Sunday, December 28, 2008

Cyrus

The start of Ezra is the same as the end of 2 Chronicles. I like that segway. Also, Cyrus seems to be very kind to Israel, letting them return to their land. I hope he is blessed for that.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Dude, step down

Josiah seems to be a good King. He seems to want to please God and obey him. He did a lot of good things in Israel. But what he doesn't seem to know is he has to pick his battles.
20 After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. 21 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, "What quarrel is there between you and me, O king of Judah? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you."

22 Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Neco had said at God's command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.

23 Archers shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, "Take me away; I am badly wounded."

This unfortunately, leads to the death of Josiah and a very bad downward spiral for Judah, who all seem to shortly thereafter be taken captive by opposing communities.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Book of the Law

In 2 Chronicles 34 when they are renovating the Temple, they find the book of the law. And they read it and realize all the things that have been done wrong in the past. So King Josiah asks someone to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord tells the prophetess that disaster is coming because the Law has not been obeyed, but He will delay it because Josiah was humbled by the reading, so that it will not occur in his lifetime.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Stories of the Kings

As I continued reading in Chronicles about more Kings and what were the defining moments in their lives, I thought about why it is recorded so. That it is important that we hear other people's stories, to learn from their defining moments.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Under attack

In 2 Chronicles 32 Hezekiah feels a threat from Sennacherib. His course of action:
1) Make his area look less appealing (they go and stop up the water supplies)
2) Fortify his defences
3) Tells his military guys to remember that the Lord helps us and fights our battles.
Then Sennacherib lays seige to the area, an outright threat. He delivers a campaign of intimidation and mocking of God. It is interesting that he begins with a mental terrorist campaign instead of a physical one.
Hezekiah's new course of action:
1) Pray
Hezekiah did everything he could do to prepare. Then he prays and God delivered his country/area.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Restoration

The chapters about Hezekiah show restoration. He restores the Temple, the passover celebration, the practice of tithing. Idol worship is cut down. Resoration is a healing thing.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Hezekiah

Hezekiah seems like a good dude. He restored the Temple. He sends an invitation out to the people to come and celebrate the passover. Some people scorned this idea, some people humbles themselves.
12 Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD.

Praying for unity

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Uzziah

2 Chronicles 26 talks about King Uzziah's reign. This is the same Uzziah that Isaiah refers to in Isaiah 6, I believe.
5 He (Uzziah) sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.
...
16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.

He decided he wanted to burn incense in the temple, which apparently he was not permitted to do, even though he was the King. Which he probably thought, because he was the King, he could do what he liked. But it was pride. The priests who went to tell him it was wrong, he 'raged' at. He likely KNEW it was wrong, and knew they were right, thus the eruption in rage. He was struck with leprosy. The priests hurried away. 20...Indeed, he himself was eager to leave... Indeed.

Friday, December 19, 2008

money

2 Chronicles 25:6 He (Amaziah) also hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel for a hundred talents of silver.

7 But a man of God came to him and said, "O king, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the people of Ephraim. 8 Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow."

9 Amaziah asked the man of God, "But what about the hundred talents I paid for these Israelite troops?"
The man of God replied, "The LORD can give you much more than that."

10 So Amaziah dismissed the troops who had come to him from Ephraim and sent them home. They were furious with Judah and left for home in a great rage.

