The Seven Streams Method

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II Kings 23:36-I Chronicles 1 We are in the Nation Stream today reading from the Tree of Life Version. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Streams | Donate

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

Lord may we be found faithful, worth defending, worth investing your Holy Spirit in in immeasurable amounts. I pray we learn from these poor examples that we read about today.  We know what not to do. And we thank you for these sobering reminders and teaching.  Amen. There are three invasions of Judah that are within the finale of Kings today. There are also three Judean Kings that witnessed the violence as this transpired.

23 - Jehoiakim was installed as king in 608 B.C.  He turns out to be evil (you think these guys would develop some horse-sense after a while, but hey! )

24 - The city of Jerusalem is stormed by Babylon-/-Nebuchadnezzar-the-King and the Temple is raided of immense amounts of treasures and valuables -that was 605 B.C.  Also many prominent Hebrews are taken to Babylon as prisoners <-- it isn't mentioned here in Kings but it is what happened at this exact point when all the biblical material is compared.  A young "Daniel" is among the lads who marched the hundreds of miles to Babylon (he was 13 at the time - the Lion's Den event is 57 years later!)  Jehoiachin is put in charge as king. By now Egypt is a non issue as Babylon had taken control of much of the area for nearly 1000 miles in all directions. J-chin is 18. He rules in a full-on evil manner for three months....and...guess what...yea...Nebuchadnezzar comes again and takes the rest of the Temple gold and valuables and 10,000 princes, officials, prominent educated skilled citizens, men of valor and they go to Babylon too. It was now 597 B.C.  Among those taken in this haul is Ezekiel the prophet.  Nebuchadnezzar then put Zedekiah in charge as 'king'.  He was J-chin's uncle.  He was evil as the rest of the final kings except that he was a bit of a scheming scammer that eventually infuriated King Neb. 25 - Jerusalem falls and this has to be one of the saddest turns of events in world history - it's 586 B.C.   Zedekiah's escape, capture, torture, murdered children is too gruesome to recount.  You heard it the first time through. Just take a lesson from all this and shun evil, eh?! The Hebrews must have thought, "it's over?? but God!!?"  So perplexing to be taken on a several hundred mile march to Babylon to live out ones days as a slave.  The details of the rest of the trip to Babylon and the dismal events that transpired you have read already in other chapters and it will be read again at the end of II Chronicles when we get there in November.  It is hit from many angles for God is driving it home --> that ungodliness, willful ignorance of God's Will, disobedience will leave us groaning, "God what has become of us/me/our nation?" I Chr. 1 - understand that I Chr. starts with Adam and the long genealogy since it is telling us all "The Times" [the definition of -->CHRON-ih-clz].  These are the Times of the Hebrews; the people that God chose.  When Samuel and Kings were written is was originally penned as a long single tome - 1 & 2 Sam. plus 1 & 2 Ki. were [all four] were a single book.  Chronicles is a rewrite with a more spiritual focus.  Chron. is written from a much more southern perspective.  They ended up being sinful just like the north was, but their founding was for the purpose of walking with God.  The north kingdom was founded for the purpose of running away from God.  1-2 Sam. = I Chr.  and 1-2 Kings = 2 Chr.      I Chr. is a lengthy genealogy for 9 chapters and then resumes with the Hebrew's story at the end of Saul's life.   II Chr. completely omits the history of the northern kingdom.  It was too gruesome and lurid in detail for the Chronicler to keep track of. In his mind who wanted to rehash all the ungodliness of the northern kingdom? Not one of their kings sought the Lord. So the Chronicler saw fit to ignore them and their pursuits.  Pardon all the extra detail but it is best to understand this prior to launching further into this pivotal book.

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Numbers 3:1-5:10 We are in the World Stream reading from the Tree of Life Version. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Streams | Donate

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

For those who were wondering, the B’nei Yisrael phrase is “sons of Israel”.  And “Cohen” is Hebrew for priest.  Therefore Kohanim is Hebrew for “priests” / “Priesthood” (it’s the plural version)

3 – The Priesthood and its Tent of Meeting was such a serious matter – Believers today can hardly perceive the gravity that hung over this whole assignment.  Did you notice that a commoner who approached the Tent of Meeting was to be executed.  We need to remember and understand that all the legitimate religious branches / denominations of the world trace their faith back to this. It was a 13 century long preparation for the arrival of Christ and His sacrifice that would cover for all time the souls of those who would confess His Name in faith.  This had to be right. The participants had to do right and be in the right. The articles and implements of every aspect of this Tent of Meeting had to be handled and employed properly.  It’s like a restaurant today that was determined to keep its perfect record of 100% satisfaction along with its record of having no one contract food poisoning ever since their inception.  This would require fastidious supervision along with stringent training of new workers.

