Welcome to the Pauline Family's "Year of the Bible"! I'm reading the Bible clear through this year, and I invite you to read along with me. But first, let us pray:
My God, I adore and thank your loving and wise Providence, manifested on every page of Sacred Scripture. You have always been close to sinful and erring humanity, and have indicated the way and given hope. Amid the shadows of error and corruption, you kindled the light of your truth; amid universal corruption, you are the Just One; amid so much idolatry, humanity in every corner of the earth has cultivated a sincere worship of you.
Let my reading today increase my trust in your goodness, your mercy, and your unfailing faithfulness.
Today's chapters are 2 Kings 18-20 and (for Lent) Psalm 59.
When we left off... We remember Ahaz of Judah had been sending diplomats to the Assyrians. What you may not know is that at the same time, the Lord was sending the great prophet Isaiah to Ahaz saying: "I myself will defend the people, if you let me. I will even send you a sign. The virgin [presumably a young woman about to be married into the royal household] will be with child and bear a son..." That royal offspring would be the "sign" that God is with his people (Emmanuel) (see Isaiah 7:10-14).
Scholars suggest that Hezekiah was, in fact, the child born of that promise. He will appear in the book of Isaiah (36-39) as he does in today's chapters as a saintly man, a worthy (though anxiety-ridden and somewhat naive) descendant of David. We will hear more about the Assyrians, Ahaz and Hezekiah when we reach the prophetic books, but today's chapters are marvelous for their picture of a righteous and holy king.
Psalm 59 sounds very much like it could have been the prayer of King Hezekiah on receiving the taunting message of the King of Assyria.
Start reading 2 Kings here and Psalm 59 here.
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