Cyrus, the king who sent the Jews back to Jerusalem has died and now the Jews are being questioned as to what they are doing. Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?" They also asked, "What are the names of the men constructing this building?" But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received. - Ezra 5:3-5 NIV
When the request reached Darius, he had the archives searched, and there was the Decree from Cyrus. Included in the decree were these words. Furthermore, I decree that if anyone changes this edict, a beam is to be pulled from his house and he is to be lifted up and impaled on it. And for this crime his house is to be made a pile of rubble. May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem. - Ezra 6:11-12 NIV
Harsh words from a king who was not a Jew. But Darius had observed the power of the Israelites God and he was not the only one to do so. Years later, when Ezra and Nehemiah went to Jerusalem with the blessing of another king, Artaxerxes, the following words were in Artaxerxes decree: Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and of his sons? - Ezra 7:23 NIV
Artaxerxes decree earned this response from Ezra. Praise be to the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king's heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way. - Ezra 7:27 NIV
The eye of God had been watching over his people from the very beginning. It was obvious to anyone who had the eyes to see it. It was obvious to the kings of Persia. It was obvious to Ezra.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Ezra 1-4: Joy Mixed with Sorrow
When Cyrus became king, God touched his heart and he issued the following proclamation: "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: " 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you—may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. offered to let any of the Jewish people that wanted return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Ezra 1:2-3 NIV
So the people returned to the cities from which they had been exiled The whole company numbered 42,360, besides their 7,337 menservants and maidservants; and they also had 200 men and women singers. They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys. - Ezra 2:63-67 NIV
Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord - Ezra 3:3 NIV
Then they began to celebrate all of the feasts that had been ordained by God in memory of all he had done in the past.
Finally, two years after they returned from captivity, it was time to lay the foundation of the temple. The priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever."
And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away. - Ezra 3:11-13 NIV
For those who still held the memory of the grandeur that had been the Temple, it was a bittersweet moment. But Solomon's temple was in another day and time. This was now. This was all they had. This was going to be the dwelling place for God in the here and now.
So the people returned to the cities from which they had been exiled The whole company numbered 42,360, besides their 7,337 menservants and maidservants; and they also had 200 men and women singers. They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys. - Ezra 2:63-67 NIV
Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord - Ezra 3:3 NIV
Then they began to celebrate all of the feasts that had been ordained by God in memory of all he had done in the past.
Finally, two years after they returned from captivity, it was time to lay the foundation of the temple. The priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever."
And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away. - Ezra 3:11-13 NIV
For those who still held the memory of the grandeur that had been the Temple, it was a bittersweet moment. But Solomon's temple was in another day and time. This was now. This was all they had. This was going to be the dwelling place for God in the here and now.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
2 Chronicles 34-36: The People Have Spoken
Time is running out for Judah and it is not just the fault of their leaders, though with the exception of Josiah, none of the kings after Hezekiah paid attention to God or his laws. But you can't blame the decline of Judah on the kings. Instead, the kings just mirrored the people. They gave the people what they wanted.
The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. - 2 Chron 36:15-16 NIV
One of those messengers was Jeremiah who was alive during the reign of Josiah. God showed Jeremiah that the sins of Judah had become even more egregious than those of Israel, who had already been taken into captivity.
During the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, "Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. Because Israel's immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense," declares the LORD.
The LORD said to me, "Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah." - Jeremiah 3:6-10
In the end, God is not looking for a godly king. He is looking for anyone who was godly. You can almost hear him pleading with Jeremiah, much like Abraham pleaded for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
"Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,
look around and consider,
search through her squares.
If you can find but one person
who deals honestly and seeks the truth,
I will forgive this city." - Jeremiah 5:1 NIV
Only one, one holy person, one person who has not bowed their knees to any other idols. That is all it would take to spare Judah But there were none to be found.
The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. - 2 Chron 36:15-16 NIV
One of those messengers was Jeremiah who was alive during the reign of Josiah. God showed Jeremiah that the sins of Judah had become even more egregious than those of Israel, who had already been taken into captivity.
During the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, "Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. Because Israel's immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense," declares the LORD.
The LORD said to me, "Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah." - Jeremiah 3:6-10
In the end, God is not looking for a godly king. He is looking for anyone who was godly. You can almost hear him pleading with Jeremiah, much like Abraham pleaded for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
"Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,
look around and consider,
search through her squares.
If you can find but one person
who deals honestly and seeks the truth,
I will forgive this city." - Jeremiah 5:1 NIV
Only one, one holy person, one person who has not bowed their knees to any other idols. That is all it would take to spare Judah But there were none to be found.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
2 Chronicles 32-33: With Him is Only the Arm of Flesh
After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, thinking to conquer them for himself. - 2 Chron 32:1 NIV Sennacherib thought he was invincible.
Hezekiah did not. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." 2 Chron 32:8
This battle, the battle between God's chosen people and his enemies, the battle for power, the battle between good and evil has been going on since the beginning of time. Even before the beginning of time as we know it, there was one who thought he was invincible
How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High." - Isaiah 14:12-15 NIV
The same end that came to Lucifer, the prince of heaven, came to Sennacherib and all who oppose God.
But you are brought down to the grave,
to the depths of the pit. - Isaiah 14:16 NIV
Hezekiah knew it, any Old Testament king that was invincible knew it, only God has the power to have the final say.
Hezekiah did not. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." 2 Chron 32:8
This battle, the battle between God's chosen people and his enemies, the battle for power, the battle between good and evil has been going on since the beginning of time. Even before the beginning of time as we know it, there was one who thought he was invincible
How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High." - Isaiah 14:12-15 NIV
The same end that came to Lucifer, the prince of heaven, came to Sennacherib and all who oppose God.
But you are brought down to the grave,
to the depths of the pit. - Isaiah 14:16 NIV
Hezekiah knew it, any Old Testament king that was invincible knew it, only God has the power to have the final say.
Monday, April 26, 2010
2 Chronicles 29-31: Return to God and He Will Return to You
Right off the bat, Hezekiah recognized that things had to be different. He saw what happened to his forbears when they ignored and willfully violated the Lord's commands. In the first month of his reign, he threw open the doors of the temple and commanded the priests and Levites to consecrate what had once been dedicated to the Lord but had become defiled by the ever more sinful procession of kings.
Once the temple was purified, they slaughtered bulls, rams, lambs and goats for a sin offering as had been commanded in the law. Then he had the Levites stand by with cymbals, harps and lyres to usher in the burnt offering. As the offering began, singing to the LORD began also, accompanied by trumpets and the instruments of David king of Israel. The whole assembly bowed in worship, while the singers sang and the trumpeters played. All this continued until the sacrifice of the burnt offering was completed. When the offerings were finished, the king and everyone present with him knelt down and worshiped. - 2 Chron. 19:27-29 NIV
Next they brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings and with that, the temple of the Lord was once more worthy of the one for whom it was built. So Hezekiah sent forth a proclamation to all of the people. "People of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left.....If you return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him." - 2 Chron. 31:6-9
And God did not turn away. It came to pass just as Solomon had prayed when the temple was originally dedicated. "Hear the supplication 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. " - 1 Kings 8:30 NIV
God did forgive and the people under a Godly king once again prospered. This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he 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. - 2 Chron 31:20-21
The nature of God is forgiveness. He has never turned away from those who humble themselves and turn to him.