Notice the treatment of the firstborn and their consecration to the Lord.  Jesus was also the “first-born” along with being the firstborn from the dead.  This is amazing to realize all the implications. 4 – and next there is the rigorous and monumental task of preparing the entire structure for moving and the actual moving of it.  During these first 40 years out of Egypt these people were a very mobile people. We will see in Numbers 13 that their being stuck in the wilderness is their own doing (and their own fault).  But all the same, a great army must work like clockwork as their existence and purpose is to be mobile and ready to launch in a moment’s notice.  Well, in a less intense manner but no less important, the Israelites along with their tent of meeting/tabernacle must be organized and precise in their readiness for moving as God directed.  And extra verses are dedicated to describe the lives of those who served and handled these tent matters and their preparation for transport and reassembly at the next location. 5 – Going back to the restaurant motif that we used in illustrating ch. 3, Here in ch. 5 the issue of purity is reiterated.  In a restaurant all workers must have clean hands, clean shoes, clean outfits.  A cook hunching over boiling pots cannot have a runny nose, goop coming out of his eyes, cuts on his hands or weeping infections  – nor can anyone serving food to people seated at tables.  We all get that.  So in the tent of meeting area and other parts of this culture, anyone who has anything regarding his body that is unclean, he needs to go outside and clean it up, heal up, deal with it, purify, wait, clarify it (check it twice…pardon the Santa Clause lyric!) then go back in.  This was dire for maintaining reverence and purity and sustaining this most vital of rites within the Hebrew culture – the place where we inherit our faith from.

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Philippians 1-3 We are in the Church Stream reading from the New Century Version. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Streams | Donate

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

Dear Lord Jesus - just that addressing you says the prayer.  You are very dear to us.  You are our Lord. And in the Name Jesus - it is you who is our Savior.  Thank you Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Paul had just received an offering from Epaphroditus; a member of the church at Philippi. Paul was in prison in Rome we he received the gift.  He had received another offering from the Church at Philippi when he was in Thessalonica years back.  The Philippians were a gracious people who had rich character and great spirits. It was the first church that Paul established in Europe. This was around 51 A.D.  Luke pastored this church for its first six years.  It was now about 61 A.D. He had not seen the people of Philippi for 3-4 years. He missed them and was touched in heart when Epaphroditus arrived with some support for his work.  After Epaphroditus had rested and been with Paul for a bit, Paul sent him back to Philippi with this beautiful letter.  It is among the most encouraging writings in all of sacred literature.

1 - from the start we can see that Timothy took dictation while Paul talked. Paul is praying for them in Philippi. How would that encourage you to have the most influential Christian ever be praying for you? What a marvel. Paul is glad to have the Philippians upholding him with their partnership in giving to meet his needs.  Paul is not bothered by the jail time. It gave him access to the Emperor and there were even converts in Emperor Nero's court, praise God!.  Paul was rejoicing in the jail in Philippi (Acts 16:25) and he was feeling the same while chained down in Rome. He was so in love and connected with Christ through his prayer life and ministry work that, hey, if jail and Rome killed him - what a thrill to be with Jesus.  Paul wins either way/ live or die/ as far as he is concerned.  He was acutely aware that the Believers in Philippi were suffering at the hands of nonbelievers. Paul encouraged them through this difficulty 2 -  Paul commends and spurs them on to have the complete attitude of Jesus who was full of mercy and kindness and honor and humility that led to sacrifice. Herein is the words to the hymn, "He is Lord...every knee shall bow, every tongue confess..."  This was the first song ever sung in the Christian church; The Philippian Hymn.  Paul continues in counseling them to have all hope and joy and a good spirit looking to Jesus who IS calling us all together one day when he returns.  Paul is eager as he spells out his plans to visit again, to send friends and resume the wonderful fellowship and teaching to this dear church. 3 - Paul was aware that some Judaizers had passed through and tried to get them to revert to old laws as if Christ were not enough. Paul doesn't mince words in calling these false evangelists "dogs".  Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews; flawless in his observance of the Law, but that was all garbage and prattle to him now.. Christ was everything, so let's all press to know Christ.  Paul uses the illustrations of the day to declare that this faith we are all immersed in is indeed a race.  It encompasses all of us body and spirit. This -the race to heaven he was talking about- Heaven was the finish line and Christ is there. Home is there. Our citizenship is there.  Therefore we have a most heavenly goal as we live for Jesus.

