Journal Through the Bible: Week 95 Friday

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II Chronicles chapter 21

Even though Jehoshaphat was a good king his affiliation with the wicked ruler of Israel, Ahab, led first to intermarriage with Ahab's family and finally to the death of six of Jehoshaphat's sons and others in line to the throne at the hand of Jehoshaphat's eldest son and heir, Jehoram.

Jehoram was so evil that the prophet Elijah, who usually confined his ministry to the northern kingdom of Israel wrote a letter to the ruler of the southern kingdom. What a dark time for the nation of Judah! They did not mourn him or bury him in the tombs of the kings when he died after reigning eight years.

Does God issue any commands?

• It isn't said that God told Elijah to write a letter to Jehoram but since Elijah had a message to deliver it seems likely that God told him to write.

Does God make any promises?

• As bad as Jehoram was, God would not destroy the ruling family of David because of the promise God had made David. (Here's an interesting thought: Why not destroy this dynasty in spite of the promise? After all, David had been dead for many years and wouldn't know, would he? Well, yes, he would. As Jesus told the Sadducees, God is the God of the living, not the dead. David's body was in the grave - see verse 1 - but his soul and spirit were still alive and well in the safe keeping of his God until the time of his body's resurrection. God does keep His promises even when the person to whom He made the promise has departed this life.)
• In his letter to Jehoram, Elijah said that God would strike Jehoram with a great sickness in his bowels that would afflict him until his death. The LORD would also punish the people, and Jehoram's family because they followed Jehoram in acts of fornication.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• In spite of the wickedness of the descendants of David God kept His promise. The ultimate fulfillment of the promise is in the person of Jesus Christ.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?
Not that I identified.

TAKE TIME: March 30-April 4 Assignment

Introduction:  The story of the southern kingdom of Judah continues with the plot to remove the wicked Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel of Israel, with a rightful heir to the throne: a descendant of King David. We will read the accounts of several kings and finally be introduced to King Hezekiah. The compiler of the chronicle reached the point in his national history in which the kings were the contemporaries of the prophet Isaiah.

 Assignment:

• Monday - II Chronicles chapter 23
• Tuesday - II Chronicles chapter 24
• Wednesday -  II Chronicles chapter 25
• Thursday - II Chronicles 26:1-27:9
• Friday - II Chronicles chapter 28
• Saturday - II Chronicles chapter 29

Memory Verse

 Review previous verses.


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for being the Word that convicts us when we sin.
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action
In this time of Judah's history kings often began well but ended badly when power went to their heads. Not only do we need to pray for anyone in authority over us, but we need to assess ourselves in the areas where we are the power in authority over others. Almost everyone of any age has someone or something, (ie. a pet) that answers to them. It's time for a heart and attitude check! Pray for those under you and ask God to help you to interact with them in justice, kindness, and respect.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 95 Thursday

Horne, Charles, and Julius Bewer.
 The Bible and Its Story: History–Poetry, II Chronicles to Psalms. Vol. 5.
New York, NY: Francis R. Niglutsch, 1909. Print.
(via Logos Bible software, print listed as being in public domain)

II Chronicles chapter 20

A large army made up from the countries descended from Lot and Esau was coming against King Jehoshaphat and Judah so Jehoshaphat led his outnumbered people to do just what they needed to do to defend themselves: fast and pray!

Does God issue any commands?

• God told the prophet Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah to tell Jehoshaphat that the shipping enterprise he had entered into with Ahaziah king of Israel would fail. This was because Jehoshaphat had once again aligned himself with a wicked king of Israel.

Does God make any promises?

