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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 5: 2 Kings 18:9-20; 21; 2 Chronicles 32

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 Kings 18:9-20; 21; 2 Chronicles 32

2 Kings 18:9-20

Samaria was captured by the Assyrians during Hezekiah’s reign. Also, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. Hezekiah paid the king with gold and silver from the temple. Then, Sennacherib threatens Jersualem.

2 Kings 21

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole. The Lord promises disaster on Jerusalem for his sins.

Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He was assassinated and Josiah, his son, took the throne.

2 Chronicles 32

Sennacherib lays seige to Jerusalem and other cities. They spoke against God and King Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed to the Lord. The Lord sent an angel who annihilated all the fighting men of Assyria. Sennacherib was murdered by his own sons.

So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all others. He took care of them on every side. Manasseh his son succeeded him as king

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 5: 2 Kings 18:9-20; 21; 2 Chronicles 32

12) Israel was captured by the Assyrians during Hezekiah’s reign. Also, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured some of the people and took them away. Hezekiah paid the king with gold and silver from the temple to appease him. Then, Sennacherib threatens Jersualem with a letter, and Hezekiah turns to God.

13) Hezekiah has his moments where he strays. He tries to bribe Sennacherib king of Assyria with money to not attack him and he does anyways. He prays to God when he is attacked and God rescues him. When he was ill, he prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him. Yet, he still seeks God.

14a)

His dependence on God: He prays to God, laying his heart on the table.

His deliberate focus on God Himself as his source of help: He meets God at the temple and prays how God alone can help him.

His honest statement of his predicament: He lays the letter out for God to see.

His straightforward request: He asks God to deliver them from the hands of Assyria.

b) The Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king.

c) Isaiah was Hezekiah’s chief advisor. He helped Hezekiah to get rid of idolatry and reinstitute temple service and worship.

Judah was urged to join in an uprising against Assyria about 713 B.C. Isaiah counseled Hezekiah against doing so (Isaiah 19:25.)

Hezekiah disregarded Isaiah’s advice later on and joined Egypt in an alliance against Assyria, which resulted in Hezekiah paying Syria a huge tribute.

He advised Hezekiah when Sennacherib attacked Jerusalem and prayed, too. (2 Chornicles 32:20).

d) Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see. Heal the pain in my left knee and give me the strength to achieve my dreams and honor you in the process, Lord. Let all know my strength is only possible from and because of you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 5: 2 Kings 18:9-20; 21; 2 Chronicles 32

Loved this study of Hezekiah. I had forgotten what he had done. Great leader and example of what is possible with God.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 5: 2 Kings 18:9-20; 21; 2 Chronicles 32

In 2 Kings 18:9-20, we see Israel fall into exile. Hezekiah tries to buy peace from the Assyrians. The leaders of Assyria try to convince Judah to surrender to them.

In 2 Kings 21, we see the reign of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole. The Lord promises disaster on Jerusalem for his sins.

We see the reign of Amon, son of Manasseh He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He was assassinated and Josiah, his son, took the throne.

In 2 Chronicles 32, we see how Sennacherib attacks Jerusalem, but God protects his people from the Assyrians. Hezekiah prepares for the attack.

Servants of Sennacherib are called the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh in 2 Kings 18:17. They spoke against the Lord, which is, in general, just a bad idea.

God wanted Hezekiah to trust in Him for help, not Egypt.

Hezekiah and Isaiah pray to the Lord, and God answered in typical fashion. He sent an angels to wipe out the Assyrian army. 185,000 men died (2 Kings 19:35). 20 years later, Sennacherib was murdered by his sons. God’s judgment was complete.

This sign God gave Hezekiah that he ignored was the sign of the retreating sundial 2 Kings 20:8-11.

Ambassadors from Babylon came to Hezekiah while he was sick to honor him. Hezekiah showed them all of the riches of his land out of pride. This would be their downfall as Isaih predicted 2 Kings 20:12-21. Like so many other kings we’ve studied, Hezekiah did not end well.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 16, Day 2: Matthew 15:1-9 With Mark’s Parallel Account in Mark 7:1-13

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 15:1-9

The Pharisees and teachers of the law come to Jesus and ask him why his disciples break the Old Testatment law of washing their hands before they eat. Jesus countered, asking them why they break the command of God for the sake of their traditions. He uses an example of honoring your mother and father. He calls them hypocrites and tells them Isaiah was right when he prophesied about them, saying their hearts are not God’s and they worship in vain as their rules are taught by men.

