2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13
These are two
chapters full of observations and lots to think about. Basically we'll see
Hezekiah's greatest challenge and God's amazing deliverance. Hezekiah will be
shaken and will stumble. Manasseh will royally ruin Judah; he will be humbled,
repent and be restored. It is all quite an adventure and it all happens today.
2
Chronicles 32
Vs. 1-8 A
couple of things are of note here that were not covered in 2 Kings 18. First,
Hezekiah hid all the streams around Jerusalem and created a tunnel under the
city, and was able to draw water from it during the siege. Hezekiah's tunnel
was an engineering feat; because they began at opposite sides of the mountain
on which Jerusalem is built, tunneling about 1700 feet through rock and met in
the middle under the city. Second, vs. 7 and 8 show that Hezekiah gave a lot of
leadership in preparation for the coming of the Assyrian army. He strengthened
them and gave them confidence. Although they prepared, they knew their real
hope was in the Lord.
Vs. 9-15
Some of this we've read; some is summary, and some is brand new. Hezekiah’s
spiritual leadership was really under fire in what was said. It is interesting
that Sennacherib thought that Hezekiah had given the people confidence in his
leadership and the preparations. Hezekiah had given them confidence in the
Lord. Verse 15 was the height of arrogance. I’ll bet he remembered these words.
Vs. 16-19
Although this is in summary form, Ezra is trying to show his readers that being
scorned for following God was nothing new. The returnees were ridiculed and
encouraged to abandon the rebuilding of the temple.
Vs. 20-23
What is interesting to me is that it mentions that Isaiah also prayed and cried
out to God. We didn't see that in 2 Kings. Notice that both God and Hezekiah
were honored by the surrounding nations.
Vs. 24-33
This is also in summary form, although some significant stuff is added by Ezra.
You might want to read the account of this in 2 Kings 20 to compare.
V. 31
Notice that the envoy from Babylon came because of the sign, that is, the sun
going back on the sundial. It is interesting that they knew where to come and
inquire, and it is interesting that Hezekiah showed off the glory of Israel
more than he did the glory of God.
It seems
that Hezekiah was shaken by the prospect of an early death. He was only 39. He
felt like he deserved more. After he was given the additional 15 years, he
became proud about his reputation and flaunted all the Lord had given him, as
if it were his doing. This pride was already in place when Hezekiah acted proud
before the envoy from Babylon. Verse 31 is a very scary commentary on what
happened here. I think the Lord does this to us too; and in my case, when it
happens, it probably doesn't show the kind of stuff that is glorifying to God.
It is hard to say when God rebuked Hezekiah. It might have been before the
visitors from Babylon, but Kings and Chronicles both mention the envoy, so
maybe this was when Isaiah spoke and told him that everything the envoy saw
would someday become theirs.
When you
see this all in the perspective of time and the drama on earth, you wonder if
it was worth it. Hezekiah, even with 15 more years, only lived to be 54. And
his last 15 years were a disaster in his relationship with God. Do we really
consider it "death" and the loss of everything good to go to be with
God and get off this rotting rock? Even when Isaiah came with God's rebuke,
Hezekiah’s only thought was, "At least there will be peace during my life,"
as we read in 2 Kings 20. And with this thought and his newly found pride,
Hezekiah decided to “slide for home,” and the next generation of Israel was
lost. The next godly king, Josiah, will hear the same message from God
(judgment is coming, but you will have peace); and his response to that news
will be used to save Israel.
2
Chronicles 33
Vs. 1-9
Manasseh was a piece of work. He was the child born in those extra 15 years
that God gave Hezekiah. I assume that Hezekiah had other sons who could have
reigned. This was the son then that Hezekiah selected to continue his legacy.
Manasseh was the king who reigned the longest, 55 years, and he was the worst
king either kingdom, north or south, had ever known. God vowed to bring
punishment against Judah because of this guy.
Notice the
references to David. The promise to David is now in conflict with the
desecration of the temple and Jerusalem. Ezra will show that in spite of the
great evil of this man, God would still hold true to the promise to Abraham,
David and Israel.
V. 10 Not
only did they pay no attention to those sent by God, but they killed them. What
brought irrevocable judgment against Judah was that Manasseh filled Jerusalem
with innocent blood. (2 Kings 21:16 and 24:4) Manasseh ruled for 55 years by
killing the competition and silencing all the servants of the Lord. Tradition
has it that Manasseh sawed Isaiah in two.
Vs. 11-13
I wish they hadn't ended this portion here, so read ahead to v. 20. This is
completely new information given to us from Ezra and the Spirit. It is ironic
that though captured by Assyria, Manasseh was led to and imprisoned in Babylon.