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Luke 12:1-13:17 We are in the Christ Stream reading from the New Covenant Version. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Stream | Donate

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

Lord, Keep teaching us for we are listening.  Thank you for being with us still - for being with us always.  Amen.

12 - Jesus began by teaching about the Pharisees.  He was flipping the sentiments of the area as people had been perceiving the Pharisees.  They followed them, paid them, honored and believed them, even revered them.  But according to Jesus, the Pharisees were NOT to be looked up to or believed.  Jesus made sure of it.  Next  -more than just being ashamed of Jesus or not - the issue is that HE IS the issue! Get in good with Jesus...Pharisees and their self importance is irrelevant.  They can no more get you to God than your pet hamster can.  Jesus doesn't want any of his followers to be greedy; scrambling for cash like the rest of the world does - carrying on like the Devil to get rich won't get you/anyone to God. Trust God = not money  And as for worry? It's like a rocking chair at the edge of a cliff: it will give you something to do but it won't get you anywhere AND you will be nerve-wracked-to-death until you get out of it and away from it.  Jesus' admonition to be dressed and ready for service applies to all of us all the time. Have you ever met someone who was always preoccupied and unavailable? Churches are filled with people of whom 80% are "unavailable" 99% of the time. This is a fact, it is true, and it is wrong for so many folks to be this way. "oh, I can't help at the church workday, I need to polish my turtles for the races at the fair. Oh, I can't help in the nursery this month, my shoes are too tight - I'm retaining water and feeling insecure. oh, I can't volunteer for the youth retreat, I'll miss the first games of the playoffs.!" [heavens to betsy]  My husband and I have been involved in ministry for a combined 80 years and we have heard most every excuse in the solar system. But hear this: our excuses do not excuse us.  We are to be servants of the most high and faithful in all we are assigned.          Jesus remains theee dividing issue: two types of people in the world - those who love/commit/surrender to Him and those who don't.  All other divisive issues are irrelevant.  Know the times, keep an eye on God and keep out of worldly trouble; avoid court.  Court stirs up very much and solve very little.

13 - In a chapter where the lead title says, "Change Your Heart" - the plot of the opening story is that terrible things are not going to stop being terrible and they are not going to stop happening.  So shift away from tabloid-like obsessions; and the school-brat-thinking assessments of everyone --> remain fixed upon your Savior.  Because you will be fruitful for me or you will be removed. Next Jesus healed a woman who was bent and crippled from an evil spirit. The religious leaders were furious because he broke their personal and petty rules of doing nothing on the sabbath. Jesus' reply left them in shame. Though the people LOVED Jesus "giving the business".to the Pharisees.  We can tell that the population was oppressed and weary of the Pharisees invented and excessive Sabbath rules. Jesus had credibility because he had just healed someone so his words were authenticated and virtually impossible to argue with.  Words backed up by the power of God - there's nothing quite so impressive and lasting.

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Jonah 3-4 We are in the Exile Stream and reading from the New Covenant Version. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Stream | Donate

