Dei Time

The Final Days

Dei Break

2 Chronicles 36:1 – 23

In today's opening verses we see signs that Judah is about to follow Israel into destruction. Jehoahaz, son of Josiah the reformer, ruled only three months (Note: Josiah had been only about 16 when Jehoahaz was born). Egypt had defeated his father and killed him. Now Judah was Egypt's vassal instead of Assyria's. Egypt, however, found Jehoahaz' brother, Eliakim, to be more to their liking as king.

Shortly thereafter Babylon crushed Egypt and became the recipient of Judah's offerings. Newly crowned Eliakim (renamed Jehoiakim) submitted to Babylon for about three years before rebelling—after burning a scroll from Jeremiah warning that Babylon would devastate and exile Judah. (More on that in the book of Jeremiah)

Judah was constantly pressured by Egypt and then Babylon during Jehoiakim's reign. Daniel was exiled to Babylon about four years into the puppet king's reign. Though Jehoiakim's evil is not fully explained, Jeremiah writes that he murdered the prophet Uriah and attempted to kill Jeremiah.

His son, Jehoiachin (an "evil" eight-year old), did survive in Babylon (vs.10). After 37 years of imprisonment he was released and lived out his life on a Babylonian pension. It may be that Daniel had some influence in this. (More information in the books of Jeremiah and Daniel.)

Zedekiah, crowned by Babylon, was the "evil", and last, king of Judah before the exile. He also rebelled against both God and Babylon which led to Jerusalem's complete destruction in 586 B.C. Judah had outlived Israel by 136 years.

The writer leaves out many details about these last kings of Judah. To him, the important part of his nation's final days was that both kings and people had defied God; persecuted His prophets; worshiped false gods; and lived in great sin.

Now, decades later, Cyrus of Persia has conquered mighty Babylon and has proclaimed freedom to the Israelis. The writer reminds his people that God's judgment on them was just, and that the danger of falling back into disobedience as they return home from Babylon is very real. Most of them had been born in Babylon—many chose to stay there. How would the remnant returning to Jerusalem react to their freedom?

Next time: The Exiles Return

A Grandchild Restores the Faith

Dei Break

2 Chronicles 34:1 - 35:27

Two interesting things about Josiah's reform come to mind immediately. The first is his wisdom. As a very young king, he chose to find out about his God. Obviously God blessed the youth's search because four years later the reform began. Second is the prophetess Huldah. We see in her that God can and does enable women as His messengers. He chose "Huldah the prophetess" to teach the priests and the king of Judah (vs.22).

The primary event of chapter 34 could be described as, "While they were cleaning out the temple basement, they found the lost books of the Law." Over the years, the word of God had been neglected by various kings, probably mostly Manasseh and Amon, to the point that it was literally lost. That does not excuse Judah's flight from God because His prophets, like Isaiah, Micah, Amos, Hosea, Jeremiah, etc., in both the north and the south were proclaiming God's will and His displeasure at what was happening among His people.

We have to wonder at Josiah's shock at the revelations in God's word. His great-grandfather had been faithful to God, but Hezekiah had died around 38 years before Josiah was born. In addition, Josiah's grandfather, Manasseh, had done everything he could for most of his reign to eradicate the faith from Judah. Josiah's father, Amon, had rejected his father's repentance and continued trying to destroy the faith in his short reign. In those days and under those circumstances it isn't too surprising that the people, who preferred to pursue idols anyway, could forget and bury the truth that they needed so much.

Josiah's death was linked to the death of Assyria (35:20-27). Babylon was finally on the verge of defeating Assyria, and ending its domination of several nations. Egypt, fearing Babylon more than Assyria, traveled north to assist the weakening Assyrian army. Josiah probably believed that success for Babylon would mean freedom for his nation, so he tried to block the king of Egypt, and thirty-nine year old Josiah was killed. It was 609 B.C.; Nineveh (Assyria's capital) was already gone; the empire would join it in 607.

Next time: The Final Days

Evil Manasseh

Dei Break

2 Chronicles 33:1 – 25

If you ever wonder if God could possibly forgive you over and over again, read the story of Manasseh. The book of Kings concentrated on Manasseh's evil and did not tell about his repentance and God's forgiveness. His idolatry had led him to even offer his children as burnt offerings to false gods. He led the people into idolatry and raised an idol in the temple. Jewishh tradition says that he had Isaiah placed in a hollow log and the log sawed in half.

God's punishment was severe. Assyria (so cruel that the hook in Manasseh's nose was probably literal rather than figurative) seized the king, taking him to Babylon, now firmly under Assyria's control. Manasseh was a faithful vassal to Assyria, home of many of the religious and occult practices he pursued, but he may have been suspected of plotting rebellion.

