DAY 142
Old Testament reading: 2 Kings 15-16
Azariah (also know as Uzziah) reigned 52 years in Judah, longer than any king other than Manasseh. The account of his reign in 2 Kings tells us he was one of those good kings who “did what was right in the sight of the Lord.” However, at some point, God smote him with leprosy. Though we are not told why in this reading, the Chronicles tell us his heart became lifted up, that is, he was full of pride. This pride caused him to usurp the role of the priests in offering sacrifices upon the altar. In his anger while being rebuked, God smote him and he lived the rest of his days in isolation. He personified Proverbs 29:23, “A man’s pride will bring him low, but he humble in spirit will retain honor.” Upon Uzziah’s death, his son Jotham was made king, and he reigned 16 years in Judah, doing what was right as his father had done. Thus, Judah was blessed with 68 continuous years of good leadership. Tragically, Jotham’s son Ahaz followed him with one of the sorriest reigns of any king in Judah’s history. So depraved was this man that he “made his sons pass through the fire,” meaning he offered up his sons as burnt offerings to pagan gods.
New Testament reading: Acts 25-28
Paul goes to Rome. This trip was not without incident, as Paul and the whole company of men, 276 in number, were shipwrecked at Malta while en route to Italy. At Malta, Paul was bitten by what must have been a very poisonous viper, but suffered no harm as the onlookers expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead. After suffering no harm, Paul later healed many on the island who were diseased, including the father of Publius. This man ensured that Paul and the rest were well cared for during their three month stay. Once in Rome, Paul was permitted some liberty to be cared for by brethren. Paul’s conduct and the work of God through his hands had convinced the authorities that he was no threat to them or of escape. One need not imagine the good that was done through the hands of the brethren at Puteoli, Appii Forum and Three Inns. We can see the result in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, how that there were “saints in Caesar’s household” (Phil 4:22). Oh the marvelous power of living the Christian life!
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