• In his prayer Jehoshaphat described the promises of God made to Solomon when the Temple was built. Specifically he tells of God's promise to hear and help when the people repent of their sins and cry unto Him.
• Through Jahaziel came the Holy Spirit and he told Jehoshaphat God's answer to his prayer. The battle was to be set in array near the Cliff of Ziz but the army of Jehoshaphat would not need to fight. They only needed to stand and watch as God fought the battle for them.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• At the time prior to the Millennial reign of Christ the armies of Satan gather to war against Jesus and His army. The opposing army was killed with the sword that proceeded out of the mouth of Jesus. (This would be the Word of God which is quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.)
• The chapter does not tell us how God ambushed the opposing armies so that they slaughtered each other but it does say that when Jehoshaphat's troops began to sing and praise the LORD the fighting among the other armies began. In Revelation the enemy armies that surround the army of Jesus at Jerusalem are destroyed by God. In that case He sends fire out of heaven to devour them. At that time the last enemy, death, is completely and finally conquered and there is much singing and rejoicing among the righteous.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Even before the battle Jehoshaphat sang praises of victory to the LORD believing that He would triumph against His and their enemies. We do the same thing now. We believe that our God will triumph against His and our enemies and we praise Him even though the final battle has not taken place yet. We do this because we believe His Word just as Jehoshaphat did!
• Following the battle (in which the different factions turned on each other) God's people took possession of all the spoils. Following the final battle here on earth when all of God's enemies have been destroyed His people will inherit the earth which will be made new.
• It is possible that the valley where the armies turned on each other is also the valley where future judgment takes place as described in Joel 3:2. Perhaps this valley is what became known as the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 95 Wednesday

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II Chronicles chapter 19

Does God issue any commands?

• Following King Jehoshaphat's return from his allied battle with Ahab against the king of Syria (and in which King Ahab had been killed) God sent Jehu, the son of Hanani to rebuke him. (See 16:7-10 for the message Jehu's father delivered to Jehoshaphat's father, Asa) Thankfully for both Jehu and Jehoshaphat, the king did not react to the seer's rebuke the way his father had! The command given to Jehoshaphat was that he should not help the ungodly who openly hate the LORD.
• Through Jehoshaphat God reminded the judges of the people that their justice should be fairly given because their overseer was not a man (presumably Jehoshaphat) but God Himself. The judges were also to warn those who stood before them that they were to testify truthfully because God was watching them as well.

Does God make any promises?

• In speaking to the judges about not perverting justice Jehoshaphat reviewed standards God had given in the Pentateuch. Those who corrupted judgment would be judged by God. Those who delivered justice would be honored and esteemed by God.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the Righteous Judge.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet future events?

• Jehoshaphat installed judges and priests to rule righteously over the people in the stead of God. The Bible teaches that the righteous will rule and reign with Christ in His Kingdom.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 95 Tuesday

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II Chronicles chapter 18

The godly Jehoshaphat allied himself and his kingdom to the ungodly Ahab. Nothing good came of their alliance. There are reasons why scriptures tell believers not to yoke themselves to unbelievers.

Does God issue any commands?

• The 400 false prophets of Ahab claimed to speak for God by saying that he and Jehoshaphat should go and besiege Ramoth-gilead to return it to Israel from the Syrians but God had not spoken through them. One prophet, Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had even made iron horns that he said God said would be used to push Syria out of the city. Horns remind me more of the idolatrous cattle gods that the nation of Israel worshiped. Like Aaron of old this prophet seemed to be purposely confusing Jehovah with the local idol.
• The prophet Micaiah told them that God had said that the people of Israel would be as sheep that have no shepherd following the battle with Ramoth-gilead signifying that Ahab would die in the battle. Micaiah also stated that he had seen the LORD sitting on His throne and spirits before Him including a lying spirit which God allowed to speak through the 400 false prophets.
• After Zedekiah struck Micaiah on the cheek Micaiah told Zedekiah that he would soon be hiding within an inner chamber.
• The Syrian army had been told to fight with no one but the king of Israel but they mistakenly thought Jehoshaphat was Ahab. When Jehoshaphat cried out the LORD moved the men to depart from him.

Does God make any promises?

• God said through Micaiah that Ahab would die and Israel would be scattered as sheep without a shepherd.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the LORD that Micaiah saw sitting upon His throne.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

Not that I identified.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 95 Monday

clipart.christiansunite.com

II Chronicles chapter 17

And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments and after the doings of Israel. (verses 3-4)

Does God issue any commands?

No, but we see the king leading the people to follow commands that God had given as far back as the time of Moses.

Does God make any promises?

• Because Jehoshaphat followed the commands of the LORD he was blessed by God as God had promised in the law. Rulers that led in righteousness received honor from God and their nations experienced peace just as God said they would.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The testimony of Jehoshaphat, that he walked in the first ways of his father David . . . and sought the LORD God, and walked in his commandments is also the testimony of Jesus.
• The nations feared the LORD so they brought presents and tribute to the king of Judah. One day all the nations of the world will acknowledge the King with tribute and honor.
• Jehoshaphat sent the priests with the scriptures among all the cities teaching the word of God. Jesus likewise sent His disciples from city to city proclaiming God's word.
• Amasiah the son of Zichri willingly offered himself unto the LORD. Jesus did the same on Calvary. Their assignments were different but their motives were the same. Each did as God willed.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• The righteous kingdom of Jehoshaphat among all of the nations is a type of the future earthly kingdom of Christ.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 94 Saturday

Horne, Charles, and Julius Bewer.
The Bible and Its Story: History–Poetry, II Chronicles to Psalms. Vol. 5.
New York, NY: Francis R. Niglutsch, 1909. Print.
 (Asa Restores God's Worship: Public Domain)

II Chronicles 15:8-16:14

When Asa heard the commands of God through Azariah the prophet (found in the Friday journal post) he implemented further reforms in Judah, Benjamin, and the cities he had taken in Mount Ephraim. Many from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon were drawn to Asa and his kingdom when they saw that the LORD was with him.

And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.  (15:12)

Does God issue any commands?

• The commands were given earlier in chapter 15. (See Week 94 Friday.) Asa disregarded them at the end of chapter 16. Because Asa disregarded the commandments God punished him with war and with diseased feet. Asa did not seek the LORD'S help for the healing of his feet either.

Does God make any promises?

• Because Asa led the nation in spiritual reforms that led to a renewing of the covenant God gave them rest for many years.
• When Asa sent gold and silver to Benhadad the king of Syria so that he would bring his army against Baasha of Israel God sent Hanani the seer to tell Asa that the host of Syria had escaped out of his hand because he had trusted the Syrians instead of God to deliver Judah from Israel.
• Because Asa had not sought the LORD he would have wars from that time forward.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the fulfillment of the covenant. It is His blood that ratifies it many years after Asa lived.
• Unlike Asa, Jesus completed the work of the covenant. He did not start well and end badly like Asa. Jesus said, "It is finished!"

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

Not that I identified.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 94 Friday

My apologies for being so far behind in the journal posts! Among other things I have been transitioning to a different computer . . . and it has taken me awhile. There always seems to be a learning curve and it takes time to transfer files.

Faithlife Corporation. “Chariot.”
 Logos Bible Software Factbook 11 Mar. 2015.
 Logos Bible Software.

II Chronicles 14:1-15:7

Asa followed his father Abijah on the throne of Judah. The land and its people experienced a 10 year revival under his reign.

Does God issue any commands?

• Following the battle against the Ethiopians God had Azariah the son of Oded meet Asa with a message that said that the LORD was with Asa and his people and would continue to be with them as long as they sought the LORD.

Does God make any promises?

• As God had promised many times, most notably perhaps in the days of Moses and Solomon, He would fight their battles if they trusted Him, obeyed, and called upon Him in prayer. Asa did all these things so God delivered him and the nation from the chariots of the Ethiopians.
• God had also promised peace in the land when the people sought Him. Under Asa and his religious reforms the people and their land were granted 10 years of peace and prosperity. This led to the re-fortification of some of the cities.
• In the message of Azariah God told Asa that if he would be strong his work would be rewarded.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Azariah said that for awhile Israel had been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. Jesus is the true God, He is the teaching Priest, and He is the Law.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events

• The time referenced by Azariah when Israel was without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without the law is much like today. One day their Messiah will come the second time as their ruler and they will receive their true God, Priest, and Law.

TAKE TIME: March 16-21, 2015 Assignment

Introduction:  The chronicle of the southern kingdom of Judah continues. This week we will read of the reign of good king Jehoshaphat who was then followed by his son, Jehoram, who married into the wicked family of Ahab, the ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel. This then led to the reign of the evil king Ahaziah whose mother, Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and possibly Jezebel, ruled the kingdom of Judah for 6 years following the death of her son thus leading the nation into a few years when there was no descendant of David on the throne.

 Assignment:

• Monday - II Chronicles chapter 17
• Tuesday - II Chronicles chapter 18
• Wednesday -  II Chronicles chapter 19
• Thursday - II Chronicles chapter 20
• Friday - II Chronicles chapter 21
• Saturday - II Chronicles chapter 22

Memory Verse

 Review previous verses.


