Posts that reference the book of 2 Chronicles

2 Chron

Signs of Hardness: Rejecting Correction

One of the memorable details in the Exodus is Pharaoh hardening his heart. Despite the miracles, the plagues, the pronouncements of Moses, he persisted, and the end result was God’s judgment on him and his nation. Pharaoh wasn’t the only one with a hard heart. Israel soon developed one in the wilderness. In the Old Testament and New Testament, we are warned not to harden our hearts. It doesn’t happen overnight though. It starts with an action or an attitude and before we know it, we are cold and indifferent to God and His word. We’ve begun considering some cautionary signposts that mean we are on the road to a heart hardened toward God. So far we’ve discussed disobedience, wealth, and discontent. Today, let’s look at rejecting correction.

What does it mean to reject correction?

A large portion of the Old Testament narrative details how God graciously warns His errant people. He sends prophets to tell them where they have gotten off track and what changes they need to make. Unfortunately, they categorically ignored all those warnings. They refused to change, and instead were settled in their hearts and minds that they were okay. The prophets were either misinformed, making a big deal out of nothing, or they were in fact false prophets they should not listen to.

Here’s one example from the time of King Joash. He was a good king who took a hard turn to apostasy later in life.

Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the LORD; and they testified against them, but they would not listen. Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He also has forsaken you.’ ” So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 24:19-21

Rejecting correction can lead to a rejection of God’s standards, even with shocking results.

Jesus also warned about the dangers of rejecting a clear message to repent.

The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
Luke 11:32

How does this produce hardness?

Rejecting correction is evidence that we believe we are right and God is wrong. It may not be so overt at first, but that is the foundation we build on. We have no need to change. We self-justify. Our own standards are the ones that matter and we have not violated them. We become arrogant. We don’t need to submit to God.

How do you soften a heart hardened by a rejection of correction?

David’s great psalm of confession and repentance, Psalm 51, serves as a blueprint.

He asks for forgiveness (v. 1-2).
He confesses his sins (v. 3-6).
He prays for cleansing from the sin (v. 7-12).
He recommits himself to God’s service (v. 13-17).
He ends the psalm by praying for his nation (v. 18-19).

Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.
Psalm 51:4

Note that David is not rejecting God’s correction but fully agrees with God and recognizes God’s right to correct him.

Another important thing to remember is that God only corrects His children. Correction is actually confirmation that He loves us and is doing a work in us.

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
Hebrews 12:5-6

We don’t like to be corrected. It blows up our illusion that we are okay. But rejection of correction when it comes has far more dire consequences. Let’s keep our hearts soft.

Revival: Sacrifices and Offerings

By Paula Wiseman

We’re into the second month of the new year now. How are you doing on those resolutions? More importantly, are you experiencing REVIVAL? We have been looking at Biblical revivals to point us in the right direction. Last week, King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah renewed their faith in the midst of a battle. This week King Hezekiah leads Judah in a revival and renewed commitment to God. One of the revival’s early marks was an outpouring of sacrifices and offerings from the people.

When Hezekiah became king, his first act was reopen the Temple. It has been closed on the order of his father and had remained closed for a generation. He called for the priests and Levites to do whatever was necessary to prepare themselves and the Temple for worship. 2 Chronicles 29:17 tells us this task took sixteen days for this small army to accomplish.

Once completed the king oversaw a worship service unlike any that had been held in Judah in quite some time. In it Hezekiah proclaimed:

“Now you are consecrated to the LORD. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the LORD’s temple.” So the congregation brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all those with willing hearts brought burnt offerings.
2 Chronicles 29:31

The people responded and how. They brought so many offerings there weren’t enough priests to prepare them all. The revival continued and resulted in the greatest Passover celebration in the nation’s history.

So, what does this account have to do with us?

When our faith is revived, we can’t help but recognize all that God has done for us. Specifically, how He poured out His mercy and grace, lavishly and without reservation to save our unworthy souls. In turn, that realization stirs our hearts in at least two important ways.

To bring our tithes and offerings to give generously to the work of the gospel.

