2 Chronicles 34 - Perseverance before disaster

Josiah, a good king of Judah, begins reforms in Jerusalem that include a fresh reading of the Law.  Realizing how Judah has disobeyed the commandments of the Lord, Josiah inquires as to what Judah's future might be.  The prophetess, Huldah, notes the impending destruction of Judah, but shows that there will be peace during Josiah's life because of his tender heart and humility towards the Lord.   In a world of turmoil, God still provides calmness.  Our duty is to God, not to establishing the type of world we want.  Josiah chose what was important - and that will not be taken from him. 

2 Chronicles 33 - Manasseh the humble?

Manasseh is an interesting guy. First, he is evil; he does more evil than the nations that the Lord drove out from Israel (2 Chrn 33:9). The chronicle of his deeds is a scary list (vv. 3-7b; 2 Kings 21:3-16), not to mention that because of his sins, Judah is deported to Babylon (2 Kings 24:3-4). But here there is mention of Manasseh knowing the Lord (2 Chrn 33:13b), destroying idols (v. 15), restoring Temple sacrifices (vv. 16-17), his prayer (vv. 18,19), and his humility (vv. 19,23). In spite of his wickedness and the innocent blood he shed, he could still know the Lord our God and repent. There is no person beyond the grasp of our Lord; His mercy can reach anyone!

2 Chronicles 32 - You don't mess around with the Lord

Now, therefore, do not let Hezekiah deceive you or mislead you in this fashion, and do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand! - 2 Chrn 32:15

This passage is like watching a suspenseful movie: the bad guy always puts the good guy in a "death trap" that will slowly kill him by some unique means (like being lowered into a pit of piranhas). The good guy, of course, escapes and saves the day. But this is real life and we are not sure if Hezekiah's tale will end in movie-like fashion. We have actually seen this story before - it is quite similar to David and Goliath. Sennacherib (through his servants) makes the following 'battle' a spiritual one; it is your god against my god. But he has messed with the wrong god - this god is the Lord God, those other gods were not gods at all. We are often overwhelmed at the progress certain philosophies make into our lives. We see them as unstoppable forces that cannot be turned, but yet our God has the victory time and time again. We see systems that refuse to acknowledge the lordship of Jesus and we see them fall. This is a predictable pattern throughout history - if you fight God you will lose. I like the T-shirt that says on the front - "'God is dead.' - Nietzsche" but on the back it says, "'Nietzsche is dead.' - God."

2 Chronicles 31 – Leading by example

It is easy to say, "Give, give" and then see how people respond before you actually give. But Hezekiah gave out of his own possessions (2 Chrn 31:3-5) before he issued the command for other people. As one who admonishes people weekly, it is important that I be doing the very things I am asking other people to do. It only makes sense. While yes, the people should have been giving to the Temple, and yes, they should have been offering sacrifices regardless of what the king is doing, but the king should have been doing this as well. Hezekiah is not playing the "I'll do it if you go first" game; he is working through his own heart first and then 'inviting' (read: ordering, he is the king after all) others to join him.

2 Chronicles 30 – Holding off the party

Hezekiah, a righteous king of Judah, decides to hold off celebrating the Passover for a month since the priests were not consecrated for the task (2 Chrn 30:2-4). Could you imagine not have an Easter service because members of the music team were not spiritually prepared to participate in the service? Two things need to be noted. First, Jesus is the one who consecrates us so; he is our perfect high priest. His sacrifice is good for all time for us to be presented blamelessly before the Lord our God. Second, this shows us the level of concern we should have with holiness. Yes, Jesus justifies us, but the process of holiness in our lives (often called sanctification) is continually being worked out as we follow Christ. Like Jesus, we are to be holy (1 Peter 1:13-16), and this is a very important part of our lives – especially since we are now under the blood and justified. We are changed people!

