1 Kings 14, Colossians 1, Ezekiel 44, Psalms 97–98

Date	Version	Reading Plan
October 11, 2024	ESV (2016)	M’Cheyne Plan 2024

1 Kings 14

The son of Jeroboam, Abijah, fell sick and Jeroboam told his wife to disguise herself and go to Ahijah the prophet to hear what would happen to the child. There are several possible reasons why Jeroboam told his wife to disguise herself. “First, to visit the man of God openly would betray a lack of faith in the idols at Dan and Bethel. Second, Jeroboam realized that Ahijah was opposed to idolatry and would not speak favorable things to her if he knew her identity. Third, perhaps the king thought that by fooling the prophet he might even fool the Lord.” (BBC) However, the LORD forewarned Ahijah that Jeroboam’s wife was coming to inquire of her son. When she arrived, Ahijah confronted her for pretending to be another and spoke on behalf of the LORD to tell Jeroboam that harm would come to his house because of his failure to keep God’s commands and for making other gods. Ahijah told Jeroboam’s wife to go to her house and that as her feet entered the city the child would die. He told her that “God would raise up another king (Baasha), who would destroy Jeroboam’s family. Eventually the nation of Israel would be led into captivity because Jeroboam had inaugurated the worship of Asherim.”

Jeroboam reigned twenty-two years and his son, Nadab, reigned in his place. Rehoboam, son of Solomon, was forty-one when he began to reign and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem. Rehoboam “designated as his successor Abijam, son of his favorite wife Maachah.” (BEB) Judah persisted in doing what was evil in the sight of the Lord and even more than all that their fathers had done, building for themselves high places, pillars and Asherim for pagan worship.

In Rehoboam’s fifth year of reign, Shishak, the king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem, taking away the treasures of the king’s house. Rehoboam replaced the gold shields that were taken with shield’s of bronze, signifying “that the splendor of Solomon’s reign was gone.” (FSB) Rehoboam died, was buried with his fathers and his son, Abijam, reigned in his place.

Colossians 1

Paul, accompanied by Timothy, writes to the saints and faithful brothers at Colossae in Christ by the will of God. Paul is thankful to God when he prays for the church for the hope laid up for them in heaven. “The Greek word used in this phrase, elpis, often rendered as “hope,” refers to confident expectation, not wishful thinking. The Colossians have hope because of their union with Christ (Col 1:27). This means they are free from corruption and death and are qualified to participate in Christ’s life, resurrection and glory.” (FSB) Paul credits Epaphrus for his work of sharing the gospel message with the Colossians. From that day, Paul had ceaselessly prayed for them and asking that they be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, strengthened with all power for all endurance and joyful patience. Paul gives thanks to the Father who had qualified the church to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. The Lord had delivered them from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom they have redemption and forgiveness of sins. “Just as Israel was enslaved in Egypt before being rescued by Yahweh, so the Colossian believers had been enslaved to the domain of sin and death before they responded in faith to God’s act of salvation in Christ (Exod 6:6; 14:30; compare Rom 6:16–17).” (FSB)

Paul declares that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. The word “firstborn” (prōtotokos in the Greek) “affirms Christ’s supremacy and sovereignty over all things (see vv. 17–18).” (FSB) All things were created by Him, through Him and for Him. Christ is the head of the church, the beginning and firstborn from the dead that He might be preeminent in everything. The entirety of God’s being is present in Christ and in Him dwells all the fullness of God.

Whereas the church was once alienated, hostile in mind and doing evil deeds, they have now been reconciled in Christ’s body of flesh by His death. By this, “Paul reminds the Colossians that reconciliation in their case was already an accomplished fact. Before their conversion, the Colossians had been Gentile sinners, alienated from God and enemies of His in their minds because of their wicked works (Eph. 4:17, 18). They desperately needed to be reconciled, and the Lord Jesus Christ, in His matchless grace, had taken the initiative.” (BBC) Christ died in order to present them holy, blameless and above reproach before Him if they continued in the faith. The “if” here has proved disconcerting to believers in thinking that our continued salvation depends on our continuing in the faith. The BBC provides helpful insight into this tension in saying that “the eternal security of the believer is a blessed truth which is set forth clearly in the pages of the NT. However, the Scriptures also teach, as in this verse, that true faith always has the quality of permanence, and that one who has really been born of God will go on faithfully to the end.” (BBC)

Paul rejoiced in his sufferings for the sake of the church, being given the responsibility to minister to them according to the stewardship from God. God chose to make known to them the mystery of Christ in them and the riches of His glory. Paul proclaimed that he preached Christ, not spending “his time on politics or philosophy, but concentrated on the Lord Jesus Himself, because he realized that Christianity is Christ.” It was for this that Paul toiled and struggled with all the energy that the Lord powerfully worked within him.

Ezekiel 44

“God gives detailed regulations for the Levites and the priests. God warns them that the Israelites must not disobey him again.” (Bible: A Reader’s Guide)

Psalms 97

“God is in control. His power is irresistible. May those who love Yahweh hate what is evil. God will protect the righteous, so rejoice in Yahweh and praise him.” (Bible: A Reader’s Guide)

Psalms 98

“Sing a new song to Yahweh. He has revealed himself to the world. He shows love and faithfulness to Israel. Shout for joy, all of creation. He will judge the world in righteousness.” (Bible: A Reader’s Guide)

Justin Houtz