Be Distinct (2 Kings & 2 Chronicles): Standing Firmly Against the World's Tides

The "Be" Commentary

by Warren W. Wiersbe

God’s people were never meant to blend in. Instead, we’re called to stand out from the crowd, and become a beacon of hope. But nothing dims our light more than conformity, when voices that once proclaimed truth begin to quietly yield to a noisy world. Based on the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, this study offers an eye-opening look at the high price of conformity, and shares how we can stay distinct from our surroundings.

Part of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s best-selling “BE” commentary series, BE Distinct has now been updated with study questions and a new introduction by Ken Baugh. A respected pastor and Bible teacher, Dr. Wiersbe examines how we can be salt and light to a world in desperate need of truth. You’ll be encouraged to embrace your unique identity in Christ, and be challenged to rise above the world around you.

Genres: Christian, Reference, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Ebooks, Christianity, Inspirational

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2002

About the author

Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of the Moody Church and general director of Back to the Bible, has traveled widely as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Because of his encouragement to those in ministry, Dr. Wiersbe is often referred to as 'the pastor's pastor.' He has ministered in churches and conferences throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. Dr. Wiersbe has written over 150 books, including the popular BE series of commentaries on every book of the Bible, which has sold more than four million copies. At the 2002 Christian Booksellers Convention, he was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Dr. Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Reviews

[Barbara Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Distinct (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles): Standing Firmly Against the World’s Tides is Warren Wiesrbe’s short commentary on those two books of the Bible.

I read this book while reading 2 Kings 2, so it was nice to have the parallel material from 2 Chronicles, Isaiah, and Jeremiah to fill in the rest of the details.

2 Kings covers a sad time in Israel’s history. The northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians, and the southern kingdom of Judah continued its descent from what it had been during the reigns of David and Solomon. A few of Judah’s kings were godly and enacted various reforms away from idolatry and back to the worship of the one true God as He had laid out in His Word. But the next generation would fall away even further than they had before. Finally, Babylon conquered Judah, destroyed the temple, burned Jerusalem, and took most of the Israelites back to Babylon. Different prophets were sent with God’s warnings, but were largely ignored.

It’s not hard to see history repeating itself in our day. America is not Israel, of course. But any people who have had God’s light and turn away from it are going on a similar collision course.

Throughout the book, we also see the grace of God in keeping His promises to David and offering help multiple times.

Even though 2 Kings ends on a bleak note, God has not entirely forsaken His people. After 70 years in captivity, they would be allowed to return. And several hundred years later, the rightful ruler of the throne of David would come to earth. He would not to establish His physical kingdom at that time. But He would provide for their salvation.

[Mike Eccles · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you look at the dates of start and finish (2 months) you will see that I had difficulty with the volume. I knew when I started that I was reading biblical history, but I had not anticipated the huge number of tricky names to try and take in. I struggled both with 2 Kings and the commentary. I never have been a history buff. I’ll not be returning to 2 Kings, unless I’m led to it.

[DT · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t a commentary as much as it was a collection of vague summaries with random anecdotes thrown in. Wiersbe didn’t exegete the Scriptures, but merely described what the text already said. There were a few useful insights, but I don’t think this qualifies as a commentary, nor would it even be helpful in group studies.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good and I definitely learned but it was not an easy read!! We started it as a group bible study but the group died out because the reading was so difficult. Because I am not a quitter! LOL! I continue to read. I think I am going to get more of this series because I feel I need to know and understand the Bible better but it will be a task!!

[Hannah Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I find most Wiersbe’s commentary, such a helpful book. It also has an instilled a desire to better understanding the timing of the prophets in Scripture. The lack of godly kings seems to parallel our lack of godly leaders even today. Also just have really appreciate being in 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles and finding them not as daunting as I remember from childhood. God’s Word is so rich.

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go Deeper

These commentaries are great for getting down into the culture of the times and thus bringing us closer to learning God's ways in dealing with people.
Highly recommend anything and everything this guy writes.

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly goes through part of the Bible to track God's people. Also poses questions to ponder.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

20/50 of be series. i read alphabetically.
wish the author could remake the commentary. i know these two books have a lot of similarity, but the background, the difficulties, etc surely not the same.

[Jennifer Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reliable commentary

Weirsby directs our minds through the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles in a way we can understand. It’s a pleasure to read his books.

[Sara Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and great explanations

[Jan Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were times when it was difficult to follow all the different kings. I think a chart with the flow would have been helpful. Warren Wiersbe explains the books that sometimes we just skim through.

[Marcus Goncalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent commentary on 1 and 2 Kings in the Bible, with great insights.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Distinct is a study of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. These two books describe the consequences Israel faced as she conformed to the world and it’s immorality and idol worship instead of being distinct from it and following God. These consequences last only for a season because God promises: “if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬).

Wiersbe writes: “When society around us is in moral and spiritual darkness, God’s people need to be lights; and when society is decaying because of sin, we need to be salt. We must be distinctive!” As Paul says, we are to be
“blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬).

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Wiersbe, worry of light study or devotional reading but nothing terribly meaty. This is one of his more repetitive books as well, covering the same themes without delving much deeper to discover the mitre unique aspects of each character. Still, it is decent for what it is.

[Frans Kempe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good commentary of 2 Kings and the corresponding parts in 2 Chronicles. I enjoy how Wiersbe also brings in the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiahs books into the equation, it gives a very good overview.