2 Chronicles 26 – Pride of Uzziah

And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. But Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty priests of the LORD who were men of valor, and they withstood King Uzziah and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the LORD God." – 2 Chrn 26:15b-18

When we have a taste of success, we think we can do anything. Maybe that is why we see movie stars and athletes in real-life roles that seem unusual. Acknowledging our own boundaries and limits is very difficult. If we have success in one area, then why wouldn’t we have success in another? If I know a bunch about business, why wouldn’t I be able to meaningfully contribute to any other situation? If I am at the top of my game, I should be able to do whatever I want. I demand respect, an audience, the ability to do what others are doing, for me to make suggestions and they be kept, etc.

Pride.

2 Chronicles 24 – A mild case of forgetfulness

Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah's father, had shown him, but killed his son. And when he was dying, he said, "May the LORD see and avenge!"  At the end of the year the army of the Syrians came up against Joash. They came to Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus. Though the army of the Syrians had come with few men, the LORD delivered into their hand a very great army, because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. Thus they executed judgment on Joash. When they had departed from him, leaving him severely wounded, his servants conspired against him because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed. So he died, and they buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings. – 2 Chrn 24:22-25 (ESV)

 

Oh Joash!  How far you have fallen!  This is a grim reminder for us to persevere or we too could forget about following the Lord and turn towards dastardly deeds.   This story is so sad – Jehoiada risked so much to save this boy and trained him up in the way of the Lord (2 Chrn 24:2).  Now his own son is killed by him.   The key for us is that God will avenge; the Lord will not let evil be unaccounted for.  We must realize that it is not our place to take revenge for the wrongs done to us.   But vengeance will come from the Lord, who loves justice and is powerful to save. 

2 Chronicles 22-23 – The company we keep

But it was ordained by God that the downfall of Ahaziah should come about through his going to visit Joram. For when he came there, he went out with Jehoram to meet Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab. – 2 Chrn 22:7 (ESV)

But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were about to be put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of Jehoiada the priest, because she was a sister of Ahaziah, hid him from Athaliah, so that she did not put him to death. And he remained with them six years, hidden in the house of God, while Athaliah reigned over the land. – 2 Chrn 22:11-12 (ESV)

Two kings, Ahaziah and Joash, are both affected by those around them. For Ahaziah, his downfall was his association with the house of Ahab (2 Chrn 22:7). But for Joash, his training came under the faithful guidance of Jehoiada the priest. There is even a follow up verse showing Jehoiada’s influence: 2 Chrn 24:2 (ESV) – Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. Who influences us? Who are we being mentored by? What we turn our ears toward may strengthen our faithfulness to the Lord or it may be our undoing.

2 Chronicles 19-20 – Turning the tables

And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,

"Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever."

And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. – 2 Chrn 20:21-22 (ESV)

Jehoshaphat is faced with a large opposing army. He doesn’t make light of the force arrayed against him, but he does turn to the Lord. Then the Lord works while the people are praising Him (v 20:21-22). When they go to spy on the opposing force, they see only dead bodies, ready to loot. This is what God does; he turns the tables on our circumstances. The Lord works at this from both sides: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

2 Chronicles 17 - Doing some things right

Jehoshaphat is a king that gets some things right.  First, he takes care of some national security issues.  Secondly, he sends out teams of instructors to teach the Torah to people.  Third, the infrastructure is strong with tribute from other countries and supplies.  Yes, things are going well and God is blessing.  God is pleased with Jehoshaphat's devotion - not his skill as a military leader, an administrator, nor as a city planner.  That is what the Lord truly looks for - that we would give Him our devotion.

2 Chronicles 16 – The mistrust of Asa

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars. 2 Chrn 16:9 (ESV)

For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. – Romans 14:23b (ESV)

Ramah, a city within Judah and just north of Jerusalem, is being fortified by king Baasha of Israel. Asa, being very concerned, calls on a northern nation, Syria, to invade Israel so they will quit fortifying Ramah. Israel responds by shifting their efforts in the south and moving their materials and men to the north. Sounds like a good plan right? Wrong. By His former actions (chs 14-15), God has shown Asa that He will defend His nation and His name if Asa would merely trust Him. The tragic proclamation by Hanani the seer (2 Chrn 16:9) angers Asa and he lives the rest of his life in bitterness. Our hearts are to be the Lord’s. Even in actions that may not seem sinful, we know when we are not trusting in the Lord. Paul even shows how this principle applies to our eating habits (Rom 14)! While we need to be slow to condemn others in more grey areas, we also need to be careful of approving methods for ourselves just because someone else can do it. Calling for help is not in and of itself a bad thing, but here was an opportunity for Asa to trust the Lord and he did not do it.


