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2 Chronicles 29-32
Great King
Hezekiah
Psalm 64:1-10 Trusting in Trouble
1.“Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.2.Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil;3.who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and aim their arrows, deadly words,4.to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly.5.They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, "Who will see them?"6.They plot injustice, saying, "We have made a perfect plan!" Surely man’s mind and heart are cunning.7.But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow.8.Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads.9.All mankind shall fear. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done.10.The righteous shall be glad in Yahweh, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him!
Observations
64:1.David calls to God for protection and help against the minions of Satan.
64:2-6.
The unjust bad guys don't fear God but fearlessly oppress the righteous, spreading lies and snares. Here arrows are figuratively put for slanderous words, a weapon of Satan (Eph 6). The wicked guys aren't mindless zombies, but use all the capacities and skills God has given them in the service of Satan, the father of lies.
64:7-9.
God comes to the rescue of the righteous, and ruins the wicked, beating them at their own game. All will see and fear God, declaring what God has done. The wise gain insight into the workings of God when they see His judgments.
64:10.
Upright people have something to praise God about, because they have trusted in Him, thereby frequently encountering opposition, and He has worked on their behalf, in response to their prayers. Time for rejoicing!
Question
How has God helped you lately?
Application
Trust God in the midst of trouble, then tell how He worked to answer your prayers.
Prayer
God, thanks for fighting my battles; may I trust You and not be troubled by the wicked and their master. Amen.
Proverbs 17:1-3 Skimming off the Scum
1.“Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.2.A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.3.The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.”Observations
17:1.There are number of “Betters” in Proverbs. You'd better align your value system with them if you want what's best.
17:2.
God is an equal opportunity Blesser. The wise win, regardless of social status.
17:3.
This verse uses the same words as Ps 17:3 (and Ps 11). “Refining pot” is the noun of “tried” and "tests” is the same as “proved”. The hearts are where decisions are made, according to our values and ambitions. God wants truth at the core of our being (Ps 51:6). When it's not there, we lose.
Application
How has God refined your heart?
Prayer
Lord of my heart, please surface whatever impurities and incorrect values that need to be skimmed off. Amen.
2 Chronicles 29-32 Great King Hezekiah
These chapters outline the religious revival under the rule of the great King Hezekiah, and the blessings which followed. They also underscore the importance of depending upon God and seeking the magnification of His name and glory.
2 Chronicles 29 Biblical Worship Restored
1.Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.2.He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that David his father had done.3.He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of Yahweh, and repaired them.4.He brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the broad place on the east,5.and said to them, "Listen to me, you Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of Yahweh, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filthiness out of the holy place.6.For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of Yahweh, and turned their backs.7.Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel.8.Therefore the wrath of Yahweh was on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has delivered them to be tossed back and forth, to be an astonishment, and a hissing, as you see with your eyes.9.For, behold, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.10.Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with Yahweh, the God of Israel, that his fierce anger may turn away from us.11.My sons, don’t be negligent now; for Yahweh has chosen you to stand before him, to minister to him, and that you should be his ministers, and burn incense."12.Then the Levites arose...15.They gathered their brothers, and sanctified themselves, and went in, according to the commandment of the king by the words of Yahweh, to cleanse the house of Yahweh.16.The priests went in to the inner part of the house of Yahweh, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of Yahweh into the court of the house of Yahweh. The Levites took it, to carry it out abroad to the brook Kidron.17.Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of Yahweh; and they sanctified the house of Yahweh in eight days: and on the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.18.Then they went in to Hezekiah the king within the palace, and said, "We have cleansed all the house of Yahweh, and the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and the table of show bread, with all its vessels.19.Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign threw away when he trespassed, have we prepared and sanctified; and behold, they are before the altar of Yahweh.20.Then Hezekiah the king arose early, and gathered the princes of the city, and went up to the house of Yahweh.21.They brought seven bulls, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven male goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for Judah. He commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of Yahweh.22.So they killed the bulls, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar: and they killed the rams, and sprinkled the blood on the altar: they killed also the lambs, and sprinkled the blood on the altar.23.They brought near the male goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly; and they laid their hands on them:24.and the priests killed them, and they made a sin offering with their blood on the altar, to make atonement for all Israel; for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.25.He set the Levites in the house of Yahweh with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet; for the commandment was of Yahweh by his prophets.26.The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.27.Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of Yahweh began also, and the trumpets, together with the instruments of David king of Israel.28.All the assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.29.When they had made an end of offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped.30.Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. They sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.31.Then Hezekiah answered, "Now you have consecrated yourselves to Yahweh; come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of Yahweh." The assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings.32.The number of the burnt offerings which the assembly brought was seventy bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred lambs: all these were for a burnt offering to Yahweh.33.The consecrated things were six hundred head of cattle and three thousand sheep.34.But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: therefore their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves; for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.35.Also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and with the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of Yahweh was set in order.36.Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of that which God had prepared for the people: for the thing was done quickly."Observations
29:1-11.National revival starts with the religious leadership. Hezekiah, seeing the disastrous results from the rule of his father Ahaz, as well as the captivity of Israel, and possibly because of the godly influence of his mother, who was the daughter of the Zechariah, a priest and prophet (2Ch 24:20; 26:5), who himself was the son of Jehoiada the priest, who put Josiah on the throne. In any event, Hezekiah did what was right in the sight of Yahweh. Noting the cause and effect relationship between obedience and blessing, and disobedience and cursing, he opened and repaired the doors of the temple, and regathered and restored the priesthood. He made a covenant with them to seek the Lord and fulfill their priestly responsibilities.
