in today’s world. Let’s understand it with a historical perspective learn from it.

JOHN 12b:
Following the raising of Lazarus, the Jewish leaders became even more firm in their plans to kill Jesus.

NLT Translation notes:
John 12:4 But Judas [, the man from the village of Carioth// Iscariot], the disciple who would soon betray him, said,
28 [Rather, I pray,] Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.”
39 But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah [reported the Lord’s words//also said],
40 “[I have//The Lord has] blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts—
so that their eyes cannot see,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and have me heal them.”
41 Isaiah[‘s prophecy] was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory.
42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue[s].
44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you [believe in/trust] me, you are [not just believing in//trusting not only] me, but also God who sent me.
47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world [,//and] not to judge it.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.