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

Lord give us hearts that mirror your own so that we too want people to be saved.  Amen. 3 - Here's Jonah back on the beach - again.  He had been here before just south (a longs day's journey to the south in Joppa).  Now he was north near Tyre.  He had been traumatized beyond what 99% of the population ever experiences.  He was a different man, perhaps not completely, but he was broken at least enough to obey this time.  So - here goes - round two --> and when God calls him to Nineveh, he goes. It is a 500+ mile journey for Jonah.  He goes and preaches doom for the city. Notice he does not give a pastoral urging to repent and confess, using comforting inspiring illustrations.  He just preaches doom.  And the whole city repents; all 120,000 of them and the king is leading the charge to repent.  God took note, changed his plan to punish and Nineveh was not destroyed.  Jonah, knowing of this city's history, was certain in his mind that Nineveh would dismiss this fruitcake Israeli herald and keep on the path of iniquity and trespass.  Oh was he quietly excited to sit back and watch the city burn! But they repented.  And other studies reveal that the repentance was widespread.  If Nineveh was penitent, and y'better follow Nineveh!, then other areas repented too. And they did.  The conversion rate was massive. Granted this isn't in the Bible, but it did happen.  Many other provinces followed suit and the souls that were touched by the God of Abraham was the greatest conversion to date the world had ever seen.  And it all happened due to the service of a reluctant evangelist!  Amazing when we simply obey. . .   And what is the evangelist's follow-up plan? 4 - Jonah is angry; suicidally angry. He chanted his bitter "I told you so" at God. He wants to die, he is so disappointed. And listen to the bloke: "I knew you are a God who is kind...I knew you would choose to not harm...!"  Well, gee, Jonah. Would you like God to not be kind to Israel? Would you like God to hurry up and punish Israel [where you are from] for their 150 years of vile, sinful living?!  It's a strange yet common trait that we want swift justice for those who upset us while we want simultaneous mercy for ourselves and our loved ones.  Memo to the selfish: WE are not the center of the universe.  And yet Jonah still thinks he is in the right and still goes up on a hillside to watch as he hopes he can witness the city get punished.  He makes a shelter and God brings even more shade. Jonah is thinking, "ah, this is great. Kick back and watch the city get roasted...yes!"  Then, the next day the shade is gone, a warm wind blows in and Jonah is faint with heat stroke symptoms.  He wants to die again.  One thing we learn of Jonah from this "wish to die" a third time is that his selfishness is on great display. Suicidal people are pondering the height of a selfish deed to finish themselves off. [hey, everyone's been through it.  Jonah is selfish and he wants to die on the boat. He wants to die when they convert [and God won't kill them].  He wants to die when by now he has a heat rash.  God is trying to point out Jonah's selfishness and hatred to him.  He does the same to us.  Let's ask ourselves, for the sake of honesty, --> do we want Hamas, Al Qaeda, Taliban, Hezzbollah, PLO, ISIS, ISIL, ad infinitum - do we want them to find Jesus and be saved or do we want God to hurry and catapult them into outer darkness and eternal punishment? Would we feel any differently and/or moreso if they were burning our door down like they were in Jonah's home turf back in Israel? The repentance in Nineveh was a generation-long.  The next came along, resumed the sin, suited up and stormed Israel and obliterated it 48 years after Jonah's 3-days of preaching. Jonah did have a point in hating Nineveh - but it was not a true one.  We were not born to live spite.  Nineveh got their due for their deeds. All can relax - nothing slips God.  He's the best record keeper and bookkeeper ever.  Jonah prophesied their doom in 770 B.C. as did Isaiah around 710 B.C. Nahum spoke of the same in 650 B.C. along with his contemporary Zephaniah.  It all came to pass in 605 B.C. when Nineveh and the Assyrian Empire collapsed in a cloud of dust and defeat. We today can lead great people conversions of regions and nations and continents. For we have the Holy Spirit who gives limitless supply. Hopefully we have [as well] a better attitude than Jonah 

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Jeremiah 46-48 We are in the Prophetic Stream reading from the New Century Version. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Stream | Donate

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

Lord, let us be found on your side. For it exacts a terrible toll upon those who come against you and any of your endeavors. May we sense your grace and allow you to be our shield.  Amen.

46 - Remember Josiah going out to meet Neco the Egyptian and getting killed unfortunately?  That same Neco (here in Jer. 46) goes on north to battle in Carchemish.  This is 605 B.C., [and Judah is going to get hammered in less than 20 years, btw.]  At Carchemish, Egypt gets swiped hard like a cat batting a mouse around! In the next word from the Lord, Nebuchadnezzar will invade Egypt.  It turns out that this prophecy did come true 18 years after Jeremiah spoke it. [Jeremiah is writing this after Jerusalem was sacked and burned in 586 B.C.]  Isaiah, in 18-20, has prophesied a century earlier that Assyria would invade Egypt. Ezekiel 29-32 also talks of judgment coming on Egypt.  Things do not bode well for those who persecute God's people.  And the Israelites are going to be protected amid their exile and punishment. God is doing the terrible task of smiting those who strike the Israelites and Israel will notice this retribution but need not fear God's worst happening to them.

