Bible: Beginning to End - 2 Chronicles 22-36: Israel's Exile & Healing

Episode Date: April 27, 2025

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Hello and welcome back to Bible beginning to end, where we are reading through the scriptures together from Genesis to Revelation. I am so glad you are here and that you have chosen to listen to another episode of the podcast. As always, I will be reading through each chapter and stopping along the way to ask some critical thinking questions. I won't be answering those questions, but I will be posing these questions so that you can really reflect on God's Word. and hear what he is telling you through his word and really think on it for yourself. Right now it's the beginning of a new year, 2025, and this is a current and ongoing podcast. So if you're listening to it right now, this is the newest episode and we're in Second Chronicles. And I record as often as I can so that one day we will have read through the entire Bible together.

I'm really excited for when that day comes, and I'm very grateful for the stories you've all shared with me about how God has impacted your life through this podcast, through His Word, and through taking the time to really sit and think about God's Word. Right now, I am using the Berean Standard Bible as the translation that we are reading through together. So if you want to pick up a copy of the Berean Standard Bible or find it online, I always have links in the description of each episode to the chapters. reading for the episode so you can follow along there, or you can just listen. So we are in Second Chronicles, and last time we read through Second Chronicles 1 through 21. Today we're going to pick up

with Second Chronicles 22 and finish the rest of the chapter. As we've talked about before, Second Chronicles is kind of a summary of what has already happened to the Israelites. It was written as sort of a celebration of their history and to motivate them to stay true to God. So we've been reading through Second Chronicles and remembering all the different kings who led Israel. We've seen ones who have stayed true to God. We've seen ones who have fallen away from God, and we've seen how that has impacted the people of Israel. We've also seen Israel split into two separate kingdoms, the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom. And the last king we talked about in the previous episode was Jehoram. And the author of Chronicles talked about

his death at the end of chapter 21. So we're going to pick up today with Second Chronicles chapter 22, which we'll pick up with the next king, Ahazia. Okay, so we will start with Second Chronicles chapter 22, which begins with a section called Ahazia reigns in Judah. This section can also be found in Second Kings, chapter 8, verses 25 to 29. Second Chronicles, chapter 22, verse 1. Then, the people of Jerusalem made Ahazia, the youngest son of Jehoram, king in his place, since the raiders who had come into the camp with the Arabs had killed all the older sons. So Ahazia, son of Jehoram, became king of Judah. Ahazia was 22 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother's name was Athalia, the granddaughter of Amri.

Ahazia also walked in the ways of the people. the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in wickedness. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for, to his destruction, they were his counselors after the death of his father. Ahazia also followed their counsel and went with Joram, son of Ahab, king of Israel, to fight against Haziel, king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead. But the Aramians wounded Joram, so he returned to Jezreal to recover from the wounds they had inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against Haziel King of Aram. Then Ahazia, son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to Jezrael to visit Joram, son of Ahab,

because Joram had been wounded. Ahazia's downfall came from God when he went to visit Joram. When Ahazia arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu, son of Nimshi, who the Lord had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab. The next section is Jehu kills the princess of Judah. The section can also be found in 2nd Kings chapter 9, verses 14 to 29. So, while Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the rulers of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah's brothers

who were serving Ahazia, and he killed them. then Jehu looked for Ahazia, and Jehu's soldiers captured him while he was hiding in Samaria. So Ahazia was brought to Jehu and put to death. They buried him, for they said, he is the grandson of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart. So no one was left from the house of Ahazia with the strength to rule the kingdom. Okay, so pause there at the end of that section. did Jehu kill Ahazia and his sons? And if there's no one from the house of Ahazia left to rule the kingdom, then who is going to rule over Judah? The next section is Atalia and Joash. This section can also

be found in 2nd Kings chapter 11, verses 1 through 3. Second Chronicles chapter 22 verse 10. When Atalia, the mother of Ahazia, saw that her son was dead, she pretext. proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs of the house of Judah. But Jehoshabath, daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash, son of Ahazia, and stole him away from among the sons of the kings who were being murdered, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehoshabeth, the daughter of King Jehoram, and the wife of Jehoiada the priest, was Ahazia's sister, she hid Joash from Atalia so that she could not kill him. And Joash remained hidden with them in the house of God for six years, while Atalia ruled the land. Okay, so pause there. Why did Jehoshabeth hide Joash? Atalia is ruling the land.