Note the location of:

• Ramah, the site of the Israeli fortification
• Jerusalem, the Judean capital
• Bethel, the worship center for the southern golden calf idol
  

2 Chronicles 14-15 – The courage of Asa

Asa is a good king that has a series of courageous deeds.  First, he goes against an army of one million Ethiopians and succeeds (2 Chrn 14:9-15).   Secondly, he has the courage to remove the idols in the land of Judah (2 Chrn 15:1-15).  Idols were not just a religious preference, but their worship was a way of life.   It would be akin to Asa taking all of our TV sets or credit cards.  Finally, Asa confronts his own mother about her idols (2 Chrn 15:16).   She is dethroned as Queen Mother and her items were burned.  We need to grow in our courage, like king Asa.  We see the Lord work in our lives, but then we become fearful.   Asa (at least in chs 14 & 15) shows a progressive courage that leads him to be able to do the right thing, even if it involved his own mother. 

2 Chronicles 13 – An opportunity to return

Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed. – 2 Chrn 13:12 (ESV)

The kingdom has been split by a greedy king Rehoboam. Even though Rehoboam was in the wrong, the new Israelite king, Jeroboam, sets up an abomination – two golden calves for the people of Israel to worship. Now Rehoboam’s son, Abijah (means my father is the Lord), tries to compel Jeroboam to come back to the kingdom. Abijah ultimately conquered Jeroboam, but the problem of separation remained. Bethel is conquered (the city of the southern idol) but yet there is no mention of a real movement back the Judah. This is the same sad story people today face – God has come and provided a way out of rebellion, but they still continue to rebel. Our hearts need to be sensitive to returning to Him. God often conquers an area in our lives by providing a means of escape, but we still must choose to go to Him. 

2 Chronicles 7 – Goodness of God

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD's house. When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." – 2 Chrn 7:1-3 (ESV)

So you are at a pivotal dedication and at the end, fire falls from heaven and the glory of the Lord fills the place. What would your response be? Worship – sure, praise – of course, but what would you actually say? Great is the Lord! Mighty are His deeds! I guess I am a bit surprised that the people responded with, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." This phrase reminds us of Psalm 136 that repeats the refrain, "For his steadfast love endures forever." The response is often said after a great exploit of the Lord, a mighty show of His power. Many times we separate the Lord's power from His steadfast love. Here the nation and the psalmist make the correct connection between the Lord's involvement in the world and His steadfast love.

2 Chronicles 6 – Dwelling place of God

Solomon had no misconceived notions as to where the Lord was really going to live. Yes, he built a great temple and yes, it served as a focal point for the people of Israel, but God lives in heaven. The phrase, “hear in heaven,” tells of God’s wildness. Our Lord cannot be domesticated – He is unchained, unbounded, wild. Our God cannot be confined to a system that is corruptible by man. Even in our passage, we see that the people of Israel can be carried away to a foreign land because of their sin, and yet, God responds to their cries and to their repentance. Jesus is never too far away to hear nor is His arm too short to save.

2 Chronicles 2 – Being a blessing to others

Then Hiram the king of Tyre answered in a letter that he sent to Solomon, "Because the LORD loves his people, he has made you king over them." Hiram also said, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself. – 2 Chrn 2:11-12 (ESV)

Many people go through their days just surviving, well, surviving and trying to satisfy their desires. If we want more money, it's so we can have better homes and cars. If we want to improve ourselves, it's so that we can superiority over other people we know. If we want to do good, it's so we can have recognition. I feel that we can miss out on an excellent reason for self-improvement – to serve others. Solomon had a 'self-improvement' opportunity with the Lord; the Lord blessed him with wisdom. This 'new and improved' Solomon was the result of the Lord's love for His people. The Lord wanted Solomon to use wisdom to govern the people because the Lord loved Israel. All of our gifts are from God; we should have the mind to serve others with them.