47 - The Lord has called for the invasion of Philistia. Apparently Egypt is coming soon to do this. But what Jeremiah is prophesying here is that the Philistine cities will be brutally overrun and left to be ghost towns when the Babylonians charge in.  The imagery is painful and desperate.  Reading all this one almost relives school days when there is a bully making trouble. The day comes when the bully may pester someone who has been bothering you, so you may not mind the bully picking on this particular person.  But it isn't proper to cheer this process because you can bet that when the bully is done pestering that person ... you are next.  We seem to be seeing this on a biblical scale here.  You know Philistines aren't too bothered about Babylon pouncing on Judah.  Well, watch yourself there coastal boys, because they are coming after YOU next. 48 - Moab's day is approaching.  Like the bully picture just mentioned.  That happens here, again.  Moab even had the fiendish gall to assist Nebuchadnezzar in attacking Judah. But they end up paying for it. The calamity struck Judah with finality in 586 B.C. - and as we said - Moab helped .  Guess who Nebuchadnezzar plows over in 582 B.C.; four short years later?  MOAB!  And Moab was ruined...completely devastated.  Moab had so many towns and people and vineyards, and farms and culture and ... it was laid bare and there isn't much going on in there even now almost 2600 years later!.  They went against the Hebrews and where did it get them?  They worshipped the god Chemosh --> and all that falsity is in the buried in the scorching sand ever since.  The talk of restoration at the end of the chapter is yet to happen. Could we expect this during the millennium?  Some posit that this happened as the remainder of the population was absorbed into the Arab race.  Let's keep discussing it all.

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Psalm 108-114 We are in the Wisdom Stream and reading from the New Century Version. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Stream | Donate

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

Lord YOU ARE GOOD and good all the time.  We thank you and pledge ourselves to you because of who you are.  Amen. 108 - This is a battle song.  Armies throughout history have used songs to rouse up the soldiers and put them in a forward, positive spirit.  If anyone noticed, some of this is reminiscent to Psalm 57, and 60. The illustrations within here are effective linking parts of the country with parts of armor and other aspects of battle. This makes it a catchy Psalm to teach to any age. It again covers an entire gamut and range of emotions. David is a man after God's heart and to be that he bears his own. 109 - This is one of the cursing Psalms, seemingly related to Psalm 35.  David wants this one sung and remembered.  He really has it in for those who have come against him.  He spares no one in wishing those who fight him, God, Israel, Jerusalem, the proper Hebrew faith - David wants them to suffer and be removed in every way. He wants the enemies of God to be halted, their children neutralized.  Their families are bad, their ancestors were bad, they ARE bad, their children are going to be bad so "get rid of 'em God!" David is praying.  Pentecost and the HOly Spirit coming so to see that all saved has made prayers like this something that we aren't to be praying (p-r-e-y-i-n-g) for/upon people.  But again, these agonizing sentiments are foisted at David and he is running to God with them. It's, again, a good lesson. 110 - This is prophecy of Christ Jesus. No other one could be referred to in history or future but the Christ told of in 110. This is historical and theological.  This Psalm is quoted in Matthew 22, Acts 2, Hebrews 1 & 5. Fascinating that David is spurred along in the Spirit and inspired to pen this 1,000 years before His Savior; HIS king arrives to eternally reign. This is a boundless discussion without end.  Just amazing. 111 -  The LORD God is majestic, honorable, righteous, loving, just, faithful, true, holy and eternal in all of these attributes.  This one is worth memorizing and reciting throughout life. 112 - The prior Psalm is all the attributes of God. This Psalm is the attributes of those whose souls are fixed upon God, upon being with God, and being touched by God.  The blessings of God fall upon them too.  The similarity gets our attention.  Those who love God act like Him. This is marvelous.  In short, realize 111 and you'll live 112. 113 - This Psalm and 114 were sung at the beginning of the Passover meal.  They are songs bursting with joy and good sentiments and truths about God's goodness and compassion and magnificent care for us.  It is Psalms like this that are used in worship at family gatherings that have made the Hebrews such an enduring culture for 4,000 years. 114- This Psalm, is also sung at the beginning of the Passover meal. It hearkens back to the Exodus and the events bringing the Israelites to the Promised Land.  The symbolism and word pictures add flare and intrigue. You can see even a child's mind racing with imagination while singing this through with the rest of the family.  This keeps God's saving nature at the forefront of people's thinking. It also keeps the Israelites remembering who it is that grants them everything they have and are. God and his mighty hand that serves and protects are the issue here.