What do you think the plan is for Joash? Okay, so now we can start Second Chronicles Chapter 23, which begins with a section called Joash, anointed king of Judah. This section can also be found in Second Kings, chapter 11, verses 4 through 12. 2 Chronicles 23, verse 1. Then, in the seventh year, Jehoiada strengthened himself and made a covenant with the commanders of hundreds. With Azaria, son of Jeroham, Ishmael,

son of Jehoanan, Azaria, son of Abed, Maasia, son of Adaya, and Elishafat, son of Zikri. So they went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah and the heads of the families of Israel. And when they came to Jerusalem, the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. Behold the king's son, said Jehoiada. He must reign just as the Lord promised concerning the descendants of David. This is what you are to do. A third of you priests and Levites, who come on duty on the Sabbath shall keep watch at the doors. A third shall be at the royal palace,

and a third at the foundation gate, while all the others are in the courtyards of the house of the Lord. No one is to enter the house of the Lord except the priests and those Levites who serve. They may enter because they are consecrated, but all the people are to obey the requirement of the Lord. The Levites must surround the king, weapons in hand and anyone who enters the temple must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes. Okay, so pause there. Why is it so important that they follow these rules and protect the king so closely?

Verse 8, so the Levites and all Judah did everything that Jehoiada the priest had ordered. each of them took his men, those coming on duty on the Sabbath, and those going off duty, for Jehoiada the priest had not released any of the divisions. Then Jehoiada the priest gave to the commanders of hundreds, the spears and the large and small shields of King David that were in the house of God. He stationed all the troops with their weapons in hand, surrounding the king by the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.

Then Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king's son. But the crown on him, presented him with the testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, Long live, the king. Okay, so pause there at the end of that section. In verse 11, it said that they said that they, put a crown on his head and presented him with the testimony. And the testimony there is capitalized.

So what do you think the testimony is? Other versions might say God's law. So what are they presenting to the king? And why is it significant that he's presented with this item? And then what does this mean for the people of Israel that the right person is on the throne? The next section is the death of Atalia. This section can also be found in Second Kings, chapter 11, verse 13 through 16. Chapter 23, verse 12. When Atalia heard the noise of the people running and cheering the king, she went out to them in the house of the Lord, and she looked out and saw the king standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, while the singers with musical instruments were leading

the praises. Then Natalia tore her clothes and screamed, treason, treason. And Jehoiada, the priest, sent out the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, saying, bring her out between the ranks, and put the sword to anyone who follows her. For the priest had said, she must not be put to death in house of the Lord. So they seized Atalia as she reached the entrance of the horse gate to the palace grounds, and there they put her to death. The next section is Jehoiada restores the worship of the Lord. This can also be found in 2nd Kings, Chapter 11, verses 17 to 21. 2. Chronicles 23, verse 16. Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people, that they would be the Lord's people. So all the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down.

They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Matan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. Moreover, Jehoiada put the oversight of the house of the Lord into the hands of the Levitt. psalidical priests, whom David had appointed over the House of the Lord, to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, as is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and song as ordained by David. He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the House of the Lord so that nothing unclean could enter for any reason. He also took with him the commanders of hundreds, the nobles, the rulers of the people, and all the people of the land,

and they brought the king down from the house of the Lord and entered the royal palace through the upper gate. They seated King Joach on the royal throne, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet because Italia had been put to the sword. Okay, so pause there. What is Jehoiada, who is a priest? What is his purpose within the community?

And then once they had overthrown Atalia, and Joash could be the rightful king, what did Jehoiada do to make sure that the people of God were following God's law and following the plan that David had set out, the plan that Moses had set out? What was he doing to kind of re-center their society? Okay, so now we can start 2 Chronicles Chapter 24, which begins. with a section called Joash Repairs the Temple. This section can also be found in 2nd Kings chapter 12, verses 1 through 16. 2 Chronicles 24 verse 1.

