Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 23:28–25:30, Eph 6:1–24, Prov 9:13–18
Today’s Theme: Godly Discipline
Godly parenting and discipline is an important theme today. Children are told to obey their parents while parents are told to instruct and discipline their children and not to discourage them.
God desires that we flourish as humans and knows that the godly family is the best environment for this.
Other important things in today’s reading include God’s discipline of Judah, the reality of the spiritual battle we are in, the call to prayer and the call away from folly.
2 Kings 23:28–25:30
God Judges
Surely this came upon Judah at the command of the Lord, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done,(2 Kings 24:3, ESV)
It seems it was the specific wickedness of Manasseh’s reign that was the catalyst for the assured judgement of Judah.
This is a very sad end to the book of Kings. One of the important lessons it teaches us is that God is not passive, He is active in judgement, discipline and in bringing prophecy to pass.
Let the brutal end to the kingdom of Judah serve as a warning to all of us, that compromise and wickedness will only lead to destruction.
God is not mocked
and also for the innocent blood that he had shed. For he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord would not pardon.(2 Kings 24:4, ESV)
There are some things The Lord will not pardon, even the cross is not just a blank check, God remains Sovereign even over salvation and forgiveness, it is not automatic and cannot be abused. Don’t be deceived, God is not mocked.
Ephesians 6:1–24
A command for children
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.(Ephesians 6:1, ESV)
This is a command for all children as long as the parents do not instruct the child against the Lord, it must always be in line with God.
Modern psychology and ways of thinking in the West have tried to liberate children from having to obey their parents, with awful consequences.
God’s pattern for the family is clear. One of God’s great purposes is that human beings would flourish and the best conditions for this are when Husbands are loving, Wives are submissive, Children are obedient and Parents discipline their own children.
A command to parents
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.(Ephesians 6:4, ESV)
Parents (the word father can be translated as parent) are encouraged to bring their children up with both discipline and clear instruction.
We must not provoke or push our children to anger by neglecting them, ignoring them, spoiling them, teasing them, pressuring them, comparing them or doing anything that takes away from their careful and loving discipline and instruction.
As Parents we must set a good example, give regular correction, and consistent discipline. We must be patient with our children. Also remember that discipline is more about a child’s heart than their behaviour because behaviour comes from the heart, so we must help our children understand the nature of sin, we must shepherd their hearts.
A command to workers
Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,(Ephesians 6:5-6, ESV)
This is the attitude we should go to work with. We should see our service at work as service to Christ and do God’s will in the workplace, from our hearts.
As Christian employees we must not be the ones who slack off, complain and perform poorly, we should be the total opposite.
Rewards from God
knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.(Ephesians 6:8, ESV)
Our rewards will come from The Lord so be encouraged in doing good.
Take your stand
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.(Ephesians 6:11, ESV)
This is the reason we put on the armour, not so much to fight, but to stand.
We fight the devils army
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.(Ephesians 6:12, ESV)
Our fight is not with men but with the satanic horde. Make no mistake, we are in a very real battle against evil and demonic forces.
Pray in the Spirit
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,(Ephesians 6:18, ESV)
To pray in the Spirit means we pray as guided by the Spirit while walking in step with the Spirit. This is true for all types of prayer (not just praying with the gift of tongues for example).
A prayer for minsters
for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.(Ephesians 6:20, ESV)
We should pray this for all of God’s ministers who, like Paul, are charged with declaring the Gospel.
Love incorruptible
Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.(Ephesians 6:24, ESV)
Wow, this is a summary of the true Christian’s life, love incorruptible.
Proverbs 9:13–18
Avoid folly
The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.(Proverbs 9:13, ESV)
This is applicable to men and women, avoid loud folly.
The lie
“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”(Proverbs 9:17, ESV)
The lying promise of sin’s pleasures.
Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.
Additional resources
The Gospel Coalition on Ephesians 6