Category: 2 Chronicles

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Four kings follow in quick succession. All four did evil in the eyes of the Lord. (See 2 Kings 23:32 for Jehoahaz.) The book ends with Cyrus’ proclamation regarding the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. The great aim of these two books is to encourage believers to build the Temple – for us it’s the Temple of His Spirit, the Church.

SJA Notes

“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, …”

Here we are at the end of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel/Judah.

One intent of Chronicles is seen very clearly here – In the brief rendition of the last handful of kings.

We are to remember that this book was written to the exiles returning.

Shortly we will begin reading through Ezra and Nehemiah, the details and accounts of the return of God’s people and the rebuilding of the temple.

But here we have a triumphant end to Chronicles – Because God is SOVEREIGN!

“… The LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, …”

We see God at work in the world powers. He brought the Chaldean army against Israel and He caused Cyrus to issue a command and proclamation for the return.

How good it is for us that in the person of God the Son, Jesus, God has proclaimed His love and grace and mercy to us!

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

* Father God,

Please help us see today what You want for us, what You wanted for the exiles returning.

Please fix within us a steady and sure hope in Your steadfast love and faithfulness – That You are Sovereign.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

This Passover was a spiritual high-point. Yet the complete dissolution of Israel happened within a few years. We must not rest on the laurels of the past. The Church is ever only one generation away from apostasy and decline. Our hope is in Jesus Christ – what He has started He will finish. He was raised from the dead – unlike Josiah!

SJA Notes

“He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD.”

This is what a king does!

He gives jobs and encourages us in our service.

And our true king, Jesus Christ, He does this.

Our good works, the jobs given to us in Jesus, were prepared _beforehand_ by God Himself (Ephesians 2:10).

As well, we are all part of the royal priesthood (living stones, spiritual house, 1 Peter 2).

Through Jesus our king we have been appointed to the service of God.

Let us be encouraged in this by Him. Jesus sent His Spirit to encourage us in our service.

We can be encouraged in reading of Josiah, he was a king who patterned Jesus in many ways.

* Dear Lord God,

Thank You for saving us to good works, that we do because You have saved us – As You call us, we love You therefore we do what You ask.

Please help us to love You more each day.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

For his first six years, Josiah knew only his grandfather’s faith! He followed that faith, the faith of his fathers that God blessed. There were many other faiths or religions of his ancestors that God did not bless, but judged, because they brought many evils. The high point was the rediscovery of the Bible! Unfortunately for God’s people, Josiah did not live forever! (v.33) Hallelujah for the birth of Jesus Christ!

SJA Notes

“And the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the LORD … Then he made all who were present in Jerusalem and in Benjamin to join in it.”

This was a good covenant that Josiah made with the Lord. We see true worship, we see humility before the word of the Lord, we see the people turning back to the Lord and idolatry put away and torn down.

It was a good covenant that the king made.

But the king died. And the people died.

As we have seen all through these generations, the spiritual health of the nation rises and falls in good part with the heart of the king.

But the king dies. And the people die.

That is why we need Jesus.

He is the ever-living king who has broken death.

The covenant God enacts through Jesus as King does not end, because our king does not die!

And He is the true man, who was both fully God but also fully man. He has experienced the hardship of this life, the trials and tribulations, and yet has remained without sin.

The covenant God enacts through Jesus as the righteous man does not end, because as God He is able to enact and keep both sides of the covenant – And we rest in Him! His righteousness is ours!

* Dear Lord God,

You have made it possible for us to know You, we though sinful and unable to save ourselves – You have worked so that Your right and holy and powerful justice is undiminished yet we can escape out from under it!

Thank You Lord! Praise Your Name!

Amen.