 Bible Challenge
Day 163
II Chronicles 35-36 Today we come to the end of I & II Chronicles (remember, these were originally one book) which describe the history of ancient Judah and (to a lesser extent) Israel from the time of King David to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Exile.
In chapter 35 we read of the end of the life of King Josiah, the great reformer and one of the few truly good kings of Judah. A part of Josiah’s liturgical reform was the revitalization of the feast of Passover, which evidently had fallen into neglect for some time. Josiah gave generously from his own flocks and herds for the feast. This Passover is also mentioned in II Kings 23, but with less detail. Here we are given much more detail about how the feast was kept. This is in keeping with the overall differences in emphases for the Deuteronomic historian and the Chronicler: the Deuteronomist is more concerned with political and military developments whereas the Chronicler focuses more on liturgical themes. In Josiah’s day there was a very public aspect to the keeping of the Passover. Today the Passover, the principal liturgical feast of the Jewish liturgical year, is for the most part observed in the home rather than the synagogue, stressing the important role of family in Jewish life.
Chapter 35 ends with a description of King Josiah’s death, and makes mention in passing of a lament by Jeremiah. Oddly, Jeremiah, a hugely important prophet from that era, goes unmentioned in II Kings.
Chapter 36 gives a quick run through of the last kings of Judah, who served for very short periods, leading up to the final demise of the nation. 36:9 is comical in its present form, ascribing evil to an eight-year-old king! However II Kings 24:8 surely gives the correct age as 18. Chapter 36 is terse in its recounting of the two Babylonian conquests, the greatest disaster to befall ancient Israel in the time before Christ. The first conquest, in roughly 597 B.C., made Judah a vassal state within the Babylonian Empire. Many of the leaders of Judah were deported to Babylon at this time. When the Judeans rebelled, in 586 or 585 B.C., the Babylonians invaded a second time. (The terms “Babylonians” and “Chaldeans” are interchangeable.) With this second invasion came the destruction of the temple, the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, and a much more large-scale deportation of the people into Exile. The final verses speak of the people’s restoration to their homeland under Persian rule. [To really grasp the pathos of the Exile, we need to read the latter chapters of Jeremiah and the Book of Lamentations.]
Psalm 132 The author of this poem shares the Chronicler’s firm belief in the Covenant with David and in the Davidic dynasty.
I Corinthians 7 In this chapter Paul’s general theme is for Christians to remain in whatever state they happen to find themselves. In large part he bases this advice on the then common Christian belief that the end of the world was imminent, so Christians should (a) focus on spreading the Gospel (known as the Kerygma, or “the Preaching”), and (b) focus on serving the Lord in their daily lives. Mundane concerns like marriage and family life would, in such extreme circumstances, only be a distraction. Not seeking circumcision or to remove the marks of circumcision refers to a concern common to several of Paul’s letters: Jews and Gentiles have equal status in the Church. -- It is worth noting that Paul’s description of marriage is not patriarchal. He ascribes equal rights to wives and to husbands. The reference to wives and husbands both not ruling over their own bodies is very Jewish, and in later centuries this line of thinking was reflected in Talmudic writings on the sexual rights of both spouses.
Frank J. Corbishley
 Day 162 Reflection
June 11, 2013
II Chronicles 32-34, Psalm 131, 1 Corinthians 6
The Rev. Mark Andrew Jones, BSG
Christian life is radically different. We are “not [to] be dominated by anything” (1 Cor. 6:12). Instead, we are to practice holy detachment – detachment born of being sanctified and “justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11).
The Way – as Christianity was first called – rejects the ways of the world. Oh, we’re free to settle things the way our litigious society resolves disputes; we can just sue them! Yes, we can insist on our legal rights – just like the unbelievers. We can set aside our values and let our relations among one another be judged by the standards of non-faith-based governmental and judicial power; “but not all things are beneficial” (1 Cor. 6:12).
Are the values of our faith mere platitudes not meant to really govern our behavior? Is not this the more scandalous betrayal of the Church?
Too often when parishioners are experiencing problems they do not turn to their priest or to the Church. Thus, they miss experiencing the Good News of the Gospel, i.e., that we’re never alone, that Jesus walks with us during our Dark Night of the Cross.
