Bread of Life https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Out of a humble shepherd boy, the Lord has raised up a mighty royal family. Though the earthly kingdom of David has come to an end, the royal line of David continues in the eternal reign of Jesus Christ. In his vision, Ezekiel witnesses the glory of the Lord departing from the temple. The chronicler records the genealogy of David, of the family of Israel. In his vision, Ezekiel witnesses the fierce judgment of the Lord on His disobedient people. The Lord spares a penitent remnant. In his vision, Ezekiel witnesses the judgment of the Lord on the wicked counselors of Jerusalem. The Lord promises to save a remnant and to give to His people a new heart and a new spirit. Psalm 95 is well-known as the source of the Venite (found in “The Order of Matins” in The Lutheran Hymnal). The last several verses of Psalm 95 recount the complaining and rebellion of the people of Israel during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. All of the nations of the earth are descended from our father, Adam. All of the people of the earth have inherited a sinful condition from our father, Adam. Through the family of Abraham, the Lord has accomplished righteousness and salvation for all people. In the final judgment, all who reject the Lord will experience His just wrath. Until then, we pray that the wicked will repent of their wickedness, even as we repent of our wickedness, and receive the grace of the Lord in Christ. Through several action prophecies of Ezekiel, the Lord illustrates the judgment that He will bring against the people of Jerusalem as a result of their idolatry. In a vision of Jerusalem, Ezekiel witnesses four idolatrous abominations. It is not without cause that the Lord threatens judgment. Hezekiah is sick and near death. He prays to the Lord, and the Lord heals him. In his pride Hezekiah makes a foolish mistake. Hezekiah dies, and Manasseh his son reigns over Judah. Ezekiel proclaims the coming wrath of the Lord. Through the harsh preaching of the Law, the Holy Spirit calls the people of God to repentance. Nebuchadnezzar conquers and takes captive the people of Judah, appointing Gedaliah governor of Judah. Thirty-seven years later, Evil-merodach, the new king of Babylon, releases Jehoiachin from prison and treats him kindly. Josiah boldly works to eradicate all worship of false gods from Judah. Josiah restores the celebration of the Passover. After Josiah is killed in battle, his sons Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim reign over Judah; both are unfaithful to the Lord. Through Isaiah the Lord comforts Hezekiah. In defiance of the Lord, Sennacherib threatens Judah. Hezekiah prays to the Lord. Isaiah prophesies the downfall of Sennacherib. Ezekiel prophesies the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Though Hezekiah, his father, was one of the greatest kings of Judah, Manasseh is the most wicked king of Judah. The prophets of the Lord prophesy disaster for Judah as a result of the brazen idolatry of Manasseh. Manasseh dies, and his son Amon reigns over Judah. Amon continues in the wickedness of his father and is assassinated. After the death of Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin reigns over Judah, following in the wickedness of his fathers. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, captures Jerusalem, takes Jehoiachin prisoner, and exiles all but the poorest people to Babylon. Zedekiah reigns over Judah and rebels against the Lord and against Babylon. The Lord condemns the people for their faithlessness but promises salvation for the penitent. Josiah begins his reign over Judah at the age of eight years old. Josiah repairs the temple of the Lord. The high priest discovers the Book of the Law, and Josiah realizes that the people of Judah have not been living in obedience to the Lord. As a result of the idolatry of Israel, the king of Assyria conquers Israel and exiles the people of Israel to Assyria. The Lord blesses Judah with the leadership of faithful King Hezekiah. Sennacherib attacks Judah, and Hezekiah pays him tribute. An Assyrian official mocks and threatens the Judeans, claiming that even the Lord cannot protect them from mighty Assyria. Ahaz reigns over Judah and leads Judah gravely astray. Azariah and Jotham reign over Judah. Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah reign over Israel. Jeremiah records the defeat and destruction of Jerusalem, the burning of the temple, the exile of the Judeans, and the later release of King Jehoiachin from prison. The inspired writer lists descendants of Judah and descendants of Simeon. Ethan the Ezrahite laments the fall of the kingdom of David. Though David and his sons sinned against the Lord, the Lord established the kingdom of David forever in Jesus Christ. Though we have sinned against the Lord, the Lord has welcomed us into His kingdom in Jesus Christ. Athaliah violently claims the throne of Judah. The Lord preserves the line of David by protecting Joash. Joash becomes King of Judah at the age of seven years. Through Elisha the Lord heals Naaman of leprosy. Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, attempts to use the situation as an opportunity to acquire wealth. Sometimes believers experience feelings of sadness and even feelings of abandonment. Jesus Christ truly was abandoned by God on the cross. Through His sacrifice, we are the children of God. When we feel sad and abandoned, we may cry out to our loving Father, and He will hear us. During his forty-year reign, Joash (Jehoash) repairs the temple of the Lord. Joash is assassinated by his own servants. Elisha performs a miracle in order to save a son of the prophets from debt. Through Elisha the Lord settles a war between Syria and Israel. Ben-hadad, king of Syria, sieges Samaria. Amaziah reigns over Judah and Jeroboam II reigns over Israel. Through Baptism the Lord welcomes into His family people from all nations. Jehoahaz reigns over Israel for seventeen years and his son Jehoash reigns over Israel for sixteen years. Elisha dies (and performs a miracle even from the grave). Jehu kills the descendants of Ahab. Jehu kills the prophets of Baal, ending the worship of Baal in Israel. Worship of other false gods, however, continues. Jehu becomes king over Israel. Jehu assassinates Joram and Ahaziah. Elisha performs miracles, helping those in need and displaying the power of the Lord. When we experience temporary separation from congregational worship, we long for fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the faith, and we long for the strengthening of Word and Sacrament. King Jehoram restores to the Shunammite woman her land. Hazael murders Ben-hadad and becomes king over Syria. The inspired writer summarizes the reigns of Jehoram and of Ahaziah over Judah. David petitions the Lord for protection from enemies, expressing also a firm confidence that the Lord will deliver him. King Jehoram leads the Edomites against Moab, with unfavorable results. When we suffer fears and insecurities, we find true comfort and peace in the Lord. The Lord condemns Babylon for having destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, sentencing Babylon to utter destruction. During the siege, Elisha prophesies that the Lord will feed the people. The Lord accomplishes victory over Syria. Finally, the Lord pronounces judgment also on mighty Babylon. The Lord pronounces judgment on the Ammonites, on Edom, on Damascus, on Kedar and Hazor, and on Elam. The Lord declares that Babylon will defeat Moab. The Lord declares that Babylon will defeat the Philistines. The inspired writer lists descendants of Reuben, descendants of Gad, and members of the half-tribe of Manasseh. These are the tribes that settled east of the Jordan.