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JULY
30
2
Chronicles 26-28
2 Chronicles 26
Vs. 1-3 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.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are 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, that is, 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 and important discipleship manual we have and it is the 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, or whom we are to be following. 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, as disciples, 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, 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 (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
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. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a
supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we
will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. Being in
the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the
essential essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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