By nature we all cling to what we have. Philipians 3:8

2 CHRONICLES 1

2 Chr 1:1-6 David, you remember, has brought the ark to Jerusalem and put it in a tent there (verse 4). But Solomon goes back to where the tabernacle had been set up at Gibeon. The altar is a picture of the cross of Christ.

2 Chr 1:7-12 In addition to getting what he asks, Solomon also receives riches, wealth, and honour beyond all other kings.

2 Chr 1:13-17 Silver and gold became as common as stones!

#750

Nothing so clearly shows the real stuff of which we are made as prosperity.

2 CHRONICLES 2

2 Chr 2:1-2 Solomon hired l53,600 men for the work of building the temple!

2 Chr 2:3-18 The Gentile king Huram (or Hiram - 1 Kings 5:1) has his part in the preparation of the wood for the temple. (During the millennium, many Gentiles will be blessed in the Lord's kingdom - Revelation 21:24). Reminder! All this is not a type of Christianity, but of the millennium, when Christ shall reign as King over the earth. We will be with Him then. The more faithful you and I have been to Him in our life now, the greater the job we will get then. We will replace the angels at that time. (Heb. 2:5). Our rewards for faithfulness will be in the 1,000 years (the millennium), not in eternity... there we all will be equal.

2 Chr 2:6-9 Though the building was "wonderful great" (verse 9) Solomon felt very small - "Who am I? (v. 6). His father had said the same thing. 1 Chron. 29:14.

2 Chr 3:10-18 There was true harmony between the two nations, as there will be in the Millennium (No real peace today, anywhere.)

#751

The association of the believer with the world may result in material prosperity, but it could never outweigh the loss of communion with the Lord.

2 CHRONICLES 3

2 Chr 3:1-2 On the very spot where David had built his altar, Solomon now builds the temple. And notice the name of the mountain (see Genesis 22:2 where Abraham went to offer up his son Isaac!)

2 Chr 3:3 The width and length were double the dimensions of the tabernacle.

2 Chr 3:3-17 Details of probably the most beautiful, elaborate and expensive building that has ever been built.

2 Chr 3:8 This refers to the holiest of all... where God dwelt. It was a cube in shape - 20 cubits x 20 x 20, overlaid with fine gold.

2 Chr 3:11-13 The cherubim or heavenly beings... God's servants to carry out His orders. Angels aren't used by God today for spiritual things, but for natural and physical things. They take care of us and protect us from harmful things, while the Holy Spirit, Who lives in your body, He teaches you and leads you into more truth, if you let Him. John 14:16, 17, 26.

2 Chr 3:14 The temple, as the tabernacle, had a veil, (or curtain) which divided the holy place from the most holy (or "holiest of all").

2 Chr 3:15-17 Important. The pillars are a symbol of strength. Here were two - each had a name. Jachin (meaning "He will establish") and Boaz (meaning "In Him is strength"). During the millennium, the Lord Jesus shall be seen by this world in authority and power. When He came the first time it was in weakness. Unbelievers (and many believers too) would like to see a Jesus Who is powerful and popular. But He will not be so until in the millennium. The tabernacle is a picture of the believers travelling in weakness through this wilderness with Christ. The temple is a picture of Christ reigning in power during the millennium.

#752

We shall have all eternity to celebrate the victories, but we have only the few hours before sunset to win them.

2 CHRONICLES 4

2 Chr 4:1-8 The laver was for the priests to wash their hands and feet. (Every believer is a priest - 1 Peter 2:5. As priests we need constant washing to be kept clean by the Word of God - Eph. 5:26). During the millennium, this is going to be a very important part of the operating of Christ's glorious kingdom. Punishment against anyone who sins, will be carried out daily - Zephaniah 3:5. So we see that the laver was very large in the temple.

2 Chr 4:9-18 These seem to be the articles made of brass. This metal is a picture of "testing" or "endurance". The Lord Jesus completely endured the judgment of the cross. Who could ever measure this endurance?

2 Chr 4:19-22 Gold is a picture of God's righteousness (perfect goodness). Only gold was used to make the pieces for the holiest of all and for the holy place. Brass was outside.

#753

We are separated from the world by affection, not by fear.

2 CHRONICLES 5

2 Chr 5:1-10 We remember that the ark had been brought by David and put in a tent in Zion which was part of Jerusalem. Now the ark is brought into the finished temple and put in the holiest of all, under the wings of the cherubim. Of all the things which were in the temple, the ark is the most important, for it represents the presence of Christ as God. He was hidden behind the veil (curtain). In Exodus 19:16 to l9, we read of the frightening circumstances when God came down on to Mount Sinai. The reason why this same thing didn't happen when God came down and sat on the ark in darkness, was because of the veil. If God had gone out, everyone would have died, and no one could go past the veil into His presence (except the High Priest, once a year). But when Christ died on the cross (1,500 years later), the veil was torn in two, so that God could come out to meet us, and we can go boldly in to meet Him. Read carefully Heb. 10:19-22. This is your privilege. Are you going in? All you need is a good conscience to be in the presence of God.

2 Chr 5:9 The staves had been in the sides of the ark to carry it. Now in its final resting place they wouldn't be used again.

2 Chr 5:11-14 The final act - the dedication of the finished temple to the Lord. Notice the total harmony - verse 13. If they were one in heart, they would make one sound in worship. So will we.

