READING FOR OCTOBER 21, 2025: 2 CHRONICLES 17, HEBREWS 4, PSALM 109:16-20 2 CHRONICLES 17 Are we ready for some good news from the Middle East? This chapter is about a country, a people of God, walking with the Lord in unity within itself and in peace with its neighbors. It’s how life should be when the Lord reigns in us individually and collectively. Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa as king of Judah. He didn’t take his father Asa as his example, but he looked to the earlier ways of David for his role model. Do we have any role models? The Bible seems to encourage it. Hebrews 11 lists 16 heroes of faith. None is perfect, but there is something about each one worth emulating. Let’s look around us for those who are following God faithfully today and consider what might God teach us through their lives.
Here is a provocative phrase: “His [Jehoshaphat’s] heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord” (vs. 6). Would others describe our hearts as courageous in the ways of the Lord? Does it take courage to follow God’s ways in Yorktown in 2025? It implies that there is some risk in doing so. Also, where does one find what God’s ways are? If we are reading 2 Chronicles 17, we have come to the right place. They are not as likely to be found on social media.
Next it says Jehoshaphat sent out his officials, Levites, priests, and several other named individuals to cities throughout Judah. As a new King, we might think he would launch a PR campaign to sell his policies or reinforce security to make sure no one threatens his new position. Instead, he sent them to all the cities to teach the Book of the Law—the Bible.What has Jesus told us to do? “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you” (Matt 28:19-20). We need to go out and teach but we also need to be taught—even if we are older. Notice how often older people in the Bible drift away from God’s path. Do we know from the Bible what the Gospel is? How to go to Heaven? How to lead others to faith? How to lead children and grandchildren in God’s ways? How to avoid being deceived by false teachers? We all still need to be taught from God’s Word. Find a small group or Sunday School class that focuses on God’s Word and pay close attention.
Hebrews 4
The author uses the punishment of the people of Israel in the desert to emphasize the reward for those who believe. When they refused to enter the Promised Land, they were destined to wander in the wilderness for forty years. Their punishment was that none of them would ever set foot in the Promised Land but would die as sojourners in the wilderness. The author quotes Psalm 95:
“So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” (V11, NIV)
READINGS FOR OCTOBER 21, 2025 (CONTINUED): HEBREWS 4, PSALM 109:16-20
Because of the sin and lack of faith in God, that generation of Israelites would not experience the rest that would come once the nation was settled in the land that God promised. For those who have faith in Jesus, we have been promised rest. In Revelation, we find this promise:
“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (14:13, NIV)
There will come a day when the followers of Christ will enter into eternal rest. The day of labor will be over. The time for celebration in the presence of the King of Glory will commence.
Verse 12 requires some comments:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (NIV)
Jesus is the Divine Word and his teachings are to be lived. The Bible (the word of God) is to be studied and lived in our daily routines. As a double-edged sword, the word of God can do two connected but different things. It can affirm when we are living right, when we are living a life of faith. It can also show us when we are living in sin. When we have strayed from the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Psalm 109:16-20
Psalm 109 is a hymn of lament asking God for deliverance from David’s enemies.
Verses 16-20 – The Psalm lists the evil characteristics of David’s accuser. Since this psalm envisions a Heavenly trial, this is the case being laid out before God. The accuser’s evil is not contained in his treatment of David.