Joash was 7 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem 40 years. His mother's name was Zibia. She was from Beersheba, and Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest. Jehoiada took for him two wives, and he had sons and daughters. Sometime later, Joash set his heart on repairing the house of the Lord. So he gathered the priests and Levites and said, Go out to the cities of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel

to repair the house of your God. Do it quickly. The Levites, however, did not make haste. So the king called Jehoiada the priest and said, Why have you not required the Levites to bring from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the Lord and by the assembly of Israel for the tent of the testimony? For the sons of that wicked woman, Atalia, had broken into the house of God

and had even used the sacred objects of the house of the Lord for the Baal's. At the king's command, a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the house of the Lord, and a proclamation was issued in Judah and Jerusalem that they were to bring the Lord the tax imposed by Moses, the servant of God on Israel, in the wilderness. All the officers and all the people rejoiced,

and brought their contributions, and they dropped them in the chest until it was full. Whenever the chest was brought by the Levites to the king, king's overseers, and they saw that there was a large amount of money, the royal scribe and the officer of the high priest would come and empty the chest and carry it back to its place. They did this daily and gathered the money in abundance. Then the king and Jehoiada would give the money to those who supervised the labor on the house of the Lord to hire stone cutters and carpenters to restore the house of the Lord,

as well as workers in iron and bronze to repair the house of the Lord. So the workmen labored, and in their hands the repair work progressed. They restored the House of God according to its specifications, and they reinforced it. When they were finished, they brought the rest of the money to the King and Jehoiada to make with it the articles for the House of the Lord, utensils for the service, and for the burnt offerings, dishes, and other objects of gold and silver. Throughout the days of Jehoiada,

burnt offerings were presented regularly in the house of the Lord. The next section is Jehoiada's Death and Burial. Verse 15. When Jehoiada was old and full of years, he died at the age of 130, and Jehoiada was buried with the kings in the city of David because he had done what was good in Israel, for God and his temple.

Okay, so pause there. the end of that section. Why did Joash ask for this temple tax? What is this temple tax that they were referring to and do you remember it from Exodus? Why was it important that the Israelites repair the temple and make sure that it's maintained? The next section is the wickedness of Joash, verse 17. After the death of Jehoiada, however, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the house of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherapoles and idols. So wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs. Nevertheless, the Lord sent prophets to bring the people back to him and to testify against

them, but they would not listen. Then the spirit of the God came upon Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, this is what God says, Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you. But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, They stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the Lord. Thus, King Joach failed to remember the kindness that Zechariah's father, Jehoiada, had extended to him.

Instead, Joach killed Jehoiada's son. As he lay dying, Zechariah said, May the Lord see this and call you to account. Okay, so pause there. What happened after Jehoiada died? What happened with King Joachian? and his leadership. Why did Israel turn away from God? Why did they not listen to Zechariah? The next section is the death of Joash, which can also be found in 2nd Kings 12, verses 17 to 21.

Verse 23. In the spring, the army of Aram went to war against Joash. They entered Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the leaders of the people, and they sent all of the people. And they sent all the plunder to their king in Damascus. Although the Aramian army had come with only a few men, the Lord delivered into their hand a very great army. Because Judah had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers' judgment was executed on Joach. And when the Aramians had withdrawn,

they left Joash severely wounded. His own servant conspired against him for shedding the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him on his bed. So he died and was buried in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. Those who conspired against Joash were Zabad, son of Shimeath, the Ammonites, and Jehazabad, son of Shimrith, the Moabitess. The accounts of the sons of Joash, as well as the many pronouncements about him, and about the restoration of the house of God are indeed written in the treatise of the book of the kings.

And his son, Amazia, reigned in his place. Okay, so pause there at the end of chapter 24. What happened to the Israelites because of their rebellion? Okay, so now we can start 2 Chronicles chapter 25, which begins with a section called Amazia reigns in Judah. This section can also be found in 2nd Kings 14 verses 1 through 7. 2 Chronicles 25 verse 1. Amazia was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem 29 years.

His mother's name was Jehoadon. She was from Jerusalem, and he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly. As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amazia executed the servants who had murdered his father, the king. Yet he did not put their sons to death, but acted according to what is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the Lord had commanded, fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers. Each is to die for his own sin. The next section is Amazia's victories. Verse 5.

