2
Chronicles 26-28
2 Chronicles 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 the train of his robe 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 that father and son reigned together for many
years. Notice in v. 1 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 King Joash had killed. Although
it appears that the time references shouldn't work out, somehow Zechariah's
influence was important in the life of Uzziah. Zechariah's godly example and
murder continues into Jesus' teaching in Matthew 23:35 and Luke 11:51.
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 Uzziah 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 didn’t worship 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, etc.
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 given all of these instructions. As dirty Harry
so sagely put it, "A man's gotta know his own limitations." The same
is true for us 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, Uzziah could still worship God in spirit, even if he had to live
outside of Jerusalem.
As disciples, it is easy sometimes to disrespect the church
or God’s choice in gifting or even offices like pastor or elder or deacon; but
God appointed these men and designated these offices. If they are important to
the Lord for His harvest, then we need to work with them, not around them. If a
local church isn’t a good 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. We can’t give up on church or what God has
planned and ordained. Uzziah didn’t submit to God’s decision to be served by
the Levites, and he paid a price for it.
2 Chronicles 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.
V. 2 It is important to note that the people were running
out of control. Uzziah had not been a godly example.
V. 6 is probably the key thought that Ezra wanted to impress
on his readers. It may be that Jotham was a mediocre king; but by the fact that
he ordered his ways before the Lord, he became one of the few kings against
whom there is nothing negative to say.
2 Chronicles 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 Oded in v. 9, and the favorable reaction
of the men of Ephraim in v. 12, 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.
Vs. 1-4 For whatever reason, Ahaz was deeply involved in
idolatry. Remember that the idolatry back then was very sexually motivated. Sex
is a great motivator. The fact that he sacrificed his infants to Molech
suggests that Baal worship and sexually inspired worship were also in the
picture. You had to do something with those unwanted babies that came through
Baal and Asherah worship.
Vs. 5-7 Look at the carnage caused by Ahaz's sins. Notice
that the defeat and massive amount of deaths were the result of not just Ahaz,
but the nation following him in this sin. Ezra’s point to the returnees of
Israel would be clear. Leaders cause people to follow and can lead to massive
ruin.
Vs. 8-11 Ahaz was defeated by Syria and then by the totally
backslidden northern kingdom. Thankfully there was this prophet named Oded. In
this it is obvious that God let things go this far in order to humble Judah.
Otherwise it would have meant the end of Judah as a nation.
Vs. 12-15 This mercy and obedience by Israel was ironic and
it was a message to Judah. In spite of all the godly kings they had had, God
didn’t spare Judah for allowing one ungodly man to ruin the nation.
Vs. 16-21 Ahaz had the gift of being unteachable, so the
Lord kept using everything he tried against him.
Vs. 22-27 Ahaz actually became worse. It is interesting that
the Lord didn't take him out; but again, this would all become a test to the
people. During the Tribulation it says that the people on earth will understand
that the natural disasters are from God; but rather than turning to God, they
will only get madder at Him and intensify their persecution of His followers.
It is the natural way that the sin within us reveals itself as it reacts to
God.
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 have
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 and idolatrous. In
Jesus' generation those who opposed God were religious. The appearances may
change, but results are the same. 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
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 from the harvest by the amount of energy they expend blaming
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, 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 and with Nero; but even in that context, Paul told
them to live above all that and to see God's redemptive mercy and plan. Another
good portion to read with this is 1 Timothy 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. Not
only was loving one’s neighbor a way to fulfill the law, but it was a very
natural way to begin leading your neighbor to Christ.
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?
Vs. 1-3 Notice all of the things the Lord does for us as our
Shepherd. This was David’s experience in the wilderness, running from Saul. It
was hard and there was no big deliverance; but daily, the Lord showed David
faithfulness, small deliverances and kindnesses.
V. 4 David was under the penalty of death from Saul, but
David sought the Lord daily and received His comfort and leading daily.
V. 5 In the middle of all of this, God blessed David and the
community that followed him. Although these were hard times, I’ll bet God made
them memorable and provided seasons of joy. God confirmed His anointing and
choice of David during the blessings that came during these hard days.
V. 6
Notice the allusion to God’s mercy (ESV notes "steadfast love") and David’s passion to dwell in the presence of the
Lord. It’s no wonder that David set his heart to bring the ark into Jerusalem
and to build the temple. This verse makes me think of what Paul says in Romans
8:31-32, What then shall we say to these
things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own
Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give
us all things?
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 http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't
work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/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 complete description of this model
of being and making disciples you can find it in my book: Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
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.
Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like documents containing an entire month
of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download
these to use on your computer or to print.
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