SUMMARY OF MARK 7:1-13

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law came from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They say the disciples were eating food with “unclean” or unwashed hands. Jewish people ceremonially wash their hands before they eat in the tradition of their elders. They asked Jesus why the disciples weren’t following the tradition of the elders.

Jesus replies that Isaiah was right in saying that they do not follow God, but instead follow the traditions of man. Jesus points out they make their own rules, setting aside God’s law, saying they teach that they don’t need to help their father and mother if they’ve received help elsewhere.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 16, Day 2: Matthew 15:1-9 With Mark’s Parallel Account in Mark 7:1-13

3a) The Pharisees ask Jesus why his disciples break the Old Testatment law of washing their hands before they eat and eat with unclean hands.

b) Jesus answered their question by pointing out how they have given up following God’s law for the sake of following their traditions instead.

4) Exodus 20:12: Honor your father and mother.

Mark 7:11-13: The Pharisees apparently don’t honor their father and mother

Ephesians 6:1-3: Honor your father and mother and obey them.

He exposed how the Pharisees did not promote honoring your father and mother.

5a) Jesus’s primary message to the Pharisees and teachers was that they set aside God’s law for their own law, putting themselves above God.

b) Good question. I try not to be a hypocrite, but I know I am in some respects. I can be very selfish, but I admit when I am. I try to do what is right and good in all respects.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 16, Day 2: Matthew 15:1-9 With Mark’s Parallel Account in Mark 7:1-13

I love how Jesus just doesn’t even bother to answer the Pharisees directly because their question is so trivial. In the grand scheme of things, who cares about washing your hands? Jesus came to wash hearts with God, not hands.

Great read if you are struggling!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 16, Day 2: Matthew 15:1-9 With Mark’s Parallel Account in Mark 7:1-13

Matthew 15:1-9

We see the Pharisees travel all the way from Jerusalem (about 70 miles) to Galilee in order to check out Jesus.

The Pharisees admit this is a tradition, not a law. So why bother asking? It’s trivial when compared to Jesus’s work.

The teachers of the law were condemning people for not following tradition, not the law. Over the years, the religious leaders had extended God’s law to many rituals that were meant for show and that they used to leverage their power. However, these rituals only blocked people them from God essentially.

Honor your mother and father speaks to helping them when they are in need. Apparently, by declaring resources dedicated to God, you could withhold them from your parents.

Jesus quotes Isaiah who points out that you can outwardly be close to God, but inwardly be far away.

Mark 7:1-13

It is plain from the Pharisees that they are just out to get Jesus and trap him. They truly don’t care about the good he is doing for others. They used their traditions to try to trap Jesus instead of God’s word.

In Old Testament times, there was the written law and the oral law. The oral law was the interpretation of the written law, and many put the oral law above the written law.

The washing of hands before eating was taken very seriously by most Jews, and it was a very elaborate ceremony. They would pour water over their hands and cleanse the palm. They believed unclean food was like eating excrement. The Pharisees were concerned about losing power, and nothing else.

Note how many traditions seem good, but in the end, turn bad.

Uncleanliness is not the food itself, but the disobeying of God instead.

The Pharisees were too concerned with the trivial, which is why Jesus labels them hypocrites. This kept people from drawing near to God.

They were putting their word equal with God’s and promoting it as God’s.

If possessions were labeled as dedicated to God (Corban), they could not be used for any other matter, including helping your parents.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 5: Matthew 12:22-50

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 12:22-50

Jesus healed a demon-possessed man, and the Pharisees said it is only by Beelzebub, or the devil, that Jesus can drive out demons. Jesus pointed out that why would Satan go against himself by driving out demons he put into people? And the priests drive out demons, too. Are they working for Satan, too? A house divided against itself cannot stand, Jesus says, and whoever is not with him is against him.