Manasseh would be responsible for Judah being taken there in exile. Notice too
that they captured him with hooks. The Assyrians had a brutal way of leading
people captive. They would put a hook through the flesh of the chest (or in the
nose) and connect it by a rope to a wagon or horse. This not only struck fear
into the people who saw what Assyria did to those who opposed them, but it
motivated the person who was "hooked" up, to keep up. Also, all the
people of other lands would see these processions of prisoners and decide they
didn’t want that to happen to them.
If you
know the story here, v. 13 has to be one of the most amazing verses in the
Bible. Who says God doesn't show grace and love in the Old Testament? Who says
there is no hope for those who have fallen the deepest? Ezra is showing that
the returned nation can find grace and restoration. He is also showing that
those who returned and fell into sin could turn to the Lord and find
forgiveness.
For us in
the harvest, we need to remember that we cannot "convince" people to
come to Christ or follow Him in the harvest. Only God can humble a heart. It is
enough for us to know that even the worst person can come to Christ and receive
forgiveness, even in the 11th hour.
Romans 15:23-16:7
Romans
15:23-33
Vs. 22-23
So the reason that Paul never visited was that he was being urged on by the
Spirit to complete his mission in Asia Minor.
V. 24 No
one knows if Paul ever went to Spain.
V. 25 This
is the collection mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16.
Vs. 26-27
Notice that Paul was very much focused on the interaction between God's plan
for the Jews and His plan for the Gentiles. Salvation was from the Jews, and
the Gentiles were allowed to become partakers.
Vs. 28-29
These were Paul’s plans, but we’ll see in v. 32 (also Rom. 1:10) that there was
an “if God wills,” attached to this.
Vs. 30-33
Paul appealed to them for their prayers, knowing that he was walking into
danger. In fact, this prayer was answered with a "sort of." We've
read Acts and know that Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and sat under house
arrest for the next 4-5 years. God had another plan for Paul not envisioned in
this prayer. However, Paul did make it to Rome and was there in peace with
freedom to preach.
Romans
16:1-7
Vs. 1-2
The word servant is the word
deaconess. Cenchreae was a port suburb of Corinth. Phoebe was probably on her
way to Rome to do something for her church, maybe to extend some kind of aid to
a relative of someone in the church in Corinth. It is suggested that when Paul
found out she was heading to Rome, he “whipped off” this letter and sent it
with her to save postage. J
Vs. 3-4
This couple was very close to Paul. They were not just friends and very devoted
workers, but they were well known, sort of like heroes of the early church. If
there were action figures for the people in Acts, there would be one for Prisca
and one for Aquila. It is quite an honor for Paul to say that all the churches
of the Gentiles were thankful for them. In Acts 18 we met P&A after all the
Jews got kicked out of Rome. By divine appointment and displacement, they met
Paul in Corinth and we see them again in Ephesus. Apparently they did some
traveling with Paul. What is interesting here is that they were now back in
Rome.
V. 5 Did
you know this guy was the first convert in Asia?
V. 7
Apparently these guys were relatives of Paul who were believers before he was.
Tomorrow
we get some more names, a great conclusion, and you will have finished Romans.
When’s the last time that happened?
Psalm 25:16-22
This is
like a summary of the psalm. It is interesting to me that all of the sweat and
fear and tears and hope and love and yearning are mixed together by God to help
us know and understand Him.
Vs. 16-18
It is interesting that David couldn’t calm his own heart. He knew that only the
Lord could give him the peace and rest he sought. Part of this was giving David
a sense of being forgiven for his fears and lying. Remember that when David
first ran from Saul, he acted pretty badly. He lied to the priests, which
resulted in the death of the priests and their families; and David went to Gath
seeking refuge and had to act crazy to get out of it. These were not David’s
finest moments. His own efforts didn’t bring him peace. David needed peace,
knowing that God would continually rescue him.
Vs. 19-21
It is hard to depend on the Lord when the threat is very real and physical. God
doesn’t always seem physical and present. In danger, if it came down to relying
on God’s invisible presence or grabbing a baseball bat, most people would go
for the Louisville Slugger. Yet David’s hope was in the Lord, and he was
willing to be looked upon as a fool.
V. 22 I
think that David saw all of the events around him as not only pertaining to
Israel, but as a part of Israel’s troubles. But through the Son of David, all
of David’s shame will be put to rest and Israel will be established.
Proverbs 20:16-18
Vs. 16 and
17 are actions with regrets that did not come from v. 18, wise counsel.
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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