Bible Study Notes for 2 Chronicles- Chapter 29

2 Chronicles 29

 

-When Hezekiah came to power as king of Judah, things took a dramatic and sudden turn for the better in the nation’s worship of the One-True God. He would reign in righteousness following the LORD for 29 splendid years. This chapter describes how he brought the attendants to the House of God back and reinstated Temple worship to Yahweh. The key word here is consecration. The priests and Levites set themselves apart at the command of the Word of God and the king to begin sacrificing again to the LORD and clean up His House in order to minister to Him in faithfulness, joy, love, and dedication. Gone for a time were the ways of his father Ahaz as the people worshipped in with incredible Spirit and truth with songs of praise continually. In the end both the king and the people rejoiced over what God had prepared for the nation. Times were good again in Judah!

-*Application* What a difference consecrated leadership makes! If you have charge of anything, make absolutely sure that those under your authority are sanctified and being set apart for the work of the LORD God through faith and obedience. The cleanup is a wonderful thing and involves at its core repentance. That is a turning of the mind that leads to ultimate action that is permanent. Evaluate where you need to consecrate yourself and lead others to holiness as well in your life today. Good times of rejoicing will follow, and it can happen suddenly!

 

Verse to Memorize: 2 Chronicles 29:2

Bible Study Notes for 2 Chronicles- Chapter 28

Chapter 28

 

-Ahaz, who was the son of Jotham, became the king at the age of twenty and reigned until his death at the age of thirty-six (16 year reign). He did not do right in the eyes of the LORD acting wickedly in all manner of life. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel with idolatry making molten images for the Baals. He burned incense in the valley of Ben-hinnom and even burned his sons in fire according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out before the sons of Israel. He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills and under every green tree (2 Chronicles 28:1-4). Because of this, the LORD delivered him into the hands of enemy kings both from Aram and Israel. The Arameans took away captives, and Israel would have too if not for the prophet Oded’s warning words and some sympathy on the part of some Israelites with a conscience and some guilt (2 Chronicles 28:5-15).

-Ahaz sent to the king (or kings in some later translations) of Assyria for help. The Edomites had come on attack and also carried away captives. The Philistines had attacked and taken back cities and villages in the Negev to the south. “For the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had brought about a lack of restraint in Judah and was very unfaithful to the LORD (2 Chronicles 28:16-19).” Tilgath-pilneser, king of Assyria, also came against him instead of helping him and would not accept bribes from the portions from the house of the LORD for benefit. Even in his time of distress, King Ahaz became more unfaithful to the LORD and His ways. He sacrificed to the gods who had defeated him in battle, and they became his downfall as well as all Israel. He closed the doors of the house of God and made altars for himself in every corner of Jerusalem. In every city of Judah he erected high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked the LORD to anger. He died a defeated man buried in the city of Jerusalem, but not in the tombs of the kings of Israel. Now his son Hezekiah would come along after him and restore some holiness in the land (2 Chronicles 28:20-32:33).

-*Application* Ahaz is a great example of what wayward and ineffective leadership can bring. Instead of being strong and courageous, like many of his ancestors, in the power and might of the LORD, he capitulated to foreign powers and alternative gods. This only kindled the anger of God more and more against him and his people. The nation suffered greatly because of his disobedience and total lack of faith (Proverbs 25:19). As a leader, we must see the necessity of turning to the LORD for our help and deliverance. He is the One who is our ever present help in time of trouble (Psalm 37:38; 46:1). Going after idols is vain (Psalm 36:1, Jonah 2:8).

 

Verses to Memorize: 2 Chronicles 28:19, 22

Bible Study Notes for 2 Chronicles- Chapter 28

Chapter 28

 

-Ahaz, who was the son of Jotham, became the king at the age of twenty and reigned until his death at the age of thirty-six (16 year reign). He did not do right in the eyes of the LORD acting wickedly in all manner of life. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel with idolatry making molten images for the Baals. He burned incense in the valley of Ben-hinnom and even burned his sons in fire according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out before the sons of Israel. He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills and under every green tree (2 Chronicles 28:1-4). Because of this, the LORD delivered him into the hands of enemy kings both from Aram and Israel. The Arameans took away captives, and Israel would have too if not for the prophet Oded’s warning words and some sympathy on the part of some Israelites with a conscience and some guilt (2 Chronicles 28:5-15).