I applaud a courageous couple who recently bucked the trend. Sadly, this couple has decided to end their marriage. The death of a marriage is tragic and hurtful, but even in the midst of the bewildering pain and confusing change, the couple is open to the Gospel. Rather than engage in an adversarial “scorched earth” litigation strategy, they are seeking to mediate. Although the marriage is dead and, so, there will be no reconciliation and conciliation, they are experiencing and sharing more respect, consideration, health, wholeness, and even holiness than would otherwise be the case.
The first session began with a word from Scripture: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that [is] in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5).
We are called to a higher standard. “[T]o have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat” (1 Cor. 6:7).
 Day 160 – II Chronicles 29-31, Psalm 130, I Corinthians 5
As we are approaching the mid-way point in this year’s Bible Challenge, I’m sure that you have read some pieces of the Bible which were at least relatively unfamiliar and others that were as dear as old friends. Many of us cannot hear 1st Corinthians 13 (coming up in about a week) without remembering special weddings. Today’s Psalm 130 is like that except this time, I’m remembering funerals.
The Psalmist reminds us that no matter how deep down we are in sorrow, in sin, or in any other distress, God is still available to us. We can seek God in hope because we know that we will be mercifully received. Our hope rests not on the omniscience of God who can recount all of our wrong-doings, but on the loving kindness of God.
I first understood this Psalm as I learned to sing it with the choir at St. Paul’s in Delray Beach. We were performing the Requiem by John Rutter. [Here’s a link to hear it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw2WgpGxBk4] Since that time, I have sung it to myself at times of sorrow and distress and have found again the hope of faith and trust in God.
Today I am writing this blog as a substitute for The Rev. Canon William (Chip) Stokes, who is preparing to move in anticipation of his ordination as the bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey. Many of us gathered this week to say goodbye to Chip and Susan. Though it was a truly happy and blessed occasion, we grieved that our friends Chip and his wife Susan will be far away. People from all parts of the City of Delray Beach spoke about Chip’s faithful and transforming ministry. At the end both he and Susan said it was the best funeral they had ever attended!
Every change, even the best of changes, means the death of something else. As we grieve our losses, may this Psalm remind us of our hope and God’s faithfulness. The Rev. Cori Olson
 The Bible Challenge, Day 159: 2 Chronicles 26-28, Psalm 129 and 1 Corinthians 4
The author of 2nd Chronicles presents a world-view that treasures power, might and obedience to the God of Abraham. Judah’s kings in today’s three chapters are Uzziah, followed by his son Jotham, followed by Jotham’s son Ahaz. Uzziah walked the straight and narrow as long as his religious mentor Zechariah was alive. During this time Uzziah’s army was victorious in battle, Uzziah expanded the fortification of Jerusalem, and the nation became wealthy from the spoils of war. Then Uzziah grew to become just another name for the list of those who have proved the adage attributed to Lord Acton in 1887: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Uzziah became arrogant. He was so “full of himself” that he entered the Temple and set about to take on the privilege of the priesthood by lighting incense, a symbol of prayer lifted directly to God on High. Immediately his skin broke out in unsightly ways that stayed with him all his life and left him isolated from society. The skin ailment was interpreted as God’s punishment for his arrogance, and the timing certainly reinforces the notion that illness is the sign of God’s curse on a wrongdoer – a notion that still plagues us, even on this side of Grace.
Jotham was a more honorable king than was his father. Perhaps the maturity of his years (25 instead of 16 at the start of his reign) and the memory of his father’s skin disease encouraged him to approach his responsibilities with more wisdom. The author praises his good behavior but does note that the people continued in the ways of corruption. So, at least King Jotham embraced a “live and let live” policy in his style of governance.
King Ahaz was corrupt through and through. Not only did he tolerate pagan gods, he worshipped them himself. The author attributes Israel’s defeat of Judah to Ahaz’ blatant unfaithfulness. Israel did not act faithfully either, because it took Judeans captive. Torah prohibits enslaving of other descendants of Jacob. Later other pagan peoples attack and defeat Judah in battle, and Ahaz responds by worshiping the foreign gods who appeared to bring victory to their followers.
Even the Psalmist expresses disgust for foreigners who are harassing Zion. The Psalmist gives thanks to the Lord for his salvation, and prays that the enemy will not receive a goodwill greeting from anyone.