29:12-30.
The priests cleanse themselves and the temple, and Hezekiah gathers the civic leaders for offerings on behalf of the nation. The priests offer sacrifices very similar to those at the inauguration of the sacrificial system, adding the songs of David and Asaph to corporate worship.
29:31-36.
The people offered willingly, with joy, and in abundance.
Application
Revival starts with an individual's commitment to follow God, but develops with leadership committing themselves to Biblical purity and service; then the people follow.
Prayer
Lord, I pray that my life would be an example to others, so they would be motivated to follow You according to Your word. Amen.
2 Chronicles 30 Invitation to Joy
1.Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah...come to the house of Yahweh at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover2.For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to keep the Passover in the second month.3.For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.4.The thing was right in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly.6.So couriers went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, saying, "You children of Israel, return again to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant that have escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.7.Don’t be like your fathers, and like your brothers, who trespassed against Yahweh, the God of their fathers, so that he gave them up to desolation, as you see.8.Now don’t be stiff-necked, as your fathers were; but yield yourselves to Yahweh, and enter into his sanctuary, which he has sanctified forever, and serve Yahweh your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you.9.For if you turn again to Yahweh, your brothers and your children shall find compassion before those who led them captive, and shall come again into this land: for Yahweh your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him."10.So the couriers passed from city to city...but they ridiculed them, and mocked them.11.Nevertheless certain men of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.12.Also on Judah came the hand of God to give them a united heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the word of Yahweh.13.Many people assembled at Jerusalem to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great assembly.14.They arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.15.Then they killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought burnt offerings into the house of Yahweh.16.They stood in their place after their order, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of the hand of the Levites.17.For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites were in charge of killing the Passovers for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to Yahweh.18.For a multitude of the people...had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, "May the good Yahweh pardon everyone19.who sets his heart to seek God, Yahweh, the God of his fathers, even if they aren’t clean according to the purification of the sanctuary."20.Yahweh listened to Hezekiah, and healed the people21.The children of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised Yahweh day by day, singing with loud instruments to Yahweh.22.Hezekiah spoke encouragement to all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace offerings, and making confession to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.23.The whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days; and they kept another seven days with gladness.24.For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the assembly for offerings one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.25.All the assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the assembly who came out of Israel, and the foreigners who came out of the land of Israel, and who lived in Judah, rejoiced.26.So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.27.Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy habitation, even to heaven.Observations
30:1-10.Hezekiah extends an invitation to the rest of the nation to come to Jerusalem to worship for the Passover. He holds out the promise, based upon God's character and promises, that if they return to Him, He may return to them, and even have compassion on those who were already taken captive to Assyria. The general response to the offer of God's grace, was mocking and ridicule, demonstrating beyond a doubt to all but the dumbest observer, the justice of God in giving Israel their chosen consequences, and graciousness of God in offering forgiveness for repentance. Then, as now, people perversely preferred their sin to salvation.
30:11-14.
Some however, did humble themselves and came to Jerusalem. And God gave them all a united heart to fulfill the commandment of the king. This spirit of unity was in response to their humbling themselves, and committing to Biblical worship. First they changed their hearts, then God responded in unifying their hearts. Hezekiah focused on building Biblical worship, then the people broke down the false worship system, a good model.
30:15-20.
Hezekiah prays for those whose hearts where in the right place, but who hadn't ritually purified themselves. God responded by accepting them, a good reminder that God is most concerned about our heart. The devotion of the people shamed the priests who lagged in purifying themselves.
30:21-27.
There was so much rejoicing, they decided to extend the feast another week. The nation, doing things God's way, even had a positive influence on the other nations (God's plan all along). The Levites were able to bless the people; music in God's ears.
Application
Joy comes from choosing what is best (Biblical obedience/worship).
Prayer
God, You are so gracious to forgive and accept Your people when they turn to You; may I never linger in proud estrangement, but humbly accept Your invitation to enter into Your joy. Amen.
2 Chronicles 31 Blessing in Abundance
1.Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the Asherim, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.2.Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites...for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp of Yahweh.3.He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, for the morning and evening...and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of Yahweh.4.Moreover he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the law of Yahweh.5.As soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things they brought in abundantly.6.The children of Israel and Judah, who lived in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to Yahweh their God, and laid them in heaps.8.When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed Yahweh, and his people Israel.10."Since people began to bring the offerings into the house of Yahweh, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty: for Yahweh has blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store."11.Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare rooms in the house of Yahweh; and they prepared them.12.They brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: and over them...20.Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he worked that which was good and right and faithful before Yahweh his God.21.In every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.Application
God blesses us, so we can bless Him and others.