Then Amazia gathered the people of Judah and assigned them according to their families to commanders of thousands and of hundreds. And he numbered those 20 years of age or older throughout Judah and Benjamin and found 300,000 chosen men able to serve in the army, bearing the spear and the shield. He also hired 100,000 mighty warriors from Israel for a hundred talents of silver. But a man of God came to him and said, O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you,

for the Lord is not with Israel, not with any of the Ephraimites. Even if you go and fight bravely in battle, God will make you stumble before the enemy, for God has power to help and power to overthrow. Okay, so pause there. Why do you think this man of God is coming and saying that God is not with them in this battle? Verse 9. Amazia asked the man of God,

What should I do about the hundred talents I have given the army of Israel? And the man of God replied, The Lord is able to give you much more than this. So Amazia dismissed the troops who had come to him from Ephraim and sent them home. And they were furious with Judah and returned home in great anger. Okay, so pause there. Why did Amazia send the troops home? And why were the troops so angry after being sent home?

Verse 11. Amazia, however, summoned his strength and led his troops to the valley of salt, where he struck down 10,000 men of Sear. And the army of Judah also captured 10,000 men alive. They took them to the top of a cliff and threw them down so that all were dashed to pieces. Meanwhile, the troops that Amazia had dismissed from battle raided the cities of Judah from Samaria to Beth Haran.

They struck down 3,000 people and carried off a great, deal of plunder. The next section is Amazia rebuked for idolatry. Verse 14. When Amazia returned from the slaughter of the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the Sarites, set them up as his own gods, bowed before them, and burned sacrifices to them.

Therefore the anger of the Lord burned against Amazia, and he sent him a prophet who said, said, why have you sought this people's gods which could not deliver them from your hand? While he was still speaking, the king asked, Have we made you the counselor to the king? Stop. Why be struck down? So the prophet stopped, but he said,

I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not heeded my advice. Okay, so pause there. Why do you think Amazia made this switch? He was doing everything that God said, and then all of a sudden he started following a false God. Why do you think that is? And then what do you think is going to happen

now that the prophet has told him, God is planning to destroy you? The next section is Jehoash defeats Amazia. This section can also be found in Second Kings, Chapter 14 Verse 8 through 14 2 Chronicles 25 verse 17

Then Amazia king of Judah took counsel and sent word to the king of Israel Jehoash Son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu Come let us meet face to face

he said But Jehoash, King of Israel replied to Amazia king of Judah A thistle in Lebanon sent a messenger to a cedar in Lebanon saying, Give your daughter to my son in marriage.

Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle. You have said, look, I have defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud and boastful. Now stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall? You and Judah with you. Okay, so pause there. What is Jehoash saying?

What is his response to Amazia? Verse 20. But Amazia would not listen, for this had come from God in order to deliver them into the hand of Jehoash, because they had sought the gods of Edom. So Jehoash, king of Israel, advanced, and he and Amazia, king of Judah, faced each other at Beth Shemesh in Judah. and Judah was routed before Israel, and every man fled to his own home. Okay, so pause there. What was God's plan all along in this situation?

Did Amazia and Judah stand a chance against Israel? It says that Judah was routed before Israel. That's actually a term I wasn't super familiar with, but it just is another word routed that means defeated. So it just means that Judah was defeated by Israel. Just wanted to give you a little bit of context there. Verse 23. There at Beth Shamesh,

Jehoash, King of Israel, captured Amazia King of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz. Then Jehoash brought him to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, from the Ephraim Gate to the corner gate, a section of 400 cubits. He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the House of God

with Abed Edom and in the treasuries of the royal palace, as well as some hostages. Then he returned to Samaria. The next section is the death of Amazia. This section can also be found in 2 Kings 14, verses 17 to 20. 2 Chronicles 25, verse, 25 Amazia son of Joash, king of Judah, lived for 15 years after the death of Jehoash, son of Jehoah's

king of Israel. As for the rest of the acts of Amazia, from beginning to end, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel? From the time that Amazia turned from following the Lord, a conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Leroy. Lachish, but men were sent after him to Lachish, and they killed him there. They carried him back on horses and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah. Okay, so now we can start Second Chronicles, chapter 26, which begins with a section called Uzziah reigns in Judah. This section can also be found in Second Kings, chapter 14, verses 21 to 22, and Second

Kings chapter 15 verses 1 through 7. 2 Chronicles 26 verse 1 All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was 16 years old and made him king in place of his father Amazia. Uzia was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after King Amazia rested with his fathers. Azia was 16 years old when he became king, and he was. He reigned in Jerusalem 52 years.

