Read To Me Daily Semester 3Намуна

2KINGS 9-10:
Yesterday in 2nd Kings we heard one of my favorite Old Testament stories: The one about the three lepers and the famine in Samaria. Elijah's prophecy was so dramatically fulfilled, and the scoffing officer could be a parable for modern times. Then we heard how the woman from Shunem returned and was blessed a second time. The narrative switched briefly to the kingdom of Judah and Ahaziah's reign.

PSALM 127:
Today we read Psalm 127. About ‘children/sons’ in v. 3, NET’s note says this:

Some prefer to translate this word with the gender neutral “children,” but “sons” are plainly in view here, as the following verses make clear. Daughters are certainly wonderful additions to a family, but in ancient Israelite culture sons were the “arrows” that gave a man security in his old age, for they could defend the family interests at the city gate, where the legal and economic issues of the community were settled.

This psalm would not be considered politically correct in today’s world. But let’s understand it with the correct historical perspective, and learn from it.

JOHN 12b:
Today we read the second half of John 12. Following the raising of Lazarus, the Jewish leaders became even more firm in their plans to kill Jesus.

Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, we would love to have been the one who lovingly and extravagantly anointed You at Bethany. What a great privilege it would have been to witness the raising of Lazarus. We would run out of the city to welcome You and to join those shouting, “Praise God! Hosanna! God bless this King who is coming to rule Israel in the Lord’s name!” You did not come on a war horse, but on a donkey. Lord, in imitation of You, we want to serve humbly. Let us learn the secret of what You told the Greeks: “Truly, a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it [falls//is dropped] into the ground and dies.” Help us to be among those who “think nothing of their own lives” in their devotion to follow You. So today, Lord, we make it our aim to forget ourselves and take up our own cross and follow You.