Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 27:1-9

Helpful thoughts:

• Jotham did much good as the king of Judah.  Yet, he omitted one thing.  He did not remove the high places for use in the people idolatry (2 Kings 15:35).
  • This is how the people “still followed corrupt practices.”
• To simply maintain the infrastructure of the city of Jerusalem and the nation of Judah, much proactive work needed to be done.  The same was true spiritually.

Questions to consider:

1. Even though Jotham became mighty as he followed after the Lord, what would have been happening to the nation through their corruption?
2. Is a family or a church strong and healthy when it’s leaders alone, or it’s members alone are doing well?  How many of us are needed to bring about the health of our church and our families?
3. What are the spiritual “gates” and “walls” that need strengthened and maintained in the life of a believer and in the family/church?

Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 26:1-23

Helpful thoughts:

• King Uzziah followed the Lord until he started to think Judah’s success was his own doing.  Pride came…and then a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
• These priests who spoke the truth in love to their king are called men of valor (Verse 17).  It takes much bravery to confront someone, perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).
• Uzziah suffered a consequence for his refusal to receive the rebuke.  But even with his leprosy, God was showing him mercy.
  • God showed him mercy by not taking his life (Exodus 30:9, Leviticus 10:1-3).
  • God showed him mercy by teaching him to listen to the loving spiritual leadership of the priests, which he had just failed to do (Leviticus 13-14).

Questions to consider:

1. How many of the Jewish people would have thought King Uzziah’s desire to burn incense at the altar was a good thing?  If they had little knowledge of the Law, what would Uzziah’s action have looked like to them?  Wasn’t he worshiping the right God?
2. How did Uzziah’s pride effect his view of God and His standards?  Who became the new standard writer?  How can we rightly discern if the things we are doing are truly glorifying to God or if they just “feel right” to us?
3. How does God show mercy to His children through the blessing of consequences?  Christ has already taken our wrath and there is no condemnation for us before God (Romans 8:1), but what does God use earthly consequences to do in our lives?  Why are they a blessing? (Hebrews 12:5-11)

Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 25:1-28

Helpful thoughts:

• “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7
  • Verse 2 gives us a window into the realities of the rest of the chapter.
• Amaziah obeyed the Lord at great cost to him on the way to battle against the Edomites, only to return worshipping the gods of the people who were just defeated.  This was an act even the pagan kings did not practice.  Logic does not make a person submit to the Lord, the one true God.
• The gods of Edom could not protect Judah from an idolatrous Israel.  The true God of Israel and Judah used an idolatrous Israel to bring discipline on Judah, whose king was worshipping the gods of Edom.  If that sounds confusing, it’s because sin does that to any situation.  But, God was/is never confused.

Questions to consider:

1. What is the difference between doing religion as a means to an end and religion that proceeds from a sincere heart of reverence and worship?  What right or wrong thinking goes into either and what fruits result?
2. In what ways are we tempted today to worship the “gods” of the nations who have never succeeded in making the world victorious, happy or fulfilled?  What makes the gods of our day seem so “reasonable,” even when they never work?
3. Amaziah relied on foreign gods and soldiers to win his battles, but who has already won our battle?  Who is our champion?  How does our settled victory in Christ encourage and strengthen us in midst of our lives?

Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 24:1-27

Helpful thoughts:

• King Joash was protected and elevated to the throne through the Lord’s faithfulness and the ministry of Jehoiada the priests.  The very same King Joash oversaw Judah’s return to idolatry and ordered the faithful priest Zechariah stoned to death.
• When Judah was seeking the Lord, they defeated armies far larger than them.  When they returned to idolatry, they were defeated by a few men. (Verse 24)
• King Joash did not remember.  God never forgets. (See verse 22 and 25)

Questions to consider:

1. What kind of faith or religiosity are we seeing in the leaders and people of Judah?  If they are able to go from idolatry, to obeying the Lord, to idolatry again in such quick succession, what must be the true condition of many of their hearts?  Were they treating the Lord any differently than they treated the idols?
2. What happened to Zechariah before he rebuked the people of Judah for their idolatry (Verse 20)?  Was his spirit-empowered ministry successful?  Was the message communicated?  Who holds the ability and sovereignty to produce the fruits of repentance? (1 Corinthians 3:6)
3. Every time it looks like Israel/Judah is going to get a king that fulfills righteousness, they fall short.  What does this teach us?  Is there a king or a government among mankind that will solve all our troubles and redeem us from our greatest problem (Our sin!)?  Who alone qualifies to be our Rescuer and Lord?

Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 23:1-21

Helpful thoughts:

• The sole heir to the throne and descendant in the Messianic line has been preserved.  The people of Judah, led by the priest Jehoiada, followed the Lord and revolted against Athaliah.
• When they crowned Joash, they also gave him a copy of the “Testimony,” which is the Word of God.  Every king of Israel was to have written out his own copy to ensure he knew and kept God’s commands.  (Deuteronomy 17:18)
• Athaliah thought she was accusing the people, but in truth, she spoke of her own guilt.  She was the traitor.

Questions to consider:

1. Reading this chapter could make all these important changes look simple.  In a way, they were, but often simple changes we need to make become very hard.  Why is it often hard for us to change and grow?  What desires and sins may need to be “put to death” or “torn down” in order for you to move forward in faith and obedience?
2. In what ways could the events of this day gone differently?  How was God’s faithfulness put on display?
3. How did the leaders and people of Judah show their obedience and fear of the Lord?  What actions did their faith result in?

Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 22:1-12

Helpful thoughts:

• Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel.  She reigned in Judah for a little over six years.  This may not seem like a long time as we read through the narrative of 2 Chronicles.  But, when we compare it to the term-length of our presidents, it gives us a little perspective to the bleakness of this time in Jerusalem.
• The last sentence of verse 9 through verse 10 should leave the reader in suspense.  Certainly, the nation (who experienced this crisis longer than it took us to read these verses) would have thought they had reason to mourn…until verse 11.  There appeared to be no one left from David’s line to reign, until they found baby Joash.
• The sins of the house of Ahab, the invading armies of surrounding nations, the new king of Israel, and even the queen of Judah all did their best to destroy the line of David, but God would never allow it.
  • Even when the king himself was wicked, God remained faithful.  The Messiah would surely come.

Questions to consider:

1. When Athaliah thought she was in control, who was in control?  Who is in control today?
2. What peace should this provide when the world (Or our nation, region, etc.) struggles with fears?  How can the truths of Ecclesiastes (“There is nothing new under the sun”) and Revelation (“Behold, I am making all things new”) give us confidence to not only weather the storms, but press on in the Great Commission through the storms?

Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 21:1-20

Helpful thoughts:

• Not wanting to risk losing his power, Jehoram killed anyone who could have claimed his throne outside of his own sons.
• The fact that Jehoram was married to Ahab’s daughter is another alliance which would have come through his father, Jehoshaphat.  The next king of Judah would be the grandson of the king of Israel.  Ahab’s line has blended with David’s.
• Jehoram’s reign was different from his father’s in numerous ways.  He died “with no one’s regret” (NKJV – “To no one’s sorrow”) at the age of 40.

Questions to consider:

1. Why didn’t God end the line of the kings of Judah like he did in the northern tribes of Israel?  What was His promise and why was it necessary to fulfill it?
2. How was Jehoram’s approach to conflict and war different from his father’s?  What was the result?
3. Why did Elijah call Jehoram and Judah’s acts against God, “whoredom”?  How had Judah (and Israel) been unfaithful to their “Husband”?  Compare this idea with Ephesians 5:25-33.  How ought the church (We) conduct ourselves as we await that day when we are presented to the one who died to make us spotless in righteousness?

Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 20:1-37

Helpful thoughts:

• The people who had come against Jehoshaphat and Judah were the descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:36-38).
• The king humbled himself and cried out to the Lord.  Before the eyes of all those who looked to him for leadership, he openly displayed his utter dependence on the Lord.  And, following his leadership, the people (Men, women and children) did the same.
• The people went out to “battle” singing in praise and expectation of God’s provision, and they returned home from the “battle” singing in praise and thanksgiving for God’s provision.

Questions to consider:

1. What mistake does Jehoshaphat make again near the end of this chapter?  If you had to guess, why was this action recorded for us to read at the end?  What might we expect to see in the next chapters as a result of these continued alliances?
2. How did Jehoshaphat model good leadership during his reign?  Whose name was being praised on the way to and the way home from the battle?  Under whose direction?  How might this seem counterproductive from the world’s perspective?
3. If God can turn allies against each other in the middle of a battlefield, is anything too hard for the Lord?  What could you take to the Lord in prayer?  If you already have, and if God isn’t answering the way you’d hoped, what might He be doing instead?  How can God’s attributes encourage you to trust Him with whatever response He deems best?

Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 19:1-11

Helpful thoughts:

• Jehoshaphat’s partnership with Israel would harm the nation of Judah more than once.  Stay tuned in the days ahead for more conflicts and consequences as a result of these alliances.
• The false gods were bribed with sacrifices and sinful activity in order to plead for things like rain and harvest.  The one true God has no sin, no partiality, and does not take bribes.
• During his reign, Jehoshaphat delegated leadership to local leaders.  They were to fear the Lord, be loyal to Him, and lead the people to follow God.  This required courage.

Questions to consider:

1. How does the way we view God effect our prayers?  If God is like a genie or a spoiling grandfather, how might we respond when He doesn’t give us what we ask for/demand?  Why might we feel justified in being angry with Him when He says, “No”?  What is our right relationship to our holy God?
2. Why would these leaders need to possess “fear” and “courage”?  How does the fear of the Lord result in courage and confidence before people?
3. Is there a situation or relationship that has brought a great deal of stress or anxiety?  How would the fear of the Lord help you to truly love others and courageously move forward?

Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 18:1-34

Helpful thoughts:

• Jehoshaphat unwisely united himself to Ahab (The grave consequences of this will show up in later chapters).  This text seems to show a little naivete on his part concerning the subtle lies of the religion of the northern tribes.
  • When Jehoshaphat desired to seek the Lord, all of Ahab’s prophets came…none of them were prophets of the Lord (The name “Yahweh” is usually marked in English translations by spelling out LORD in all capital letters.
  • The prophets Ahab summoned all used the term “God.” Or Elohim.  Jehoshaphat learned that they needed to specify the desire to hear from a prophet of the LORD.
• Micaiah, the true prophet, was told to speak favorably, then told to speak the truth.  He did both, but in a way that Ahab saw through immediately.  His true prophecy was not “good” news.
  • If Micaiah declared he was speaking on behalf of the Lord and was wrong, he should have received worse treatment than imprisonment. (Deuteronomy 18:20)
  • The “spirit” who desired to deceive Ahab to his demise must have been a fallen angel, just as Satan had been under the authority and permission of the Lord in Job 1.
• Ahab tried to ignore God’s word, then he tried to hide from God’s word, then he tried to defy God’s word.  God’s word prevailed.

Questions to consider:

1. Just to put all this false prophecy and idolatry in perspective, and according to Deuteronomy 18:20 and Deuteronomy 13, how many of the people involved in this narrative today deserved the death penalty according to God’s Law for Israel?  Furthermore, when any form of idolatry is taking place, who is involved beyond the people worshiping (Deuteronomy 32:16-17)?
2. What was Micaiah’s response to the false prophet’s request to give a good prophecy (Verse 14)?  In the face of all those false prophets and a king who was ready and willing to imprison him, who was Micaiah seeking to please and glorify?  How can this encourage us?
3. Was Ahab able to usurp God’s decree?  Christian, what promises has God decreed to the church?  In light of God’s authority and promises, how should we live?