As undeserving as the king was, God prevented Manasseh's execution. Why? God still wanted him for His own. God placed him in a predicament where he could only run to the Lord and Manasseh crumbled under the weight of his sin and punishment. God forgave even Manasseh. God could forgive him because Jesus would pay the price for the evil of all generations—past, present and future.

Manasseh continued as Assyria's vassal. God had brought him safely home, but his sinful leadership of Judah added to the inevitability that the nation would suffer God's punishment. During Manasseh's reign Assyria was still the greatest power in the region. It was, however, weakening and would be gone from the historical scene about 35 years after Manasseh's death (607 B.C.). Judah would survive it, but only by about twenty years.

The first readers of Chronicles, the exiles about to be released to return to Jerusalem after over seventy years in Babylon, saw the undeniable evil that their nation had practiced and the justice of their punishment. They also recognized that God was a God of love and forgiveness; He could restore them to Himself, and wanted to do so. The story of Manasseh, as depressing as it is, offered them hope for the future.

Next time: A Grandchild Restores the Faith

Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Dei Break

2 Chronicles 32:1–33

In Kings we learned that Ahaz, Hezekiah's evil father, had signed a treaty with Assyria. Hoping to partner with the powerful nation, he became a vassal king instead. He had lost a bet in the dangerous game of ancient international politics, but unlike Israel to the north, he did still have a kingdom.

Hezekiah's success began to worry the Assyrians and perhaps tempt the king (vs.25-26) to join, and perhaps lead, several nations in rebellion against Assyria. When King Sargon was killed, his son Senacherib took the throne in Assyria. Threatened by rebellion in the area of Judah and Syria and in Babylon at the other end of the empire, Senacherib attacked the rebels, beginning with Babylon. Then he headed west to Syria and Judah (vs.1). Hezekiah knew that if Senacherib succeeded it would be the end of Judah, and prepared for battle.

In his march to the Mediterranean, Senacherib crushed Syria before heading to Jerusalem. Egypt tried to honor its commitment to the revolt, but its army was routed. The other rebel kings hurriedly renewed their gifts of tribute to Assyria.

In Kings we read that Hezekiah offered massive tribute to Senacherib as the Assyrians marched toward Jerusalem. Some commentators suggest that the reason for the large offering may have been to slow the Assyrian army while Judah prepared.

Isaiah had much to say about Hezekiah's actions and we'll read his opinion in the book of Isaiah. Assyria continued toward Jerusalem, but did not count on Hezekiah's special Ally. The Lord delivered Jerusalem by sending some kind of plague that destroyed the Assyrian army overnight (vs.21). Judah continued as a vassal, but was not destroyed. It was still a little over 100 years before Jerusalem would fall to Babylon. Senacherib returned to his capital only to be murdered by his own sons.

Next time: Evil Manasseh

The water tunnel that Hezekiah built into Jerusalem before the siege is mentioned as one of his great achievements. (The following is an excellent site about the tunnel—a page of history followed by 2 1/2 pages of pictures-- http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/1631/hez1.html )

Hezekiah Turns Judah Around--Again

Dei Break

2 Chronicles 29:1 – 31:21

New kings are generally compared to previous kings. In the case of Hezekiah, the author goes back thirteen generations to Hezekiah's distant grandfather, David. Hezekiah, whose father had been evil to the core, would remain an example of godliness to future generations.

"In the first month of the first year of his reign…" The new king realized that before any other task could begin, the temple had to be reopened and rededicated to God. Without God's involvement, nothing would succeed. [An interesting question—Who influenced Hezekiah in his youth to bring about this God centered attitude in the heart of Ahaz' son?]

What if we could always remember that placing God at the top of our priority list is the only way to a fulfilling life? We tend to pursue our tasks and goals on our own. Only after we run into trouble do we ask for God's help. Every Christian has been guilty of that sin hundreds of times.

It may sound a little presumptive to ask God to help us in everyday situations, but He wants to be an integral part of our lives. Hezekiah wanted to have a God-centered reign and a God-centered life, so he began with God's involvement.

Hezekiah initiated a national renewal and return to the Lord in Judah, and in the hearts of many from the northern kingdom of Israel (30:1). What miracles might God have done if Jeroboam, first king of the northern nation, had led his people to Jerusalem for worship?

The events in today's reading took place about 715 B.C., seven years after Assyria crushed the northern kingdom (vs.6). Hezekiah's kindness and desire to reunite the nations spiritually is reflected by his generous invitation to the remnant of Israel to join Judah in celebrating the Passover. Though crushed because of their disobedience, many in the north defied the king's invitation (vs.10). Yet, some did come to celebrate, and though we are not told much about their return home, we do know that they destroyed the objects of false worship wherever they found them (31:1).

