Chronicles 28-30
Ahaz became the downfall of Judah. One theme that arises in chapter 28 is the language of “provoking the Lord to anger” (e.g 28:25). It is one thing to disobey God or to reject him, but it seems that Ahaz goes out of his way provoke God’s anger. Appallingly, v.3 says that he even sacrifices his own sons to his idols. God clearly responds by allowing Judah to be defeated by king Ahaz of Israel. In addition to this, in 722 B.C. during the reign of Ahaz, both Israel and Judah had become vassals of Assyria. Ahaz provokes God’s anger and dies in rebellion against God. As startling as these events are, so equally surprising is the entrance of a good king, Hezekiah. A theme we see throughout Chronicles is that whether a king is good or bad doesn’t necessarily depend upon the actions of his predecessor. So here, Hezekiah as a good king appears out of thin air. There is no explanation as to why he “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD” (29:2), but what is clear is that no one expected a good king. Hezekiah works miracles for God’s people and the words of chapter 30 end with, “So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem” (30:26). The author devotes more time to Hezekiah than any king in II Chronicles except for Solomon. It is as if the nation is turning back to the Lord, but there are still problems. The people are scattered, some are in rebellion, and other’s mock the invitation to return to the Lord (30:10). The work that Hezekiah performs to restore Judah and the whole assembly that came from Israel is outlined in great detail to show how far God’s people had fallen. The repentance of a nation was not a quick event, but required cleansing, appointments, remembrance, sacrifice, and celebration. Once again God’s people celebrated the Passover together. Reflect: Any time we read of child sacrifice, our hearts grow weary and we think, “How could this happen?” or “Who could do such a thing?” More than this, “how could a nation be restored after falling so far away from God?” The most immediate comparison today is the issue of abortion. Roughly 900,000 babies are still aborted yearly in the United States of America, and the issue remains at the forefront of the Christian’s heart and mind. Abortions are not the main link in chapters 28-30, but the connection is the same, idolatry. While idols today look different, the results can often be the same sins we read about in the ancient scriptures. Whole societies can be led astray by evil leaders, causing many to turn away from the Lord. The great and wonderful news, is that with God is restoration. God does not leave or forsake his people. God took a nation in great sin, and through a great leader, brought them to repentance. “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still” (Corrie Ten Boom). Take some time and pray against the practice of abortion in our country, but more so, pray against the idols behind these actions. Pray that God might raise up godly leaders to address issues like these.. Pray for repentance and restoration of our nation. If you have had an abortion, know that just as Hezekiah led God’s people in repentance and restoration, in Jesus Christ there remains grace and forgiveness for anyone who comes to him. Connect: Hezekiah cleanses the house of the Lord, but today the temple of God is his people. What might cleansing the house of God look like today? Reflect on 1 Peter 4: 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[b] and of God rests upon you.15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[c] 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. - Rev. Joseph Bianco II Chronicles 25-27
And the pattern continues. By now you can probably recognize a pattern in the kings of Judah; some are good, some are bad, and some are both. This pattern continues with king Amaziah, Uzziah, and Jotham. The text clearly states that Amaziah, “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart.” Uzziah had a similar reign with a different conclusion, and Jotham had a relatively positive reign. There are two points that stand out separately in these texts that differ from the texts about the other kings. The first point is found in the language of a man of God in 25:9, “The man of God answered, ‘The LORD is able to give you much more than this.’” Surprisingly, while Amaziah obeys this word, the reader finds out that the discharged Israelites ransack Judah in anger. Why would God allow this to happen if Amaziah was obedient? The answer is found in 25:20, “But Amaziah would not listen, for it was of God, in order that he might give them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought the gods of Edom.” God knew the heart of Amaziah, that his obedience would not last. The truth that God is “able to give you much more” remains. The second point is found in the rebellion of Uzziah. Seemingly Uzziah is a far better king that Amaziah, but his pride (sound familiar? c.f chapter 16 “the fall of Asa”) is his downfall. What is unique regarding Uzziah is that his pride did not result in outright rebellion through idol worship, but inner rebellion. Uzziah was offered the chance to repent (v.18), but refused, thereafter being struck with leprosy. The old line comes to mind from the hymn “Come ye Sinners”… “If you tarry till your better, you will never come at all.” Uzziah tarried, and died in his rebellion. As a note of interest from the ESV commentary, “King Uzziah was not buried in the normal royal tombs of Jerusalem but in a field. A stone plaque was found in Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, from the Second Temple period that bears the inscription, ‘Here were brought the bones of Uzziah, king of Judah. Do not open!’ It may be that the king’s bones were moved to the Mount of Olives many centuries after his death.” Reflect: The line from 25:9, “The man of God answered, ‘The LORD is able to give you much more than this’” is particularly poignant. When faced with adversity (the temptation between paying for mercenaries and the Lord’s command to not ally with Israe), Amaziah made the right choice, and yet, “Amaziah would not listen, for it was of God, in order that he might give them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought the gods of Edom” (25:20). How might we apply this to our own lives? We are not kings of Israel or Judah and we certainly do not represent God to the people the way an Israelite king was supposed to represent God. Today, since the canon is closed, we don’t have prophetic words from prophets telling us how to act, yet, we can identify with the language and events of Amaziah. Often we feel like obedience will bring blessing, but sometimes we find ourselves “cursed.” Sometimes obedience can even make our lives appear worse. The story of Amaziah forces the reader to go deeper, to consider the heart. Amaziah had a heart in rebellion against God. Consider these questions: “Do you functionally operate in your daily life with the belief that right action equals an easy life?” “Do you get mad at God when he forces you to look deeper, into the motivations of your heart?” Take some time to pray and ask the Lord to search your heart. Ask the Lord to reveal the direction your heart is going. Connect: Luke 6:45 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. - Rev. Joseph Bianco 2 Chronicles 21-22
You don’t want to be part of the house of Ahab. Don’t do it. Ahab was the northern King who married his daughter Athaliah to Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram. The reason you don’t want to be part of the house of Ahab was because everyone of the house of Ahab worshipped idols, mixed religions (syncretism), and acted wickedly. The influence that the house of Ahab has over the kings of Judah is profound. As soon as Jehoram takes the throne, he murders all 6 of his brothers. As soon as Jehoram dies, Ahaziah becomes a wicked ruler, influenced by the house of Ahab, particularly his mother. As soon as Jehoram’s son Ahaziah is murdered, his mother Athaliah (Jehoram’s wife), kills everyone in the royal house. The Davidic line, however, is preserved by the hiding of Joash. So, what is the point God is making through these wicked rulers? First, God will not destroy the house of David because God keeps his promises (21:7). Second, there are clear consequences for Judah to align themselves with the house of Ahab (Northern Kingdom), specifically the associations that influence the kings of Judah to act wickedly. While God is willing to preserve the house of David, the wicked acts do not go unpunished, both Jehoram and Ahaziah suffer brutal deaths. In 22:7, we read that God uses Joram to bring the downfall of Ahaziah. What the reader sees very clearly in chapters 21 and 22 is generational and familial sin. Generational sin is the sin passed down from one generation to another, and familial sin is the sin caused by the influences that family members have over one another. In effect, we see the original sin of Adam passed down, the same sin that causes Cain to kill Abel is still plaguing God’s people. Reflect: We still feel the effects of generational and familial sin today. Perhaps you haven’t given much thought to sin that is specific to your family and your generations, but now is a good time to do so. Take some time and write down the sins you see in your immediate family, your parents, grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc… Can you recognize a pattern? Can you identify what the sins are? If you don’t know, considering calling a parent or grandparent to learn more. Part of the good news of the gospel is that we are not our sin. We belong to Jesus. We have been washed, we have been cleansed, we have been justified. While we are no longer our sins, those sins may still be apparent in our family and even our own actions. Take some time and pray for God to help you repent of familial and generational sin. Thank the Lord for the redeeming work of Jesus. Connect: 1 Corinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” - Rev. Joseph Bianco Chronicles 17-20 The story of Jehoshaphat can be summarized by Jehu in 19:2-3, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD. Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asherahs out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.” Jehoshaphat did many things that were honorable and exemplary, mainly listed in chapter 17, but it is clear by chapter 19 and at the end of chapter 20:35-37, that God did not desire an alliance between Judah and Israel. At the same time God does not forsake Jehoshaphat, but delivers him from his enemies whenever Jehoshaphat cries out to God for help. How do we understand this complicated relationship between the alliances that Jehoshaphat makes and his intermittent obedience to God? The story of Jehoshaphat illustrates the constant battle of Judah between complete obedience to God and the complete destruction of idols. Neither full obedience nor full idol-destruction occurs in these chapters, but there is a clear lesson given to the reader: God is not a God of half-measures, but God is also gracious and willing to forgive. Jehoshaphat did better than his father Asa, but was still far from perfect. Jehoshaphat did not seek God before saying to Ahab, “I am as you are, my people as your people. We will be with you in war” (18:3). Jehoshaphat did not seek God when making an alliance with Ahaziah to make ships: “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made” (20:37). Yet there were many times Jehoshaphat did seek God where his father Asa did not, like in the final battle of chapter 20. What does this story teach God’s people? Reflect: Jesus was a friend of sinners. It’s clear in the Gospels that Jesus spent time with people that were not like himself. He crossed racial, socio-economic, and even religious boundaries in his ministry. How do we understand this New Testament radicalism in light of the Old Testament nationalism? The answer lies in God’s covenant