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II Kings 19:1-23:35 We are in the Nation Stream reading from the New Century Version. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Stream | Donate

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis 19 - King Hezekiah is holed up in Jerusalem.  It's the very latter 700's B.C. [about 702-701 b.c.]  Israel to the north was overrun by Assyrians roughly 20 years prior.  Now the south has been attacked. Cities have been lost to Assyria. A threatening message has just been sent to Hez. He is quite unpopular by now. All Hebrews are frightened for their lives. No one knows what to do.  The Prophet Isaiah is his close confidant; and a great comfort to Hezekiah and Isaiah sends a powerful and accurate word.   Hezekiah also goes into the Temple and "lays it all out" before the Lord. This is a maniacal-level-crisis for this nation that it looks like is on the verge of extinction.  Was God's blessing and plan only for a 700 year period?  [or a 1300 year period - if we count back to Abraham?].   God answers Hez. first through this letter from Isaiah, and then straight up to Hez. himself.  It's Pulitzer Prize level literature that all of us are to take to heart about how God protects, and especially protects those who call on Him.  That night one of the mightiest deeds of all time occurs as God sends His angel through the Assyrian camp, kills all 185,000 of them. At dawn, the Assyrian King rose and his army is just as dead as all the rocks around them.  King Sennacherib goes home to Nineveh and gets assassinated by his own sons.

20 - Hezekiah gets ill.  Kind of a strange phenomenon that is less rare than we wish it was: a calamity follows a victory.  The crisis, the prayer, the interaction with Isaiah, the remedy, the healing and the proof of it all is intriguing.  Hezekiah is granted 15 more years.  Later envoys from Babylon come and visit Hezekiah claiming they heard Hezekiah was sick. Maybe he was hoping for an alliance with Babylon. Think: does he need an alliance with a pagan country when he has The Almighty pulling for him at the price of a prayer? Hezekiah was old and not thinking too clearly as he "plays chum" with these strangers and shows them all the treasures in his palace. We have to ask, "for heaven's sake, why??"  Isaiah appears and rebukes Hez. for this and declares that those people will come back someday and strip this place.  It happened some 11+1/2 decades later, yes, but that is no consolation. Hez. did a dumb stunt.    BTW, The story of King Hezekiah, a good king for the most part, is further told in II Chron. 29-32.  He dies at the end of II Kings 20 and Manasseh, his son takes the throne at 12!  Prepare yourself for the rule of a rascal. Judah would have been better off with a psychotic badger running the show. 21 - This chapter is about two kings who were evil, really evil, like we read in Genesis 6 -->why God has to destroy the world.  They were only evil all the time.  Manasseh rules 55 years and Amon rules for two years. They were pagan and severely so. They both seemed frantic to reverse any and all spiritual progress that was made during their father and grandfather Hezekiah. Their deeds are sickening to even mention; lude, murderous; mass-murderous at that, and diabolically dark. They sneered with delight at they sacrificed children to satanic gods...and they did it IN Jerusalem. OK, we'll stop there. It's too yicky to go on.  King Josiah then comes to the throne as an 8-year-old. 22 - Josiah rules from 8 years of age to 39 years of age.  His story is also in II Chron. 34-35.  If anyone is wondering why the semi-parallel, I'll put this in today's terms:  Kings is the NY Post and Chronicles is the Wall Street Journal.  Or for west coasters: Kings is the L.A. Times and Chronicles is the Orange Country Register.  They may tell the same story of the same era and person but Kings is "more gore" and less focused on Spiritual virtue, while Chronicles looks for the redemption in everything.  OK, Josiah occupies II Kings 22 & 23  He becomes king at 8, starts to seek the Lord at 16, the reforms began when he was 20. It was a massive task attempting to reverse the ghoulish reigns of two beastly kings that almost spanned three generations. The Temple repairs were overdue, and they commenced. The Book of the Law [long neglected] was found when Josiah was 26. The anguish of having it read aloud was because it was stark reminder of how far they had fallen from grace and God and goodness. Josiah was in the right. The Judeans were more nonplused by it all for idolatry was all most of them had ever personally known. Josiah's reforms were the greatest to date, however they only served to slow the inevitable of a people who were 'gone from God' at the core.  Josiah, therefore would not see the destruction of Jerusalem.  His life would take us to within about 20-25 years of the Babylonian invasion in 586 B.C. 23 - Josiah leads a reform pledge with "The Bible" in front of them and all are required to be present and pledge allegiance. Then Josiah goes on a spree destroying every pagan relic, altar, temple, artifact and art itself in effort to clean up the land of all false gods.  And there was work to do, good heavens there were alot of wrong things built in Judah and Samaria during the bad kings; Manasseh and Amon. Josiah was a monumental king who served God with all his heart, soul, and strength.   Josiah's error was going out east to face off with Neco of Egypt and getting involved in a battle that was not his to fight got him killed prematurely when they "collided" at Megiddo. The aftermath was dismal as Josiah's son Jehoahaz is anointed king. He turns evil like so many of the kings did.  He's captured by Neco who then issues a stiff tax on the Hebrews.  Neco puts Eliakim [Jehohaz' brother] in charge. He pays the fat tax bill - at everyone's expense, while Jehoahaz is taken to Egypt to die.  Yeesh, this ungodliness never pays.