-Ahaz sent to the king (or kings in some later translations) of Assyria for help. The Edomites had come on attack and also carried away captives. The Philistines had attacked and taken back cities and villages in the Negev to the south. “For the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had brought about a lack of restraint in Judah and was very unfaithful to the LORD (2 Chronicles 28:16-19).” Tilgath-pilneser, king of Assyria, also came against him instead of helping him and would not accept bribes from the portions from the house of the LORD for benefit. Even in his time of distress, King Ahaz became more unfaithful to the LORD and His ways. He sacrificed to the gods who had defeated him in battle, and they became his downfall as well as all Israel. He closed the doors of the house of God and made altars for himself in every corner of Jerusalem. In every city of Judah he erected high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked the LORD to anger. He died a defeated man buried in the city of Jerusalem, but not in the tombs of the kings of Israel. Now his son Hezekiah would come along after him and restore some holiness in the land (2 Chronicles 28:20-32:33).

-*Application* Ahaz is a great example of what wayward and ineffective leadership can bring. Instead of being strong and courageous, like many of his ancestors, in the power and might of the LORD, he capitulated to foreign powers and alternative gods. This only kindled the anger of God more and more against him and his people. The nation suffered greatly because of his disobedience and total lack of faith (Proverbs 25:19). As a leader, we must see the necessity of turning to the LORD for our help and deliverance. He is the One who is our ever present help in time of trouble (Psalm 37:38; 46:1). Going after idols is vain (Psalm 36:1, Jonah 2:8).

 

Verses to Memorize: 2 Chronicles 28:19, 22

Bible Study Notes for 2 Chronicles- Chapter 28

Chapter 28

 

-Ahaz, who was the son of Jotham, became the king at the age of twenty and reigned until his death at the age of thirty-six (16 year reign). He did not do right in the eyes of the LORD acting wickedly in all manner of life. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel with idolatry making molten images for the Baals. He burned incense in the valley of Ben-hinnom and even burned his sons in fire according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out before the sons of Israel. He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills and under every green tree (2 Chronicles 28:1-4). Because of this, the LORD delivered him into the hands of enemy kings both from Aram and Israel. The Arameans took away captives, and Israel would have too if not for the prophet Oded’s warning words and some sympathy on the part of some Israelites with a conscience and some guilt (2 Chronicles 28:5-15).

-Ahaz sent to the king (or kings in some later translations) of Assyria for help. The Edomites had come on attack and also carried away captives. The Philistines had attacked and taken back cities and villages in the Negev to the south. “For the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had brought about a lack of restraint in Judah and was very unfaithful to the LORD (2 Chronicles 28:16-19).” Tilgath-pilneser, king of Assyria, also came against him instead of helping him and would not accept bribes from the portions from the house of the LORD for benefit. Even in his time of distress, King Ahaz became more unfaithful to the LORD and His ways. He sacrificed to the gods who had defeated him in battle, and they became his downfall as well as all Israel. He closed the doors of the house of God and made altars for himself in every corner of Jerusalem. In every city of Judah he erected high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked the LORD to anger. He died a defeated man buried in the city of Jerusalem, but not in the tombs of the kings of Israel. Now his son Hezekiah would come along after him and restore some holiness in the land (2 Chronicles 28:20-32:33).

-*Application* Ahaz is a great example of what wayward and ineffective leadership can bring. Instead of being strong and courageous, like many of his ancestors, in the power and might of the LORD, he capitulated to foreign powers and alternative gods. This only kindled the anger of God more and more against him and his people. The nation suffered greatly because of his disobedience and total lack of faith (Proverbs 25:19). As a leader, we must see the necessity of turning to the LORD for our help and deliverance. He is the One who is our ever present help in time of trouble (Psalm 37:38; 46:1). Going after idols is vain (Psalm 36:1, Jonah 2:8).

 

Verses to Memorize: 2 Chronicles 28:19, 22

Bible Study Notes in 2 Chronicles- Chapter 27

Chapter 27

-Not a ton is written about this king who did right in the sight of the LORD and built up the kingdom with projects and military success. He learned the lesson of his father so as not to enter the Temple of the LORD, and he “became mighty because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God (2 Chronicles 27:2-6).”

-The issue here during Jotham’s time was not the leadership, but the people. “The people continued to act corruptly” during his reign, which was indicative of their hearts. They had turned from their God in many ways and followed after idols.

-*Application* In this case the old saying is true. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. Leadership can only be as good as the followship. If you are in charge of people in whatever capacity, fervent prayer for their hearts is paramount. Ask the LORD to give your people a heart after Him, so that they will truly be righteous. Only God can change a heart. Pray that He will do that in those you lead. This lack of intercession was more than likely the fault of Jotham when we consider his reign. Don’t you make the same mistake.