Power, might and faithfulness are the seminal values reflected in both of these Old Testament lessons. Paul, however, in his first letter to the Christians in Corinth, sees the world from a different perspective entirely. He is writing to a Christian community that is arguing about whose teacher is the greatest – Paul or Apollos or another – as if one’s value rests on the prestige of the teacher. Paul emphasizes the value of life on the “bottom”: serving others, looking foolish for Christ, imprisoned under a death sentence for standing up for Jesus, dishonored, and even considered the scum of the earth. He shows that the Christian calling is not to respond “in kind” but with kindness no matter what insults are hurled one’s way – when insulted, give a blessing; when harassed, be forbearing; when attacked, encourage your enemy. Paul concludes that overbearing power will not win the world for Christ, but love and a gentle spirit will.
In our own day, Christians speak with many voices. I cringe at some of the voices that speak in God’s name – voices that condemn, as if anyone is outside the loving care of God. I pray that we can walk with others with humility, love and passionate gentleness.
The Rev. Jennie Lou Reid
 2 Chronicles 23-25
Psalm 128
1 Corinthians 3
King Joash was only seven years old when he ascended to the throne of Jerusalem, as King Solomon did building the house of the Lord, Joash made all arrangements to repair the temple. He wisely devised a way of collecting taxes from the people who willingly gave for a temple worthy of the Lord. When King Solomon built the temple, he erected tow pillars, Jachin and Boaz meaning it shall stand in strength respectively. King Solomon and King Joash were men of great wisdom, yet their wisdom compared to God’s wisdom was still folly. (1 Corinthians 3:19)
In Psalm 128, we understand that true happiness is in fearing the Lord and living according to God’s will. If the psalmist expresses that happiness in terms of certain rewards, that resembles the kind of message we hear from the “gospel of prosperity” proponents, we must again go to our reading in First Corinthians to understand how growing in Christ takes us to the level where we are now, no longer babies feeding only on milk, but mature in the faith and feeding on solid food. At this stage, we build a more glorious temple than that of Solomon and that temple that is us, we do so in humility knowing that ultimately we are only instruments in God’s hands. We have the answer, to what it means to be building the true temple, “can you not see that while there is jealousy and strife among you, you are living on the purely human level of your lower nature? When one says I am Paul’s man and another I am for Apollos, are you not all humans? After all, what is Apollos? What is Paul? We are simply God’s agents in bringing you the faith” (1 Corinthians 3: 3-5.)
May these passages from scripture help us build ourselves and others as temples that the Lord will receive and make perfect.
The Venerable J. Fritz Bazin, D. Min.
Archdeacon for Immigration and Social Justice Ministries
Diocese of Southeast Florida
 Daily Reflection for June 12 or Day 157
II Chronicles 20-22, Psalm 127, I Corinthians 1-2
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm
127.1) might serve as an apt commentary on our reading today from Second
Chronicles. While Chapter 20 praises the faithful obedience of
Jehoshaphat, which results in success on the battlefield and eventually peace
with Judah’s traditional enemies, Chapters 21-22, in ugly contrast, are marked
by mass killings of royal family members, regicide and rampant apostasy.
Clearly we are given a solemn warning: disobedience to God results in political upheaval and bloodshed. I found little to admire or inspire in these
latter chapters, though the blunt comment upon Jehoram’s death stands as a wryly
fitting epithet: “He departed with no one’s regret. They buried him in the city of David but not in the tomb of the kings.” (II Chronicles 21:20).
In our New Testament reading, we’ve begun reading Paul’s spirited
letter to the church in Corinth. After his opening remarks and
thanksgivings, the apostle ruefully writes “it is reported to me that are
quarrels among you my brothers and sisters.” (I Corinthians 1:11).
Well, things clearly haven’t changed much in two thousand years. The Body
of Christ struggles to live into the grace and gift of unity that flows from our
obedience to “Jesus Christ and Him crucified”, as Paul would say.
C.S. Lewis provides a sobering take on the role of evil in stoking conflict in the Church. In The Screwtape Letters, he includes the following passage where a senior demon comments to a junior demon about the "value" of conflict from the perspective of the demonic. In this passage “the Enemy” is Jesus.
