Day 1 (Monday)
3 Kingdoms 15:1-15, 33-34; 16:23-28; 4 Kingdoms 4:1-7 (Decline in Judah and Israel, Prophets in Israel)
Last time, we saw the first generation of kings after Solomon’s death; we say kings because Solomon’s kingdom was divided, as God had warned him, so that there was a northern kingdom called Israel, with ten tribes and its capital in Shechem (later in Samaria), and a southern kingdom called Judah with two tribes and its capital in Jerusalem. Both Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, and Jeroboam, the first king of Israel, were evil in the sight of the Lord, and the unity, power and glory of Solomon’s kingdom declined precipitately during their reigns. This time, we will see what happens after the kings of this 1st generation after Solomon die.
Abijam Reigns over Judah: Idolatry and War
15 Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah. 2 He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. 3 He committed all the sins that his father did before him; his heart was not true to the Lord his God, like the heart of his father David. 4 Nevertheless for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him, and establishing Jerusalem; 5 because David did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
6 The war begun between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continued all the days of his life. 7 The rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah? There was war between Abijam and Jeroboam. 8 Abijam slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. Then his son Asa succeeded him.
Asa Reigns over Judah
9 In the twentieth year of King Jeroboam of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah; 10 he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. 11 Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord, as his father David had done. 12 He put away the male temple prostitutes out of the land, and removed all the idols that his ancestors had made.
13 He also removed his mother Maacah from being queen mother, because she had made an abominable image for Asherah; Asa cut down her image and burned it at the Wadi Kidron. 14 But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was true to the Lord all his days. 15 He brought into the house of the Lord the votive gifts of his father and his own votive gifts—silver, gold, and utensils.
Meanwhile, in Israel, Jeroboam’s son Nadab succeeds, but is killed after two years in a coup by Baasha, who killed everyone from Jeroboam’s household, according to the word of the Lord through the prophet Ahijah.
Second Dynasty: Baasha Reigns over Israel
Chapter 15:33 In the third year of King Asa of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel at Tirzah; he reigned twenty-four years. 34 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, walking in the way of Jeroboam and in the sin that he caused Israel to commit.
Baasha’s son Elah succeeds him, but only reigns two years, and then is murdered by Zimri, who destroys Baasha’s household, and reigns for seven days. Then Omri, the commander of the army, fought against Zimri and another pretender, Tibni, and became king.
Chapter 16:23 In the thirty-first year of King Asa of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel; he reigned for twelve years, six of them in Tirzah.
Samaria the New Capital
24 He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; he fortified the hill, and called the city that he built, Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.
25 Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; he did more evil than all who were before him. 26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and in the sins that he caused Israel to commit, provoking the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols. 27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri that he did, and the power that he showed, are they not written in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel? 28 Omri slept with his ancestors, and was buried in Samaria; his son Ahab succeeded him.
This King Ahab marries Jezebel from Sidon, and goes beyond any other king of Israel, by worshipping Baal and Asherah, the evil gods of the Canaanites. Then, of course, God sends Elijah the Tishbite to warn Ahab and to call Israel to return to Him, as we read (and will read again soon) in Year 1. After the confrontation at Mount Carmel, the Prophet Elijah encounters God on the mountain, and is then sent to anoint a new king of Damascus, a new king of Israel, and a new prophet to succeed him. Then, as we begin the book of 4 Kingdoms, Elijah is carried into heaven and the story continues with Elisha. Of all the stories that are told in 3rd and 4th Kingdoms, this period, during the reign of King Ahab in Israel and King Jehoshaphat in Judah, and the reign of their immediate successors, takes up the most time. During this period, the prophets are particularly active and visible in Israel, as God cares for those of His People who are faithful to Him, despite their evil kings. These chapters are particularly worth reading, as we see the hapless kings of Israel vacillate between the different pagan gods and Yahweh, the God of Israel, and see the faithful prophets ceaselessly bearing witness to the truth and power (and love) of the Lord. In them, and especially in Elisha, God works many miracles, and we will see one of them here this week, and more in the next two weeks before we continue with the final decline of Israel, and the (temporary) renaissance of Judah. We continue the story in 3 Kingdoms chapter 4:
Elisha and the Widow’s Oil
4 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Eli′sha, “Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2 And Eli′sha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house, except a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels of all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. 4 Then go in, and shut the door upon yourself and your sons, and pour into all these vessels; and when one is full, set it aside.”
5 So she went from him and shut the door upon herself and her sons; and as she poured they brought the vessels to her. 6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”
Reading 7 – 1160 words
Discussion questions:
1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out that, with King Asa, we have the first righteous king of Israel since David, and his righteous acts show us how far things have declined, with the need to remove male temple prostitutes and Asherah poles from the land. Simultaneously we see things go from bad to worse in Israel; where Jeroboam had established golden calves, using pagan methods, but still at least theoretically worshipping Yahweh, Omri and his son Ahab abandon Yahweh and lead the people in the worship of Baal. In the entrance of the prophets Elijah and Elisha upon the scene, however, we see God caring for His people even as their kings are leading them astray, and in this particular story of the widow and the oil, we see God protecting this one faithful woman in a very particular and beautiful way. So even when God’s people at large abandon Him, He does not abandon them. Which is a surprising piece of good news to see in a story that has so far been one of a catastrophically precipitate decline in faithfulness.)
2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?
3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?
4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )
5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?