2 Chr 5:13-14 God is well pleased with this completed work, and shows it by filling the house with a cloud - that is - God's glory. The same cloud (glory) that had filled the tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 40:34-35).

#754

Two things that we can give to our children: roots and wings (2 Kings 19:30).

2 CHRONICLES 6

2 Chr 6:1-11 Solomon now is in complete charge of the worship. In his person, he combines the work of priest and king. So the Lord Jesus shall be King and Priest in the millennium. (He is King - John 1:49, Prophet - Luke 24:19, Priest - Heb. 3:1).

And, do you want to learn a secret? You who have accepted Christ as your Saviour, have been made, not only priests, but kings as well. You had better believe it, because you can read it in Rev. 5:10. Are we acting each day as if we believe it?

2 Chr 6:4 Our words and our deeds should be the same.

2 Chr 6:12-42 Listen carefully to this wonderful prayer to the Lord.

2 Chr 6:22-23 In affairs between two people Solomon asks God to judge righteously.

2 Chr 6:24-25 If the nation is beaten in battle, it will be because they have sinned.

2 Chr 6:26-27 If there is no rain falling on the land, it will be because they have sinned.

2 Chr 6:28-31 The prayer becomes more individual. If individually or collectively they would turn back to the Lord, confess and pray to Him, then Solomon prays that the Lord would deal individually with them according to each state of soul.

2 Chr 6:32-42 Solomon asks the Lord to answer the prayers of the people...

2 Chr 6:32-33 An outsider, individually praying, wanting to learn about the Lord.

2 Chr 6:34-35 When the people were away in another land, at war, and prayed collectively, facing toward Jerusalem.

2 Chr 6:36-39 If things go very bad for them because of sin; but if they even turn to the Lord in that far away place.

2 Chr 6:40-42 Closes his prayer. Contrast these verses with Numbers 10:33-36. There, God was searching a resting place - here, was a fixed place. There, enemies had to be scattered - here, no enemies. Also Psalm 132:8. What a wonderful prayer! But Solomon didn't have the secrets nor the power you and I have, since Christ has given us a new life, like His, and He lives in us. John 17:26. Read it. The Lord looks for one thing... brokenness of heart. How much we need to learn this!

#755

The arrogance of men against good is frightening. But men don't fight against straws - they fight against what they fear.

2 CHRONICLES 7

The prayer goes up, in chapter 6 and the fire came down from the heavens in today's chapter. This proved that God had accepted Solomon's prayer. What an experience. The glory of the Lord filled the house. Take a minute to read what similarly happened when a woman poured some perfume on the Lord's feet a week before He went to the cross. John 12:3.

2 Chr 7:1 The Lord, by this event, gives a direct evidence of His acceptance of the sacrifice, the building and the prayer.

2 Chr 7:3 Beautiful result - worship to God.

2 Chr 7:5 What a huge sacrifice. Read Hebrews 10:12 and 14 for a contrast.

2 Chr 7:6-9 The Lord and His goodness were the centre of their thoughts and sacrifices.

2 Chr 7:10 The people returned home satisfied and happy. Are we?

2 Chr 7:12-22 The Lord lays the full responsibility on Solomon. The more we know the more responsible we are to live what we do know of the teaching of the Bible; and the more we live what we have learned, then God will teach us more and more and yet more... there's no limit! Read Luke 8:18 to see for yourself.

#756

Faith is a divine plant that only grows out of the soil of a broken will.

2 CHRONICLES 8

This whole chapter shows us that everything was exactly as King David had commanded (v. 14); and as Moses had commanded (v. 13) that the people were all obedient to what was told them. V. 10 and 15; that they finish any work which they had started (v. 16). So, look at the end of verse 16. Then the Lord directed the work outside of the worshipping of God in verses 17 & 18. Their ships returned, and millions of dollars of gold were given to Solomon. All this chapter is a picture of what Israel's people will do in the millennium, when Christ will rule over this whole world, and where obedience and happiness will be universal. Ps. 72:8.

#757

Our final rewards will be determined on the basis of personal faithfulness - not public applause.

2 CHRONICLES 9

The fame of Solomon stretched to the four corners of the earth. The Queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem to ask him every question in her heart; he answered all. (The Lord loves to have us bring our questions, large or small to Him. He surely will answer them).

2 Chr 9:3-4 When she had seen his wisdom, and his house, there was no more spirit in her. (When we believers come close to the Lord and learn of Him - Matthew 11:29-30 - there is not going to be much thought of ourselves left either).

2 Chr 9:5-6 The half had not been told her. (We may know the Lord as Saviour without seeing Him as our Lord or Master. Only then is there peace and joy in our heart).

2 Chr 9:3-8 Notice that, as a woman, she keeps her proper place, being interested in the things belonging to a woman. It doesn't say that she was inspecting the troops etc.

2 Chr 9:11 Notice the two things which are made from this special wood. Terraces (or steps, stairs) and harps. Some of the wood was walked on, and some made music. In the life of the believer, there are two sides of our life which must be consistent - our walk (our life) and our worship.

2 Chr 9:13-28 Gentiles contributed wealth to Solomon. So in the millennium. Revelation 22:1-5.

2 Chr 9:29-31 We do not read of the personal failure of Solomon (but we do in 1 Kings). So ends the lovely story of Solomon as seen by God in grace.

#758

Worship and service are not competitive; they always go together.

2 CHRONICLES 10

2 Chr 10:1-3 Solomon's son Rehoboam immediately runs into trouble. Jeroboam, a rebel, who has been hiding in Egypt, now returns and succeeds in dividing the kingdom. But God was allowing this, and had warned of this in 1 Kings 11:29-34.

2 Chr 10:4 Jeroboam and all the people ask Solomon's son to make things easier for them.

2 Chr 10:5-15 Rehoboam first asks the advice of old men; then the young men. Notice verse 15, the latter are listened to.

2 Chr 10:16-19 So the nation of Israel is divided. Ten tribes follow Jeroboam. Two tribes - Judah and Benjamin follow Rehoboam. The former was to be called the kingdom of Israel, the latter called the kingdom of Judah. God dislikes division. And if you will remember to watch for it, those future kings who wanted to obey the Lord, always thought of Israel as all united. (The believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are all seen by God as one body. Acts 26:7 shows that Paul had this thought even though they had been divided for about 600 years).

2 Chr 10:19 But here the division began. Only 2 tribes, Judah and Benjamin remained to worship God at His Centre, Jerusalem. Now, since 1947, these 2 tribes are back in their land, but in unbelief.

#759

There should be no separation between learning and living.

2 CHRONICLES 11

2 Chr 11:1-4 Rehoboam wants to go to war against those who separated. But God does not. If people choose to divide the believers today by denominations, it is a very serious sin. But God, though He desires it - 1 Timothy 2:4 - will not force anyone to be gathered only to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. How much does the Lord mean to us?

2 Chr 11:5-17 For three years, Rehoboam obeyed the Lord and was blessed.

2 Chr 11:18-23 Many seeds of trouble here.

#760

Satan is so deceptive! He likes to borrow Christian vocabulary, but he does not use the Christian dictionary!

2 CHRONICLES 12

2 Chr 12:1 Read this carefully. The first king of this kingdom of Judah, Rehoboam, does 3 things in this verse. And notice who followed him in the 3rd thing! They forsook the Word of God. The downfall has started.

2 Chr 12:2-4 Five years roll by. God sends an army of 1,200 chariots, 60,000 men on horses and a tremendous crowd of people. They made it right to Jerusalem.

2 Chr 12:5 But God had one man, obedient Shemaiah, (pronounced Shemia). If you turn to 1 Kings 12:19-24 you'll find the same man there. Notice what he is called in verse 22. Shemaiah tells the king why the Lord had sent the king of Egypt to attack him. Think about this when the Lord sends troubles into your life.

2 Chr 12:6 Notice what the leaders did. This is our remedy too. Read 1 Peter 5:6.

2 Chr 12:7,8 The Lord doesn't speak to the king. To whom does He speak?

2 Chr 12:9-12 No one is killed, but they lost their treasures.

2 Chr 12:13 The fact that his mother's name is mentioned shows she had something to do with his character and life. It means "pleasantness". And it is the feminine of Naaman the leper (2 Kings 5:1).

2 Chr 12:14-16 King Rehoboam, faithful at the start of his reign, but hadn't set his heart after the Lord. Two interesting people in this chapter, Shemaiah and Naamah. His name means "Heard by God".

#761

The real effect of grace is to teach us that we have no strength.

2 CHRONICLES 13

2 Chr 13:1-3 The son Abijah becomes king of Judah.

There is war between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Abijah, with 400,000 men meets Jeroboam, king of Israel who has 800,000 men!

2 Chr 13:4-7 Abijah declares that Jeroboam had rebelled against Solomon's son, Rehoboam.

2 Chr 13:8 Abijah continues to tell Jeroboam that really he is challenging the Lord's kingdom. He admits Jeroboam has a great army but reminds him that he also has golden calves for gods.

2 Chr 13:10-12 But Abijah has the Lord!

2 Chr 13:13-20 Jeroboam uses a trick... he sends part of his army in behind Abijah's position. Judah's army looks back and sees what has happened. What did they do then? Notice in verse 16 who delivered Judah.

2 Chr 13:17 Half a million of Israel die.

2 Chr 13:18 See why Judah succeeded.

2 Chr 13:20 Who did what to Jeroboam?

2 Chr 13:21,22 Let's trust the Lord in our warfare against our enemy. Eph. 6:13.

#762

When we are in the presence of God we cannot be occupied with our own state, save as in thanksgiving for being admitted to such a place.

2 CHRONICLES 14

Today we start to read of a very interesting king - Asa, Solomon's great grandson. It takes three chapters to tell his story.

2 Chr 14:1 He has these years of quietness after these wars.

2 Chr 14:2-5 Count how many evil things he destroyed. Firstly, we have to get rid of things we know are not pleasing to the Lord, and then we can build on our Christian life.

2 Chr 14:6-8 Notice that walls, towers, gates and bars... all defensive, then an army of over half a million soldiers. (Read 2 Tim. 2:3. Some Christians think this is preaching the gospel only, but it is to defend and stand up for the truth of Scripture).

2 Chr 14:9-10 Satan has his army, and stronger too; a million men! Twice the number.

2 Chr 14:11 Did Asa say "there's no hope for us"? He did what we need to do every day. Did it matter how many men were against them?

2 Chr 14:12-15 So Who did the fighting (Look in Chap. 20:15).

#763

The difference between Peter in the high priest's hall and Peter on the day of Pentecost is this: in the high priest's hall, where you have him denying the Lord, Peter was full of himself; in the second of Acts, he was "full of the Holy Ghost".

2 CHRONICLES 15

A bright day of sunshine in Judah's history! A real turning to the Lord. You may belong to Him, but are you truly putting Him first in your life? We are definitely not, if we can't get time to read His Word each day. We all need to do what these people did - put away the idols which come into our life. This chapter is so beautiful, encouraging and simple, that it needs little comment. I would suggest that instead, you read it twice, slowly. The second time you read it, you will see things you hadn't seen the first time.

#764

Human nature has the tendency to want to follow men instead of the Lord - to want "something new", instead of the basic foundational truths of the Scriptures.

2 CHRONICLES 16

2 Chr 16:1-9 A sad turning away from the Lord by king Asa who had been so wonderfully blessed, but who now grows cold in his soul. A valuable but serious warning... just when King Asa had been enjoying the pleasant circumstances, now 21 years later, the king of Israel attacks him. (Isn't it true that when we are enjoying our happy circumstances as believers, we often forget the Lord Who gave us them?)

2 Chr 16:2-6 What a terrible mistake he makes! Asa, before had gone out to battle in the name of the Lord, now he is bribing the heathen king of Syria to stop helping the king of Israel who is trying to damage Asa.

2 Chr 16:7-10 The Lord sends a faithful man who speaks very plainly and courageously to Asa. (Don't we also rely on people rather than on the Lord when we get cold in our soul?)

2 Chr 16:9 Try to memorize this verse!

2 Chr 16:10 Instead of taking the message as coming from the Lord, he acts foolishly and also gets angry. (We do too when we are unfaithful).

2 Chr 16:11-14 So Asa, who had made a good start in his life, and the Lord had blessed him so richly, at the end the Lord sends him a disease in his feet (a picture to us of an unfaithful walk or life. May this be a real lesson for us and a warning.)

#765

The Word of God is the only seed that can be planted anywhere in the world, and it will bear fruit.

2 CHRONICLES 17

2 Chr 17:1-6 Now his son is king, Jehoshaphat starts out well by taking a bold stand for the Lord.

2 Chr 17:7-11 Jehoshaphat sent out men to faithfully teach the Word of God - verse 9.

2 Chr 17:12 Little wonder that he prospered!

2 Chr 17:16 The Lord saw this about this man. Are we like him?

2 Chr 17:18 What an army for such a little nation, l,600,000 men!

#766

There is nothing that can satisfy the heart of the Christian but the Word of God.

2 CHRONICLES 18

2 Chr 18:1 As we have often mentioned, when things go well for the believer, he is in very great danger, because he grows careless. You remember wicked king Ahab! What a foolish thing to become close friends with him.

2 Chr 18:2-3 Jehoshaphat forgot what his great, great grandfather Solomon had said - (Proverbs 1:10).

2 Chr 18:4 A foolish suggestion to make to a man who killed the Lord's prophets.

2 Chr 18:5 These were men who worshipped idols!

2 Chr 18:8-27 The dreadful treatment of this faithful man.

2 Chr 18:27 He says to the king something like this... "If you live to see what you say is going to happen, then the Lord's Word which I have spoken, is not true"!

2 Chr 18:28-34 Whose word came true?

#767

The only liberty God gives His children is to do what He desires - which is but the expression of His heart of love.

2 CHRONICLES 19

The Lord had mercy on Jehoshaphat and saved his life, even though he had done a foolish thing in uniting with wicked king Ahab.

2 Chr 19:2 Here is a question which each reader can ask himself. Are we guilty? It is so easy a thing to do. How much happier we are when we make friends with those who love the Lord. Read Psalm 139:21 for a good contrast.

2 Chr 19:3 God always gives us as much credit as He can, yet overlooks nothing. God notices that king Jehoshaphat has destroyed some of the idols.

2 Chr 19:4 Personally he went out around his country to try to draw the people back to the Lord. Do we? Or do we waste precious time talking about unimportant things?

2 Chr 19:5-19 He very thoroughly sets up men to settle all matters concerning God, and the kingdom.

2 Chr 19:9 It would not be the smart judges who could give the best decisions, but those who lived faithfully for the Lord and had a pure heart.

2 Chr 19:11 Last sentence. You can count on the Lord to instruct you if you are obedient to His Word.

#768

The truth of God is not a thing merely to know, but to live.

2 CHRONICLES 20, Verses 1-17

When a person takes a stand for the Lord and sets out to follow the Lord, then the Lord allows that person to be really tested.

2 Chr 20:1 These particular enemies had not been bothering the kingdom of Judah, until now. Who was behind this? The Lord. He was going to see how real all this work (in yesterday's chapter) was. Hebrews 12:5-11.

2 Chr 20:2 A detailed report of the enemy's strength and location is given to the king. To whom will he turn? To whom do we turn when sudden trouble comes to us?

2 Chr 20:3-12 Some one might say - Don't waste precious time like this. Let's prepare the army. Notice how thoughtful he is in his prayer. He recalls Solomon's prayer - 1 Kings 8:33-34.

2 Chr 20:12 Read over this verse many times. Remember where it is in the scriptures. Quote it to the Lord in your prayers!

2 Chr 20:13 The little children were there praying too.

2 Chr 20:15 Here is God's answer to such a prayer. May we all experience this in our life!

2 Chr 20:16-17 Who could fear to go out with a promise from God like this?

#769

The one who misleads another comes under a severer penalty than he who is misled.

2 CHRONICLES 20, Verses l8-37

2 Chr 20:18 They did not all jump and shout for joy - they worshipped the Lord. Count the number of times "the Lord" is mentioned in today's reading! He was the source and the object! This will be the result in your life too if you follow the principles of this chapter.

2 Chr 20:20-21 What a strange sight! What confidence they had in the Lord! Soldiers following the priests to the battle! Priests who were praising the beauty of holiness! This was the secret of their strength and victory.

2 Chr 20:25 They were more than conquerors - Romans 8:37.

2 Chr 20:26 The valley of Berachah (pronounced BAY-RACK-A) was the valley of blessing. May we all come there, His way.

2 Chr 20:27-30 Let us be like this. Not promptly forgetting the Lord after He has so graciously helped us.

2 Chr 20:31 His mother gets special mention. God must have seen the influence of the mother on the son. Mothers! Are you implanting the fear of the Lord in your children's hearts? There is nothing more important. Many years later the fruit was seen.

2 Chr 20:35-37 A foolish mistake. He joins in a business venture with a godless friend. And the result is failure! How slow we are to learn God's lessons! Have we learned from the story of Jehoshaphat?

#770

The tendency is to lose our dependence when we are enjoying the results of dependence.

2 CHRONICLES 21

You will remember wicked king Ahab, king of Israel. King Jehoshaphat (king of Judah) had made an alliance with him, and now Jehoshaphat's son Jehoram marries Ahab's daughter! Our life influences our children.

2 Chr 21:6 The answer. And the reason is made plain.

2 Chr 21:8-10 Not a word about asking the Lord for help, as his father had done 20:12.

2 Chr 21:11 False gods and immorality go together.

2 Chr 21:12-15 A faithful servant of God - Elijah had written a message from God to the king, telling him his awful future. Would this cause him to stop his wickedness?

2 Chr 21:16-20 What a contrast here too, to his father's great gathering of the enemy's treasure. The enemy strips Judah of its treasure; all but one of the king's own family were taken captives. The Lord preserved the royal line (Matt. 1:8).

2 Chr 21:20 He departed this life without being regretted! Because of the sins he himself committed and the sins he forced the people to commit - verse 11.

#771

Through the years we should learn to listen more and judge less.

2 CHRONICLES 22

2 Chr 22:1-9 Ahaziah is the grandson of king Jehoshaphat who had made an alliance with the wicked king Ahab (of Israel). Notice how this connection still brought troubles to the kings of Judah.

2 Chr 22:2 It says "daughters" of Omri but in the Hebrew language sometimes "daughter" is used when it is granddaughter, as it is here - see 21:6.

2 Chr 22:10 When this wicked daughter of Ahab sees that her son has been murdered, she turns and kills all his sons so that she will have full authority.

2 Chr 22:11 The king's sister however, hides the youngest boy from Athaliah. In this way God's direct line from David to Christ is unbroken! God, as always, was in control.

#772

God will never ask us to do anything that the new man does not like to do.

2 CHRONICLES 23, Verses 1-15

2 Chr 23:1 A faithful and brave man appears. What a man he is! - Jehoiada (22:11 tells us who he is). His wife was the aunt of the little boy who is now hidden in the temple. The descendants of King David had almost completely ruined the kingdom by their wickedness, but God always has a man ready. And Jehoiada the priest is such a man. You will be surprised to find where he is eventually buried!

2 Chr 23:2-10 Jehoiada carefully lays the plans to proclaim the boy to be king. Count how many times David's name is mentioned in the chapter. It was because of king David that God preserved his line.

2 Chr 23:11 The six year old boy is made king!

2 Chr 23:12-13 What a surprise she must have had. What a surprise all the unsaved are going to get when the Lord Jesus appears in glory to set up His kingdom. (This story is a little picture of the Lord who is now hidden in heaven - the house of God - until He is pronounced King of kings and Lord of lords).

2 Chr 23:14-15 The wicked woman gets her wages!

#773

It is one thing to reject truth, another to reject love.

2 CHRONICLES 23, Verses l6-21

2 Chr 23:16-21 Beautiful turn of events. How lovely when we see a person leading others back to the Lord. Gal. 6:1 is an example.

2 Chr 23:16 Notice the last seven words!

2 Chr 23:17 They knew where to start. We cannot get back into communion with the Lord until we first confess and forsake our sins.

2 Chr 23:19 What a lesson for us. God's Presence demands cleanness of all who enter in. Satan has cleverly deceived people into thinking that any denomination can have the Lord's Presence, and that we should not judge others. But when the Spirit of God gathers a believer to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, outside all denominations, then that person realizes how important verses like this are. The Spirit of God can ONLY gather to Christ. He cannot lead a believer into some group of believers who hold doctrines which are contrary to the Word of God. The Lord Jesus cannot have evil in His presence.

2 Chr 23:21 "And the city was quiet". What peace and quiet there is in the heart of one who obeys God and His Word. Jehoiada had gone right back to David's days for his guidance. And we need to go back to the apostles' teachings for ours. Let's review these six verses and see the pattern.

2 Chr 23:16 Gave themselves to the Lord. V.17 Removed all evil out of their lives. V.18 Went to God's Word for direction. V.19 Were very careful who came into the Lord's house. V.20 The king on his throne presented to all. V.21 Everyone rejoiced. Quietness after judgment fell on the wicked. That should be the pattern of our life! Is it?

#774

Sleeping brings lack of discernment and power. (Romans 13:11)

2 CHRONICLES 24

2 Chr 24:1-14 Great repairs are made to the house of God, but young king Joash seemed to rely on the faith of Jehoiada the priest rather than on his own faith.

2 Chr 24:15-16 After a long life (few lived this long at that time) Jehoiada the faithful priest dies. Now we see how much reality there was in others.

2 Chr 24:17 King Joash turns to the princes for guidance, and not to the Lord.

2 Chr 24:18 Downhill they rush!

2 Chr 24:20-21 Faithful Jehoiada had a faithful son. God kept the father alive for l30 years yet lets the son be stoned to death. (God never makes mistakes! Read Rev. 2:10). Will Zechariah get a crown of life? Yes. Faithful to God, paying the price.

2 Chr 24:22 This is how far Joash got away from the Lord. As it were, he challenges God to do anything about it.

2 Chr 24:23-25 God would not let such a challenge go by. The result, and the reason.

2 Chr 24:25-27 His dreadful end. Jehoiada the priest was buried among the kings! - verse 16. But not so this king! The people knew the right value of the two lives. (The higher the stand we take before God, the more responsible we are, and the severer the punishment if we depart from the Lord.)

#775

You can be obedient and still be as cold as an icicle. But dependence is not so.

2 CHRONICLES 25

2 Chr 25:1-2 Amaziah, the son of Joash, is the next king of Judah. (God looks upon our heart).

2 Chr 25:3-5 He wants to find out how strong he is, and forgets about the Lord.

2 Chr 25:6-10 (A good lesson here for us.) He foolishly hires outsiders. God sent a man to speak to the king. The king argues. What an answer he gets. (If we have gone ahead and done something or bought something which we later realize is not pleasing to the Lord, naturally we think of the loss to us if we get rid of it. Let's read the last sentence of verse 9 over and over).

2 Chr 25:10 The ones sent back became angry. See also verse 13.

2 Chr 25:14-16 What a foolish thing to do. The gods of the people whom he had just defeated, he brings home and worships them! But God sends a messenger with a serious warning.

2 Chr 25:17-28 All because he turned away from the Lord. (What responsible people we believers are. Just think how many times we have read that God sent prophets to warn. Are we thankful when faithful believers warn us?)

#776

Children want what the parents enjoy.

2 CHRONICLES 26

2 Chr 26:1-15 Uzziah has a great lesson for us too. He turns to the Lord, and these 15 verses tell us how the Lord helped him. So long as he looked to the Lord, he was helped - verse 5. We would think that a man who saw God helping him so noticeably would never turn away.

2 Chr 26:16-23 But such ungrateful creatures are we, that when things go well with us, we forget the Lord. What this king did was very serious. No one but a priest could go into God's presence in the temple. But his heart is so lifted up with pride and self-confidence that he thinks he can do what he wants.

2 Chr 26:17-18 It says they were brave men. To be faithful to God is to be a brave man.

2 Chr 26:19 When we are in the wrong on spiritual matters, we often get angry. Notice what part of his body was affected by the leprosy!

2 Chr 26:20-21 His dreadful end.

2 Chr 26:23 He was not buried with the other kings, but out in a field by himself!

#777

We get spiritual understanding in the presence of the Lord. Mary of Bethany was found at Jesus' feet and she understood. Sitting at His feet is not wasted time.

2 CHRONICLES 27

Yesterday we read that this new king Jotham had been the administrator of his father's kingdom while he had been a leper (26:21) and so he had seen what the Lord had done to him for his disobedience of going into the Lord's house, as the priests only were allowed to do.

2 Chr 27:2 So this verse tells us that he didn't make the same mistake - he didn't go into the temple. But the people hadn't learned... they still acted corruptly. (If you wish you may read Isaiah chapters 1 & 2 to see the state of the people around this same time).

2 Chr 27:6 Do you want to be strong for the Lord? Then carry out this verse in your life. Why don't we? Mostly because we don't believe the Lord will do His side.

2 Chr 27:8 He dies when he is 41 years old.

#778

The first generation of believers employed no vital, important method which cannot be used today. And they availed themselves of no power which we cannot utilize.

2 CHRONICLES 28, Verses 1-15

These kings' names are confusing to us, for they have several names. Ahaz is the king's name (in Hebrew), but in Greek it is Achaz as in Matthew l:9. In verse 1 we read what he did not do, but then to verse 4, we read six things he did do. He was an idolater and a murderer!

2 Chr 28:5 Notice the first word. He acts first, then God does - although this was about 150 years later, it sounds a bit like the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Count the number of enemies who rise up against king Ahaz for his wickedness (2 here).

2 Chr 28:6-8 This is the king of Israel. Look what he did to 120,000 of his nationality. (Remember Judah and Benjamin were now known as the kingdom of Judah). The last sentence of verse 6 is what God is saying, not Pekah. He didn't know that the Lord was allowing him to do this because of what Judah was doing. Now look at the number of men he captured! Almost 1/3 of a million men were lost by Judah.

2 Chr 28:9-15 You will need to read this slowly to see that God was controlling everything. Although the Lord was punishing Judah by using Israel, yet He did not like to see Israel thinking that they were without sin themselves. So all the prisoners are sent back.

2 Chr 28:10 There was sin also in Israel which Israel was forgetting in their delight in punishing Judah. (Aren't we quick to judge others and forget our own sins?)

