Year 2, Week 2, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 2, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 2 Chronicles 27; Isaiah 9; Amos 9.

Today’s reading refers to the reign of Jotham, king of Judah, as well as the prophetic activity that was unfolding around the same time. 2 Chronicles 27, which parallels the same historical record as 2 Kings 15, provides a brief glimpse into the good reign of Jotham: “So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). Nevertheless, as was the case with many of the good kings of Judah, Jothan, who personally lived in accordance with God’s Law, failed to bring greater purity to the nation as a whole: “And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD…Nevertheless, the high places were not removed. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places” (2 Kings 15:34-35). Isaiah 9 contains both a strong word of judgement: “For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still” (Isaiah 9:21b); as well as a clear word of hope: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2). Amos 9 is similar in style and function to Isaiah 9. Amos 9 too contains judgment: “For behold, I will command, and shake the house of Israel among all the nations as one shakes with a sieve” (Amos 9:9a); but also hope: “I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them” (Amos 9:14a).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the connection expressed, in both Isaiah and Amos, to the restoration of Israel occurring in connection to God’s promise to David. Amos ties the hope of Israel’s restoration to King David: “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,” declares the LORD who does this” (Amos 9:11-12). Similarly, Isaiah ties the hope of Israel’s restoration to David: “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:7). The LORD has made a covenant with David and a part of the promises in that covenant declared that David would have an everlasting dynasty: “I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-13). Covenants such as the one made with David, serve as guide markers that orient us to what the LORD is unfolding in history.

Both Amos and Isaiah fasten the restoration of Israel to a Davidic King. One important aspect of Israel’s restoration being fastened to a King is that a vital outcome of restoration would be a return to the experience of living under the LORD’s rule. The restoration would come through a King and would result in the restored living under the reign of a King. Isaiah provides more details of the characteristics of the King who would resume the rule over His people: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:6-7a). Judah has had and will have some good Davidic kings, but none of the kings throughout the Old Testament fit the description that Isaiah offers concerning this Davidic King.

One of the notions that both Amos and Isaiah develop is the idea that when the Davidic King that they speak of arrives, He would not only do a restoration within Israel, but He would also do a reclamation among the Gentiles. Notice how Isaiah introduces this reality: “But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations” (Isaiah 9:1). Not only would the far reaches of the land of Israel be affected, so would the land beyond, the “Galilee of the Nations.” Amos offers a similar insight: “that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,” declares the LORD who does this” (Amos 9:12b).

And while we can speak of aspects of Israel’s restoration as well as Gentile reclamation that are still future, even from our perspective today, we should see how in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the words of the prophets are being fulfilled. Amos 9 is quoted as the early church grapples with Gentiles coming to faith in Jesus: “And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old” (Acts 15:15-18). The Apostle Paul explains his Gospel proclamation among both Jew and Gentile: “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:12-13).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe