Justin Houtz

2 Kings 22, John 7

DateVersionReading Plan
December 1, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

2 Kings 22

Observation & Interpretation

2 Kings 22:3-7 – Josiah’s initiative to repair the temple is similar to Joash (2 Kings 12:4-8)

  • (v. 3-5) At twenty-six years old, Josiah pushed for the repairing of the temple. There was no argument over whose treasury was involved (see Joash, 12:4-8). The king either already had or then assumed the necessary authority for renovating the temple. (CSB Notes)

2 Kings 22:7 – Josiah spoke of the honesty of the carpenter, builders and masons

  • (v. 3-7) When Josiah adds that “no accounting shall be asked from them for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly,” there is surely an implied criticism of those in the temple hierarchy who have been involved in the project up to this point. (ESVEC – Comment)

2 Kings 22:20 – The LORD through the prophetess Huldah said that Josiah would be gathered to his fathers in peace and not see all the disaster that He would bring.

  • Because of Josiah’s grief over the sins of the nation, he was assured that destruction would not come until after his death. (CSB Notes)

2 Kings 22:8-10 – No explanation is offered as to the nature of this book [discovered by Hilkiah in the house of the LORD], but given what follows, it seems to be closest in content to Deuteronomy. (ESVEC – Comment)

John 7

Observation & Interpretation

John 7:1-13 – Those who want their uncertainty about Jesus resolved need only listen to what he says. (ESVEC – Comment)

John 7:17 – Jesus spoke of how if anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether He is speaking on His own authority.

  • Only true believers, who are committed to following God’s will, could rightly discern Jesus’ teaching. (CSB Notes)

John 7:24 – Jesus told the crowd to not judge by appearances but by right judgment.

  • … [the judgment among the Jews] was not righteous. Works which seemed perfectly legitimate when performed by themselves seemed absolutely wrong with performed by the Lord. Human nature always tens to judge according to sight rather than according to reality. The Lord Jesus had not broken the Law of Moses; it was they who were breaking it by their senseless hatred of Him. (BBC)

John 7:27 – The people in Jerusalem said that no one will know where the Christ comes from.

  • It was commonly believed by the Jews of that day that when the Messiah came, He would come suddenly and mysteriously. They had no idea that He would be born as a Baby and grow up as a Man. They should have known from the OT that He would be born in Bethlehem, but it seemed that they were quite ignorant of the details concerning the coming of the Messiah. (BBC)

John 7:25-52 – The case against Jesus depends on misinformation. The rejection of Jesus is sustained by a refusal to examine the evidence. Arguments against Jesus exemplify fallacious reasoning, distorted perception, and ad hominem attacks. God’s creatures oppose him by perverting what God himself has given them: thought, reason, speech, and emotion. The right use of these will lead to a river of living water. (ESVEC – Response)

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