Once the temple was purified, they slaughtered bulls, rams, lambs and goats for a sin offering as had been commanded in the law. Then he had the Levites stand by with cymbals, harps and lyres to usher in the burnt offering. As the offering began, singing to the LORD began also, accompanied by trumpets and the instruments of David king of Israel. The whole assembly bowed in worship, while the singers sang and the trumpeters played. All this continued until the sacrifice of the burnt offering was completed. When the offerings were finished, the king and everyone present with him knelt down and worshiped. - 2 Chron. 19:27-29 NIV
Next they brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings and with that, the temple of the Lord was once more worthy of the one for whom it was built. So Hezekiah sent forth a proclamation to all of the people. "People of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left.....If you return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him." - 2 Chron. 31:6-9
And God did not turn away. It came to pass just as Solomon had prayed when the temple was originally dedicated. "Hear the supplication 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. " - 1 Kings 8:30 NIV
God did forgive and the people under a Godly king once again prospered. This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he 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. - 2 Chron 31:20-21
The nature of God is forgiveness. He has never turned away from those who humble themselves and turn to him.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
2 Chronicles 25-28: Ever Hearing but Never Understanding
Joash's son Amaziah succeeded him to the throne. He followed God, but halfheartedly at best. The end result was he was taken captive by Jehoash, the king of Israel and who then broke down part of the wall of Jerusalem and took all the gold and silver from the temple. He suffered the same end that all of the kings who turned to other gods did. From the time that Amaziah turned away from following the LORD, they conspired against him in Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there - Chron. 25:27 NIV
Amaziah's son Uzziah succeeded him. Like his father, he followed God, up to a point. But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense....Uzziah rested with his fathers and was buried near them in a field for burial that belonged to the kings, for people said, "He had leprosy." - 2 Chron 26:16 NIV
Uzziah was followed by Jotham who started out following God like his father and grandfather. However, unlike them, Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God. - 2 Chron 27:6 NIV
After Uzziah his son Ahaz followed. Ahaz, however, made no pretense about being a follower of God. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and also made cast idols for worshiping the Baals. He burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, following the detestable ways of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree. Therefore the LORD his God handed him over to the king of Aram. - 2 Chron. 28:3-5
Is it any wonder that the Lord appeared to Isaiah during this time, causing him to record the following: In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. - Isaiah 6:1 KJV
And is it any wonder that the Lord told Isaiah:
"Go and tell this people:
"'Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' " - Isaiah 6:9 NIV
Four generations of kings, and only one could really see. The rest were blinded by power.
Amaziah's son Uzziah succeeded him. Like his father, he followed God, up to a point. But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense....Uzziah rested with his fathers and was buried near them in a field for burial that belonged to the kings, for people said, "He had leprosy." - 2 Chron 26:16 NIV
Uzziah was followed by Jotham who started out following God like his father and grandfather. However, unlike them, Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God. - 2 Chron 27:6 NIV
After Uzziah his son Ahaz followed. Ahaz, however, made no pretense about being a follower of God. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and also made cast idols for worshiping the Baals. He burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, following the detestable ways of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree. Therefore the LORD his God handed him over to the king of Aram. - 2 Chron. 28:3-5
Is it any wonder that the Lord appeared to Isaiah during this time, causing him to record the following: In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. - Isaiah 6:1 KJV
And is it any wonder that the Lord told Isaiah:
"Go and tell this people:
"'Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' " - Isaiah 6:9 NIV
Four generations of kings, and only one could really see. The rest were blinded by power.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
2 Chronicles 21-24: Power, Intrigue and Violence
Once Jehoshaphat died, the people turned to other gods and their history becomes much more violent, their reigns short lived, and the intrigue multiplies. Jehoram married the daughter of Ahab and had all of his brothers put to death. Elijah's message to Jehoram did no good. 'You have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa king of Judah. But you have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and you have led Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab did. You have also murdered your own brothers, members of your father's house, men who were better than you. So now the LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives and everything that is yours, with a heavy blow. You yourself will be very ill with a lingering disease of the bowels, until the disease causes your bowels to come out.' " - 2 Chron. 21:12-15 NIV
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. 2 Chron 21:20 NIV
Ahaziah, his youngest son became king. Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother's name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri. He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. - 2 Chron 22:2-3 NIV
Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother then began to reign and immediately killed all of Jehoram's sons except for Joash who was hidden by King Jehoram's daughter in the temple with the priest Jehoiada. Her reign lasted seven years.
Joash was anointed king and Athaliah put to death, when he was only seven years old. He was God fearing as long as Jehoiada was alive, but when he died, he was influenced by the people who wanted to worship other gods. He put Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest to death after the priest told them, "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey the LORD's commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.' " - 2 Chron 24:20 NIV
Forty years after his reign began, one that originally held the promise that they would again become a God fearing nation, Joash was murdered in his bed. The kings could not expect to live long unless they followed the Lord God, but the temptation of power by any other means was too great.
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. 2 Chron 21:20 NIV
Ahaziah, his youngest son became king. Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother's name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri. He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. - 2 Chron 22:2-3 NIV
Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother then began to reign and immediately killed all of Jehoram's sons except for Joash who was hidden by King Jehoram's daughter in the temple with the priest Jehoiada. Her reign lasted seven years.
Joash was anointed king and Athaliah put to death, when he was only seven years old. He was God fearing as long as Jehoiada was alive, but when he died, he was influenced by the people who wanted to worship other gods. He put Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest to death after the priest told them, "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey the LORD's commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.' " - 2 Chron 24:20 NIV
Forty years after his reign began, one that originally held the promise that they would again become a God fearing nation, Joash was murdered in his bed. The kings could not expect to live long unless they followed the Lord God, but the temptation of power by any other means was too great.
Friday, April 23, 2010
2 Chronicles 17-20: God Given Rest
When Asa died, his son Jehoshaphat succeeded him and he was as godly a king as his father, although he had a near mishap when he made an alliance with the Ahab, wicked king of Israel. As a result, Jehu the seer rebuked him. "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God." - 2 Chron. 19-1-3 NIV
There was good in Jehoshaphat. He appointed judges and exhorted them to "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery." - 2 Chron. 19:6-7 NIV
And when the vast armies of Moab and Ammon prepared to go against Judah, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the entire assembly of Judah and called on the Lord God. "O our God, will you not judge them? 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 Chron. 20:12 NIV
This prompted the spirit of the Lord to come on one of the Levites and he told Jehoshaphat: This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's....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.' " - 2 Chron. 20:15-17 NIV
So early in the morning they went out to fight. Not just the army, but with men appointed by Jehoshaphat singing praise to the Lord, praising him for the splendor of his holiness and saying 'Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.' Not only were they victorious, Judah did not have to raise a hand in battle. Their enemies destroyed themselves and all Judah had to do was collect the spoils. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side. - 2 Chron. 20:30
There was good in Jehoshaphat. He appointed judges and exhorted them to "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery." - 2 Chron. 19:6-7 NIV
And when the vast armies of Moab and Ammon prepared to go against Judah, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the entire assembly of Judah and called on the Lord God. "O our God, will you not judge them? 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 Chron. 20:12 NIV
This prompted the spirit of the Lord to come on one of the Levites and he told Jehoshaphat: This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's....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.' " - 2 Chron. 20:15-17 NIV
So early in the morning they went out to fight. Not just the army, but with men appointed by Jehoshaphat singing praise to the Lord, praising him for the splendor of his holiness and saying 'Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.' Not only were they victorious, Judah did not have to raise a hand in battle. Their enemies destroyed themselves and all Judah had to do was collect the spoils. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side. - 2 Chron. 20:30
Thursday, April 22, 2010
2 Chronicles 12-16: Forsaken and Forsaken
2 Chronicles goes into more details of the life of Asa, king of Judah tan is found in 1 Kings. Both books say that Asa was godly and that he destroyed the altars to foreign gods and the high places. 1 Kings 15 says that when he was old his feet became diseased then he rested with his fathers. That is only part of Asa's story.
