This week’s episode: “The Dark Days of Israel and Judah” (Episode 5 in the Kings and Prophets series) will drop on Thursday. For those studying along with us as we journey through the stories of 1 and 2 Kings, here is your assigned reading for the week:
This Week’s Recommended Reading
- 1 Kings 15 and 16
Considerations As You Read
For some reason, the kings of Israel and Judah, even the good ones, kept failing to eradicate all the idolatry from the land. They might remove some of them, but then remnants of the idols and idolatry were always left behind even during most major reform movements of some of the best kings.
- Why do you think the people clung to these idols and the kings could not remove them?
- What idols do you think might exist in your own life and home today? These may not be little statues and totems but ideas, values, and priorities that you refuse to let go of even though they are not from God.
One of the themes we will return to again and again in this story of the Kings and Prophets is the account of men who started off strong but finished weak. The Kingdom of God requires a “finishing” people, those who can run their race well all the way to the end.
- Am I a good starter or am I good “finisher.” What standards and rules for life have I established to make sure I finish my race well?
Listen and follow along with the entire podcast series and weekly devotionals here.