Ministers and missionaries in the New Testament as well as those called today make their living from the gifts and offerings of those ministered to. Paul says in 1 Timothy

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
1 Timothy 5:17-18

The world desperately needs the gospel and all believers can have a part in that great work through their gifts.

To give generously to help those in need.

One of the distinctive marks of believers is their love and care for each other, especially those in need. Again, Paul says,

At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.
Romans 15:25-26

If neither the spread of the gospel nor the needs of others move us to sacrifice and offerings perhaps we need revival as desperately as the people of Judah in Hezekiah’s day.

Revival in the Midst of the Battle

By Paula Wiseman

Revival in the midst of battle title graphic

We’re into the second month of the new year now. How are you doing on those resolutions? More importantly, are you experiencing REVIVAL? We have been looking at Biblical revivals to point us in the right direction. We’ve seen how Israel recommitted themselves to God’s Law after their great sin in making the golden calf. The prophet Samuel led the nation in a revival that began with throwing out their idols. King David sets the example for worship. But sometimes revival breaks out in unexpected circumstances, like when King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah renewed their faith in the midst of a battle.

Jehoshaphat was a decent king. He was generally a good, godly ruler, but he was overly friendly with Ahab, the wicked king of the northern kingdom, Israel. He allowed his son to marry Ahab’s daughter and he agreed to join Ahab in battle against the Arameans at the battle of Ramoth-gilead. The king barely escaped with his life. Ahab was not so fortunate. A prophet named Jehu called the king out for his lack of wisdom and discernment. Jehoshaphat got the message. But not long after, Moab and Ammon both declare war on Judah. Let’s pick up the narrative in 2 Chronicles 20

The battle looms

Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).” Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
2 Chronicles 20:2-3 (NAS)

Faced with an enemy, Jehoshaphat calls for a fast and seeks the Lord. Unspoken in that, is repentance, getting rid of pride and self-sufficiency. The king claims the promises God made to His people.

“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)

In this moment of fear and desperation, Jehoshaphat is doing exactly what he should.
When we face our own times of powerlessness and fear, we should follow the king’s example and bring it all to God, remembering His goodness, His love and mercy, and His power and promises.

God hears the king’s prayer and sends this message:

‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”
2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 (ESV)

Notice God does not deny that Judah is facing a real threat. He agrees the coming army is “a great horde.” But He is set to fight for and deliver Judah.

This is when revival breaks out.

Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
2 Chronicles 20:18-19 (ESV)

The next morning as the army of Judah marched out to fight the enemy the king appointed singers to go before the army, singing, “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 Chronicles 20:22 (ESV)

The revival happened BEFORE the victory.

When the people focused on the character of God and His holiness, their faith was revived. Their spirits were stirred, and they burst out in songs of praise as they marched to battle. They did not have to wait for proof that God would deliver. They trusted that His word was good.

Perhaps the battles we face don’t have such well-defined armies of enemies. Perhaps the timing is uncertain. But GOD is the same. HE is the same God who heard and responded to Jehoshaphat’s prayers. If we meet our battles with consecrated faith rather than knee-jerk fear, we can have revivial even in the midst of battle.

Lessons from the Good Kings: Jotham

By Paula

So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God. 2 Chronicles 27:6

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been surveying the lives of some of the kings of Judah. Today is our last one. Maybe you’re not into history. But all of these guys– Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah— should encourage us and bring us hope. That’s why we have their stories. We’ll finish up with Jotham.

Jotham was a young man, only twenty-five when he ascended to the throne. However, he was well-prepared for his reign. We saw last week that his father, Uzziah, had been struck with leprosy and forced to live out his last years in seclusion. This left Jotham to fulfill all the official duties of a king for a full decade before ruling on his own.

Scripture doesn’t tell us very much about Jotham, fewer than two dozen verses in fact, so it’s tempting to skip him as unimportant. But a close, thoughtful reading shows some admirable things about this king.

Jotham learned from his father’s failures.

2 Chronicles 27:2 makes a point of telling us that Jotham did not enter the Temple presumptuously. Furthermore, the chronicler uses the very same word to describe Jotham — mighty — as he did for Uzziah in 26:16. However, that was the moment Uzziah became filled with pride. Jotham was tremendously blessed with civil, financial and military success, but he remained humble.

