the ruminations of aaron eberline

The reading today in 2 Chronicles 33 and 34 makes me ask wonder how the faith that we hold to with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength can be instilled into the lives of our posterity. In chapter 35 Manasseh succeeds as king of Judah after Hezekiah’s death. How did Manasseh stray so far from God? Why did he choose to undo the good and true things of his father that glorified God? The Temple of the Lord was defiled by Manasseh of which God had said, “In this House and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever; and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them according to all the law, the statutes and the ordinances given through Moses.” 2 Chronicles 33:7,8  The people of Judah were led by Manasseh to set their hearts towards Great evil. What can help in moments when we are so far from our first love of God? Read more

Why do we find temptation so tempting as we easily fall into the snares of Satan repeatedly? In 1 Chronicles 21:1 Satan tempted David to number the people Israel. Who’s fault was it that David chose to sin by numbering the people of Israel without God’s approval? Who’s fault is it when you choose to disregard God and sin? The actions David made were his responsibility alone because he viewed the benefits of sin of greater worth than obeying God. How does temptation so easily entangle us? Satan has spent many years perfecting his craft and we are inherently sinful so we are destined to fail when we look at our inherent inability.Where can hope be found to live in this world plagued by sin? When we acknowledge our sinfulness and trust in God’s forgiveness because of Jesus Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross we have the hope that we crave. Read more

Why is Israel besieged and taken captive in 2 Kings chapter 17? What does captivity mean for the people within Israel? Does the captivity of Israel mean that God has turned His back on Israel? What lesson can be learned from Israel’s disobedience? These people who were led into captivity had no regard for God because generation after generation they had done what we fitting in their own eyes without care for God. They worshiped the gods of the inhabitants of the promised land, which they were consistently warned about not doing. Was it easy for the people to turn away from God because they made one sinful choice after another which led them far from God? Read more