DAY 163
Old Testament reading: 2 Chronicles 10-12
The man who led the division first pled for unity. 2 Chronicles 10 begins with the reign of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. More detail of Rehoboam’s reign is here given than in the previous record of 1 Kings. However, as in 1 Kings 12, we see that Jeroboam was the leader of those who pled for relief from Solomon’s heavy taxes. Rejecting both the request of the people and the wisdom of the elders, Rehoboam was a slave to his pride and listened to the young fools who had grown up with him. Buying into the foolishness of his ancient entourage or “posse,” he thrust the nation into a division and eventually sought war with his brethren. Chapter 11 notes Rehoboam’s continuation of the apostasy begun in his father. Because of his transgression, the house of the Lord is plundered by the Egyptians, and the items of gold are replaced with bronze. Whenever we choose to sin against God, we must know there is a trade of the precious for the common or profane.
New Testament reading: 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 2 contains a marvelous text which provides a framework for all gospel preachers to follow. A true gospel preacher must speak boldly despite conflict (v 2; cf Acts 17:1-9). Gospel preaching is not for the timid, cowardly, or faint of heart! He must speak being free from error, uncleanness, and deceit (v 3). He must not speak to please, flatter, or receive glory from men (vv 4-6; cf Gal 1:10, 4:16). A true preacher must be gentle as a nurse and exhort as a father (v 7, 11-12). He must be willing to give himself for his audience (v 8; cf 2 Cor 12:15 – “spend and be spent”). A gospel preacher must be willing to work (v 9; cf Acts 20:35). Gospel preaching is not for the lazy, neither is it for the man “who can’t do anything else.” He must conduct his affairs with piety and above reproach (v 10). He must give proper instruction and exhortation to carry through with what has been learned (vv 11-12). He must teach, but he must also encourage right living through encouragement and example (cf 1 Cor 11:1; Phil 3:17-21). Being a gospel preacher is among life’s greatest callings, thus it requires men of the highest caliber. Like those who serve as elders (1 Th 5:12-13), we should “esteem them very highly for their work’s sake.”
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