READING GUIDE FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2025: 2 CHRONICLES 21, JAMES 1, PSALM 116:12-19 2 CHRONICLES 21 King Jehoshaphat had seven sons. He was quite generous to all of them, but designated his oldest, Jehoram, as the next king. This is a typical leadership succession. What made it very wrong was Jehoram’s killing of all his brothers along with other potential rivals for the throne. This was not all that unusual in antiquity as a way to secure power, but certainly it was not God’s will for His people. Jehoram married the daughter of King Ahab of the northern kingdom, and he also ruled in the same sinful way as King Ahab did. God chose not to destroy Jehoram’s house because of his covenant with David. Such is the mercy of God who treats his people better than they/we deserve. Jehoram, himself, did not get off so easily, though.
Jehoram experienced a revolt of the Edomites and the people from the city of Libah, which the chronicler Ezra ties to Jehoram’s disobedience to God. This disobedience included his facilitating the worship of false gods at the high places. The great prophet of Israel, Elijah, wrote Jehoram a letter stating that his family would suffer a fatal plague due to his sins and that he himself would experience a gross disease of the bowels. Not the kind of message we want to see pop up in our emails.
First God stirred up the Arabs and Ethiopians who carried away all his possessions and family, except for his youngest son Jehoahaz. Then God brought on his painful disease of the bowels with which he suffered for two years until his death at age 40. What was his legacy? “He departed with no one’s regret” (vs. 20). His was a short and poorly lived life because, despite his advantages starting off, he did not live for God. In this case, but not necessarily in all cases, God brought on this disease. Obviously, this should prompt us to examine ourselves.
JAMES 1 The writer of this letter has identified himself as James, a bond servant of the Father and Son. He is also usually considered the half-brother of a Jesus (Matt.13:25) and the leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13). Interestingly, he did not initially believe in Jesus (John 7:5). This letter was written to Jewish believers in Jesus who didn’t reside in Israel and likely endured persecution. It is considered wisdom literature in the tradition of the Proverbs.
James gets right to the point. Reframe your trials; consider them all joy even if they don’t feel joyous. The reason is this testing of your faith will enhance your Christian character. We all experience life challenges, especially as our bodies decline and our loved ones die. Can we reframe these setbacks as James suggests? It isn’t easy. But James said we can ask for the
READING FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2025 CONTINUED: JAMES 1, PSALM 116:12-19 needed wisdom, and God will give it to us. Likely, all of us need to do this. God promises to provide if we don’t doubt. Verses 9-11 contain practical wisdom for all believers no matter our situation. If our earthly status is not highly valued--perhaps due to our background, education, or income--focus on who we are in Jesus. We are seated with Jesus in the heavenly places and God’s masterpiece (Eph. 2:6-10). If, on the other hand, our earthly status is highly respected, we would do well to remember that these earthly trappings are quickly passing away and not the source of our true identity. Sometimes we may need to shift between these two mindsets.
James revisits the benefits of enduring trials. This time he mentions that eternal blessing awaits those who persevere. Then he explores a particular kind of trial that he identifies as temptation. He asserts that God will not tempt us or anyone, and that God himself cannot be tempted. No doubt, you will recall that Satan tempted Jesus three times in the desert. Is this a contradiction? No, because the context here suggests a successful temptation. Verse 14 states this temptation succeeded in carrying a person away by leveraging pre-existing lust. This becomes a vicious cycle, leading to sin and eventually death. God would never do this. Instead, He gives good gifts, especially new birth leading to eternal life for those who believe. Thus, as fellow believers, James provides some Proverbs-like wisdom: Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Get rid of internal filth; accept God’s word. Don’t just listen to the word; do the word. You are not religious if you speak foolishly; instead, serve widows and orphans.
Psalm 116:12-19 In the previous verses, the Psalmist ponders the reason(s) He loves God. Now reflects upon what he should give back to such a God. What do you give someone who has everything? Ironically, lifting up the cup of salvation and calling on the name of the Lord suggest that first we need to receive salvation from God before giving anything back to Him. Do we want to give God honor? Make sure we are saved! Then the Psalmist states we should fulfill our promises to God in front of His people. Those folks who insist their faith is a private matter are folks who haven’t read the Bible. God has called us to pray, praise, and serve in community. Then the death of His faithful servants who do this will be precious in God’s sight. He will call home those who lived in these ways. For those growing up in Indiana, it will be like calling timeout at the end of the game to take His starters out for a final congratulations. If we, like the Psalmist, had such a faithful mom (or dad), make her our role model, not some celebrity. The commandment says we should honor our parents. No need to ever stop.