Early on, Asa called on the Lord. When he went up to meet the vast army of Zerah, the Cushite, he cried out to God: "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." - 2 Chron. 14:11 NIV
After his victory, the Spirit of God to came upon Azariah, who went to meet Asa with these words: "The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you." - 2 Chron. 15:2 - NIV
This prompted Asa to get rid of all the idols and repair the altar of the Lord in the temple. He called all of Judah and Benjamin and led them in entering into a covenant to seek the Lord God. All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side. - 2 Chron 15:15 - NIV
What a magnificent reign Asa might have had, but it all came to an end in the thirty-fifth year when Asa decided to trust in Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, more than in God. This was not hidden from God, as the seer Hanani told him. "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war." - 2 Chron. 16:9 NIV
This made Asa angry. He put the seer in prison and started to brutally oppress the people. Then his feet become diseased. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. - 2 Chron 16:12 NIV
The one who had trusted so in God when he was young, who had kept Judah at peace for so long, at the end of his life chose to trust others rather than God. The Lord was with him when he was with God. When he sought God, he found him, when he forsake Him, he was forsaken.
Early on, Asa called on the Lord. When he went up to meet the vast army of Zerah, the Cushite, he cried out to God: "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." - 2 Chron. 14:11 NIV
After his victory, the Spirit of God to came upon Azariah, who went to meet Asa with these words: "The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you." - 2 Chron. 15:2 - NIV
This prompted Asa to get rid of all the idols and repair the altar of the Lord in the temple. He called all of Judah and Benjamin and led them in entering into a covenant to seek the Lord God. All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side. - 2 Chron 15:15 - NIV
What a magnificent reign Asa might have had, but it all came to an end in the thirty-fifth year when Asa decided to trust in Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, more than in God. This was not hidden from God, as the seer Hanani told him. "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war." - 2 Chron. 16:9 NIV
This made Asa angry. He put the seer in prison and started to brutally oppress the people. Then his feet become diseased. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. - 2 Chron 16:12 NIV
The one who had trusted so in God when he was young, who had kept Judah at peace for so long, at the end of his life chose to trust others rather than God. The Lord was with him when he was with God. When he sought God, he found him, when he forsake Him, he was forsaken.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
2 Chronicles 8-11: The Kingdom Divides
After Solomon's death, you have the two kings, Rehoboam and Jeroboam. Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, was not nearly as wise as his father. When the Israelites asked for relief from their heavy tax burden, his response was to listen to the advice of his peers instead of the wiser and more experienced advisers of his father. Was it any wonder that Israel rebelled and sought leadership in Jeroboam?
But Jeroboam was not a wise king either. In fact, he wanted nothing to do with the Levitical priests of the Lord. He rejected them and appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat and calf idols he made. What was a God fearing Israelite to do? Do you choose the king who is going to be easy to follow, the one who says he has your best interest at heart, even if he rejects the God you have known? Or do you follow the king who extracts a heavy price from you to support his kingdom, but who still allows the priests to offer sacrifices to their God?
In the end, the kingdom is divided. Benjamin and Judah remain with Rehoboam. The priests sided with Rehoboam as well. The Levites even abandoned their pasturelands and property and went to Judah and Jerusalem, and those with their hearts set on following the true God, had no choice but to follow the Levites to Jerusalem. While the Kingdom of Judah will eventually fall, it will outlast the kingdom of Israel and those who early on rejected the Lord God.
But Jeroboam was not a wise king either. In fact, he wanted nothing to do with the Levitical priests of the Lord. He rejected them and appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat and calf idols he made. What was a God fearing Israelite to do? Do you choose the king who is going to be easy to follow, the one who says he has your best interest at heart, even if he rejects the God you have known? Or do you follow the king who extracts a heavy price from you to support his kingdom, but who still allows the priests to offer sacrifices to their God?
In the end, the kingdom is divided. Benjamin and Judah remain with Rehoboam. The priests sided with Rehoboam as well. The Levites even abandoned their pasturelands and property and went to Judah and Jerusalem, and those with their hearts set on following the true God, had no choice but to follow the Levites to Jerusalem. While the Kingdom of Judah will eventually fall, it will outlast the kingdom of Israel and those who early on rejected the Lord God.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
2 Chronicles 5-7: A Promise Keeping God
In essence, Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple is asking God to keep his promise. 'There is no God like you', he says, 'who keeps his covenant of love with his servants who continue wholeheartedly in his way.' And there, Solomon hit on the crux of the matter. God is a promise keeping God. In fact he is the only God that can keep a promise. The gods of Israel's enemies cannot keep their promise. They cannot even cause offerings to be consumed. The gods of any age cannot keep their promises. Governments will fail, banks and stock markets will fail, technology will fail, psychiatry will fail. None of these gods can be counted on to keep their promise. Only the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God of Moses and Joshua. The God of David and Solomon and Isaiah and Elijah. The God of all those who have gone on before. The God of those servants that walk before him with all of their hearts.
And therein lies the rub. God is strong on his side of the bargain, but we wander away and are always chasing after other gods. Solomon was aware of that, even as he was dedicating the temple. At that point in time, his heart and eyes were opened up, and he saw the disasters that would come on the Israelites because they would turn away. He saw the plagues and disease, the defeats by their enemies, all the disasters that would come on the Israelites for turning away, and he asks God to hear from heaven and heal when they beg for forgiveness.
Solomon was right on both counts. All of us have sinned and chased after other gods, and God is still keeping his promise to make a way to come to him.
And therein lies the rub. God is strong on his side of the bargain, but we wander away and are always chasing after other gods. Solomon was aware of that, even as he was dedicating the temple. At that point in time, his heart and eyes were opened up, and he saw the disasters that would come on the Israelites because they would turn away. He saw the plagues and disease, the defeats by their enemies, all the disasters that would come on the Israelites for turning away, and he asks God to hear from heaven and heal when they beg for forgiveness.
Solomon was right on both counts. All of us have sinned and chased after other gods, and God is still keeping his promise to make a way to come to him.
Monday, April 19, 2010
2 Chronicles 1-4: Who am I to build a Temple?
Consequences follow actions. In Solomon's case, good consequences followed his act of obedience. Upon assuming the duties as king of Israel, Solomon went to the high place at Gibeon where the Tent of the Meeting was, went up to the bronze altar before the Lord and offered a thousand burnt offerings. And God answered Solomon's humility by appearing to him and telling him he would give him whatever he ask for. Whether he knew immediately what to ask for, or had to ponder it for a time, Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" - 2 Chron 1:8-10 NIV
So God gave him his request and great wealth, riches, and honor as well. And with that wisdom and wealth, Solomon began the construction of the tabernacle. Solomon's message to Hiram, king of Tyre, shows why he had the heart to build the temple for God. "The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?" - 1 Chron. 2:6 NIV
'Who am I', Solomon may have said, 'who am I to think that I can build a temple for the creator of the universe? Can he be contained by the most magnificent structure known to man? Does he not own all of the gold, silver and precious stones that will be used? Did he not create the cedar, pine, and algumwood? Did he not lay the iron deposits? Did he not form the rock that will be used for the walls? Who am I to think I could contain him in a temple made by human hands? Who am I to build anything but an altar, a place where I can lay down my sacrifice? Who am I to build a temple for the Lord God?
So God gave him his request and great wealth, riches, and honor as well. And with that wisdom and wealth, Solomon began the construction of the tabernacle. Solomon's message to Hiram, king of Tyre, shows why he had the heart to build the temple for God. "The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?" - 1 Chron. 2:6 NIV
'Who am I', Solomon may have said, 'who am I to think that I can build a temple for the creator of the universe? Can he be contained by the most magnificent structure known to man? Does he not own all of the gold, silver and precious stones that will be used? Did he not create the cedar, pine, and algumwood? Did he not lay the iron deposits? Did he not form the rock that will be used for the walls? Who am I to think I could contain him in a temple made by human hands? Who am I to build anything but an altar, a place where I can lay down my sacrifice? Who am I to build a temple for the Lord God?