""We want the Church to be small not only that fewer men may know the Enemy but also that those who do may acquire the uneasy intensity and the defensive self-righteousness of a secret society or a clique. The Church herself is, of course, heavily defended and we have
never quite succeeded in giving her all the characteristics of a faction;
but subordinate factions within her have often produced admirable results, from
the parties of Paul and of Apollos at Corinth down to the High and Low parties
in the Church of England."
The Jesus way forward to unity in Christ is enabled by the Holy Spirit, Paul adds in Chapter 2. The humbling work of the Spirit of God drains us of arrogance --”the defensive self-righteousness” that
is the work of evil-- and fills us with God’s presence and peace. Here another voice from scripture, John the Baptist’s, is worth recalling: “I must decrease; He must increase.”
Andrew Sherman, St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton
.
 Tuesday, June 11, 2013 Day 156 – II Chronicles 13-16, Psalm 125, Romans
16
It’s that time of the year when people get out of the houses and
begin their spring cleaning. It’s a time to see what needs to be put back
into shape. Some people start with their houses, maybe inside and the then
outside: sweeping, dusting, uncovering items, and repairing things. It’s like
putting things back into shape the way they are supposed to be. After taking
care of the house, then people think about their garden, perhaps that is their
flower or vegetable gardens. They start removing the weeds, the dead flowers, the bad soil, and replacing the old garden beds with fertilizer and new seeds and plants. Its spring time!
This story reminds me of King Asa who was one of few good kings mentioned in 2 Chronicles 14-16. He was doing some spiritual spring cleaning not only for himself but those whom he was responsible for. He removed anything which led to worshipping other gods or idols: foreign altars,
high places, sacred stones, Asherah poles (14:2-3). Then he commanded the
people to seek the Lord (14:4), he repaired the Altar of the Lord (15:8), and he
fortified the cities (14:7). As a result there was great peace throughout the
land.I find his story fascinating. What can we learn from King Asa’s spring
cleaning?
1) He sought the Lord first
2) He physically removed
any evil in his life.
3) He repaired what needed
repairing
4) He put out buffers or barriers to prevent him from falling
back into sin
Maybe as part of our spiritual spring cleaning, we could follow
the same steps as King Asa, seek the Lord first, remove any evil in our lives,
repair what needs repairing and then put buffers up which would prevent us from
falling back into sin.
The Rt. Rev. Todd McGregor
Diocese of Toliara, Madagascar
 Day 155 – II Chronicles 13-15, Psalm 125, Romans 16
Today we finish reading Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. This epistle has
impacted western Christianity like few others. Augustine, Martin Luther and John Wesley (to name just three) were each moved by this book, and in turn, moved the church. What about Romans has stirred so many?
Good question. Paul usually wrote letters to address specific problems that
had arisen in churches he founded. But here Paul was writing to prepare a
community for a future visit. Phoebe, introduced in today’s reading, was sent as an emissary on his behalf. Professor Luke Timothy Johnson suggests Paul wanted the Roman church to become a “base of operations” for him, to support the
missionary work he wanted to do in Spain. So in this letter, Paul was laying the
foundation for a fundraising visit by explaining his theology of mission.
And what powerful theology it is. Paul writes of the great gift of God:
righteousness in Christ Jesus. He explicates the power sin has over
humankind – “all have fallen short of the glory of God.” But the good news
is Jesus has done for us what we could not do for ourselves, even with the aid
of the law. Paul knew well the checkered stories of the kings of Israel and
Judah that we read in Kings and Chronicles. He also knew that, in the
words of today’s psalm, those who trust in the Lord will not be shaken but
endure forever.
Of course Paul writes much, much more. But I’m wondering, what in
Romans has stirred you? Was it the call to “be transformed by the renewing
of your mind?” Or the injunction to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make
no provision for the flesh?” Or something altogether different?
Please share your own revelations today with the other Bible Challenge
readers.
