2 Kings 24  (HCSB)Jehoiakim’s Rebellion and Death24 During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked. Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years, and then he turned and rebelled against him. 2 The Lord sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim. He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the Lord He had spoken through His serva...  Read More

2 Kings 23 (HCSB)Covenant Renewal23 So the king sent messengers,  and they gathered all the elders  of Jerusalem and Judah to him. 2 Then the king went to the Lord’s temple with all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people from the youngest to the oldest. As they listened, he read all the words of the book of the covenant  that h...  Read More

2 Kings 21-22 (HCSB)Judah’s King Manasseh21 Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king and reigned 55 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. 2 He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, imitating the detestable practices of the nations that the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed and reestablished the alta...  Read More

2 Kings 19-20(HCSB)Hezekiah Seeks Isaiah’s Counsel 19 When King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the Lord’s temple. 2 Then he sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the court secretary, and the leading priests, who were wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. 3 They said to him, “This is what Hezekiah says:...  Read More

Jeremiah likely wrote these prophetic words sometime around 600 BC as the Babylonians attacked Judah and deported many Jews back to Babylon. This chapter spoke of how God would restore joy and peace to his people, promising a new covenant with them.Though Jeremiah ministered in a time of tumult and grief, and though his prophecies of destruction were difficult, he brought a message of hope to God'...  Read More

1.      Jeremiah is known as the “Weeping Prophet” because God used him to prophesy punishment.   Jeremiah 31:15 describes some of that weeping. If you knew your sin would end in tears, would you still do it? Interestingly, the very next verse speaks of God blessing wayward Israel by bringing them back to the Promised Land. How does God’s grace remind you of His love?2.      At one point in Israel...  Read More

1.     The first people who heard angels announce Jesus’ birth were lowly shepherds. They possibly watched over the very flocks used in the Temple sacrifices. Likely, their jobs were often menial but still incredibly important. Do you see your work this way – as an incredible opportunity to share Jesus with others? Do you believe God can use YOU there? 2.     When Jesus was 33 days old, He was pre...  Read More

Jeremiah 31:31-40 (HCSB)The New Covenant 31 “Look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke even though I had married them” —the Lord’s declar...  Read More

Jeremiah 31:21-30  (HCSB)Repentance and Restoration 21 Set up road markers for yourself; establish signposts! Keep the highway in mind, the way you have traveled. Return, Virgin Israel! Return to these cities of yours. 22 How long will you turn here and there, faithless daughter? For the Lord creates something new in the land — a female will shelter a man. 23 This is what the Lord of Hosts, the Go...  Read More

Jeremiah 31:15-20 (HCSB)Lament Turned to Joy15 This is what the Lord says: A voice was heard in Ramah, a lament with bitter weeping— Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children because they are no more. 16 This is what the Lord says: Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for the reward for your work will come— this is the Lord’s declaration— and your...  Read More

Jeremiah 31:7-14 (HCSB)God’s People Brought Home7 For this is what the Lord says: Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the chief of the nations! Proclaim, praise, and say, “Lord, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!” 8 Watch! I am going to bring them from the northern land. I will gather them from remote regions of the earth — the blind and the lame will be with them, along with those who are pr...  Read More

Jeremiah 31:1-6 (HCSB)God’s Relationship with His People 31 “At that time”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be My people.” 2 This is what the Lord says: They found favor in the wilderness — the people who survived the sword. When Israel went to find rest, 3 the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting lov...  Read More