We need to be wise enough to learn from others. It is easy to tell ourselves that the bad outcomes won’t happen to us, that we will somehow be different, but that rarely happens. Jotham knew pride and presumption led to disastrous consequences and he resolved not to give in to it.

Jotham remained committed to God, leading by example, even though his subjects persisted in their corrupt lifestyles.

As king, there is no doubt his every move was scrutinized. There is no comment on whether or not Jotham was a popular king, only that he was a godly one.

We too must remain steadfast even when we are in the minority. This will only be more difficult as our culture becomes more and more stridently anti-God. (Unless of course God intervenes and a great revival breaks out.)

Jotham’s purposefully ordered his life, his routines, his habits so that they lined up with God’s law.

His life was marked not simply be the absence of evil but by the presence of godliness.

We can’t expect a God-honoring life to happen by accident. It takes intentional effort to cultivate as well as time and practice to make it a reality. Let’s renew our commitment to holiness.

Unfortunately, Jotham’s reign was a short one. He died at forty-one and his son Ahaz became king. Ahaz was the opposite of his father. He worshiped the idols of Israel and even sacrificed his children to the false gods. (2 Chronicles 28:3) Not even a stunning defeat at the hands of Israel and Syria, including the death of his own son in the battle, could bring Ahaz back to his senses. However, Jotham’s grandson, Hezekiah, built on the foundation of devotion to God. You can read about Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 29-32 and in the book of Isaiah.

The thing that stands out to me in this survey of the kings is that godliness is not necessarily passed on. Some good kings had evil sons. Sometimes, we as teachers, leaders, or parents can instruct and model faith, but each individual must decide to embrace it. That decision is out of our hands.

On the flip side, some good godly kings came from wicked, idolatrous parents. This shows that legacy is not destiny. We shouldn’t write anyone off because of their family or background.

We’ll start a new series next week!

Lessons from the Good Kings: Amaziah

By Paula

And [Amaziah] did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart. 2 Chronicles 25:2

Amaziah followed the Law of Moses rather than customs of the day. One of his first official acts as king was to deal with his father’s assassins. 2 Chronicles 25:4 explains that he executed the servants who murdered his father, but he didn’t execute the children of the assassins. That practice was common in that day, and in all the nations around. (You may remember in Esther when Haman’s ten sons were also hanged as punishment for his plot.)

We live in a time when there is tremendous social and cultural pressure to conform. However, we need to choose daily and in every situation to follow God’s clear instructions and standards revealed in His word.

Amaziah listened to the advice of the man of God. The king assembled an army to face Edom. The Edomites were descended from Esau and were a perpetual thorn in the side of God’s people. To give himself a military advantage, he had hired a hundred thousand troops from the northern kingdom of Israel. An unnamed prophet came to him and said he could either go into battle with help from the troops from Ephraim or with help from Yahweh, but not both… Get rid of the northern kingdom soldiers. Amaziah wisely listened and sent the hired troops home. He won a stunning victory over Edom.

We must be wise enough to follow godly counsel. In Amaziah’s case, that counsel seemed counterintuitive. More soldiers had to be better. Depending on the ungodly for a victory, though, was contrary to God’s plan for His people. Of course, it is critical that the counsel we follow is godly. (Check out some tips on finding a godly counselor)

Unfortunately, the great victory over Edom led to some grave sins by Amaziah. He brought Edomites gods home and began to worship them. Then he threatened the prophet who called him out for it.

Great victories can also be times of great vulnerability for us, too. We need to be especially vigilant then and sensitive to God’s correction when we get off-course.

Amaziah then thought he could take on the army of Israel which was three times the size of his own army and stood over a million strong. That proved to be a terrible decision with long-ranging consequences. Judah was soundly defeated. Amaziah himself was captured. The northern section of Jerusalem’s wall was destroyed leaving them unprotected from future attack. The Temple was plundered and hostages were carried off to Samaria.