Sunday, April 18, 2010
1 Chronicles 28-29: The Task is Great
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain. - Ps. 127-1 NIV1
David knew this. He learned this lesson when God told him that he would not be building the temple as he wanted. God gave the plans for the temple to David. But instead of David, it would be his son Solomon who would build the temple. As the day of his death draws closer, David summoned all the officials from Israel to tell them of the building of the temple. He explained why he would not be the one overseeing the building and committed his son Solomon to them. 'He is young and inexperienced,' he told them, 'and the task is great for this building is for God, not for man. I am providing all the resources needed to build the temple. Now who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord?'
The people of Israel rose to David's challenge and gave gold, silver, bronze, iron and precious stones to be used in building the temple. Then David prayed this prayer in the presence of the entire assembly.
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand." - 1 Chron. 29:14 NIV
The Psalmist, who writes about the Lord built house above, is not king David. It is his son, Solomon who wrote those words. The one who was in charge of the building of the temple of God. One who was wise enough to know that God was the one building his own house.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
1 Chronicles 25-27: Begin the Music
While David was making plans for the temple that would be built by Solomon, he was also setting up a structure for managing the vast community of Israelites. The army was divided into twelve divisions, each with an assigned month for duty. There were officers over each of the tribes. There were overseers of everything fom the vineyards and olive oil to the camels. In the temple, there were teams of gatekeepers to guard the temple, officials to watch over the temple treasury, and teams of musicians for prophesying with music.
The musicians trained and skilled in music, were divided by families for the service in the temple. While David is known as the primary writer of the Psalms, many of the Psalms that we know well were written by these musicians.
A maskil of the Sons of Korah.
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God? - Ps. 42 NIV
A maskil of the Eathan the Ezrahite
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever:
with my mouth will I make known
thy faithfulness to all generations. - Ps. 89 KJV
For the director of music. According to gittith. Of Asaph.
Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
play the melodious harp and lyre. - Ps. 81 NIV
Worship was every bit as important as the military and administration.
The musicians trained and skilled in music, were divided by families for the service in the temple. While David is known as the primary writer of the Psalms, many of the Psalms that we know well were written by these musicians.
A maskil of the Sons of Korah.
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God? - Ps. 42 NIV
A maskil of the Eathan the Ezrahite
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever:
with my mouth will I make known
thy faithfulness to all generations. - Ps. 89 KJV
For the director of music. According to gittith. Of Asaph.
Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
play the melodious harp and lyre. - Ps. 81 NIV
Worship was every bit as important as the military and administration.
Friday, April 16, 2010
1 Chronicles 21-24: David Numbers the Fighting Men
It's funny how even the mighty can be tempted. It was one thing for David to be tempted by Bathsheba. He paid the consequence of that with his guilt and the death of his son. But it was another when David was tempted by Satan. This time the temptation was subtle, like Eve's temptation in the garden or Jesus' temptation in the desert. Satan whispers the idea in David's ear. 'David, you have become so great, God has blessed you so, your kingdom is so vast and powerful. How many Israelites do you think there are? Do you think you have a million that call you king now. Take a census to show how far you have come from the days when Saul was chasing after you and you hid out with your motley crew of 400 men.'
There is an issue of pride and ownership in all of these temptations. Jesus was the only one who saw through Satan's guile. David did not, although Joab saw the danger and warned David that it was not a good idea. "May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord's subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?" - 1 Chronicles 21:3 NIV
The king overruled Joab, so Joab went throughout Israel taking a census and the results were amazing. There were one million, one hundred thousand fighting men in Israel. It says that Joab didn't include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering because the king's command was repulsive to him.
It was repulsive to God also and Israel was punished as a result. When David saw the error of his ways, he begged God for forgiveness. God came back with three choices: three years of famine, three months of being swept away by their enemies or three days of plague administered by the angel of the Lord. By now, David has been humbled and he chooses the plague, because he knows that God will show mercy. Seventy men are killed by the plague and God's heart is grieved. The angel is standing at the threshing floor of Araunah when David looks up and sees the angel standing with a drawn sword over Jerusalem. 'Let the plague fall on me and my family, God. It was my sin, not the sin of these innocent people.' The Lord spoke to the angel and the plague stopped. David built an altar, offered sacrifices to God and announced that the house of the Lord would be built where the angel had appeared.
Finally, David's heart is back in the right place. A million men are nothing compared to one angel of the Lord. Nothing that David has is his own doing, it is all God.
There is an issue of pride and ownership in all of these temptations. Jesus was the only one who saw through Satan's guile. David did not, although Joab saw the danger and warned David that it was not a good idea. "May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord's subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?" - 1 Chronicles 21:3 NIV
The king overruled Joab, so Joab went throughout Israel taking a census and the results were amazing. There were one million, one hundred thousand fighting men in Israel. It says that Joab didn't include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering because the king's command was repulsive to him.
It was repulsive to God also and Israel was punished as a result. When David saw the error of his ways, he begged God for forgiveness. God came back with three choices: three years of famine, three months of being swept away by their enemies or three days of plague administered by the angel of the Lord. By now, David has been humbled and he chooses the plague, because he knows that God will show mercy. Seventy men are killed by the plague and God's heart is grieved. The angel is standing at the threshing floor of Araunah when David looks up and sees the angel standing with a drawn sword over Jerusalem. 'Let the plague fall on me and my family, God. It was my sin, not the sin of these innocent people.' The Lord spoke to the angel and the plague stopped. David built an altar, offered sacrifices to God and announced that the house of the Lord would be built where the angel had appeared.
Finally, David's heart is back in the right place. A million men are nothing compared to one angel of the Lord. Nothing that David has is his own doing, it is all God.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
1 Chronicles 17-20: Do What You Will
Both 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles relate the story of when David wanted to build a temple for God in the same way, with almost the exact same words. Both the words that came to Nathan from God for David and David's prayer in reply to God are duplicated in these chapters.
That must mean they are very important words, and not only words for David from God, but words from God to his people. And the prayer from David should be the prayer of God's people.
First, God says he has not asked for a house to dwell in, and secondly, He took David from the pasture and from following the flock to being ruler over his people, Israel. "I have been with you wherever you have gone," God tells David," and I have cut off all your enemies from before you." "Furthermore," God says, "I will provide a place for my people. I will plant them in their own place." And finally, "I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.' " - 1 Chron. 17:11-14 NIV
Having already read 2 Samuel, it is clear that Solomon's kingdom did not last forever, but is that what God is really saying here? To the writer of Hebrews, it is obvious. In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. - Heb. 1:1-2 NIV
And what is David's response to to the promise that God would establish his kingdom forever?
"What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, O LORD. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.
There is no one like you, O LORD, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears ... "And now, LORD, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever." - 1 Chron. 17:18-24 NIV
You know me, Lord, David says. You know my strengths and weaknesses. You know my triumphs and my failures. And yet you have made this promise. Do what you will.
That must mean they are very important words, and not only words for David from God, but words from God to his people. And the prayer from David should be the prayer of God's people.
First, God says he has not asked for a house to dwell in, and secondly, He took David from the pasture and from following the flock to being ruler over his people, Israel. "I have been with you wherever you have gone," God tells David," and I have cut off all your enemies from before you." "Furthermore," God says, "I will provide a place for my people. I will plant them in their own place." And finally, "I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.' " - 1 Chron. 17:11-14 NIV
Having already read 2 Samuel, it is clear that Solomon's kingdom did not last forever, but is that what God is really saying here? To the writer of Hebrews, it is obvious. In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. - Heb. 1:1-2 NIV
And what is David's response to to the promise that God would establish his kingdom forever?