In times of economic crises, it is good to remember that though money may be lost, God can restore.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The child shall be King

In 2 Chronicles 23 the head priest (who has been hiding away the only royal heir who was not killed by Athaliah) organizes a coup and a seven year old is installed as King. James is almost 7 and while I'm sure he would love to be king, I am not sure he would have the actual capacity to do the kingly things. So this boy was more of a figurehead. I think the priest did most of the thinking for him. And that priest stayed with him and kept him on track for the whole of the priests life. But when the priest died, the king ran it off in a ditch. Apparently he was influenced as deeply for good as I'm sure his mentor would have liked.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Wife of Jehoram

These 2 were a match made somewhere. After Jehoram died Ahaziah becomes king. He walks in the ways of Ahab. Jehu kills him within a year.
When the mother of Ahaziah (widow of Jehoram) finds out he is dead, she goes and kills all the other royals, so that she can rule the land. It sounds like these people were so filled with desire for power, they forgot about the people. She didn't even know how many royal princes there were, so she didn't know that one had been hidden away.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Jehoram

Jehoram was the eldest son of Jehoshaphat and when his father died and left him the kingdom, he killed all his brothers. How does a person grow up with so little regard for human life, only regard for himself?
When he died 2 Chronicles 21:20 says He passed away, to no one's regret
Sounds like his winning ways did not garner much respect among the people.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

You will not have to fight this battle

In 2 Chronicles 20 and army comes against Jehoshaphat and he prays a great prayer that ends with
For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.2 Chronicles 20:12

I seems to be back with the desperation again.
God answers by a prophecy through Jahaziel that ends with
17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'

A lot of times Israel did have to fight the battle, but for this one, they didn't. The enemies killed each other before Israel got there and so God had delivered them. Sometimes we have to fight for deliverance and sometimes it's all God's work.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Understanding

I have read 2 Chronicles 18 a lot because I love the plot on it. So going in to the chapter I prayed that I would get out of the chapter what God wanted me to get. Since I read it a lot, how much more would there be to get? But seriously, the Bible is kind of a living organism. You keep poking and you'll discover something you haven't seen before!

So the summary is that Ahab and Jehoshaphat (A and J for the rest of this post!) are planning on going out to war together and J says that they had better ask God first. So A brings out 400 guys who say that everything is going to go well. Then J asks for a prophet of the Lord. Apparently, J could see that the spirit of the Lord was not with these people. That they just wanted to make A happy and say what he wanted to hear, not necessarily what the Lord wanted to say. Then A says there is one, but he hates him because he always prophesies bad stuff. They bring him and at first he says it will all go well. But we don't really know with what tone he said that. Was it mocking? Because they say to him, he needs to tell the truth. And so he does.

16 Then Micaiah answered, "I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, 'These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.' "

17 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?"

18 Micaiah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD : I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing on his right and on his left. 19 And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?'
"One suggested this, and another that. 20 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.'
" 'By what means?' the LORD asked.

21 " 'I will go and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said.
" 'You will succeed in enticing him,' said the LORD. 'Go and do it.'

22 "So now the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you."


Now I hadn't paid a lot of mind to this part before, because it probably didn't seem to fit in with my God is good and knows no move but good in your direction theology. It seemed a little odd that God wanted A to die. But did he really? Did he really hope that A would listen to the prophet and turn back to Him? Was it really a way for reconciliation?

What are the enticing spirits of today? Drugs, alcohol, video games? There are many things that pull us away from God. But I think he's always hoping that we will turn from the enticing spirits and run to Him.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Teaching

Jehoshaphat seems to be a pretty good dude. I like how he makes sure that the people are taught. 2 Chronicles 17:7-9

Thursday, December 11, 2008

God is always there

In 2 Chronicles 16 Asa changes from relying on God to relying on another earthly king to keep him safe. When one is desperate, sometimes it is easier to rely on God than when things are going well. When you've got a friend who has a great earthly army. When you are sitting pretty. Maybe you can rely on earthly things.

But then Asa gets a disease in his feet and
Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.(2 Chron 16:11)

I can see God waiting, hoping that Asa will call on Him.

Oh God, help us rely on you in good times and in bad.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Prophecy

In 2 Chronicles 15 Azariah gives a prophecy. The resultant action is
8 When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of [a] Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD's temple.

Prophecy is not meant (in my opinion) as a 'feel good time'. If is comes from God, it has a purpose. There should be some result from prophecy either in the physical world (as above- the prophecy spurred Asa into action) or in a heart (prophecy can bring healing) or in the spiritual realm.

