Daily Archives: October 2, 2020

2 CHRONICLES

INTRODUCTIONS

THE [ie. Merlin] slide clicks, and our eyes focus on the image flashed onto the screen in the darkened sanctuary. “This idol,” explains the missionary, “is made of stone and is worshipped daily.  The natives believe that this will guarantee good crops and healthy children.”  With condescending smiles, we wonder at their ignorance.  How could anyone worship an object?  Idols are for the naïve and the superstitious!  But after the presentation we return home to our idols of wealth, prestige, or self-fulfilment.  If we put anything in God’s place, we worship it, despite what we profess with our lips.

Our experience parallels Israel’s. They were chosen by God [Wall] to represent him on earth.  But too often they forgot the truth and their calling, stumbling blindly after idols as the neighbouring nations did.  Then prophets, priests, and judgment would push them abruptly back to God [Wall], the one true God[Wall].  The book of 2 Chronicles relates this sordid history of Judah’s corrupt and idolatrous kings.  Here and there a good king would arise in Judah, and for a time there would be revival, but the downward spiral would continue – ending in chaos, destruction, and captivity.

Accountant. (And so was Elis Gruffydd (Welsh chronicler).

The chronicler writes this volume to bring the nation back to God by reminding them of their past. Only by following God [Wall] would they prosper!  As you read 2 Chronicles you will catch a vivid glimpse of Judah’s history (the history of Israel, the northern kingdom, is virtually ignored), and you will see the tragic results of idolatry.  Learn the lessons of the past; determine to get rid of any idols in your life and to worship God [Wall] alone.

This account continues the history of 1 Chronicles. David’s son, Solomon, was inaugurated as king.  Solomon built the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, thus fulfilling his father’s wish and last request (Chapters 2-5).  Solomon enjoyed a peaceful and prosperous reign of 40 years that made him world famous.  After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam assumed the throne, and his immaturity divided the kingdom.

In Judah, there were a few good kings and many evil ones. The writer of Chronicles faithfully records their achievements and failures, noting how each king measured up to God’s standard for success.  Clearly a good king obeyed God’s laws, eliminated the places of idol worship, and made no alliances with other nations.  Judah’s good kings include Asa, Jehoshaphat, Uzziah (Azariah), Hexekiah, and Josiah.  Of its many evil ones, Ahaz and Manasseh were perhaps the worst.  Eventually the nation was conquered and taken captive, and the temple was destroyed.

The writer’s purpose was to reunite the nation around the true worship of God [Wall] after the captivity. In these pages, he reminds the people of their past.  He clearly broadcasts his message through one of the best-known verses in Scripture, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (7.14).  As you read 2 Chronicles, listen to God’s voice and obey him; and receive his redemptive, healing touch.

 

VITAL STATISTICS

PURPOSE: To unify the nations around true worship of God [Wall] by showing his standard for judging kings. The righteous kings of Judah and the religious revivals under their rule are highlighted, and the sins of the evil kings are exposed.

AUTHOR: Ezra, according to Jewish tradition

TO WHOM WRITTEN: All Israel

DATE WRITTEN: Approximately 430 B.C., recording events from the beginning of Solomon’s reign (970 B.C.) to the beginning of the Babylonian captivity (586 B.C.)

SETTING: 2 Chronicles parallels 1 and 2 Kings and serves as their commentary. Originally 1 and 2 Chronicles were one book.  It was written after the exile from a priestly perspective, highlighting the importance of the temple and the religious revivals in Judah.  The northern kingdom, Israel, is virtually ignored in this history.

KEY VERSE: “If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (7.14).

KEY PEOPLE: Solomon, the queen of Sheba, Rehoboam, Asa, Johoshaphat, Jehoram, Joash, Uzziah (Azariah), Ahaz, Hexekiah, Manasseh, Josiah

KEY PLACES: Jerusalem, the temple

SPECIAL FEATURES: Includes a detailed record of the temple’s construction

 

THE BLUEPRINT

The Reign of Solomon (1:1-9-31): Solomon achieved much in business and government, but most important, he was the man of God [Wall] used to build the glorious temple.  This beautiful building was the religious centre of the nation.  It symbolised the unity of all the tribes, the presence of God [Wall] among them, and the nation’s high calling.  We may achieve great things in life, but we must not neglect any effort that will help nurture God’s people or bring others into God’s kingdom.  It is easy for us to get the wrong perspective on what’s really important in life.