Verse 21 again cites Hezekiah's heartfelt devotion to his God.

Next time: Hezekiah's Tunnel

    

   

The Nations Respond to God

Dei Break

2 Chronicles 27:1 - 28:27

The chronicler has recounted 170 years of Judah's kings since telling of one without some evil intent during his reign, but Jotham received this honor. Verse 6 says that his success was because he followed God faithfully.

Three kings in a row had begun as God-focused, successful leaders but ended badly, so Jotham's rule was a joy in comparison. The people, however, continued their rebellion despite Jotham's efforts, but God postponed their judgment because of his goodness. The books of the prophets will fill in the details concerning the daily sin of the people. In addition to their rejection of God, much of their sin was directed at their fellow Judeans.

Ahaz (28:1) co-reigned with his father Jotham for a few years before the latter's death. This guy was amazingly evil. Family relationships in the royal court must have been contentious in many cases, as we see sons behaving in the opposite manner of their fathers. Under Ahaz' reign Baal worship dominated and the king approved and apparently added the detestable Molech (to whom children were sacrificed) as his own god (vs.3). Later he worshipped the gods of the Syrians (Aram) who had defeated Judah, since those gods were powerful in battle (vs.23), but he would not worship the God of Judah.

God then allowed Israel victory over Judah. Israel and Judah almost seem to have switched places in this time period. After a resounding victory over Judah, Israel wisely obeyed the prophet of God (vs.9-15), while the king and people of Judah were turning away from God and even barred the temple door (vs.24). Altars to all the gods except the true God dotted the city of Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside.

Ahaz turned to Assyria for aid, but Assyria gave nothing, and demanded tribute, which was paid. Evil has a way of finally getting so bad that everyone can see it for what it is. Perhaps this inspired a turnaround under Ahaz' son.

Next time: Hezekiah Turns Judah Around--Again

Rebellion and Arrogance Continue

Dei Break

2 Chronicles 25:1 - 26:23

We have progressed to about 135 years after God's nation split and in less than 75 years one of them would disappear forever.

In 25:2 what does "but not wholeheartedly" tell us about Amaziah and perhaps about a few people that we know today?

Some of the king's decisions worked and he did acknowledge and obey God (at least some of the time). Yet his actions seem based on his own will. Sometimes he listened to God's prophets, unless they contradicted his own opinions. When he realized that he had erred by hiring mercenaries from Israel (vs.9), his first concern was not his sin but how he would get his money back if he released them. The released Israelis were angry because they had planned on sharing in the booty of the battle. The king's victory over Edom was tainted by the brutal execution of prisoners and his adoption of Edomite gods (vs.12-14).

Amaziah's ego finally destroyed him when the king challenged Israel and defied the stronger nation's warning to go home (vs.19). (There were 2 kings named Joash—one in Israel and one in Judah.)

Amaziah's attitude might be voiced, "I'll follow God when He helps me get what I want, but I like to keep my options open." That is a symptom of "but not wholeheartedly". Our own culture seems filled with people like Amaziah.

Uzziah's name meant "Strong in the Lord", but after years of success, he seemed to decide that the name really meant, "Strong in myself".

Good times did not lead Uzziah to turn from God, but they did lead to his prideful attitude toward God (26:16). The rules no longer applied to him; he believed he could do as he pleased and God would honor him because he was so important. However, Uzziah's long reign did bring back a golden age to Judah, at least for a few decades.

It is sad that so many of the kings of Israel and Judah demonstrate how not to live life, but it is a good reminder to maintain our time of prayer and consultation with God. Jesus often met with His Father to receive strength and advice. If we emulate this King, our lives will be full and at peace.

Next time: The Nations Respond To God   

David’s Line Continues

Dei Break

2 Chronicles 23:1 - 24:27

For six years Prince Joash's aunt and the priest Jehoiada, hid him in the temple. Concealing a child, or at least his identity, must have proven a tense adventure. Surely there were others involved, since Athaliah was very unpopular. Jehoiada also spent this time building his own reputation and power, preparing to dethrone the usurper. (23:1) Even after six years of preparation, anointing Joash was dangerous. Athaliah still held enough loyal followers to crush the plan if it weren't accompanied by armed force.

As a God-focused man Jehoiada did not seek to rule, but restored God's choice to the throne and trained him to be a God-focused king.

Sometimes we are jealous of others in the workplace who are given opportunities that we are not, even (as in Jehoiada's case) when we know that they really can handle the position. Sometimes, like Jehoiada, we may even be asked to help the inexperienced grow into excellence, without grudge or negative feelings. Jehoiada did this even though the prince proved to be less than a stellar king. The old priest let God decide who should be where, assisting as he could. That is a good path for anyone, but following it requires God's help.

Jehoiada was a strong and good influence on the king. He must have been constantly countering false advice from evil officials and their false accusations against himself.

After Jehoiada died Joash turned to the wrong advisors (24:17-18). It's interesting that he enthusiastically pursued rebuilding the temple and yet fell prey to false gods. It's a reminder that in those days even God's people believed that many gods lived, not yet understanding that there was and is only one God.

The Zechariah who prophesied to Joash (vs.20) was one of about 30 of that name in the Old Testament and this is the only place he is mentioned. He had been Jehoiada's son, but Joash had him murdered for speaking against the king (vs.21). This action began Joash's end, and he was executed by his own servants after being injured in a lost battle with Aram (Syria). As with some other failed kings of Judah, Joash was not buried "with his fathers."

Next time: Rebellion and Arrogance Continue

A Wayward Son

Dei Break

2 Chronicles 21:1 - 22:12

In today's reading we see "Israel" used in two different ways. Jehoshaphat had wanted to restore the united kingdom. In this sense of the two nations combined, "Israel" is used to refer to Jehoshaphat and his followers (vs.2). Later, in verse 6, "Israel" refers to the rebellious and wicked northern nation.

A few years before Edom's rebellion against Judah (vs.8), the king of Israel also had problems with rebellious states. The power of both nations was declining because of the evil practiced by Ahab's family in the north and King Jehoram in the south. The Philistines watched these developments with great interest and attacked Judah as soon as they noted Jehoram's weakening. They pillaged their way to Jerusalem, carrying off great booty including the king's family (vs.16-17).

Did Jehoram expect the letter from Elijah (vs.12)? Surely he knew of the prophet, and having been part of Jehoshaphat's faithful family, Jehoram's rebellion against God was not one of ignorance. He knew exactly what he was doing, so one has to think that when the messenger arrived with scroll in hand, Jehoram's arrogance must have faltered, but the author mentions no repentance on the king's part. Jehoram was buried away from his ancestors, and not missed by most, (vs.20). He would not be the only king of Judah to come to a rebellious end.

The family of Ahab, in the kingdom of Judah by marriage, brought more disaster to Jehoram's son, Ahaziah. He reigned only one year before being killed along with the rest of Ahab's family by Jehu. Jehu also killed Ahab's widow, Jezebel.

Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother and Ahab's daughter, immediately became (or perhaps already was) the most powerful person in Judah (22:10). She carried on the traditions of her evil mother, Jezebel, by attempting to kill every member of Judah's ruling family. She managed to hold power in Jerusalem for six years, but the Lord, according to His promise to David, inspired a sister of Ahaziah to save his toddler son, Joash, from being murdered by his own grandmother (vs.11).

Next Time: David's Line Continues

Jehoshaphat, the Good King

Dei Break

2 Chronicles 19:1 - 20:37

Jehoshaphat accepted God's judgment of his actions (vs.1-4). While some kings rebelled at criticism even from God, Jehoshaphat humbled himself before the Lord and moved on with his life.

His behavior is an example for us. There are days when we fail God miserably (yet again). We then have a choice to make—will we decide that we really didn't sin; God should understand our circumstance; it was the other guy's fault; will we be so humble that we waste the day that God has given us in self-recrimination? Or, will we repent, offer praise to God for His forgiveness through Jesus our Lord, and ask God to help us walk this day closer to Him? Jehoshaphat chose the latter. His work in the nation remained vigorous as he refocused on God. We too can put yesterday to rest and go on with the journey.

In addition to the teachers he had sent through the land the king now sent out judges with instructions on how to obey God in all of their rulings (vs.5). Jehoshaphat wanted to create a united, efficient, God-centered kingdom.

When threatened by three united enemies, Jehoshaphat turned to God for an answer (20:3). The answer didn't make much sense unless one depended on God to keep His word. The army of Judah marched out singing praise to God. Singing praise to God leaves one less time to be terrified of the enemy. Imagine the joy and surprise of the army as they approached the field of battle and found that the three enemy armies had destroyed each other over some disagreement! God had shown them the truth of the words "the battle is not yours, but God's" (vs.15).

Though Jehoshaphat was a good king of Judah, his God-centered rule could not turn the people away from worshiping of the gods of other nations (20:33). The writings of the prophets will tell us that there was always a "remnant" that remained true to God, but rebellion dominated every class of people in the land.

Next Time: A Wayward Son