Today’s Bible Reading

November 26

Old Testament I
2 Chronicles 25
2 Chronicles 25 tells the story of King Amaziah of Judah, who reigned for 29 years. The chapter begins by describing Amaziah's military victories over the Edomites, including his hiring of 100,000 soldiers from Israel to help him in battle. However, a prophet warns Amaziah not to trust in his army or the Israelite mercenaries, but to rely on God alone.

Despite this warning, Amaziah disregards the prophet's advice and challenges the northern kingdom of Israel to battle. However, before the battle takes place, Amaziah is warned by another prophet not to fight against Israel because God is not with them. Amaziah ignores this warning as well and suffers a devastating defeat at the hands of the Israelites.

After his defeat, Amaziah turns to idolatry and begins to worship the gods of the defeated Edomites. This angers God, and he sends another prophet to warn Amaziah that he will be punished for his disobedience. Eventually, Amaziah is assassinated by his own people.

The chapter concludes by briefly describing the reign of Amaziah's son, Uzziah, who becomes king after his father's death. Uzziah reigns for 52 years and is described as a good king who follows in the footsteps of his father David. However, he also falls into sin later in his reign and is punished by God with leprosy.

Old Testament II
Ezekiel 42
Ezekiel 42 describes the measurements and details of the chambers surrounding the temple in the vision that Ezekiel received from God. The chapter begins with a description of the outer court on the north side of the temple, which was 100 cubits long and 50 cubits wide. The chambers surrounding the court were three stories high and had a total of 30 rooms.

Ezekiel then describes the inner court, which was also on the north side of the temple. This court was 50 cubits long and 50 cubits wide, and had chambers on three sides. The chambers on the west side were wider than those on the east side, and the wall separating the two sides was thicker.

The chapter ends with a description of the temple area itself. The temple was 100 cubits long and 100 cubits wide, with a wall separating the holy place from the most holy place. The holy place was 20 cubits long and 20 cubits wide, while the most holy place was also 20 cubits long and 20 cubits wide.

Overall, Ezekiel 42 provides detailed measurements and descriptions of the various chambers and courts surrounding the temple in the vision that Ezekiel received from God. These details emphasize the importance of the temple and its proper construction in the eyes of God.

New Testament
John 18:28 - 19:16
John 18:28-19:16 records the events that led to Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Here's a summary of the passage:

After Jesus was arrested, he was taken to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, for questioning. However, the Jewish leaders did not have the authority to execute Jesus, so they brought him to Pilate.

Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews, to which Jesus replied, "My kingdom is not of this world." Pilate found no basis for charges against Jesus, but the Jewish leaders insisted that he be crucified because he claimed to be the Son of God.

Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the Jewish leaders threatened to report him to Caesar for not condemning a man who claimed to be a king. Pilate then gave in to their demands and handed Jesus over to be crucified.

The soldiers took Jesus and made him carry his own cross to a place called Golgotha. They crucified him there with two other men. Pilate had a sign put on the cross that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."

When Jesus died, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear to make sure he was dead. Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for permission to take Jesus' body and bury it in his own tomb.

In summary, John 18:28-19:16 tells the story of Jesus' trial before Pilate and his subsequent crucifixion. Despite Pilate finding no fault in Jesus, he was handed over to be executed by the Jewish leaders.