2 Chronicles 26-28
2 Chr. 26
Uzziah is one of the good kings in the line of David. He is especially well known for his mention in Isaiah 6:1, "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple." Uzziah reigned for 52 years. His father, Amaziah, was very unstable and it is suggested that the people made Uzziah a co-regent with him and they reigned together for many years. Notice in verse one that it doesn't mention the death of Amaziah, but rather that the people made Uzziah king "instead of" his father. It also doesn't explain how long Amaziah was away, hiding in Lachish.
Uzziah was the only king that an entire generation had ever known. Fifty-two years was a long time; and when he died, I'm sure for Isaiah and for all of Israel it was a very discouraging time.
V. 4 Note that Uzziah followed the Lord according to the way his father Amaziah had followed God for the brief time Amaziah followed God. It is interesting that Ezra doesn't compare Uzziah to David.
V. 5 Seeking God has been and will remain an important mark for someone following God. Notice that Uzziah began to seek God under the teaching of Zechariah, the man his grandfather had killed.
Vs. 6-15 This fits into what we should be getting used to. These are Uzziah's acts of faith and following God. In contrast to some of the other kings, Ezra isn't showing any great moment when Uzzziah had to exercise faith. Probably the fact that he didn't worship other gods is remarkable enough. He is the first king since Jehoshaphat who hasn't worshipped idols.
V. 16 Here is that verse of warning, "when he was strong." It would be interesting to go through all the kings and write down the variations: When he was strong, when he was established…..
Vs. 16-23 It appears that for Uzziah the area of pride was thinking he should have the privilege to stand before God without needing a priest. This wasn't just disrespect for the priests and Levites, it was disrespect for the God who had all of these instructions written down. As dirty Harry so sagely put it, "A man's gotta know his limitations." The same is true in the church and in the harvest.
What is interesting about this punishment is that as a leper, Uzziah couldn't enter the temple or the company of God's people. On the other hand, he could still worship God in spirit, even from the other end of town.
As disciples, it is easy sometimes to disrespect the church or even gifting or even offices like pastor or elder or deacon, but God invented them. If they are important to the Lord for His harvest, then we need to work with them, not around them. If a local church doesn't fit for us, then we need to find a church that does allow us to join with them in unity, following Christ in the harvest and making disciples who make disciples. You don't give up on church or what God has planned and ordained.
2 Chr. 27
There is not much to say here. Jotham seems to have been a good, godly king. It is possible that Jotham was actually leading the country years earlier since he had to represent his father Uzziah who was a leper. Notice again, that Ezra does not compare Jotham to David.
Verse 6 is probably the key thought that Ezra would want to impress on his readers.
2 Chr. 28
This is actually a terrifying story. The Davidic line and all of Judah came within a few words of extinction. The writer of Kings didn't let us know that, but Ezra is making sure those who have come out of exile see this. Had it not been for the words of Obed in verse nine, and the favorable reaction of the men of Ephraim in verse twelve, it would have been lights out. Judah was spared only by the grace of God, just like all of Israel was spared by God's grace during the Babylonian captivity.
V. 6 Look at the carnage caused by Ahaz's sins.
V. 22 He actually became worse. It is interesting that the Lord didn't take him out, but again, this would become a test to the people.
Ezra's point is clear for those he was writing to and for us. It only takes one generation to destroy everything that past generations built. For us, that is why our focus on Christ, the harvest and making disciples who make disciples is so important. A church has lost its focus when it ceases to see people come to Christ and see people raised up who actually win others and make disciples. Ahaz was obviously sinful. In Jesus' generation those who opposed God were religious. Anything that keeps us from doing the one thing we were left here to do--the great commission--has to be put aside until we are following Christ in the harvest and seeing fruit.
Romans 13
As we enter an election year in the US, I can't think of a more timely chapter to read. Remember that the first 11 chapters have been focused on God's redemptive purpose on earth. This chapter is a command of God to His disciples in the harvest. You can almost see how removed a person is from Christ and the harvest by the amount of energy they spew out at the political parties. It is very interesting to me that this is the Spirit of God writing. At the end of the chapter He calls all of us to attention and to put our energy into the harvest.
Vs. 1-7 This section should raise a lot of questions, but the tone of what the Lord is saying is pretty simple. I'm sure there were lots of things to find wrong in Rome, but even in that context, Paul tells them to live above all that and see God's redemptive mercy and plan. Another good portion to read with this is 1 Tim 2:1-5.
V. 1 One thing I've heard that makes sense is that we are to obey the government until obeying is a sin.
V. 6 Isn't this interesting that Paul and the Spirit get in the face of those who complain about paying taxes?
Vs. 8-10 Paul says that our true duty in this dark harvest is to love our neighbor. This is also an interesting way to tell these Christians to adjust their perspective to the spiritual realities of life.
Vs. 11-14 I think these are great verses and show God's perspective on where our eyes should be. This is also pretty good discipleship stuff.
Psalm 23
We read this psalm earlier in the year before we read about David and his life. Reading this psalm now, do you have a different appreciation for what David went through and how this psalm came to be?
The psalms were songs, and Keith Green has good version of this psalm. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMUQEI0CLQM
Proverbs 20:11
The past three verses had something to do with judging, discerning and measuring. How do you discern the heart of a child? By his acts. How do you understand what is a good or bad action? By the Word of God.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
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