God won’t forgive anyone who speaks against or blasphemies the Holy Spirit, calling God’s work evil. A good tree will bear good fruit; a bad tree bears bad fruit. By your words, you will be condemned.

The Pharisees ask Jesus for a miraculous sign, and Jesus calls them wicked for asking. Jesus will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth like Jonah was three days and nights in a fish’s belly.

Jesus’s mother and brothers came to see him. Jesus calls all of his disciples who do the will of the Father his brother, sister, and mother.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 5: Matthew 12:22-50

13a) His power over evil and the devil.

b) You have to subdue the person before you rob him. Jesus overcame Satan first to heal the man. He binded Satan’s power. He is stronger than Satan.

14a) They are not genuine. They are looking to trap Jesus and try to get him to prove himself. Jesus does not have to do that.

b) Jesus will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth like Jonah was three days and nights in a fish’s belly. There will be a sign (Jesus’s death) and a call to repentance.

15) Treat everyone as family.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 5: Matthew 12:22-50

Long passages of Jesus fighting against the Pharisees. The fact of the matter is that the Pharisees want to see Jesus go away, which is why they are plotting to kill him. He is ruffling too many feather and changing the way things have always been done. They want to maintain power here. why Jesus essentially only humors them.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 5: Matthew 12:22-50

Why would Satan cast out Satan? Jesus says the Pharisees are making no sense right now.

Jesus uses the Spirit of God to heal.

He tells the Pharisees since they are not for him, they are by default against him. If the leaders reject Jesus, they are rejecting the Holy Spirit. God will not forgive them, and they will face eternal consequences.

Jesus points out to the Pharisees that they are bearing bad fruit (or are evil) as they condemn him.

“Brood of vipers” is like calling them the “sons of Satan.”

Careless or idle words do nothing for Christ. Our words reflect our hearts, and you can often tell where a person’s heart lies by their heart. That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

The Sign of Jonah

Jesus had already given countless signs; the fact they asked for a sign shows their unbelief.

Jonah was effectively dead in the fish’s belly and then he was given new life. This reflects Jesus’s resurrection. The three days and nights could mean a portion of those days and nights and not the full effect. The Ninevites recognized Jonah; the Queen of Sheba recognized God in Solomon. The Pharisees have failed to recognize Jesus.

Jesus says he is greater than Solomon, a king who is very highly regarded in Jesus’s day.

Jesus will judge the Pharisees moreso than the people of Ninevah as his light is greater.

Evil spirits look for those who are empty of the spirit of Jesus. If you are filled with Jesus, you can never be empty.

True Believers in Christ

Bible scholars believe that Mary and his brothers have arrived to maybe bring Jesus back home and somehow end or curtail his ministry. They are probably worried about him. They do not hold any special privileges. Instead, it’s those who do the will of God who are special.

Jesus sees every believer like his mother, brother, and sister. How cool!

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 5: Genesis 33

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021
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Jacob’s path is red. Esau’s path is blue.

Summary of Genesis 33:

Jacob sees Esau coming towards him with 400 men so he divides up the women and children, putting the maidservants first, then Leah and her kids and finally Rachel and Joseph in the rear (obvious preference here).  He went ahead and bowed 7 times to greet his brother.

Esau ran to meet Jacob and welcomed him with open arms.  They wept and kissed.  Jacob introduced his family and then insisted that Esau keep his gift of animals, saying to see his face is like seeing God’s.

Esau offered to accompany Jacob the rest of the way home, which Jacob refused, citing the fact his herds had a lot of babies and needed to go slow.  Esau offered to leave some of his men with Jacob, but Jacob refused that as well.

So Esau went back to Seir while Jacob went to Succoth to shelter.  Then he ventured on to Shechem where he bought the land upon which to pitch his tent.  He set up an altar.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 5: Genesis 33

13)  Esau is genuinely glad to see Jacob.  He runs to him, embraces him, kisses him, and he weeps.  He asks to meet Jacob’s family and he attempts to refuse Jacob’s gift of animals. A selfish man would have gladly accepted.  He offers to accompany Jacob back “home” and to offer an escort of men as well. Esau has completely forgiven Jacob. Jacob, on the other hand, misleads his brother to where he is going, not trusting him or his men.

