Studying the Historical Books

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After completing our 3 1/2-year cycle of readings in the Torah, we decided to continue with the historical books that follow, beginning with Joshua.

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July 20, 2025 – Jeremiah 20 – Jeremiah’s Message and Persecution

God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, tries any and all methods, illustrations and metaphors to warn the people and cause them to repent of their idolatry, without success. When the authorities arrest Jeremiah and put him publicly to shame, he cries out to God in a sort of “dark night of the soul.”

Notes on Jeremiah 20:1-18 as well as a brief survey of Jeremiah chapters 3-19

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July 13, 2025 – Observe the Fast of Tammuz

The Fast of Tammuz marks the day when invading armies first breached the wall of Jerusalem. It begins a period of time called “between the straits” culminating in the Fast of Ab three weeks later, commemorating the day when the Temple and Jerusalem were destroyed because of Israel’s idolatry.

Notes for the Fast of Tammuz

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July 6, 2025 – Jeremiah 2:1-37 – Jeremiah’s Cry Against Jerusalem

God’s first prophecy that He directs Jeremiah to “cry in the ears of Jerusalem” is really a review of His relationship with Israel framed as a entreaty to a lover that He had rescued from slavery in Egypt, took in, cared for and married – but who has now rejected her husband. He demands an explanation.

Notes on Jeremiah 2:1-37

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June 22, 2025 – 2 Kings 23 and Jeremiah 1 – The Last Kings of Judah

The last four kings of Judah after Josiah – Jehoahaz, Jehoakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah – were evil and led to the spiritual disintegration of Israel resulting in its final destruction. Our main witness is the prophet Jeremiah, who had to steel himself against the tremendous opposition from these kings and the people to deliver his warnings about the coming destruction.

Notes on 2 Kings 23:30-37 and Jeremiah 1:1-19

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June 8, 2025 – 2 Chronicles 35 – Josiah’s Passover

Once King Josiah had eliminated idolatry from the land, repaired the Temple and re-established the courses of the Levites for service, he arranged for the celebration of Passover. It was a momentous event, having been so long with the feasts or even Temple liturgy being neglected or outright banned. “Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah.” (2 Kings 23:22)

Notes on 2 Chronicles 35:1-27

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June 15, 2025 – 2 Chronicles 35 – Josiah’s Passover

Once King Josiah had eliminated idolatry from the land, repaired the Temple and re-established the courses of the Levites for service, he arranged for the celebration of Passover. It was a momentous event, having been so long with the feasts or even Temple liturgy being neglected or outright banned. “Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah.” (2 Kings 23:22)

Notes on 2 Chronicles 35:1-27

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June 1, 2025 – 2 Chronicles 34 – Josiah’s Good Reign

Josiah became king as a child of eight, but once he came of age, he regarded the idolatry he saw around him with increasing alarm. He purposed to eliminate it from Judah and the northern lands as well. Then he set about repairing the Temple and reinstating the courses of Levites. During the repairs, a hidden scroll of was discovered – the original scroll of the Law penned by Moses. It was opened to a passage in Deuteronomy that predicted Israel’s destruction and exile. The prophetess Huldah explained that Israel would surely go into exile, but because of Josiah’s faithfulness it would not occur until after his death.

Notes on 2 Chronicles 34:1-33

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