"What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, O LORD. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.
There is no one like you, O LORD, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears ... "And now, LORD, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever." - 1 Chron. 17:18-24 NIV
You know me, Lord, David says. You know my strengths and weaknesses. You know my triumphs and my failures. And yet you have made this promise. Do what you will.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
1 Chronicles 13-16: The Splendor of His Holiness
1 Chronicles tells in much greater detail the story of David bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem. David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. He then said to the whole assembly of Israel "If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul." The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people. - 1 Chron. 13:1-4 NIV
This sounds good, getting unanimous approval from the people that the Ark should be brought to Jerusalem. Only one problem. They did not inquire of the Lord as to how this should be accomplished. In their zeal, they put the Ark on a cart, and when the oxen stumble and the Ark starts to fall, Uzzah places his hand on the Ark to steady it and is immediately killed. Oops! They dumped the Ark at Obed-Edom's place and went on about their business. Still there was something missing without the Ark in their midst, so David finally summons the Levites. It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way." So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel - 1 Chron 14:13-14 NIV
This time, they appointed singers to sing joyful songs, musicians to accompany with musical instruments, and doorkeepers to accompany the Ark. David and the Levites clothed themselves in fine linen and sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouts, with the sounding of rams' horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps. - 1 Chron. 15:28 NIV
What a celebration, what a way to usher in the Ark of God and His presence. Then David commited to Asaph this song of thanks to the Lord:
Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy in his dwelling place.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength,
ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name.
Bring an offering and come before him;
worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
Tremble before him, all the earth!
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" -1 Chron 16:23-31
This sounds good, getting unanimous approval from the people that the Ark should be brought to Jerusalem. Only one problem. They did not inquire of the Lord as to how this should be accomplished. In their zeal, they put the Ark on a cart, and when the oxen stumble and the Ark starts to fall, Uzzah places his hand on the Ark to steady it and is immediately killed. Oops! They dumped the Ark at Obed-Edom's place and went on about their business. Still there was something missing without the Ark in their midst, so David finally summons the Levites. It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way." So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel - 1 Chron 14:13-14 NIV
This time, they appointed singers to sing joyful songs, musicians to accompany with musical instruments, and doorkeepers to accompany the Ark. David and the Levites clothed themselves in fine linen and sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouts, with the sounding of rams' horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps. - 1 Chron. 15:28 NIV
What a celebration, what a way to usher in the Ark of God and His presence. Then David commited to Asaph this song of thanks to the Lord:
Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy in his dwelling place.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength,
ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name.
Bring an offering and come before him;
worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
Tremble before him, all the earth!
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" -1 Chron 16:23-31
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
1 Chronicles 12-14: Mighty Warriors
When Saul was after him, David may have thought he was alone, but there was a vast army waiting in the wings to join him. Some defected to David while Saul was still king, still others came running to him crying out:
"We are yours, O David!
We are with you, O son of Jesse!
Success, success to you,
and success to those who help you,
for your God will help you." ...
Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God. - - 1 Chron. 12:18& 22 NIV
The men of Judah came, armed for battle, warriors came from Simeon, ready for battle, brave warriors from Ephraim, famous in their own clans, men from Issachar who understood the times and knew what Israel should do, men of Zebulun, experienced with every type of weapon to help with undivided loyalty, from all the tribes they came, prepared and ready to do battle. They came, determined to make David king.
In that day and time in history, the men of God were not afraid to rise up and go to battle for and with their king.
Monday, April 12, 2010
1 Chronicles 9-11: David's Mighty Men
Twice the names of David's mighty men are mentioned in the Bible, and both times, one name stands out, that of Uriah the Hittite. It is difficult to read that name without feeling a deep sorrow. Here was a man that was mighty and faithful to his king. Yet he was betrayed by that very king because of something the king desired. David, the king wanted Uriah's wife and in the end, Uriah died protecting the honor of the one who betrayed him.
He died because of David's sin, or said another way, the burden of David's sin became his death sentence. Much like God's own son for whom our sins became a death sentence.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:4-6 KJV
There were the mighty men of David, and then there is God's might. Both are victorious, but the mighty men experienced only temporal victories, while Christ's victory is eternal.
He died because of David's sin, or said another way, the burden of David's sin became his death sentence. Much like God's own son for whom our sins became a death sentence.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:4-6 KJV
There were the mighty men of David, and then there is God's might. Both are victorious, but the mighty men experienced only temporal victories, while Christ's victory is eternal.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
1 Chronicles 4-8: Sons of Promise
The names listed here, are not just a census. They are a history, a history of the promise made by God to Abraham. A promise and a covenant:
After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
"Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward. "
But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir."
Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. - Ex.15:1-6 NIV
All of these names, and the millions of others not mentioned, are the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars.
Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Spread throughout these chapters are the names of others who believed God: Moses, Caleb, Joshua, Samuel. Mighty men of God, who saw not what was around them, but God. Who knew that God alone was their shield and their reward.
After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
"Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward. "
But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir."
Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. - Ex.15:1-6 NIV
All of these names, and the millions of others not mentioned, are the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars.
Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Spread throughout these chapters are the names of others who believed God: Moses, Caleb, Joshua, Samuel. Mighty men of God, who saw not what was around them, but God. Who knew that God alone was their shield and their reward.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
1 Chronicles 1-3: Fearfully and Wonderfully
The chronicles of the children of Israel seem to go on forever, name after name, generation after generation, begat after begat. And yet there is a story here. The story is that each person, no matter who their father was, no matter what tribe they were descended from, no matter if the dates of their birth and death are unknown, whether they lived in peace or under oppression, each person was created by God for that time and that place. There was no other person who could have been them or lived the life that they lived.
This was very clear to David who knew his place in the whole scheme of things:
O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. - PS 39:1-13 KJV
The Israelites and all that came after them, were not nameless and they were not in this alone. They were fearfully and wonderfully made.
This was very clear to David who knew his place in the whole scheme of things:
O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. - PS 39:1-13 KJV
The Israelites and all that came after them, were not nameless and they were not in this alone. They were fearfully and wonderfully made.
Friday, April 9, 2010
2 Kings 20-25: Josiah
It's not long now, you cn feel the change in the air, the hosts of the Lord are marching against the remnant of Israel, Judah, that remains. And into this ungodly climate comes a true man of God, Josiah. He was only a boy of eight when he became king. When he was twenty-six, Hilkiah, the high priest discovers the book of the law. Shaphan the secretary reads to Josiah from the book and he immediately tears his robes in distress. "Great is the LORD's anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us." - 2 Kings 22:13 NIV
Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself, God told Josiah, "Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.' " - 2 Kings 22:20 NIV
'Why try?', the average person would have said. 'Disaster may be coming, but, I will live out my life quietly and peacefully as God promised.' But not Josiah. He began eradicating the accumulated years of shrines, altars, Asherah poles, pagan priests, soothsayers, temple prostitutes, and all of the high places with a vengeance. Not only did he tear them down, he smashed them to pieces , burned them, and ground them into powder and slaughtered the priests of the high places on their own altars.
Then, when there were no places left to worship any other gods, he went back to Jerusalem and gave an order to all the people. "Celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant." Not since the days of the judges who led Israel, nor throughout the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah, had any such Passover been observed. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was celebrated to the LORD in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 23:21-23 NIV
There is a brief blip in the downhill slide of the children of Israel towards exile. All because of one man's passion for God, the people of Judah come together in a massive celebration of the Passover. Not since the children of Israel first observed the Passover when they entered the land, had there been such a celebration. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was celebrated to the LORD in Jerusalem.
Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself, God told Josiah, "Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.' " - 2 Kings 22:20 NIV
'Why try?', the average person would have said. 'Disaster may be coming, but, I will live out my life quietly and peacefully as God promised.' But not Josiah. He began eradicating the accumulated years of shrines, altars, Asherah poles, pagan priests, soothsayers, temple prostitutes, and all of the high places with a vengeance. Not only did he tear them down, he smashed them to pieces , burned them, and ground them into powder and slaughtered the priests of the high places on their own altars.
Then, when there were no places left to worship any other gods, he went back to Jerusalem and gave an order to all the people. "Celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant." Not since the days of the judges who led Israel, nor throughout the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah, had any such Passover been observed. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was celebrated to the LORD in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 23:21-23 NIV
There is a brief blip in the downhill slide of the children of Israel towards exile. All because of one man's passion for God, the people of Judah come together in a massive celebration of the Passover. Not since the children of Israel first observed the Passover when they entered the land, had there been such a celebration. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was celebrated to the LORD in Jerusalem.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
2 Kings 17-19: From Watchtower to Fortified City
Finally Israel gets the fate they deserved. The entire land is invaded, Samaria is captured and the Israelites are deported to Assyria. All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. The Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. - 2 Kings 17: 7-9 NIV
The same fate would have fallen on Judah if it had not been for a godly king, Hezekiah, coming on the scene. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.)
Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. From watchtower to fortified city, he defeated the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its territory. - 2 Kings 18:3-8 NIV
After Israel fell, the king of Assyria threatened Hezekiah with these words. "On what are you basing this confidence of yours? You say you have strategy and military strength—but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending ..... And if you say to me, "We are depending on the Lord our God"-isn't he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah removed," - 2 Kings 18: 19-22 - NIV
Obviously, Sennacherib didn't realize who he was talking to, which prompted Hezekiah's prayer "O Lord, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. - 2 Kings 19: 15-16 NIV
God answered Hezekiah's prayer through the prophet Isaiah. As far as Sennacherib, God declared :
'But I know where you stay
and when you come and go
and how you rage against me.
And for his chosen people, God declares:
For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant,
and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
From watchtower to fortified city, the altars to other gods caused the Israelites to fall, while Hezekiah who tore down all of the altars on the high places had success from watchtower to fortified city. The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this.
The same fate would have fallen on Judah if it had not been for a godly king, Hezekiah, coming on the scene. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.)
Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. From watchtower to fortified city, he defeated the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its territory. - 2 Kings 18:3-8 NIV
After Israel fell, the king of Assyria threatened Hezekiah with these words. "On what are you basing this confidence of yours? You say you have strategy and military strength—but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending ..... And if you say to me, "We are depending on the Lord our God"-isn't he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah removed," - 2 Kings 18: 19-22 - NIV
Obviously, Sennacherib didn't realize who he was talking to, which prompted Hezekiah's prayer "O Lord, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. - 2 Kings 19: 15-16 NIV
God answered Hezekiah's prayer through the prophet Isaiah. As far as Sennacherib, God declared :
'But I know where you stay
and when you come and go
and how you rage against me.
And for his chosen people, God declares:
For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant,
and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
From watchtower to fortified city, the altars to other gods caused the Israelites to fall, while Hezekiah who tore down all of the altars on the high places had success from watchtower to fortified city. The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
2 Kings 14-16: How Do You Live?
It's difficult to watch a kingdom die, especially one that had been as successful and wealthy as the one of David and Solomon. But that is what is happening in these chapters. Reading them, you can see the death throes beginning to sound. It makes one wonder, did the average citizen realize what was happening, or were they caught up in their bar mitzvahs, christenings, weddings and funerals. Did they begin to stockpile food because they knew the day would come when they would be without. Did they try to learn another language in case they were overrun by the Assyrians. Did they recognize that their kings were becoming more wicked and weaker with each succession to the throne.
Or were they like Ahaz, so caught up in his sin that he saw nothing wrong with sacrificing his own son in the fire, or offering sacrifices and burning incense to all of the gods they had set up in the high places.or dismantling Solomon's Temple piece by piece. Were the people behind Ahaz one hundred percent when he made the alliance with Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria in order to save their necks. Were they impressed with the altar design that Ahaz copied from the one he saw in Damascus when he went to meet Tiglath-Pileser.
Nothing is said about what the ordinary Israelite was doing as all this was going on. There is no mention of celebrations or feasts honoring God and recognizing the triumphs of the Children of Israel as they left Egypt. Were there still godly priest left who quietly celebrated with a few faithful or had all of the priests become like Uriah who did whatever Ahaz told him to do? It begs the question, how do you live in an ungodly culture growing more so every day, facing destruction at the worst and exile at the best?
Or were they like Ahaz, so caught up in his sin that he saw nothing wrong with sacrificing his own son in the fire, or offering sacrifices and burning incense to all of the gods they had set up in the high places.or dismantling Solomon's Temple piece by piece. Were the people behind Ahaz one hundred percent when he made the alliance with Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria in order to save their necks. Were they impressed with the altar design that Ahaz copied from the one he saw in Damascus when he went to meet Tiglath-Pileser.
Nothing is said about what the ordinary Israelite was doing as all this was going on. There is no mention of celebrations or feasts honoring God and recognizing the triumphs of the Children of Israel as they left Egypt. Were there still godly priest left who quietly celebrated with a few faithful or had all of the priests become like Uriah who did whatever Ahaz told him to do? It begs the question, how do you live in an ungodly culture growing more so every day, facing destruction at the worst and exile at the best?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
2 Kings 11-13: Same Old Story
It has not been two hundred and fifty years since the godly reign of David began, but things have deteriorated to a point where it is almost predictable. The kings will lead the people of Israel and Judah into sin, they will be defeated by their enemies, the king will die, he will be succeeded, usually by another more wicked king who leads them into more sin, and on and on and on.
Occasionally there will be a different twist to the same story. For about six years, one of the kings of Judah was a woman ....Athaliah. She was not the kindly grandmotherly type of ruler one would imagine. In fact, if possible, she was more wicked than the men. Once her son Ahaziah died, Athaliah proceeded to kill the entire remaining royal family. It was only through the efforts of his aunt who rescued him and the priest Jehoiada who hid him, that the young prince Joash was saved. Joash grew up under the tutelage of Jehoiada the priest, and so had a more godly bent than most of his recent predecessors. He rebuilt the temple and did right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada instructed him.
But even Joash did not remove the high places and the people continued to offer sacrifices there. The end of God's protection came when he took all the gifts, that he himself had dedicated to the temple, and all the gold in the temple treasuries and sent them to Hazael ,the king of Aram, to keep him from attacking Jerusalem. He wasn't killed by Hazael, as he feared, but by his own officials who conspired against him.
Why was it so hard for the kings of Israel to trust in the God of Abraham, Moses and David? Or perhaps the question should be, why was it so easy for them to trust in other gods when time and time again, those gods had failed them? Why was it so easy for them to trust in the strength of their enemies, when time and time again they had been powerless when they came up against the one true God.
Occasionally there will be a different twist to the same story. For about six years, one of the kings of Judah was a woman ....Athaliah. She was not the kindly grandmotherly type of ruler one would imagine. In fact, if possible, she was more wicked than the men. Once her son Ahaziah died, Athaliah proceeded to kill the entire remaining royal family. It was only through the efforts of his aunt who rescued him and the priest Jehoiada who hid him, that the young prince Joash was saved. Joash grew up under the tutelage of Jehoiada the priest, and so had a more godly bent than most of his recent predecessors. He rebuilt the temple and did right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada instructed him.
But even Joash did not remove the high places and the people continued to offer sacrifices there. The end of God's protection came when he took all the gifts, that he himself had dedicated to the temple, and all the gold in the temple treasuries and sent them to Hazael ,the king of Aram, to keep him from attacking Jerusalem. He wasn't killed by Hazael, as he feared, but by his own officials who conspired against him.