14a) Home to see his mother and father, Rachel and Isaac. Or to Bethel, where God directs him (Genesis 31:13)

b) He went to Succoth.

15) Depends on your definition of broken. I have relationships that could be improved, that’s for sure. None are broken. Reaching out to them is the answer.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 5: Genesis 33

I love how Jacob had it all wrong and Esau is glad to see him and means him no harm. It shows how we are often afraid of things we shouldn’t be.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 5: Genesis 33

We see Jacob’s preference in Rachel and Joseph here.

Note Jacob is in the lead here, a change in his character. Note too that if Jacob hadn’t deceived Esau, God’s words would have come true anyways. There is never a reason to justify sin, especially to help God along.

We see one of the most touching scenes in the Bible where Jacob and Esau embrace and weep. Esau shows that he had forgiven Jacob by questioning the gifts and refusing them at first.

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Esau is content here, a wealthy man as well. God kept Isaac’s promise to bless him, too. Esau accepted Jacob’s apology when he accepted the animals, showing them to be friends and not enemies.

Jacob misled Esau on where he was going, still not trusting him or his men. This was the old Jacob acting, not the new Israel who trusted in God. Instead of going south to Seir, he heads north to Succouth.

Jacob is to return to the Promised Land, but he does not go far enough, and we are not told why. He is to go to Bethel (Genesis 31:13). He delays, and we know that there are consequences to delays. Perhaps he is still afraid of Esau. He definitely doesn’t trust him.

Fun Fact: This is the second piece of Promised Land purchased by the patriarchs (the first being when Abraham bought the place to bury Sarah in Genesis 23).

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 32:22-32:

Jacob sent his two wives, two maid servants, and 11 kids across the Jabbok River. He also sent all of his possessions as well. He then wrestled with God in his sleep. The man touched his hip socket, leaving Jacob with a permanent limp as a sign of this struggle with God and with men. Jacob called the place Peniel, or “he struggles with God.” God renames Jacob Israel, or “God rules” Jacob saw God face-to-face and lived. The Israelites do not eat the hip socket where Jacob was touched.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

10a) Jesus because Jesus is God in human form. No one can see God’s face and live, but they can see Jesus’s

Exodus 33:20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Exodus 33:23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

b) To depend on him alone and to give up himself.

11) The man touched his hip socket, leaving Jacob with a permanent limp as a sign of this struggle with God and with men. It was to remind Jacob of God’s centrality in his life. Jacob responded with humble blessings and knew he only survived because of God’s infinite grace.

12) The fact my life could be and has been worse. The fact I know I am a mere human and that the world does not revolve around me. God is the one and only.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

I love this physical representation of surrendering to God. God uses any means to have all of us, including sending Jesus to wrestle. This gives me faith that God won’t let go of me, either.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

Jacob sent his family over the river to protect them in case there was an attack. Jacob was alone with God, which would be his very last on the east side of the Jordan River. He prayed.

Note that a man wrestled with Jacob, not Jacob with the man. God was working on Jacob still. God wanted all of Jacob’s heart, and He had come to take it.

Jacob pleas to be let go, to surrender, to end it. We all must come to this same place with God, with force if necessary or circumstances that bring us to our knees.

Jacob is not making any demand here. He is asking God to bless him out of desperation  Hosea 12:3-5

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Jacob Wrestles with God/Jesus

All Jacob had was God, and that is all Jacob held on to. This is God’s answer to his previous prayer. He was being rescued from himself.

Israel is a compound word of two Hebrew words, one meaning fight or struggle and one meaning God. It correctly means God rules, not he struggles with God as most Bibles will tell you.

Note that the Bible will still refer to Jacob as Jacob at least twice as often as Israel. This indicates that Jacob is still human and will make mistakes.

Jacob overcame because he knew he was defeated. He also know exactly who defeated him. The new name is the blessing Jacob is asking for.

Jacob knew he should have been killed for wrestling for God, but in God’s mercy, he was allowed to live. As a reminder, he’d have a limp. And what a reminder!