#779

Faith comes before knowledge: there is no link to God in knowledge if faith does not precede it.

2 CHRONICLES 28, Verses 16-27

2 Chr 28:16-21 He turns to a heathen king to help him. (Like believers turning to some worldly person to help them. No one can oppose the Lord). Verse 19 tells us why all the trouble. There is no word of repentance, nor confession of sin. All is dark.

2 Chr 28:22-27 Now he turns to religious evil. Note the awful insults to God.

#780

Faith is dependence on God and independence of everything human to sustain it.

2 CHRONICLES 29, Verses 1-20

From such a wicked father, the grace of God raises up a faithful son, King Hezekiah. His name means "strength of Jehovah". There were three great and faithful kings in Judah's history - Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah (later on).

2 Chr 29:1-9 This young king took the first correct step - he confessed that they have sinned. (When we get cold in our soul and the Lord speaks to us, the first important thing to do, is to confess the exact sins which we have done. We need to name the sin and confess it to God. Read Proverbs 28:13. A definite promise from the Lord).

2 Chr 29:10-19 The filth which had gathered in the temple was first removed. How otherwise could they speak to the Lord. Even the doors had been broken - verse 3.

All this can be a picture of what has happened to the church of God since the day of Pentecost. Carelessness has caused the doors to be broken, believers and unbelievers taking communion together. Are we willing to go back to the originals as in the days of the apostles? To remove the corruption which has been allowed to gather over the centuries?

#781

I thank Him, first of all, because I know He has permitted these circumstances for my good. He is building my character so that, in any crises, my reaction will reflect my awareness of His presence and control.

2 CHRONICLES 29, Verses 21-36

2 Chr 29:21 Although the vast majority of Israel was scattered far from God, a little number gathers at the place where the Lord had chosen to place His name. A sin offering comes first. How suitable for their restoration.

2 Chr 29:24 It was not only for the little group that they offered the sacrifice - but "for all Israel".

2 Chr 29:25 They went right back to the order of things that David had given. (And this is what we need to learn today. We are to look to the Lord only, to find out what we are to do, and where we are to go. To continue on with things which we know are contrary to God's Word, is to shut our eyes to the truth). Hezekiah obeys the Lord and he is blessed. (Will we do the same?)

2 Chr 29:29 The result. (Truth humbles us if we obey it). Worship of God is the result.

2 Chr 29:36 There was order - the result was rejoicing. (It always is).

#782

The leaders of God's people can only rise in one way - through suffering.

2 CHRONICLES 30

Remember that the people of Israel are divided into two kingdoms, the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah. (People of the latter are back in the land of Israel today. The kingdom of Israel (the ten tribes) has been scattered since around the year 600 BC. No one knows where they are today.)

2 Chr 30:1 The above will help you to understand this verse. It was never the desire of God that Israel should be divided, any more than it is God's desire that the believers today should be divided into denominations. Sin has divided them and us. Satan is the one behind all divisions.

Hezekiah sends messengers to all Israel and invites them to the one centre God had - Jerusalem. The others had made centres of their own - Bethel and Dan (this was merely imitating God's centre). (So today, denominations which are man-made are imitations of the truth of Christ as the one gathering Centre). It was not because Hezekiah was there, but because God was. It was God's chosen centre.

2 Chr 30:2-5 The decision is made to hold the Passover on the second month, because they were not quite ready to hold it on the first month, the correct one (Numbers 9:10-11).

2 Chr 30:6-12 Invitations were sent out to all. The reception they received! (Just like today. When the truth of Christ as the one gathering centre is pointed out in the scriptures, most believers make excuses as to why they think it is all right to remain in a denomination). But we are thankful for the first word of verse 11. Some obeyed. Notice what they did. (If the truth is obeyed, it humbles us).

2 Chr 30:13 They all met as one congregation.

2 Chr 30:14-22 Notice how careful they were in every detail.

2 Chr 30:23 They wanted more.

2 Chr 30:24-27 Willing, giving hearts (verse 24) rejoicing hearts (verse 25) great joy (verse 26) their prayers were heard in heaven (verse 27).

#783

What keeps me going on is the knowledge of God's love set upon me.

2 CHRONICLES 31

2 Chr 31:1 Those who had obeyed, and had come to Jerusalem, now realize what they had not realized before, that is, that false religion was among them. V. 1 tells us what they did (2 Corinthians 10:4-6).

2 Chr 31:2-4 Now a permanent routine was established.

2 Chr 31:5-7 More than they needed. (So too when our hearts are drawn to Him!)

2 Chr 31:11-19 Interesting and instructive to notice that the Lord gives the names of the faithful men. They shared the joy with God.

2 Chr 31:20-21 God was honoured in all this. It was "good" and "right" and "truth" before the Lord. What could surpass this? The result was that he prospered. (May we all realize that we too have a path open to each of us... a life of obedience to God's Word).

#784

World conformity is doing what self wants. Christ conformity is doing what Christ wants. Romans 12:1-2

2 CHRONICLES 32

2 Chr 32:1-8 Although there was great rejoicing, God allows a test! A powerful enemy approaches.

2 Chr 32:9-19 The enemy tries to break down the confidence of the people in the Lord. They even made fun of the fact (verse 12) that Hezekiah had said that there only was ONE altar. (Isn't that what Satan whispers into believer's ears, that we can choose where we shall worship the Lord. Satan does not like to see people gathered around Christ alone. So he causes divisions).