Why was it so hard for the kings of Israel to trust in the God of Abraham, Moses and David? Or perhaps the question should be, why was it so easy for them to trust in other gods when time and time again, those gods had failed them? Why was it so easy for them to trust in the strength of their enemies, when time and time again they had been powerless when they came up against the one true God.
Monday, April 5, 2010
2 Kings 8-11: The Zeal of the Lord
By this time, both Israel and Judah have become corrupted by Ahab and Jezebel's influence. Ahab's son Joram, is king of Israel and the king of Judah is Ahaziah whose father Jehoram, married one of Ahab's daughters. It's all in the family and the family has become polluted. God had to go outside of the lineage once more in order to rid the people of their evil practices.
The prophet Elisha sends one of the younger prophets to surreptitiously anoint Jehu, one of the commanders of the army, as king. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu's head and declared, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anoint you king over the LORD's people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the LORD's servants shed by Jezebel. The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah. As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.' " Then he opened the door and ran. - 2 Kings 9:6-10 NIV
It's a scary thing to speak these prophetic words against the ones in charge, especially when they have shown they have no remorse in taking whatever they want at whatever the cost. But once he was anointed, Jehu took up the Lord's challenge and attacked the evil kings and their families with gusto. When the lookout for Joram saw him coming towards the king's quarters in Jezreel he reported to the king that "The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi--he drives like a madman". - 2 Kings 9:20 NIV
And mad he was. He killed Ahaziah, then Ahab's family, then Ahaziah's relatives, and finally rounded up the prophets of Baal and killed them as well. 'Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord,' he told one of the men he met on his way to kill the remainder of Ahab's family. As a result, God promised that Jehu's descendants would sit on the throne of Israel for four generations. That would have been well and good if Jehu had been careful to keep the law of the Lord with all of his heart. But the zeal died and so did the hopes for Israel. God began to reduce the size of Israel by allowing Hazael, the king of Aram to overpower the Israelites and the reign that began in zeal ends up like all the rest.
The prophet Elisha sends one of the younger prophets to surreptitiously anoint Jehu, one of the commanders of the army, as king. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu's head and declared, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anoint you king over the LORD's people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the LORD's servants shed by Jezebel. The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah. As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.' " Then he opened the door and ran. - 2 Kings 9:6-10 NIV
It's a scary thing to speak these prophetic words against the ones in charge, especially when they have shown they have no remorse in taking whatever they want at whatever the cost. But once he was anointed, Jehu took up the Lord's challenge and attacked the evil kings and their families with gusto. When the lookout for Joram saw him coming towards the king's quarters in Jezreel he reported to the king that "The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi--he drives like a madman". - 2 Kings 9:20 NIV
And mad he was. He killed Ahaziah, then Ahab's family, then Ahaziah's relatives, and finally rounded up the prophets of Baal and killed them as well. 'Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord,' he told one of the men he met on his way to kill the remainder of Ahab's family. As a result, God promised that Jehu's descendants would sit on the throne of Israel for four generations. That would have been well and good if Jehu had been careful to keep the law of the Lord with all of his heart. But the zeal died and so did the hopes for Israel. God began to reduce the size of Israel by allowing Hazael, the king of Aram to overpower the Israelites and the reign that began in zeal ends up like all the rest.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
2 Kings 5-7: God's Way...the Only Way
We encounter a few more chapters of respite, from the going's on of the kings of Israel and Judah, and instead find the story of Naaman. Naaman was a great man, the commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a valiant soldier and highly regarded, but he had leprosy.
Naaman's wife had as a servant, a young girl from Israel who had been taken captive by roving bands and brought to Aram. She could still remember the prophet in Samaria, Elisha, and tales of his miracles. 'If your husband could see the prophet, he would be healed,' she told her mistress. So Naaman told the king what the servant girl had told him and the king of Aram sent Naaman off with a letter of recommendation to the king of Israel, asking him to heal Naaman's leprosy. The king of Israel's response was to tear his robes, because he knew he had no power to heal.
On hearing of this, Elisha sent a message to the king, that if Naaman would come to him, he could heal him. So Naaman went to see Elisha, but all he saw was Elisha's servant who relayed the message from his master that Naaman should wash in the Jordan river seven times.
Naaman went away incensed. He was expecting a spectacular production from Elisha, a waving of his hands, passionate pleas to God extolling all of Naaman's virtues, and a touch from Elisha on the diseased spot. To be told to wash in the filthy Jordan river, when there were better rivers in Aram, was downright insulting. To have to go down into that dirty water to be cleansed made no sense.
What does this have to do with Easter? It is the same story. God provided a way that we might be cleansed of our sins, our leprosy. But Jesus was not the king the people were expecting. They wanted power, someone who would demonstrate his power so that everyone would fall down and worship him. They weren't looking for someone who would die a horrible death, go down to the depths of hell with all of their sins, and then rise again leaving them all behind. They weren't looking for the miraculous, but that's what Easter is all about.
Naaman's wife had as a servant, a young girl from Israel who had been taken captive by roving bands and brought to Aram. She could still remember the prophet in Samaria, Elisha, and tales of his miracles. 'If your husband could see the prophet, he would be healed,' she told her mistress. So Naaman told the king what the servant girl had told him and the king of Aram sent Naaman off with a letter of recommendation to the king of Israel, asking him to heal Naaman's leprosy. The king of Israel's response was to tear his robes, because he knew he had no power to heal.
On hearing of this, Elisha sent a message to the king, that if Naaman would come to him, he could heal him. So Naaman went to see Elisha, but all he saw was Elisha's servant who relayed the message from his master that Naaman should wash in the Jordan river seven times.
Naaman went away incensed. He was expecting a spectacular production from Elisha, a waving of his hands, passionate pleas to God extolling all of Naaman's virtues, and a touch from Elisha on the diseased spot. To be told to wash in the filthy Jordan river, when there were better rivers in Aram, was downright insulting. To have to go down into that dirty water to be cleansed made no sense.
What does this have to do with Easter? It is the same story. God provided a way that we might be cleansed of our sins, our leprosy. But Jesus was not the king the people were expecting. They wanted power, someone who would demonstrate his power so that everyone would fall down and worship him. They weren't looking for someone who would die a horrible death, go down to the depths of hell with all of their sins, and then rise again leaving them all behind. They weren't looking for the miraculous, but that's what Easter is all about.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
2 Kings 1-3: Godly follows Godly
Sometimes the lives of the kings of Israel and Judah become too predictable. They follow after other gods, erect Asherah poles and altars and in general prostitute themselves to gods who have no ability to save them. Fortunately, in their wicked midst, God always placed his prophets. Sometimes they felt like they were fighting the battle all on their own, but they were always true to their Lord God.
Elisha was now following Elijah around, anxious to learn all he could from this godly man. Elijah had just had another encounter with a king This time it was Ahaziah and Elijah had delivered the news to him that he would die without leaving his bed because he consulted the god Baal-Zebub. Now they were on their way from Gilgal.
The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"
"Yes, I know," Elisha replied, "but do not speak of it."
Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho.
The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"
"Yes, I know," he replied, "but do not speak of it."
Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on. - 2 Kings 1:3-6 NIV
Elisha was determined to get as much as he could from Elijah. He knew he would soon be on his own, so he asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. 'You have asked a difficult thing,' Elijah told him, 'but if you see me taken up into heaven, it will be.' And so Elisha was with him when the horses and chariot of fire appeared and took Elijah away in a whirlwind. He picked up Elijah's cloak and as Elijah had done, struck the water and it parted so he could cross. The prophets on the other side all recognized that Elisha now had the same power that Elijah possessed. And subsequently Elisha, the bald headed prophet, healed the bad water, prophesied victory for Jehosaphat, miraculously provided an abundance of oil for the widow to pay her debts with, restored the Shunammite's son to life, cured the poisoned pot of stew and fed one hundred with twenty loaves of bread and some grain.