Amaziah was returned to the throne but he was nothing more than a vassal to Jehoash of Israel. Those hostages were used to ensure that. It wasn’t long before the people got fed up with Amaziah and his rule. From the time when he turned away from the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But they sent after him to Lachish and put him to death there. 2 Chronicles 25:27 Amaziah was assassinated, just as his father had been.

The third lesson from Amaziah is that our pride, our self-sufficiency doesn’t just have negative consequences for us. It also negatively impacts those around us, especially those who depend on our leadership.

Amaziah did what was right but not wholeheartedly. Let that be a caution and a challenge. What motivates us to do what it right? Do we phone it in? Do we check the box and then move on to what really captures our imagination? How do we respond when called out? What does that tell us about where our true loyalties lie?

Amaziah was succeeded by his son Azariah, who reigned for fifty-two years. We’ll dig into his life and reign next week.

Lessons from the Good Kings: Joash

By Paula

And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 2 Chronicles 24:2

We know King David. And Solomon. Maybe even Hezekiah and Josiah. But there were many other kings in Judah, and admittedly, many were terrible. However, there were some good kings, not perfect kings, but good kings. These good kings can serve as examples of things we can do even in our culture, in our lives to honor God. So far we’ve studied Asa and his son, Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat’s son, Jehoram, began his reign with the execution of his brothers. 2 Chronicles 21:20, in recording his reign ends with “and, to no one’s sorrow, departed.” His son, Ahaziah, was no better and after his death in an ill-advised battle, Jehoram’s widow seized the throne and “destroyed all the royal heirs of the house of Judah.” (2 Chronicles 22:10)

Except one. Princess Jehoshabeath who was the wife of a priest named Jehoiada hid her toddler half-brother, Joash, in a room in the temple. Six years later, when Joash was seven years old, Jehoida led a group of men to overthrow Athaliah and establish Joash as the rightful king.

Joash leaned heavily on the advice of a godly mentor. You can read more about Jehoiada and his devotion to God in 2 Chronicles 23. He covenanted with the people and with Joash that they would be a people of God. He re-established the proper role of the priests and Levites. Everyone in Judah breathed a sigh of relief. He also chose wives for Joash. We can certainly argue that having two wives was outside God’s design, but it’s a subtle indication that Joash depended on the priest’s counsel.

The relationship between Joash and Jehoiada underscores our need both to be and to enlist a mentor. Of course, we are more likely to call it discipleship and maybe even do it in a small group setting, but that doesn’t erase the need or the importance of building deep relationships with other believers. That is the model Jesus established in His earthly ministry and we see it in the life of Paul later in the New Testament.

Joash had a heart for worship and for the house of God. Afterward, Joash took it to heart to renovate the LORD’s temple. 2 Chronicles 24:4 The Temple was the place God Himself chose to dwell and the respect the people showed to the place was a reflection of their devotion to the One who dwelt between the cherubim. Joash reinstituted the collection Moses had set up to pay for the upkeep of the tabernacle. Verse 13 says the collection was enough to restore the house of God to its original condition and it was reinforced as well. The original condition was what Solomon built. This was no small undertaking and a significant expense.

We tend to shy away from venerating the place we worship. It’s “just a building” and certainly the church of God is the people of God. However, do we have an intense desire to restore, to revive our worship? Do we long to meet with God, to be where He meets with His people? Are we generous with our contributions so that His full glory can be made known?

Joash walked away. Now after the death of Jehoiada the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them. And they abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols. 2 Chronicles 24:17-18a. The unsettling conclusion seems to be that Joash’s faith and devotion to God were shallow at best. When flatterers came, he knowingly, willingly walked away from truth and embraced a lie. That is the very definition of apostasy.

And it got worse. When Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah, called him out, Joash had the priest murdered. This brazen act ultimately resulted in Joash’s assassination at the hands of his own servants. He was buried without honor.

This is a cautionary lesson for us. Are we clinging to truth or are we enamored with lies? Are we following the God of Scripture or a god we created? How do we react when we are called out for our sins? Do we become defensive and lash out at the messenger or do we thank God for sending correction?

Following Christ is a lifetime occupation, not just a fad for a season. Next week, we’ll see how Joash’s failures impacted his son, Amaziah.