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Leviticus 27 - Number 2 We are in the World Stream reading from the New Century Version. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Stream | Donate

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

Lord, we love your plans.  We love your laws.  We love you Lev 27 - Vows made to the Lord were to be made verbally / out loud. There is more import when stated this way v.s. simply thinking of it.  Plus there is a testimony factor and accountability from others hearing it as well.  When a gift / offering was given to the Lord, there were stipulations.  An offering may be an animal, a residence, a plot of land.  The priest was involved in the receiving of the gift.  There may be negotiation, assessment of value, matters of the calendar factored against the coming Year of Jubilee - all this was weighed out and calculated.  Try not to become weary in hearing this process through. We have plenty of venues that are just like this in our current culture where all kinds of brain power is required and nonchalant attitudes are unacceptable.  Think of Christmas time and gift purchases at an extended family gathering.  There are so many countering relative issues to factor in: ages, gender, preferences to consider, emotions that ebb and flow like seasonal tornadoes. needs are weighed against wants, wishes are compared to desires, there's "necessity v.s. greed". There is fairness to be mindful of.  Try telling people to just 'buy whatever' and try telling disconcerted young children to just be happy with their broken, re-gifted, 15 year old toy.  Not o.k. !!  Yea, Well try being sloppy with God.  Is HE less important? The teaching of the tithe was taught again before Leviticus ends. It was not new. Abraham was tithing more than 600 years prior. Tithing kept people mindful of God and His Presence every step of life. Numbers 1 - It was census time.  Moses was to count the number of men.  There were just under 2/3 million men and they were fastidiously counted out.  It is not that the women "did not count". It was that were there to be "a call to arms"!, for instance, the women were to be protected and an immediate 'head count' of the men was needed in a moment.  There had to be a current and constant count of the men ready. This was done; they were numbered, --> in Numbers 1.  There was another census taken 38 years later in Numbers 26 - we'll read that on October 1. The comparison of the two census' is intriguing how the number changed after 38 years of pounding sand because they were too fearful to enter into God's best for them.. #'s 2 - There was a precise "military style" order that was to be followed when the Israelites were encamped.  The Tabernacle was in the middle and the 12 tribes were arranged on all four sides with three of the tribes each per side.  The crowd was vast and they were to do things in an orderly manner such as this.  It was not proper for things to become haphazard and have the procedures get reduced to madness like what happens at large scale concerts today [[[[where Christendom is the last thing on anyone's mind!]]]].  There was a pattern to be followed when camping and a matching [though not identical] pattern to be followed when marching to a new location.  God laid it out for them.  There was not time or even the capability to experiment with trials and errors that could become dangerous stampedes on accident. Just do as God says.

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Ephesians 4-6 We are in the Church Stream reading from the New Living Translation. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Stream | Donate

Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

Lord Jesus,  We are in awe of what you have called us to do, be, and to live.  We are you ambassadors, your soldiers, and your servants.  Amen.

4 - As Paul is preparing to close his letter to the Ephesian Church, it does give us perspective to remember that Ephesus was a very pagan/idolatrous/lecherous/ungodly city.  Within this city resided the most mature first century church body in the New Testament world.  Those who had been called out of that and into the Kingdom needed to remember that they were called also to bolster and nurture each other like an extended family. Believers needed to hang onto each other and cherish each other.  The Ephesians, as are all church bodies, were a complex mixture, with many parts, each called, each assigned, each employed, they were to function harmoniously.  Gentleness and humility required!  God has given so much to the church and its members, the Spirit simply wished for the church to grow to full maturity, and to operate like a healthy body.  And it was crucial to have the Ephesians resolved to never go back to the pagan ways they had been redeemed out of.  Life in Christ was not a temporary experiment to dabble with and then to go back to revelry so to "mix it up" and feast on some macabre behavior.  All the old life, and it's dark allure, is over-with permanently.  Anger, theft, coarse talk/smack talk, slander et al. -none of this is the mark of a Christian.  They were to treat all and each other as Christ treats all of us.

