It seems clear that the people embraced the reforms and return to faith that Hezekiah ordered, as evidenced by their generosity in giving. Similarly, when we truly understand salvation and the amazing grace extended to grievous sinners by a holy God, we too, will respond with generosity and gratefulness.
I appreciated what my Life Application Bible had to say about the parable of the Good Samaritan....
The law expert treated the wounded man as a topic for discussion; the robbers, as an object to exploit, the priest, as a problem to avoid; and the Levite, as an object of curiosity. Only the Samaritan treated him as a person to love. From the parable we learn three principles about loving our neighbor: (1) lack of love is often easy to justify, even though it is never right, (2) our neighbor is anyone of any race, creed, or social background who is in need; (3) love means acting to meet the person' need. Wherever you live, needy people are close by. There is no good reason for refusing to help.
I would add that love is often inconvenient, but we are called to do it anyway. No doubt the Samaritan had plans that were delayed by his care of the wounded man - but he did it anyway. May we do the same!
The passage about Mary and Martha is a good reminder that we need to be careful that we do not become so busy doing things for Jesus that we neglect to spend time with Jesus. When service becomes mere busywork, it does nothing for our spiritual lives, and indeed, can become self-serving instead of God-serving.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 2 Chronicles 32-33; Luke 11:1-28
2 comments:
2 Chronicles 30:1
Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel.
Hezikiah reached out to everyone. He didn't just try to help those in his immediate family or neighbors, he even reached out to Isreal who at times was an enemy. He saw the importance of turning back to God's ways and wanted all to follow the Lord.
I totally relate to Martha and struggle to be like Mary.
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