Bible Reading Reflection from 2 Chronicles 23-36

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟛:𝟙𝟞

"Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king, that they would be the LORD'S people."

The people of Yahweh must live differently from others. They must live to please God and obey Him cheerfully. They must realize that they aren't God themselves but mere humans therefore they should submit to God and trust Him!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟜:𝟚𝟚

“Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which his father Jehoiada had shown him, but he murdered his son. And as he died he said, ‘May the LORD see and avenge!’”

What a tragedy! Joash began well and ended badly. May this be a lesson for those who started well to continue till the end.

Hmm! @_________ and @_________ who started well in updating must also continue. You want to be like Joash? 😬

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟝:𝟡

“Amaziah said to the man of God, "But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?" And the man of God answered, "The LORD has much more to give you than this."”

A great passage to remember when you have spent a lot of time, money, or effort on a wrong thing. You don't need to think of those, for God has more than you have spent!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟞:𝟙𝟠

"They opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, ‘It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from the LORD God.’"

We need some brave people like these guys who would confront the mightiest man of their land. Courage comes from strong conviction. And conviction comes from character. They knew the word of God, believed, obeyed, and prevailed upon Uzziah!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟟:𝟞

"So Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God."

The history of Israelites written in the Bible reveals that God cares about how one lives his life, individually and collectively. The one who obeys God gets favor from the Lord, and the one who disobeys God gets hardship.

No neutral life, either a life lived for God or lived against God. If you aren't sure, it's the latter, because that's the default status of every man.

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟠:𝟙𝟡

"For the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had brought about a lack of restraint in Judah and was very unfaithful to the LORD."

God shall not be mocked. When He is disobeyed, God shall humble him. God raised up kings, especially for the Israelites and Judeans so that the kings will show their reverence for God in an exemplary manner for the people to follow God.

Unfortunately, many kings were arrogant and ruled [lorded] over them.

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊:𝟛𝟘

"Moreover, King Hezekiah and the officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of David and Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with joy, and bowed down and worshiped."

We do need to restore the love for Psalms. To memorize, to meditate upon it, to sing, to recite, and even to have a Bible study on it. Martin Luther studied Psalm before he instigated Reformation. Hezekiah's Reformation included the Psalms of David and Asaph!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟛𝟘:𝟟

"Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were unfaithful to the LORD God of their fathers, so that He made them a horror, as you see."

Hezekiah’s Reformation or Revival. What a great message! Ought we not say this to the people of our time as well? The religion of our time is shallow, superficial, and found lacking.

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟛𝟙:𝟚𝟙, 𝟙

"Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered."

This chapter begins and ends with words of commendation. The people repented and the kingdom prospered!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟛𝟚:𝟟-𝟠

"Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him. With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah."

Leaders ought to lead like this. A good leader is one who points to God for strength and hope, of course, without abdicating his responsibility.

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟛𝟛:𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟛

"When he was in distress, he entreated the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God."

The story of Manasseh is a fascinating one. A son of a good, righteous king, turning out to be the most wicked king and reigning for a long, long time, and receiving repentance from God in his last days.

If Manasseh was granted repentance, anyone could be granted, keep praying for loved ones who are living in darkness and sin!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟛𝟜:𝟙𝟡

"When the king heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes."

The word of God should pierce our hearts, whenever it is preached. Sometimes conviction, sometimes comfort. Confrontation and Exhortation!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟛𝟝:𝟚𝟝

"Then Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah. And all the male and female singers speak about Josiah in their lamentations to this day. And they made them an ordinance in Israel; behold, they are also written in the Lamentations."

The tragic death of Josiah was mourned and lamented by all, even by the prophet Jeremiah. But God let this happen for good! How was this good? It's not clear to us except that it's God who gives life and takes life. We aren't in control.

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟛𝟞:𝟚𝟚

"Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia--in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah--the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying"

God does work sovereignly over everything. He stirred up the heart of kings. He let the donkey speak. And He even let the dried bones live.

That's why we can pray knowing who God is and what He does!

Bible Reading Reflection from 2 Chronicles 10-22

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟘:𝟠

"But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him."

People have this foolish tendency to ignore the advice of old people saying “it's outdated” and to listen to young people saying “they know the times better.” There's hardly any wisdom in inexperienced young people. "Wisdom comes with age" is still true! Be careful to weigh young people’s opinions against older people!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟙:𝟚𝟙

"Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and concubines (he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and fathered twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters)."

Like father, like son. Stupid. Trusting in alliances, not in God!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟚:𝟙𝟜

"He did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD."

Humans are sinners by birth, therefore everything they do will be sinful. Those whose aim is to seek God will overcome sin. Know God, know His words to overcome evil, sin, temptation, and the schemes of the deceitful world.

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟛:𝟙𝟟

"Abijah and his people defeated them with a great slaughter, so that 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain."

The men of Judah were only 4 lakhs but they slew 5 lakhs people of Israel. They won miraculously. And what a bloodbath among God's people!