 

Verse to Memorize: 2 Chronicles 27:6

 

 

 

Bible Study Notes for 2 Chronicles- Chapter 26

2 Chronicles 26

 

-After Amaziah’s assassination, his young son, Uzziah, was made king of Judah at the age of sixteen. He ruled for 52 years in Jerusalem doing a majority of things in righteousness. “He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him (2 Chronicles 26:5).” He warred against traditional enemies of the kingdom with success, and “his fame extended to the border of Egypt, for he became very strong (2 Chronicles 26:6-8).” He built towers for protection in Jerusalem and was innovative in new military techniques. He reestablished Eloth to Judah (2 Chronicles 26:2), and built towers in the wilderness and hewed many cisterns for water supply for the livestock, which was multiplied both in the lowland and in the plain (2 Chronicles 26:9-15). He is described as a king who was marvelously helped until he was strong with far reaching fame and respect (2 Chronicles 26:15).

-“But, when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the alter of incense (2 Chronicles 26:16).” He exceeded his authority set up by the LORD through Moses, for the priests of God had this honor and privilege. These priests, led by Azariah, rebuked the king since he was not a consecrated person for the offerings and told him to get out of the sanctuary. Further they awakened him to the fact that he was being unfaithful and had lost his honor from the LORD God (2 Chronicles 26:17-18). In Uzziah’s anger and rebellion to this rebuke, he contracted leprosy immediately on his forehead while beside the altar of incense. The priest hurried him out of there because the LORD had smitten him with this infectious disease, and the king obliged. “King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death; and he lived in a separate house, being a leper, for he was cut off from the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 26:19-21a).” His son Jotham ruled over the land in his absence and officially became king upon his father’s death and burial, which was in the field of the grave which belonged to the kings. In the end he was only known as “a leper (2 Chronicles 26:21b-23).”

-*Application* There are harsh penalties to pay when we are willfully prideful and disobedient to the LORD’s commands in our own arrogance. His expectations are high and we need to remain faithful and humble all our days, no matter how successful we become. Remember who put you in position of honor and authority. He can just as quickly remove you from your prestige and place when you transgress His ways. Remember the lessons of King Uzziah’s life.

 

Verse to Memorize: 2 Chronicles 26:5

Bible Study Notes in 2 Chronicles- Chapter 25

2 Chronicles 25

 

-This chapter describes the events of the inconsistent and sometime tumultuous 29 year reign of Amaziah, son of Joash. At times he seemed wise and followed the right in the sight of the LORD. At other times he acted foolishly and presumptuously in pride, even giving in to idolatry during his tenure as the king of Judah (2 Chronicles 25:2). He proved faithful in relenting to a plan he devised in his own mind to use hired warriors for his army from the idolatrous kingdom of Israel. The man of God warned him to send them back from going with Judah into battle, and Amaziah agreed at the word of the LORD even though he had already paid them 100 talents, for “The LORD has much more to give you than this (2 Chronicles 25:9). This upset the northern neighbors, and they raided the cities of Judah while Judah was off to the east defeating the sons of Seir at the Valley of Salt (Dead Sea area). The dichotomy of Amaziah’s victory over the sons of Seir was in taking their Edomite gods back to worship them and incurred the anger of the LORD (2 Chronicles 25:14-15). These gods were not able to deliver, and the LORD sent His prophet for correction, which in a sense Amaziah took counsel. The only problem is that he remained foolish in his pride to go to war again with Joash, king of Israel, even though he had been warned. This led to his defeat and embarrassment as he was captured and the city of Jerusalem ransacked with portions of the wall being torn down (2 Chronicles 25:16-25). At the end of his life he turned away from following the LORD and some of the righteous conspired against him. He fled to Lachish to the south, but he was eventually killed there. He was brought back on horses and buried in the city of Judah unheralded and unfaithful to the God of his fathers (2 Chronicles 25:26-28).

-*Application* Being consistent is a great character trait to possess. We see an inconsistent life in this king, and it should alert us to stay faithful in our own walk with God. We would be wise to listen to Amaziah’s ancestor Solomon’s words in Proverbs 3:5-6, which state “Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart and do NOT lean on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Stay true in all you do as you follow Jesus all your days. Cultivate consistency in the walk of faith. Don’t be a yo-yo or a roller coaster Christian.

 

Verse to Memorize: 2 Chronicles 25:9