2 Chronicles / chapter 36 (read the chapter)
I probably should have titled this blog God reason with us (or at least He tries to). That was the story with this last chapter of 2 Chronicles. We finally got to the end of the history of Israelite kings, and it reminded me of a tailspin . . . right down into Babylonian captivity. Continue Reading »
2 Chronicles / chapter 35 (read the chapter)
As a church musician, I have always been intrigued with the somewhat-common idea (amongst musicians especially) that letting the Holy Spirit work means preparing very little (or not at all) ahead of time. Have you ever encountered that attitude? I actually worked with a group of musicians once who steadfastly refused to rehearse in the belief that leaving themselves totally open “in the moment” would allow the Holy Spirit to control and direct all their music. Continue Reading »
2 Chronicles / chapter 34 (read the chapter)
Once again, a king in Judah (Josiah, this time) was trying to reform the spiritual state of the nation. After years of idol worship and evil-doing kings (with little respite in between), here was a king who was determined to seek God and do things His way. And in the process of restoring the temple, the chief priest found the Book of the Law. Apparently, it had been lost—either accidentally or intentionally. Either way, when Josiah heard what was in the Book of the Law, he was quite distraught. He tore his robes and wept. Continue Reading »
2 Chronicles / chapter 33 (read the chapter)
It’s kind of hard to believe that—after seeing such a wonderful example of a king in his father, Hezekiah—Manasseh could be so wicked. He virtually reversed every good thing his father had done during his reign. However, maybe that’s what happens when a twelve-year-old becomes a king! Can you imagine putting a teenager in charge of a country? Mercy! Continue Reading »
2 Chronicles / chapter 32 (read the chapter)
I must say, Hezekiah was an awesome king. He didn’t do what so many of the other kings of Judah did—which was start out well, but end miserably. With the exception of one minor hiccup recorded in this chapter, it seems he was steadily faithful to God his whole life. Continue Reading »
2 Chronicles / chapter 31 (read the chapter)
Today’s blog will center around the last verse of this chapter: “In everything that [Hezekiah] undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.” (vs 21) This is the key to prosperity and success in God’s universe—working for God with your whole heart, no matter what you do. This is what God does. Continue Reading »
2 Chronicles / chapter 30 (read the chapter)
After Hezekiah repaired the temple, he called the Israelites together to celebrate the Passover—something that hadn’t been done for a long, long time. It was a grand celebration—with music and feasting and thousands of sacrifices. The people were having such a great time that, at the end of the prescribed seven days, they decided to extend the celebration for another seven days. Continue Reading »
2 Chronicles / chapter 29 (read the chapter)
As I read this chapter, I couldn’t help but notice the emphasis on music. Particularly this verse: “Hezekiah gave the order to sacrifice the burnt offering on the altar. As the offering began, singing to the Lord began also, accompanied by trumpets and the instruments of David king of Israel.” (vs 27) Continue Reading »
2 Chronicles / chapter 28 (read the chapter)
In this chapter, there is a wonderful example of God’s principle of returning good for evil, inspired by leaders of Ephraim who urged the people of Israel to release the captives from Judah they had defeated in battle: “‘You must not bring those prisoners here,’ they said, ‘or we will be guilty before the Lord. Do you intend to add to our sin and guilt? For our guilt is already great, and his fierce anger rests on Israel.’ So the soldiers gave up the prisoners and plunder in the presence of the officials and all the assembly. The men designated by name took the prisoners, and from the plunder they clothed all who were naked. They provided them with clothes and sandals, food and drink, and healing balm. All those who were weak they put on donkeys. So they took them back to their fellow Israelites at Jericho, the City of Palms, and returned to Samaria.” (vs 13-15) Continue Reading »
2 Chronicles / chapter 27 (read the chapter)
One of the few accomplishments of King Jotham that is recorded in the Bible is this: “Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple of the Lord and did extensive work on the wall at the hill of Ophel.” (vs 3) Of course, any time anyone in Judah had regard for God’s temple, that was a good sign, but Bible scholars suggest that working on the “Upper Gate” of the temple means that Jotham rebuilt and restored the link between the temple and the palace in order to have free access from his house to God’s house. Continue Reading »