2 Chr 32:20 Two faithful men pray.

2 Chr 32:21 God answers.

2 Chr 32:22 To God is the glory, for He did it alone. Notice the last words!

2 Chr 32:23 The hearts of the people were touched.

2 Chr 32:24-25 God tells us what he saw in the king's heart, so a personal trial comes to him.

2 Chr 32:26 Nice to see. (May it be true of us).

2 Chr 32:27-33 God tried him, (and He tries us too).

2 Chr 32:33 A great honour. He is buried in the chiefest of the sepulchers, close to king David. (May each one of us take to heart the lessons we can learn from this faithful king).

#785

The secret of a happy married life: each being 100% for the other, and together being 100% for the Lord.

2 CHRONICLES 33

Manasseh was born during the last 15 years of his father's life. These were the years that God added to Hezekiah's life when he prayed to the Lord - 2 Kings 20:1-6. Manasseh's name means "causing to forget". And we can see why. Manasseh completely turns away from the Lord, and brought dreadful punishment on himself. (It shows us that having faithful parents won't keep us, we have to stand for Christ ourselves).

2 Chr 33:3-9 God names the wicked deeds... religious evils. (This is the worst evil today, because it is aimed at Christ. Believers today don't realize this, and quickly fall into his traps.)

2 Chr 33:10 God warns before He acts in judgment. But Manasseh doesn't hear!

2 Chr 33:11 The Lord did this. (Do we see the Lord's hand in the circumstances which come to us?)

2 Chr 33:12 He did. This is the same thing that his father did, 32:26.

2 Chr 33:13 The Lord personally did this too. He brought him back! (So long as we persist in our own ideas, we do not understand the Lord - Proverbs 28:5).

2 Chr 33:14-16 He is in earnest now. The Lord is first. He doesn't care what others may think. He is thankful.

2 Chr 33:17 Many of the people were not brought back to the Lord, they stubbornly kept to their old ideas, habits and idols.

2 Chr 33:18-19 Beautiful summary of his life.

2 Chr 33:21-25 Brief is the record of the life of this man.

#786

Your safety hangs upon Christ's work for you; your assurance, upon God's Word to you; your enjoyment, upon not grieving the Holy Spirit in you.

2 CHRONICLES 34, Verses 1-18

2 Chr 34:1-2 A new story. What a tender heart Josiah has. How careful he is to obey the Word of God.

2 Chr 34:3 He is only 16 years old. (It may be that some who read these words are this age. What a grand thing it is to turn to the Lord when we are young. Many years so often are wasted. Josiah's life can be a real encouragement to us).

2 Chr 34:4-7 By the time Josiah is king, the other kingdom (of Israel) has been carried away captive. Only the kingdom of Judah is left in the land. Josiah goes himself throughout the land of Israel to cut down the idols. Then he returns to Jerusalem - God's centre.

2 Chr 34:8-13 Now he is 26 years old. A complete repair of the Lord's house is necessary.

2 Chr 34:14-18 God had hidden a book in the temple. It was His Word. It is passed from one to another. Each seems to realize it is something important.

#787

Ignorance assumes the office of judge, and decides with the self-confidence natural to it.

2 CHRONICLES 34, Verses l9-33

2 Chr 34:19 A perfect example of how the Word of God should affect our lives. Immediately he is saddened! Good! See verse 27.

2 Chr 34:21 He realizes the awfulness of sin in God's sight. (Do we?)

2 Chr 34:22-26 When God's people become careless, women come into prominence. (Notice that today, believers are becoming more careless about the Word of God, women are preachers in many places).

2 Chr 34:27 Beautiful verse. Count on God to do the same for you.

2 Chr 34:28 Josiah was going to be spared from seeing the awful punishment which God was about to send on Judah.

2 Chr 34:29-33 You will find many beautiful thoughts here.

#788

No spiritual exercise becomes automatic.

2 CHRONICLES 35

2 Chr 35:1-19 Before you read these verses, we would like to point out that what is prominent in the story of Josiah is that so many things were restored to the Word of God as given to king David. (This is so important for us too. Is the Word of God of first importance in your life? If it is, then you are a happy person).

2 Chr 35:3 Even the ark seems to have been taken out of the temple.

2 Chr 35:20-27 Josiah does not ask the Lord about this act of his; he loses his life through it. The king of Egypt was not attacking him. (Many believers today get involved in worldly things which are not their place, and lose out too).

#789

God has put Himself on display in this world. But man, loving darkness rather than light, goes his way to hell.

2 CHRONICLES 36

At the death of Josiah, God holds back the punishment of wicked Judah no longer, and here we see the flood of judgment rushing in.

2 Chr 36:3 First the king of Egypt comes against them.

2 Chr 36:6 Then comes the king of Babylon. V.10 The temple is ravished and stripped of the holy articles. V.11-13 Things go from bad to worse.

2 Chr 36:14 Notice the two "alls". What could be worse?

2 Chr 36:16 This is exactly what is happening today. And God's judgment is just about to fall once again.

2 Chr 36:19 What destruction. The people and leaders had no care for God and His Word. So this is what happens.

2 Chr 36:22-23 But what a God to tell us this! He is going to bring back to Jerusalem a little remnant which will build again the Lord's house! This is the God of grace. (May we come to know Him and follow Him in our dark days. Our morning comes! The Lord Jesus is coming!)