5 - starts with further reiteration that they were to live in and follow Christ.  The lust and ludeness all around them was to be avoided.  The consequences of trying to mix in with that crowd (that most all of them came out of) would be fatal to their faith.  They were to be ecstatic with the Holy Spirit not inebriated with "spirits"/beverages. Paul was concerned that they lift eachother up and not lord over others.  That requires "coming under" [ let your agenda be a sub- mission]  To over come in faith as a Body of believers they must 'come under' / not 'climb over' one another.  The assertion for immediate families becomes epic instruction to be pondering and exercising.  For wives to feel protected, valued, and valued was ground-breaking no matter what culture in the world was reading Paul's letter to Ephesus.  For husbands to be honored, respected, revered, v.s. jousted with and questioned was what turned Christian men into stalwarts who also were gentle and kind.  The world had never seen this before.  This is part of made the Church a culture that fascinated those who were yet to believe.  Christ's love for his children was being modeled by husbands' love for wives and it was quite a picture. 6 - The Christian home had more obligations as a testimony to the world and to model Christ the Savior.  Children were to obey and fathers were to be compassionate instructors. Slaves and masters had some straight talk to follow too. No threatening or harming or shirking. All were to be reverenced under God.  Paul borrowed from the Roman culture he was immersed in and equated the faith to being suited for battle. The Truth was the belt - heavy exertion required a belt (battle for the faith was not light duty). Righteousness was our Armor - the enemy aimed at the torso first and most. Righteousness was our protection that kept us strong. The Peace of Christ was the shoes - if we were not sharing His peace, we had no rHOlyeason for going anywhere.  Faith is our shield - in battle soldiers would huddle together and lock shields. They were virtually impossible to hit in this position. Likewise, our faith should bring us together for support and encouragement. Salvation = helmet - No helmet and you are not getting off this battlefield alive...no salvation and you're not getting off this earth alive. The World of God in our lives is our sword.  The Holy Spirit is how we advance the cause of Christ; no other way.  This all in mind we are to keep praying for one another and keep sharing our faith in Christ Jesus.    Paul then says his goodbyes to the Church he was most endeared to. The issue that seemed to surface day after day this week was God whispering (however loudly) that He has a better way. In Leviticus a sabbath for people and the land is laid forth as a permanent plan. It is better. Letting 1/7th of the time and the crop go/rest/recuperate will end up bringing you more. This is the original "less is more" maxim. The obedience and blessing passages in Leviticus are also a better way and will preserve them. II Kings shows over and over about how God had a better way - a way that they would not follow. Assassination one after another, child sacrifice (yeesh, what madness!), eventually Israel is over run. One can almost see the Israelites cursing God as their villages are being closed in on. God may have crooned to them "I had a better way and you knew but plugged your ears."  Hezekiah's arrival is a breath of relief. He knew God had a better way and he called on Him. Psalm 106-107 shows that praising God is a better way. In contrast Psalms lists a few who did not follow this better way and paid for it. Jeremiah warned them to sit tight and comply; stay in Judah.  Trying to put up a dog-fight against people who have little regard for life was fool-hardy.  They were yet disobedient, failed to listen (imagine disobedient people not listening! hmmmmmmm) spirited away to Egypt and would be suffering for it. Jonah did not listen to God's better plans that were much better than his, did he?  We've all known this since we first heard this story when we were very young Jesus instructed Mary who had chosen a better way than busying one's self, like Martha, who was scurrying to feed Jesus - who wasn't hungry, eh?!  Jesus taught them a better way to pray Paul urged Ephesians in church living and unity and honoring and instructing  -  it was a much better way than the break-neck-crazy-sin-life they were once living. In terms of those who were pondering 'going back' to their pre-Christian life, it is appropriate to apply the biblical warning from Luke 17:31ff, "Remember Lot's Wife!"  The Ephesians were on a much better path now. Odd that Paul had to bring this up. He just wanted them all to stayyyyyy on this better path.