July 5: I think it's common to wonder why God allows evil to assume control. Two out of three of these situations are representative of corrupt rule. Ahab is Israel's worst king, and the Herodians, Sadducees, Pharisees, Scribes and other religious leaders at the time of Christ were corrupt religious leaders. Psalm 122 seems to be a Psalm of David, and it's probable that that's why this doesn't have a dark cast like the 1 Kings passage. Of course, Jesus' teaching in John 10 so completely overwhelms the opposition of the questioners that what they say is basically given to us to give us a background to the Good Shepherd. And overall, is that not the role of evil rule? Israel finally learned to despise idolatry in their captivity to Idolatrous Babylon. Wicked people gain leadership, and people suffer. It causes us to realize the inevitable outcome of our sin.
1 Kings 21-22: I think the question about Ahab is not why did God send Elijah to prophesy his death, but why did God allow him to live so long after the prophecy? None was like him to work wickedness and follow Amorite idols, (1 Kings 21:25-26). Even after his temporary repentance, he went back to hating the prophet of the LORD, because he always prophesied bad outcomes for him. (1 Kings 22:8) And perhaps this is an insight into why he was given space: reputation is important, and it was always God’s plan to draw back His people. Seeing public repentance, then delay of immediate judgment was probably better for their view of God’s mercy.
Psalm 122: God has proclaimed His jealousy over Zion, Zechariah 1:14, 8:2; Joel 2:18. How should New Testament believers feel about the city of Jerusalem? In Revelation 11:8, the angel guiding John through the visions of Revelation says the bodies of the two witnesses will lie in that “great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” Yet the city that comes down from heaven is called “New Jerusalem” (Revelation 3:12, 21:2) and Jesus will reign personally from Jerusalem in the Millennium. Seeing all this, and that Romans 11 urges humility and models a desire for the Jews to be saved, it behooves us to continue to pray for Jerusalem to have peace and benevolence.
John 10:1-21: Is verse 21 an indicator that the blind man’s testimony had widespread impact? Jesus’ words are in parables, and some are inclined to think He’s insane with this talk of laying down His life and taking it up again. But others reason from the miracle that there’s a possibility that He’s speaking in a way they don’t understand for another reason—to set up something that is about to happen. This follows the pattern of the blind man, who was unwilling to deny Him until he had more information, which led him ultimately into belief.
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