Day 2 (Wednesday)
Feast of Pentecost
On Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles as they were gathered in the Upper Room fifty days after the Lord’s Pascha. This was the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, the celebration of the giving of the Torah and the making of the covenant between Israel and the Lord at Mt. Sinai, and therefore with the descent of the Holy Spirit, we see the Twelve and the Seventy ordained as the fulfillment and renewal of Israel, the people of God, called to be the instrument of the Lord reconciling all humanity with Himself. We will read some of the hymns of the Feast today.
Orthros Kathisma 1
Let us celebrate with joy this final post-festal feast, * O believers; for it is the feast of Pentecost today, * and the fulfillment of the promise and the appointed time. * For on this day the fire of the Paraclete * descended to the earth immediately, * as in the form of tongues, and illumined the Disciples * and made them initiates of heaven. * The holy light of the Holy Spirit * has appeared and illumined the world.
Canon 1 Ode 3 Hymn 2
When the grace and power of the Holy Spirit came, * it united in holy concord * the language that was divided of old * when men badly agreed. It gives understanding * and knowledge of the Trinity to the believers, * in which we are confirmed in faith.
Canon 2 Ode 3 Hymn 1
Unembarrassed prayer of the Prophetess Hannah * Shattered fetters on her womb that made her barren, * Ending the irritation of her fruitful rival’s * Needling; for she brought a broken heart and spirit * To the omniscient God and only Sovereign.
Canon 2 Ode 3 Hymn 2
Truly incomprehensible is the most divine * Holy Spirit’s grace! It made unlettered fishermen * Erudite speakers, who by their brilliant preaching * Stifled many sophists, and who drew out countless * People from the deep and dark night of ignorance.
Canon 2 Ode 3 Hymn 3
Immortal, almighty, the light-creating Splendor * Receives by procession from Light unbegotten * Its being. Now Its fiery sound reveals that It is * The consubstantial Beacon of God the Father’s * Authority through the Son, to the nations in Zion.
Canon 1 Ode 8 Hymn 2
Suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty, * energizing wind of the all-holy Spirit, * and there appeared divided tongues as of fire * on the fishermen, who proclaimed the mighty works of God. * “O all you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.”
Canon 1 Ode 8 Hymn 3
We who have not come now to a tangible mountain * nor are afraid of a blazing fire, * come and let us stand on Mt. Zion, in the city of the living God, * and join the Spirit-bearing Disciples and celebrate. * “O all you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.”
Canon 2 Ode 8 Hymn 3
Another Advocate is the Father’s Spirit; * Divine Light and giver of light, He is Savior, * And He comes at His own will. O Christ, You sent Him * Now as holy wind on Your Apostles to fill them. * Distribute Him, who hears us, also on Your servants.
Canon 2 Ode 8 Hymn 4
God-inspired mouths of the Prophets proclaimed You, * Ruler, as the One who would come to earth in body, * And the Spirit, who proceeds from the Father’s bosom, * Coequal, uncreated co-creator, whom You sent * Evincing the doctrine of Your Incarnation.
Discussion questions:
1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should note how the hymns of the feast reflect on two points repeatedly. First, on the full divinity of the Holy Spirit, in perfect unity with the Father and the Son. Second, on the ministry and active life of the Holy Spirit in the world, giving life, inspiring the prophets, and empowering the Apostles and all the Faithful.)
2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?
3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?
4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )
5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?
Day 3 (Friday)
Acts 22:6-29 (Paul Tells of His Conversion, Speaks with the Tribune)
Last time we saw St. Paul arrested by the tribune who came upon the mob as they were taking Paul to kill him. He asked the tribune if he could address the people gathered together, and was granted permission, so he began to speak, giving his background, a Jew of Tarsus, zealous for the Torah, and dedicated to the destruction of the Way of Christ. This time, he will continue the story with his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus, and what he had done since that time.
Paul Tells of His Conversion
6 “While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Then he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 I asked, ‘What am I to do, Lord?’ The Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go to Damascus; there you will be told everything that has been assigned to you to do.’ 11 Since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, those who were with me took my hand and led me to Damascus.
12 “A certain Ananias, who was a devout man according to the law and well spoken of by all the Jews living there, 13 came to me; and standing beside me, he said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight!’ In that very hour I regained my sight and saw him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear his own voice; 15 for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you delay? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.’
Paul Sent to the Gentiles
17 “After I had returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And while the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by, approving and keeping the coats of those who killed him.’ 21 Then he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
Paul and the Roman Tribune
22 Up to this point they listened to him, but then they shouted, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And while they were shouting, throwing off their cloaks, and tossing dust into the air, 24 the tribune directed that he was to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by flogging, to find out the reason for this outcry against him. 25 But when they had tied him up with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who is uncondemned?”
26 When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? This man is a Roman citizen.” 27 The tribune came and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “It cost me a large sum of money to get my citizenship.” Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” 29 Immediately those who were about to examine him drew back from him; and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
Reading 41 – 598 words
Discussion questions:
1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out first that we get more of St. Paul’s perspective on his encounter with the Lord and his life and ministry than we have seen before. We see him confessing even at this point his guilt in approving and encouraging the stoning of Stephen, and we see him recount God’s words sending him to preach to the Gentiles. It is at this point that the crowd refuses to listen any longer. This is not dissimilar to his experience elsewhere; those who reject him among the Jews reject him because he is preaching to the Gentiles, which heralds a substantial change in the world as they have known it. Meanwhile, once again, the Romans assume that he, being a Jew, has no rights as a Roman citizen…but this is, of course, incorrect, and as a result, Paul will gain his opportunity to appeal to Caesar, as we will see in coming weeks.)
2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?
3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?
4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )
5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?