Now, if underground factions kill one another, remember, it's not unprecedented!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟜:𝟙𝟙-𝟙𝟚

"Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You."  So the LORD routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled."

The fact that prayer is important and God is a lover of prayer and is an answering God is recorded even in this short account of King Asa's reign.

#Pray. #Prayer. #God.

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟝:𝟙𝟞

"He also removed Maacah, the mother of King Asa, from the position of queen mother, because she had made a horrid image as an Asherah, and Asa cut down her horrid image, crushed it and burned it at the brook Kidron."

Not even her mother was spared. That's what people with strong determination do. Some did it for their selfish gain. Others like Asa did it for the truth, for the restoration of godliness in his kingdom, to bring back the worship of Yahweh!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟞:𝟡

"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars."

God looks out for those who would depend on God entirely. Not a half obedience. Not a half commitment. Not a semi-dependency. But like the three friends of Daniel, those who would even go to the furnace!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟟:𝟛-𝟝

"The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David's earlier days and did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did. So the LORD established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor."

Again and again, the history of Israelites shows us obedience to the word of God brings peace and prosperity.

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟠:𝟟

“The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil. He is Micaiah, son of Imla.’ But Jehoshaphat said, ‘Let not the king say so.’”

We need some people around us to tell us "Let not you say such." It's not "Don't say" in a commanding way, but in a persuasive form, requesting from equal to equal or to superior. I myself have benefitted from people who have already cautioned me!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟡:𝟞-𝟟

“He said to the judges, ‘Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD who is with you when you render judgment. Now then let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the LORD our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.’”

This is what's expected of a leader. This is what we must exhort the leader. This is what we must pray for them. That they will have the fear of God. They may not be Christians, but they must fear God.

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟘:𝟙𝟚

"O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."

Hopefully, we have prayed like this, many times. Of course, not the physical war like this scale, but life is full of desperate moments!

This is realizing God is God and we aren't.

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟙:𝟚𝟘

"He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed with no one's regret, and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings."

What a sad ending. Lost everything, even his health and honor in death! Even Jehu tried to give a fitting burial for the wicked Jezebel. But nobody wept for him. He wasn't liked by anyone!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟚:𝟜

"He did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab, for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction."

If you have friends, counselors, partners, who aren't righteous, you too will not be far from their lifestyle. Don't fool yourself by saying, "I can protect myself from their influence." Flee like Lot and his daughters from such company.

Bible Reading Reflection from 2 Chronicles 1-9

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙:𝟙𝟘

"Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?"

And do we seek wisdom? James exhorts us to ask God for wisdom. What do we usually pray for?

Like Matthew 6, God gave Solomon everything a king would need!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚:𝟙

"Now Solomon purposed to build a temple for the name of the LORD, and a royal palace for himself."

Great and prosperous kings are known for their works. For that matter, everyone is known by one’s works. Solomon set out to build magnificent buildings.

Hardworking. Intense labor. Sweat. Many years. Criticism. All these made him a name!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟛:𝟙

"Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite."

He made it his priority to build the temple of God. Well, his father had made the preparation for it. The political, social, economic, and religious conditions were all favorable. He himself made it to be his priority right from the start of his reign. Preparing and preparing and finally building on his 4th year.

Priority with Providence brings Prosperity.

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟜:𝟙𝟙

"Huram also made the pails, the shovels and the bowls. So Huram finished doing the work which he performed for King Solomon in the house of God"

Have you ever wondered why so many details about the temple which never lasted long and which we never see?

God is a God of details. He knows everything, and each and every step of God is necessary and great.

God created the universe within a week. He takes a lifetime to create you and me. Until we are ushered into the glory, God is still working, perfecting us!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟝:𝟙𝟜

"So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God."

Music leaders, Singers, and Preachers must fade away and the glory of God must be witnessed in the worship service. Sadly, people want attention. They want to be seen, admired, applauded and praised.

The best worship service is when nobody remembers those people on the stage and only remembers their encounter with God!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟞:𝟛𝟚

"Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for the sake of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when he comes and prays toward this house"

King Solomon prayed even for the foreigners! Let us be very rich in our prayers!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟟:𝟙𝟜

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

This is true in general. But the world is fallen, and so actually those who want to live a godly life will have a tough life, persecution.

But surely if the majority (not some) repented, then it will be heaven on earth! That day will come someday btw!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟠:𝟙𝟙

"Then Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter up from the city of David to the house which he had built for her, for he said, ‘My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy where the ark of the LORD has entered.’"

King Solomon was manipulating the commandment of God. He married an idolater and build a separate house for her to not defile the house of God.

Well, this is true for every sinner when they sinned!

 

𝟚 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟡:𝟟

"How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom."

And how abundantly blessed is a man who hears [listens to] words of God every day from the Bible, from the faithful preachers, and in the gathering of the saints!

And how blessed are we that we continue to update our reading [in a WhatsApp group] till today!