  1. Solomon asks for wisdom
  2. Solomon builds the temple
  3. Solomon dedicates the temple
  4. Solomon’s riches and wisdom

The Kingdom of Judah (10:1-36:23): Throughout the reigns of 20 kings, the nation of Judah wavered between obedience to God and apostasy.  The reigning king’s response to God [Wall] determined the spiritual climate of the nation and whether or not God [Wall] would send judgment upon his people.  Our personal history is shaped by our response to God [Wall].  Just as Judah’s failure to repent brought them captivity in Babylon, so the abuse of our high calling by sinful living will ultimately bring us catastrophe and destruction.

  1. The northern tribes revolt
  2. History of apostasy and reform
  3. Judah is exiled to Babylon

 

MEGATHEMES

Temple

EXPLANATION: The temple was the symbol of God’s presence and the place set aside for worship and prayer. Built by Solomon from the plans God [Wall] gave to David, the temple was the spiritual centre of the nation.

IMPORTANCE: As Christians meet together to worship God, they experience the presence of God [Wall] in a way that no individual believer could. For the dwelling place of God [Wall]  is the people of God [Wall].  The body of Christ is God’s temple.

Peace

EXPLANATION: As Solomon and his descendants were faithful to God [Wall], they experienced victory in battle, success in government, and peace with other nations. Peace was the result of the people being unified and loyal to God [Wall] and his law.

IMPORTANCE: Only God [Wall] can bring us true peace. God [Wall] is greater than any enemy, army, or nation.  Just as Israel’s faithful response was the key to her peace and survival as a nation, so our obedience to God [Wall] as individuals and nations is vital to peace today.

Prayer

EXPLANATION: After Solomon died, David’s kingdom was divided. When a king led the Israelites into idolatry, the nation suffered.  When the king and his people prayed to God [Wall] for deliverance and they turned from their sinful ways, God [Wall] delivered them.

IMPORTANCE: God [Wall] still answers prayer today. We have God’s promise that if we humble ourselves, seek him, turn from our sin, and pray, God will hear, heal, and forgive us.  If we are alert, we can pray for God’s guidance before we get into trouble.

Reform

EXPLANATION: Although idolatry and injustice were common, some kings turned to God [Wall] and led the people in spiritual revival – renewing their commitment to God [Wall] and reforming their society. Revival included the destruction of idols, obedience to the law, and the restoration of the priesthood.

IMPORTANCE: We must constantly commit ourselves to obeying God [Wall]. We are never secure in what others have done before us.  Each generation of believers must rededicate themselves to the task of carrying out God’s will in their own lives as well as in society.

National Collapse

EXPLANATION: In 586 B.C. the Babylonians completely destroyed Solomon’s beautiful temple. The formal worship of God [Wall] was ended.  The Israelites had abandoned God [Wall].  As a result, God [Wall] brought judgment upon his people and they were carried off into captivity.

IMPORTANCE: Although our disobedience may not be as blatant as Israel’s, quite often our commitment to God [Wall] is insincere and casual. When we forget that all our power, wisdom, and wealth come from God [Wall] and not ourselves, we are in danger of the same spiritual and moral collapse that Israel experienced.

 

BAKER

BIBLES THUMBS

His role in Pharaoh’s kingdom:

Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.  – – Genesis 40:1-3

The cupbearer and the baker were two of the most trusted men in Pharaoh’s kingdom. The baker was in charge of making the Pharaoh’s food, and the cupbearer tasted all of his food and drink before giving it to him, in case any of it was contaminated or poisoned.  These trusted men must have been suspected of a serious wrong, perhaps of conspiring against Pharaoh.  Later the cupbearer was released and the baker executed.

(…the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warder. So the warder put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.  The warder paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. – – Genesis 39:21-23.  As a prisoner and slave, Joseph could have seen his situation as hopeless.  Instead, he did his best with each small task given him.  His diligence and positive attitude were soon noticed by the warder, who promoted him to prison administrator.  Are you facing a seemingly hopeless predicament?  At work, at home, or at school, follow Joseph’s example by taking each small task and doing your best.  Remember how God turned Joseph’s situation around.  He will see your efforts and can reverse even overwhelming odds.)

(“We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no-one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God?  Tell me your dreams.”  – – Genesis 40:8.  When the subject of dreams came up, Joseph focused everyone’s attention on God.  Rather than using the situation to make himself look good, he turned it into a powerful witness for the Lord.  One secret of effective witnessing is to recognise opportunities to relate God to the other person’s experience.  When the opportunity arises, we must have the courage to speak, as Joseph did.)