His mother's name was Jukolia. She was from Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amazia had done. He sought God throughout the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. And as long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. Azia went out to wage war against the Philistines, and he tore down the walls of Gath, Jabna, and Ashtad. Then he built cities near Oshed, and among the Philistines, God helped him against the Philistines,

against the Arabs living in Gore, Baal, and against the Munites. The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzia, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, for he had become exceedingly powerful. Azia built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, the valley gate, and the angle in the wall, and he fortified them. Since he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain, he built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns, and since he was a lover of the soil, he had farmers and vine dressers in the hill country and in the fertile fields.

Oziah had an army ready for battle that went out to war by assigned divisions, as recorded by jail, the scribe, and Maasya, the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officers. The total number of family leaders of the mighty men of valor was 2600. Under their authority was an army of 307,500 trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies. Uzia supplied the entire army with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and sling stones, and in Jerusalem, he made skillfully designed devices to shoot arrows and catapult large stones. from the towers and corners.

So his fame spread far and wide, for he was helped tremendously so that he became powerful. But when Azia grew powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the Lord, his God, for he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.

Okay, so pause there. What kind of king was Uzia at the beginning of his reign? And then what change did we see in these last couple of verses? Where do you think this change came from? And what do you think is going to happen to Uzziah as his story goes along? Verse 17. Then Azaria the priest, along with 80 brave priests of the Lord, went in after him. They took their stand against King Uzziah in.

said, Asia, you have no right to offer incense to the Lord. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully. You will not receive honor from the Lord God. Okay, so pause there. What sin did Azia commit? And why was it such a big deal? Why did the priests react this way, and were they right to

react this way. Verse 19. Uzia, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But, while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the Lord before the altar of incense, leprosy broke out on his forehead. When Azaria, the chief priest, and all the priests turned to him and saw his leprous forehead. They rushed him out. Indeed, he himself hurried to get out, because the Lord had afflicted him. So King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He lived in isolation, leprous, and cut off from the house of the Lord, while his son Jotham had charge of the royal palace to govern the people of the land. As for the rest of the acts of

Azia from beginning to end, they are recorded by the prophet Isaiah, son of Amaz. And Aziz arrested with his fathers and was buried near them in a field of burial that belonged to the kings. For the people said, he was a leper, and his son Jotham reigned in his place. Okay, so pause there at the end of chapter 26. What happened to Uzia at the end of his reign as king? why did he become a leper? And what did being a leper mean to someone in society at that time? What was leprosy? What kind of disease was it? And why did you have to live in isolation if you had it?

Okay, so now we can start 2nd Chronicles chapter 27, which begins with a section called Jotham reigns in Judah. This section can also be found in 2nd Kings chapter 15, verses 32, to Lerner. 38. 2 Chronicles 27, verse 1. Jotham was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem 16 years. His mother's name was Jerusha, daughter of Zadok, and he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Uzziah had done. In addition, he did not enter the temple of the Lord, but the people still behaved corruptly. Jotham rebuilt the upper gate of the house of the Lord, and he worked extensively on the wall at the hill of offal. He also built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests.

Jotham waged war against the king of the Ammonites and defeated them. In that year, they gave him a hundred talents of silver, 10,000 cores of wheat, and 10,000 cores of barley. They paid him the same in the second and third years, so Jotham grew powerful because he ordered his ways before the Lord His God. As for the rest of the acts of Jopham, along with all his wars and his ways,

they are indeed written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. He was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem, six years, years. And Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David, and his son, Ahaz, reigned in his place. Okay, so pause there at the end of chapter 27. That was a very short chapter, and it just covered the kingdom under Jotham's rule. So what kind of king was Jotham? It said that he did what was good in the Lord's sight and remained faithful to God. So what happened because he remained faithful to God.

And why do you think that even though Jotham remained faithful to God, the people were corrupt? Why do you think that was? Okay, so now we're going to start 2nd Chronicles Chapter 28, which begins with a section called Ahaz reigns in Judah. This section can also be found in 2nd Kings, chapter 16, verses 1 through 9. 2 Chronicles 28 verse 1

Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king and he reigned in Jerusalem 16 years and unlike David his father he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord instead he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even made cast images of the Baal's Moreover Ahaz burned incense in the valley of Hinnam and sacrificed his sons in the fire,

according to the abominations of the nations that the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. The next section is Aram defeats Judah. This section can also be found in Isaiah, chapter 1, verses 1 through 9.