In one of my previous posts I noted that Maacah had a favored spot. In this chapter, Maacah is not so favored:
16 King Asa also deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole.

The favor of man (humans) can come and go. It is the favor of God we should be interested in obtaining.

Help me to look for favor from You and not from the world

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Desperate

2 Chronicles 14:11 "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you."


God seems to stick close to the desperate. Maybe that's why Rustle seems close to his heart.

Monday, December 8, 2008

2 to 1

In 2 Chronicles 13 Abijah and Jeroboam are going to war. Jeroboam's troops outnumber Abijah 2 to 1. Abijah starts out the battle declaring the they are the team committed to God. Jeroboam plans an ambush. Abijah calls out to God. Abijah wins.

a day late

After patting myself on the back a couple of days ago. I didn't post yesterday. I did write the post in my head, it just never made it to the computer, so I don't feel too bad :)

In this next chapter Rehoboam goes into offensive mode and takes some cities. Then a prophet comes to tell him because he abandoned God, so that now God is abandoning him. Then the leaders and the king humbled themselves.

2 Chronicles 12:12 Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD's anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah.


God is always open for us to humble ourselves no matter how far we have fallen.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Food, olive oil and wine

I have to say, I am rather pleased about my determination to post every day for advent and am quite enjoying it.

At the start of 2 Chronicles 11, Rehoboam is about to set out to war against Israel. But God said no. And they obeyed.

Then Rehoboam goes in defensive mode (if you aren't offensive, I guess having a good defense is good) and fortifies his cities. He also stocks up on supplies of food, olive oil and wine. I thought that was an interesting list of most important life commodities of the time.

Then the chapter goes on to discuss Rehoboams' wives and one interesting snippet is:
21 Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than any of his other wives and concubines.

A note that if you have more than one wife, you probably don't love them all the same. Also probably her children are more favored than the other wives...

When You say No, help me to respond in obedience.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Key Decisions

In 2 Chronicles 10 Rehoboam had a big decision to make. He knew it was a big decision as he asked for 3 days to think about the answer. He was a young king. This would set the stage for his reign. How would he treat the people? He consulted the elders who served with his (wise) father. They said be kind to the people. He consulted his friends, also young men. The young men saw it as a power trip- to show how strong a king he was. That he would not listen to the people. That he would make their lives harder. It was his friends he listened to. Probably their advice appealed to his ego more. The result was that the people revolted.
Key decisions need wisdom.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Sheba

It is one thing to hear about something. It is another thing to see it yourself.

2 Chronicles 9:3 When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, 4 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.
5 She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 6 But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard.


Sometimes we just have to experience things. See it, breathe it, feel it.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

reasoning

Here's a verse I didn't quite get the reasoning on:
2 Chronicles 8:11 Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her, for he said, "My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the LORD has entered are holy."

-wasn't she living in the palace of David when he brought her up?
-wouldn't that make her feel bad knowing that she could not go to holy places? why did he marry her if that was going to be a problem? wouldn't you feel bad being told that you would defile a place?
-am I missing something?

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Time

After Solomon prays the prayer in 2 Chr. 6 "the glory of the LORD filled the temple". There was some sort of physical presence of God on Earth. The priests could not enter the temple because of this. Then the people take about 8 days to sacrifice and celebrate. 8 days! That's a long time. But God must have been pleased with the dedication as He speaks to Solomon and part of it is this:
2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will 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

Which, while I knew the verse before, I hadn't seen it as an echo to what Solomon prayed earlier until now.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Hear from heaven

I really enjoyed 2 Chronicles 6, especially Solomon's prayer of dedication. This part gets repeated a number of times, looking at different situations, but the same idea:

21 Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.


If we turn to Him, He can hear from heaven and forgive. And oh, how we need that so much.

Lord, hear our prayers and forgive us.