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for His grace and mercy.
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action
Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, seemed to think himself a peacemaker. He exhibited this quality by befriending the other Jewish king, Ahab, of the rival country of Israel. The problem is that light cannot have fellowship with darkness and their joint ventures were an unequal yoke between a believer and an unbeliever. Let us be careful in our dealings with our non-believing friends and neighbors that in our attempts at living out a Godly testimony we not become ensnared in an unequal yoke with them (a business partnership, a marriage, etc.). It is one thing to be friends with an unbeliever. It is quite another to be partners with one!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 94 Thursday

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II Chronicles chapter 13

The history of the southern kingdom of Judah continues with the account of Abijah, the son of Rehoboam, who reigned in Jerusalem for 3 years. Abijah was also called Abijam in I Kings.

In the beginning of this chapter the battle lines are drawn between Abijah's army and that of Jeroboam of Israel. Evidently Jeroboam had set his eyes on more of Judah's territory because Abijah preached to Jeroboam and his troops of the futility of their venture since Israel relied on golden calves as their gods and Judah relied upon the LORD.

The passage does not say how, but when the army of Judah cried unto the LORD, the priests blew the trumpets, and the men gave a great shout God smote the army of Israel and delivered Judah from Jeroboam's larger force. Judah was the nation that recovered certain cities. Jeroboam's kingdom was then somewhat weakened.

Does God issue any commands?

• God did not speak, but Abijah reminded Jeroboam and his followers that God had made specific commands concerning the order of worship under the Levites.

Does God make any promises?

• Abijah reminded Jeroboam of the promises of God to preserve the lineage of David in Judah. (Evidently Jeroboam had set his sights upon uniting the kingdom once more with himself as its ruler.)

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Abijah said that God himself was their captain. Jesus is the captain over the armies of God.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• One day the Captain will lead the armies of God against the foes that seek to overrun them. Like in this battle between Abijah and Jeroboam, the worldly armies will not prevail.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 94 Wednesday

"Old Fortress"
Image courtesy of  prozac1 at Freedigitalphotos.net

II Chronicles 11:1-12:16

In spite of the fact that the kingdom had divided into two separate kingdoms Rehoboam had a few good years of success. Things changed when he also turned his back on the law of the LORD. Sadly, his final epitaph says that he did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

Does God issue any commands?

• Through the prophet Shemaiah God told Rehoboam not to fight against the Israelites of the northern kingdom of Israel because the country division had happened at the word of the Lord.

Does God make any promises?

• When they failed to follow His laws God punished Rehoboam and his sons with an invasion led by Pharaoh Shishak of Egypt. But when they repented God promised not to destroy them but to grant a measure of deliverance. Jerusalem would be spared but the coffers would be ransacked. Shishak took the golden treasures from the Temple and from Solomon's palace. The prophet Shemaiah delivered two messages to Rehoboam accordingly.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Rehoboam made several of the border cities in the south to be defensive cities. He equipped these strongholds with weapons, food supplies, and military captains. The Bible often calls God our stronghold or fortress. (See Nahum 1:7; Psalm 27:1; Joel 3:16; Psalm 9:9; Psalm 46:1; John 10:28-29; Philippians 4:7; Psalm 62:2; Psalm 71:3; Matthew 23:37; Proverbs 18:10; ) Ephesians 6:12-13 also says that we do not battle against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high place so God has properly equipped us with weapons of warfare but we are always safe within His refuge.
• All of the priests and Levites left the northern kingdom of Israel and resettled in the southern kingdom of Judah where Rehoboam ruled because Jeroboam had stopped them from executing their offices when he instituted the worship of the calves. Jesus is our High Priest. The world does not want Him as their intercessor and substitutes their own form of worship for the Way, the Truth, and the Life but those who trust in Him as their Savior know that He is the only mediator between God and man.
• Rehoboam is an antitype of Jesus. Rehoboam inherited all the glory of his father and was proud because of it. He did not seek God in humility. Jesus, on the other hand, left the glory of His Father and became a man of humble birth. He then sought to do only God's will in all humility.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The glory of the kingdom in Jerusalem was lost under Rehoboam but one day its glory will not only be restored but surpassed when Jesus rules there.
• The final spiritual evaluation of Rehoboam said that he did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD. One day everyone reading this will meet the LORD. Prepare your heart now to seek Him so that your final evaluation (and the most important one of all!) will not read like that of Rehoboam!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 94 Tuesday

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II Chronicles chapter 10

This chapter recounts the events leading to the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel under Rehoboam and Jeroboam. The chains tying the nation together were broken.

