October 8

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR OCTOBER 8, 2025: 2 CHRONICLES 10, ACTS 23, PSALM 105:37-45                          2 CHRONICLES 10  Ezra adheres closely to the details of this story first presented in 1 Kings 12. Perhaps this gives us the freedom to speculate on possible present-day applications rather than repeat the details already provided earlier. One of the challenges of any leader is knowing if those underneath her/him are working hard enough, too hard, or wasting time. One source of feedback is asking the people themselves. In this story the people approached Rehoboam to ask for a lighter load. Another is to seek counsel. Rehoboam sought counsel from his father’s elders and from his own peers; he received contradictory feedback.  

Before Rehoboam made his decision to call for increased effort, there is no indication that he sought wisdom from God, as Solomon did in his early days. A secondary problem might have been that he did not consider objective measures, such the outcomes of the people’s labor. 1 Kings 10:23 recorded that Solomon was richer than all the kings of the world. This would indicate that the people had been working plenty hard in order to generate this kind of wealth. Finally, he made no effort to engage the people in a shared vision for the future, such as Solomon had done at a 14-day assembly: “He [Solomon] dismissed the people, and they blessed the king. Then they went to their tents joyful and with happy hearts.” (1 Kings 8:66).  The above missteps by Rehobaom are common to many in leadership. It’s far easier to see the flaws in others than truthfully evaluate ourselves and make any needed adjustments.

What might be criteria, questions, and actions Yorktown Methodist Church might consider to discern if we are working well to achieve God’s purposes for our church? Some questions:

  • Do all have opportunity to provide feedback?
  • Have we consulted wise and godly advisors?
  • Are we praying regularly for the church’s contributions to the Kingdom of God?
  • What are some objective measures that could be used to discern our effectiveness?
  • Are we all on board with the shared vision for the church? What is that vision? 

ACTS 23 Even though the high priest had Paul struck for no good reason, Paul apologized for speaking ill of him, saying he didn’t realize he was the high priest. He quoted Ex. 22:28: “You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” This writer has been convicted by this verse after criticizing governmental leaders, although Paul’s statement was a bit pointed. Still, perhaps we should all take this verse to heart. In Jude 9 it says the archangel Michael even moderated his speech when disputing with Satan.  No president is that bad. 

What follows is the most cunning, almost Machiavellian (in a good way), defense possible. Paul was addressing the hostile Jewish leadership council, called the Sanhedrin.  He knew that some members were Pharisees and others were Sadducees (known for their disbelief in the resurrection after death). Then, as a Pharisee himself, he truthfully allied himself with the

READING FOR OCTOBER 8, 2025 CONTINUED: NUMBERS 19, ACTS 23, PSALM 105:37-45 Pharisees and said that he was on trial for in the believing in the resurrection, which also was true, although there was more involved of course. This shifted the hostility away from him and moved it to being between these two Jewish sects. In fact, the Pharisees suddenly thought Paul wasn’t such a bad guy after all. The Lord seems to bless this good thinking because He encouraged Paul to keep testifying and get ready to do it in Rome. It’s OK to be clever.

Immediately God’s plan to move Paul to Rome begins when Paul gets wind of plot to kill him. With the help of many Roman soldiers, he is whisked off to Caesarea for an audience with Governor Felix. Felix decides to hear his case once Paul’s accusers arrive. Notice how decent the commander was to Paul. That’s also the case with Roman centurions elsewhere in the New Testament. They are models for anyone serving in the armed forces or in policing. 

PSALM 105:37-45 It is interesting that every observation the Psalmist makes of the trip from Egypt to the promised land is positive: the departure from Egypt, the direction of the cloud and fire, the provision of quail and bread, the water flowing from the rock, the fulfilling of the promises made given to Abraham, and the lands of the various nation given to Israel allowing them to reap the fruit of other peoples’ labor. Having been inching through Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, we know that not every step of the way has been so rosy. Why might the Psalmist record only the positive events?  

Verse 1 stresses the purpose of this Psalm is to give thanks to God and make His known His deeds known among the people. The very last phrase of this Psalm shouts, “Praise the Lord.” In fact, verse 45 states the purpose of all these blessings of God and the purpose for the people entering the land was to keep God’s laws. God’s blessings made this all possible through His grace. 

The severe setbacks experienced by Israel were due to not keeping God’s law--not God’s fault. In fact, despite their disobedience, God still kept his covenant with Abraham, although not each individual entered the land. So too will the Lord come again as promised to take His people who believe in Him to heaven.  The fact that unbelievers will not join Him is their/our choice--not God’s fault. He has given us far more blessings and support than Israel received in Psalm 105. He gave His only Son.