Many of these miracles are a foreshadowing of what God's own son would do a few centuries later, and they proved that God's spirit continued to reside with men who followed after Him with all their hearts.
Elisha was now following Elijah around, anxious to learn all he could from this godly man. Elijah had just had another encounter with a king This time it was Ahaziah and Elijah had delivered the news to him that he would die without leaving his bed because he consulted the god Baal-Zebub. Now they were on their way from Gilgal.
The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"
"Yes, I know," Elisha replied, "but do not speak of it."
Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho.
The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"
"Yes, I know," he replied, "but do not speak of it."
Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on. - 2 Kings 1:3-6 NIV
Elisha was determined to get as much as he could from Elijah. He knew he would soon be on his own, so he asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. 'You have asked a difficult thing,' Elijah told him, 'but if you see me taken up into heaven, it will be.' And so Elisha was with him when the horses and chariot of fire appeared and took Elijah away in a whirlwind. He picked up Elijah's cloak and as Elijah had done, struck the water and it parted so he could cross. The prophets on the other side all recognized that Elisha now had the same power that Elijah possessed. And subsequently Elisha, the bald headed prophet, healed the bad water, prophesied victory for Jehosaphat, miraculously provided an abundance of oil for the widow to pay her debts with, restored the Shunammite's son to life, cured the poisoned pot of stew and fed one hundred with twenty loaves of bread and some grain.
Many of these miracles are a foreshadowing of what God's own son would do a few centuries later, and they proved that God's spirit continued to reside with men who followed after Him with all their hearts.
Friday, April 2, 2010
1 Kings 20-22: Sullen and Angry
Even wicked kings receive the Lord's favor sometimes. When Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, attacked Samaria and then taunted Ahab, God sent a prophet to Ahab to tell him he would be victorious. After Israel was victorious, Ben-Hadad's officials told him "Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they. - 1 Kings 20:23 NIV
The next spring, the man of God returned to Ahab and told him, "This is what the LORD says: 'Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.' " - 1 Kings 21:28 NIV
God will use even evil men to carry out his plan, and it was his plan that Ben-Hadad would die. Unfortunately, Ahab was persuaded by Ben-Hadad to spare his life, once again incurring God's anger. "This is what the LORD says: 'You have set free a man I had determined should die. Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people.' " Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went to his palace in Samaria. - 1 Kings 21:42-43
Sullen and angry. Just when it looked like Ahab might have acknowledged God's power, he was right back where he started. And he proved nothing had changed when he sulked over Naboth's vineyard until Jezebel conspired to have Naboth killed so Ahab could have what he wanted. God sent Elijah to Ahab once again. Ahab said to Elijah, "So you have found me, my enemy!"
"I have found you," he answered, "because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD. 'I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.' - 1 Kings 21:20-22 NIV
Ahab met his end as you would expect: Conniving and trusting in his own prophets instead of the prophet of God until the end. He sent Jehoshaphat into battle against Aram dressed in his kingly robes, while Ahab went in disguise. The ruse didn't succeed. The king of Aram realized the one dressed as a king was not Ahab and left Jehoshaphat alone. Ahab was struck by a stray arrow and slowly bled to death in his chariot.
Nothing has changed. God is still in charge whether man acknowledges it or not.
The next spring, the man of God returned to Ahab and told him, "This is what the LORD says: 'Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.' " - 1 Kings 21:28 NIV
God will use even evil men to carry out his plan, and it was his plan that Ben-Hadad would die. Unfortunately, Ahab was persuaded by Ben-Hadad to spare his life, once again incurring God's anger. "This is what the LORD says: 'You have set free a man I had determined should die. Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people.' " Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went to his palace in Samaria. - 1 Kings 21:42-43
Sullen and angry. Just when it looked like Ahab might have acknowledged God's power, he was right back where he started. And he proved nothing had changed when he sulked over Naboth's vineyard until Jezebel conspired to have Naboth killed so Ahab could have what he wanted. God sent Elijah to Ahab once again. Ahab said to Elijah, "So you have found me, my enemy!"
"I have found you," he answered, "because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD. 'I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.' - 1 Kings 21:20-22 NIV
Ahab met his end as you would expect: Conniving and trusting in his own prophets instead of the prophet of God until the end. He sent Jehoshaphat into battle against Aram dressed in his kingly robes, while Ahab went in disguise. The ruse didn't succeed. The king of Aram realized the one dressed as a king was not Ahab and left Jehoshaphat alone. Ahab was struck by a stray arrow and slowly bled to death in his chariot.
Nothing has changed. God is still in charge whether man acknowledges it or not.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
1 Kings 17-19: Power Revealed Through the Prophets
Ahab and his wife Jezebel may have been extremely wicked, but God's hand remained on his chosen people in the form of godly prophets who would not compromise. In those days there were good prophets and bad prophets. Jezebel was killing off the good prophets while the bad ones were telling Ahab whatever he wanted to hear. The last thing Ahab wanted to hear was the word of the Lord and Elijah, who had told Ahab there would be no rain for the next few years, was hiding, first in a ravine where he was fed by ravens, and later at the widow's house in Zarephath where he brought her son back to life.
Finally God told Elijah to present himself to Ahab and rain would come. Ahab's response when he saw Elijah was to be expected. When he saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?"
"I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the LORD's commands and have followed the Baals." - 1 Kings 18:17-18. NIV
Elijah, only one prophet of the Lord God against four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, challenges the Baal's to prove their power to the people. The prophets slaughter a bull and place it on the altar to Baal and call on their god to light the fire and consume the sacrifice. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.
At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. - 1 Kings 18:16-29 NIV
When it was Elijah's turn he had the people fill four large jars with water and pour it on the wood, three times in all. Then he called to his God: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."
Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. - 1 Kings 18:36-38 NIV
After this demonstration of power, Elijah should have been riding high, but with Jezebel hard on his tail, he went to the desert instead, sat down under a broom tree, and prayed to die. 'I'm the only one left,' he complained to the Lord, 'and now they're trying to kill me too.'
'Go and stand on the mountain,' God told him, 'for I am going to appear to you.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. - 1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV
'I have reserved seven thousand men in Israel who have not bowed to the Baal's.' God told Elijah. There may have been hundreds of thousands who had followed after the gods of Ahab and Jezebel, but they were powerless. The seven thousand were but a whisper of God's power, but that was all that was needed.
Finally God told Elijah to present himself to Ahab and rain would come. Ahab's response when he saw Elijah was to be expected. When he saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?"
"I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the LORD's commands and have followed the Baals." - 1 Kings 18:17-18. NIV
Elijah, only one prophet of the Lord God against four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, challenges the Baal's to prove their power to the people. The prophets slaughter a bull and place it on the altar to Baal and call on their god to light the fire and consume the sacrifice. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.
At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. - 1 Kings 18:16-29 NIV
When it was Elijah's turn he had the people fill four large jars with water and pour it on the wood, three times in all. Then he called to his God: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."
Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. - 1 Kings 18:36-38 NIV
After this demonstration of power, Elijah should have been riding high, but with Jezebel hard on his tail, he went to the desert instead, sat down under a broom tree, and prayed to die. 'I'm the only one left,' he complained to the Lord, 'and now they're trying to kill me too.'
'Go and stand on the mountain,' God told him, 'for I am going to appear to you.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. - 1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV
'I have reserved seven thousand men in Israel who have not bowed to the Baal's.' God told Elijah. There may have been hundreds of thousands who had followed after the gods of Ahab and Jezebel, but they were powerless. The seven thousand were but a whisper of God's power, but that was all that was needed.
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