making. God makes a covenant with whom he chooses to make a covenant. The problem in the story of Jehoshaphat was not that God hated other ethnicities and races, but that it is God’s choice with whom he makes a covenant. God wants his people to seek his will, not their own. While Jesus was friends with sinners, he doesn’t become a sinner. While Jesus drank and ate with tax collectors, he did not become a tax collector. While Jesus associated with the sexually immoral, he always acted righteously. There is a constant temptation in the Christian life to turn from God and become like the very people to whom we are called to minister. The Christian must always hold in tension the covenant he shares with God and the call to preach the Gospel to every tribe, tongue, and nation without covenanting with them. Take some time in prayer, asking God to show you where you allow half-measures into your life and heart. Where do you seek the approval or advice of others before seeking God? Are you more tempted to withdraw from the secular world, or attracted by it? Connect: Matthew 11:16-19 16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” - Rev. Joseph Bianco Chronicles 14-16
The story of Asa is a tragedy, one that begins with great hope and peace but ends dismally, in destructive pride. In chapter 14 the author repeats the word “rest” three times, concluding the meaning of the repetition in v.5 with, “He had no war in those years.” The land had rest, the kingdom had rest, the land had rest, and he has no war in those years. The point is abundantly clear; with the Lord you will find rest. With the rest also came revival. There is a church in Liverpool Ohio, on the outskirts of the Pittsburgh presbytery, that is a lone bastion of hope in a town falling apart. Multiple churches line this street in the center of the city, but the congregations are a remnant of what once was a revival. In towns and places like these, we see ruins, but we pray again for renewal. The revival to ruins is reminiscent of Asa who continues to fight against the idolatry of his day. It was a constant battle for peace; the tearing down of the high places, the removing of the Asherah, even the removal of the queen mother. Sadly, in chapter 16 we read that while Asa fought well, he did not finish the race. In his own pride he did not seek the Lord, both in war and for his own health. Asa perished in his pride. Reflect: There are 3 ideas to reflect on from these chapters: Rest, Revival, and Pride. As you consider rest, ask yourself this question: Do you have peace? Not just personally, but does your community have peace? Your city? Your nation? In what ways can you contribute to peacemaking? As you consider revival, note that revival came second, but peace came first. Are you praying for revival in your city? Are you asking the Lord to move a nation to himself? Lastly, consider the pride of Asa. This is a man who saw the Lord save Judah from destruction and yet still, at the end of his life, died in his pride. Do you seek the Lord first? That was the charge against Asa, that he did not seek the Lord first. Pray and ask the Lord to keep you from pride and that you would seek Him first in everything. Connect: Matthew 5:9 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. - Rev. Joseph Bianco II Chronicles 11-13
Now that Rehoboam is King over Judah (the southern kingdom), the question remains of what the relationship will be between Rehoboam and Jeroboam (king over the northern kingdom Israel)? The answer is a clear division where Rehoboam seeks to remain faithful to God, but Jeroboam creates a kind of syncretistic religion involving gods of goats and calves (11:15). For this reason, chapters 11-13 make clear that God is on the side of the southern kingdom. This however is tested in chapter 12 when the author begins with the sentence, “When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD” (12:1). Therefore, God allows Egypt to plunder Jerusalem under the reign of King Shishak. Verse 9 is particularly poignant, where the reader sees the extent of the plundering reinforced by the language, “He took away everything” (12:9). Imagine the devastation of the people of Judah, to have the Lord’s house plundered, the heart of the nation. There is hope however for God is willing to forgive Rehoboam when he humbles himself. Nevertheless, Rehoboam is not viewed positively by the writer (12:14). The confession and repentance of Rehoboam makes way for Abijah the son of Rehoboam in chapter 13 to remain faithful to God. War continues to rage between the Northern and Southern kingdom, brothers killing brothers. At the end of chapter 13 we read that God’s command has apparently changed to not engage in fighting against Israel, and the writer says, “Thus the men of Israel were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers (13:18). Reflect: The most relatable section of scripture in these chapters is when we read that because Rehoboam grew strong, he abandoned the Law of the Lord. There is a close relationship between Rehoboam’s willingness to keep God’s law and God’s view of Rehoboam’s fidelity. Have you noticed in your own life, that when you feel strong, you are less likely to keep God’s law? Is there a universal principle of strength that correlates to rebellion against God? Are there exceptions? In what ways have you seen strength play out in faithfulness or rebellion? Take some time to pray ask for God to humble you, that you may always be dependent upon him. Connect: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. |
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April 2021
CategoriesAuthorThis blog is part of the ministry of City Reformed Presbyterian Church. Unless otherwise noted, the entries are written by Matt Koerber. This is part of a project that our church is doing as we read through the narrative sections of Scripture between early January and Easter 2020. New entries will be scheduled to drop automatically at 5:00 am on the scheduled day. |