Justin Houtz

2 Chronicles 3–4, 1 John 3, Nahum 2, Luke 18

DateVersionReading Plan
December 4, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

2 Chronicles 3–4

These chapters depict the beginning and execution of the construction of the house of the LORD on Mount Moriah. The build began in the second month of the fourth year of Solomon’s reign. The location shares the same name as the location where Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac, but according to the FSB, “It is unclear whether the two locations are the same.” The remaining verses depict measurements and materials used for the various components of the temple. The BBC describes that, “Gold was used primarily for items inside the temple while the bronze furnishings were mainly employed outside. All the furnishings for the temple were made by Solomon except the ark of the covenant. That was brought from the tabernacle.”

1 John 3

1 John 3:4–6 (ESV) 4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

John equates both sin and its practice with lawlessness. The word “practice” means “perform”, “cause to be” or “behave toward”. The overt movement toward sin reflects our hearts in their natural state, actively acting in opposition to God and His law. But the One in whom there is no sin came in order to take away sins, thus for a believer to continue in sin “would be a complete denial of the purpose for which the Lord Jesus came into the world.” (BBC). It is also compelling to see the relationship between abiding, seeing and knowing Jesus. All of these convey an intimacy and closeness with Him, that as we draw nearer to Him, we begin to crave His righteousness and sin loses its luster, leading to a radical change in how we live.

Nahum 2

“This oracle describes a city under attack. In Nah 2:8, the city is revealed to be Nineveh. The language is similar to prophetic descriptions of invaders approaching a city as in Isa 10:28–34. In Isaiah 10, Assyria is God’s instrument of judgment, but Jerusalem is assured that Assyria’s own day of judgment is coming (Isa 10:24–27). Nahum 2 depicts the foretold time when Yahweh’s anger would be directed against Assyria (Isa 10:24–25). (Nahum 2:1–13 corresponds to v. 2–14 in the Hebrew Bible.)” (FSB)

Luke 18

Luke 18:9–14 (ESV) 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

It was good to read this today and be convicted of how often I proceed as the Pharisee. Rather than love others where they are with Christlike love, I want to be seen as superior in piety and possessing the moral high ground. It is selfishness and self-exaltation in its purest form. Lord, keep me humble. Keep me lowered, where I need to be, in complete submission to you, that every interaction I have with another would reflect your sacrificial love. In Jesus name, Amen.

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