The Rev. Susan Beebe
Priest Associate, St. Gregory's, Boca Raton
 Daily Reflection for June 8 or Day 153
Daily Blog – Day 153 - II Chronicles 10-12, Psalm 124, Romans 15
When King Solomon dies, he was succeeded on the throne by Rehoboam, his forty-one-year-old son by an Ammonite wife, Naamah. The new king immediately ran into trouble with the northern tribes headed by Ephraim, the traditional rival of Judah. At an assembly in the ancient city of Shechem, the northern leaders confronted Rehoboam with a list of demands for relief of taxation and other burdens. He asked for three days to think the matter over, and consulted the courtiers who had been his father’s chief counselors. They urged him to take a conciliatory tone with the resistive northerners, and to redress some of their legitimate grievances. But he was influenced by the more hawkish and selfish advice of younger men. On the third day he again met the assembly at Shechem and harshly rejected the petition that had been presented to him. This attempt to browbeat the northern tribes into submission was disastrous. Their accumulated resentment burst into open rebellion. From there it all went downhill as the ideal of a united Israel ruled by a Davidic king and worshipping in the Jerusalem temple ends with Solomon’s death. Two nations result: Judah in the south comprised of the tribes which remained loyal to David’s house; and Israel in the north with the ten tribes that broke away.
The point that Chronicles makes is that the destiny of a divided kingdom depends to a great extent on the genuine character of its leaders. Faithfulness and repentance yield forgiveness and restoration; complacency and arrogance reap judgment and captivity. Can you imagine how this history could have been written differently if the conciliatory path had been chosen, the path of faithfulness and repentance? If you would, imagine how differently it could have been if it had been lived out in the context of Paul’s teachings in Romans 15. “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him.” (Rom. 15:1) “Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant … to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promise given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.” (Rom. 15:7-9a)
Through the Holy Scripture, God does provide us with a moral code and a theological approach to human life. But this is just a foundation for the life that we are called to live, inspired and empowered by God’s Holy Spirit to move us to foster encouragement and hope for others. This message is a strong reminder of what we need to be about this day and age. The story of Chronicles reflects so much of what we hear and see it the news. How different it could be when we align our wills to our living God and seek to be Christ’s healing and reconciling presence for the world around us.
The Very Rev. Dr. William L. Stomski, Chaplain and Sacred Studies Educator, Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School, Boynton Beach
Dean of the Diocesan School for Christian Studies
 The Bible Challenge
Clergy Response
Day 152
2 Chronicles 7-9; Psalm 123; Romans 14
Wouldn’t life be great if we could live it like King Solomon? Imagine for a moment you were suddenly blessed with great wisdom from on High, more money, possessions and etc., etc., than you could possibly use in a life time? What would you do? Moreover, what would you be willing to offer to gain such a life? Would you sell your soul to the Devil? Or, play Lotto Power Ball? Or, would you give away your heart to God?
What did Solomon do? He humbled himself before the Lord. 2 Chronicles, Chapter 1, beginning at the 7th verse, describes a dialogue Solomon and God were having during the night watch. Solomon, second only to his father David in importance, could have asked for anything from God. God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” Solomon knowing the great responsibility of his kingship humbly asked for Wisdom and Knowledge and not for power, wealth or long life. God loved his selfless response and blessed him with it all (chs. 7-9)!
As a priest, pastor, rector, husband and father, I would love to have a tenth of the Wisdom and Knowledge God gave to Solomon. Although I desire this Mind of God, I fall desperately short of receiving it. The reception of these gifts is all about Grace. But it is also about my willingness to change my heart to receive the Gifts the Holy Spirit wishes to offer. It was the humility of Solomon’s heart that allowed him the many blessings God bestowed. My heart, on the other hand, is not yet humbled enough before the Lord. Presently, I am too full of self to allow for Grace to have Her way with me. So, what am I and others like me, to do?
St. Paul provides a way for spiritual transformation into the Heart of Christ. In Romans 14 he lays out the tempo for Christian living. He directed those 1st Century Christians in Rome, and today is telling us, “Get over yourself! It’s not about you! It’s about Jesus’ will for you and your desire to turn from self-serving ambitions.” Paul knew the only way to truly love and serve Jesus was with a humble heart. Humility is gained by putting selfish desires aside and putting on the compassion of Christ through kindness and selfless ministry to all persons.
So, I have much work to do to clothe myself with the love and hospitality of Jesus. Giving up my self-serving desires is not an easy thing for me to do. But, today’s lesson reminds me that to be a holy vessel of God’s grace for the building up of the Church of Christ, I must become “All things to all people” for the sake of saving some. Maybe it just takes “One random act of kindness at a time” to usher in the Kingdom of God.
In His Love and Service,
The Reverend Bernard J. Pecaro,
St. Martin, Pompano Beach
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