This chapter and part of the next are basically the same as the first 24 verses of I Kings chapter 12.

Does God issue any commands?
God does not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?

• Rehoboam consulted old counselors and young counselors but he did not consult the LORD. The kingdom was split when Rehoboam took the advice of the young men. Verse 15 says that this was in fulfillment of God's promise given through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Rehoboam was not a wise man, nor did he desire to speak kindly to the people therefore he was not a type of Christ. The old men counseled him to be kind to the people, speak good words to them, and please them with the understanding that then the people would be his servants forever out of hearts of love. This symbolizes the relationship between Jesus and believers. He came to earth the first time in kindness to humanity, speaking good words (He was the Word!), and pleasing the common people with His acts of physical and spiritual restoration. He is God of the universe and yet He came as a humble servant. Those of His Kingdom will gladly serve Him forever because they are motivated by love and thanksgiving.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?
Not that I identified.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 94 Monday

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II Chronicles chapter 9

This is the retelling of Solomon's visit by the Queen of Sheba as previously recorded in I Kings chapter 10. "Half of the greatness of they wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard."

Does God issue any commands?
God does not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?
God does not speak in this chapter.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The Queen of Sheba had many hard questions for Solomon and with his wisdom he was able to answer them all. Jesus is wisdom personified. (As in Proverbs chapter 8.)
• She also saw all of his wealth and the contentment of his servants and this impressed her. Solomon is a type of Christ in this passage and his riches and finery is but a foreshadow of the glories of Jesus' Kingdom. The queen was amazed that Solomon's kingdom was even more glorious than what she had imagined. Eye has not seen nor ear heard all that Jesus has in store for those who love Him. (My paraphrase of I Corinthians 2:9). There is just no way we can imagine the majesty of His Kingdom.
• When the Queen of Sheba heard Solomon's wisdom and saw the glories of his kingdom she glorified God who delighted in Solomon. This is what Jesus said is supposed to happen when God blesses us and others see our work. They are to glorify our Father in Heaven. (See Matthew 5:16, part of the Sermon on the Mount.)
• The Queen regales Solomon by telling him that God loved Israel so He made Solomon king over them to do judgment and justice. This is exactly why God establishes Jesus as the King of Israel so Solomon is again a type of Christ.
• Solomon gave the Queen of Sheba all that she desired, all that she requested of him. This is a picture of the prayer relationship Christians have with Jesus. If we ask anything in His name within the will of God He delights to grant our petitions.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• The Queen of Sheba made the journey from a far country to view the glories of Solomon's kingdom. One day we will make the journey from this world to view the glories of God's Kingdom. We will be amazed!
• Even the Queen of Sheba prophesied that God loved Israel and establishes them forever. (See verse 8.)

TAKE TIME: March 2- 7 Assignment

Introduction:  We will finish reading about Solomon's glorious empire and transition into the time of the divided kingdom. II Chronicles deals only with the southern kingdom, the nation of Judah, that was ruled by the royal descendants of David.

 Assignment:

• Monday - II Chronicles chapter 9
• Tuesday - II Chronicles chapter 10
• Wednesday -  II Chronicles 11:1-12:16
• Thursday - II Chronicles chapter 13
• Friday - II Chronicles 14:1-15:7
• Saturday - II Chronicles 15:8-16:14

Memory Verse

 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in they name we go against this multitude O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.  II Chronicles 14;11


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God that He is the God that cannot lie!
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action
While the northern kingdom of Israel passed from dynasty to dynasty, the southern kingdom of Judah remained under the rule of the family of David as long as the nation served the LORD thus fulfilling one of God's promises to David. God's promises often follow family lines but we do not have the guarantee that our posterity will walk in the faith that we hold dear. This week, take time to share your testimony with the younger generations in your family. Perhaps you could record your testimony on a CD-ROM for them or you could write it down and make a copy for each person. Not only is this a great way to share your love for the Lord with your family it is also a way to preserve a memory that may become a cherished keepsake for generations to come.