Prayer
God, may my heart be set on doing what is right in Your sight, and may You respond with blessing me, so I can bless others as well. Thanks. Amen.
2 Chronicles 32 Test, Triumph, Temptation
1.After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to win them for himself.2.When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,3.he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the springs which were outside of the city; and they helped him.4.So many people gathered together, and they stopped all the springs, and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land, saying, "Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?"5.He took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and the other wall outside, and strengthened Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance.6.He set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city, and spoke encouragement to them, saying,7."Be strong and courageous, don’t be afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude who is with him; for there is a greater with us than with him.8.With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is Yahweh our God to help us, and to fight our battles." The people rested on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.9.After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants to Jerusalem, (now he was before Lachish, and all his power with him), to Hezekiah king of Judah, and to all Judah who were at Jerusalem, saying,10.Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria, "In whom do you trust, that you remain under siege in Jerusalem?11.Doesn’t Hezekiah persuade you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, ‘Yahweh our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?’12.Hasn’t the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, ‘You shall worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn incense?’13.Don’t you know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any way able to deliver their land out of my hand?14.Who was there among all the gods of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of my hand?15.Now therefore don’t let Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you in this way, neither believe him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand?"16.His servants spoke yet more against Yahweh God, and against his servant Hezekiah.17.He also wrote letters insulting Yahweh, the God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, "As the gods of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall the God of Hezekiah not deliver his people out of my hand."18.They cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.19.They spoke of the God of Jerusalem, as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men’s hands.20.Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.21.Yahweh sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. When he had come into the house of his god, his own sons killed him there with the sword.22.Thus Yahweh saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and protected them on every side.23.Many brought gifts to Yahweh to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah; so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.24.In those days Hezekiah was sick even to death: and he prayed to Yahweh; and he spoke to him, and gave him a sign.25.But Hezekiah didn’t render again according to the benefit done to him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath on him, and on Judah and Jerusalem.26.Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Yahweh didn’t come on them in the days of Hezekiah.27.Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he provided him treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all kinds of goodly vessels;28.storehouses also for the increase of grain and new wine and oil; and stalls for all kinds of animals, and flocks in folds.29.Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much substance.30.Hezekiah prospered in all his works.31.However concerning the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.32.Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.33.Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the greatest of the tombs of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. Manasseh his son reigned in his place.Observations
32:1-8.Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, comes to fight against Israel. One of the patterns we've seen is that when God's people are obeying Him, He brings problems to prosper them. Hezekiah responds to the threat with both physical and spiritual preparation. He shores up defenses, and blocks up the springs, and organizes the people. Then he gives them the OT version of 1John 4:4“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” The people rely on his words.
32:4-19.
Hezekiah continued the revival by mandating support for the priests and Levites, so they could study and teach the law, rather than farm. The people responded with an abundance of offering; they had so much to give, because Yahweh had multiplied their blessings. God abundantly met needs all around, because all their hearts were devoted to Him.
32:9-18.
Sennacherib reveals his slimy satanic empowerment by distorting reality and deceiving with lies. God lets Sennacherib evangelize for Him, by making it clear that no god has ever been able to deliver from his or his father's hand. So if Yahweh can do it, He must be greater than all other gods.
32:19-23.
Hezekiah and Isaiah called out to Yahweh for protection, and Yahweh sent an angel to smite the 185,000 Assyrians. The king returns to his own land, and his sons kill him in the temple of his god (who doesn't appear to have protected him). The fuller account of God's promises to defend His city, and Hezekiah's prayer is in 2Kings 18-19.
32:20-21.
Hezekiah served God with all his heart, and God prospered Him.
32:24-26.
Hezekiah gets sick, and is told he will die in the extended account in 2Kings 20. He weeps before God, citing his loyal service and is given 15 more years and a miraculous sign. He failed to render thanks and praise for deliverance, wrath is promised, and then God relents when he repents.
32:27-33.
The account ends with a catalog of Hezekiah's prosperity, and a test which he failed. His heart pridefully boasted before the Babylonians, and all that they saw would be carried off (2Kings 20). While building the nation, he appears to have neglected to build into the life of his son, but that's the next chapter.
Application
God will fight the battles of those who obey and trust Him.
Prayer
God, may I always be in the position for You to bless me, protect me, and prosper me, so You may be seen as the great God You are. May I also humbly thank and praise You for Your blessings, so I won't lose them. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God responds to the obedient worship of His people with protection and blessing. He fights the battles of those rightly related to Him. He doesn't mind imperfections beyond our control when our hearts are in the right place. He delights to show Himself as the one and only God who cares for His people. He tests His servants, giving them opportunities to respond correctly. When people are repentant, obedient, and worshiping according to the Book, He gives them a unity of heart to magnify His name.Us in a nutshell: We can bring about blessing for ourselves and others by purposing to wholeheartedly obey God. If we focus on worship according to His word, and personal obedience, and encourage the practice and teaching of the Scriptures, revival could follow, flowing out of the Biblical obedience of leaders. We can accomplish great things for God by trusting Him, but fail His tests of personal righteousness by not acknowledging our dependence upon God and seeking our glory above His.