2 Chronicles 28 verse 5 So the Lord His God delivered Ahaz into the hand of the king of Aram who attacked him and took many captives to Damascus. Ahaz was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel who struck him with great force. For in one day, Pika, son of Ramalia, killed 120,000 valiant men in Judah. This happened because they had forsaken.

the Lord, the God of their fathers. Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, Kulma Assyah, the son of the king, Azraqam, the governor of the palace, and Alcana the second to the king. Then the Israelites took 200,000 captives from their kinsmen, women, sons, and daughters.

They also carried off a great deal of plunder and brought it to Samaria. But, a prophet of the Lord, named Aded was there, and he went out to meet the army that returned to Samaria. Look, he said to them, because of his wrath against Judah, the Lord, the God of your fathers, has delivered them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches up to heaven. And now you intend to reduce to slavery the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem. but are you not also guilty before the Lord your God?

Now therefore, listen to me, and return the captives you took from your kinsmen, for the fierce anger of the Lord is upon you. Okay, so pause there at the end of that prophecy or that message from the prophet. So Judah has been handed over to Israel. They've been defeated by Israel, because Judah is being punished by God.

But then Israel takes the people of Judah and turns them into slaves, and God says because they did this that the fierce anger of the Lord is upon them. Why do you think Israel did this to the people of Judah? Why do you think they turned them into slaves? How should they have treated the people of Judah? Even though they were being punished by God, how should Israel have treated them? Verse 12, then some of the leaders of the Ephraimites, Azaria, son of Jehohanon,

Barakaya, son of Mishalamath, Zahizkaya, son of Shalom, and Amasa, son of Hodley, stood in opposition to those arriving from the war. You must not bring the captives here, they said, for you are proposing to bring guilt upon us from the Lord and to add to our sin and our guilt. For our guilt is great and fierce anger is upon Israel.

So the armed men left the captives and the plunder before the leaders and all the assembly. Then the men who were designated by name arose, took charge of the captives, and provided from the plunder clothing for the naked. They clothed them, gave them sandals and food and drink, anointed their wounds and put all the feeble on donkeys. So they brought them to Jericho, the city of Palms, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria. The next section is the idolatry of Ahaz.

This section can also be found in Second Kings, chapter 16, verses 10 through 20. 2 Chronicles 28 verse 16. At that time, King Ahaz sent for help from the king of Assyria. The Edomites had again come and attacked Judah and carried away captives. The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah, capturing and Occupying Beth Shemesh, Aijalan, and Gettareth, as well as Soko, Timna, and Gimzo with their villages.

the Lord humbled Judah because Ahaz, King of Israel, had thrown off restraint in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the Lord. Then Tigloth Pylasser, king of Assyria, came to Ahaz, but afflicted him rather than strengthening him. Although Ahaz had taken a portion from the house of the Lord, from the royal palace, and from the princes, and had presented it to the king of Assyria, It did not help him. In the time of his distress, King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord.

Since Damascus had defeated him, he sacrificed to their gods and said, Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me. But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel. Okay, so pause there. why is Ahas sacrificing to the gods of Damascus? I think this story could be a good opportunity for self-reflection. Sometimes what we think we need is not actually what we need, or what we think we deserve is not what we need.

And so how should we react to situations in our life when God works in ways we don't expect, or when God's answer is something we don't expect, or we don't want, or when the way we see God move is not the way we think it should be done. Should we react like King Ahaz and abandon God for other gods, false gods, or should we stay true to the God of Abraham and Isaac? How do we remain true to God when we feel like, maybe we feel like God doesn't hear us or we feel like God's not helping us? How do we stay true to him anyway?

And what stories in the Old Testament that we've read so far remind us that even when it doesn't feel like it, God is still with us. He is still helping us. Verse 24. Then Ahaz gathered up the articles of the house of God, cut them into pieces, shut the doors of the house of the Lord, and set up altars of his own on every street corner in Jerusalem. In every city of Judah, he built high places to offer incense to other gods. And so he provoked the Lord, the God of his fathers. As for the rest of the acts of Ahaz, in all his ways from beginning to end, they are indeed written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. And Ahaz rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of Jerusalem, but he was not

placed in the tombs of the kings of Israel. And his son Hezekiah reigned in his place. Okay, so now we can start 2 Chronicles chapter 29, which begins with a section called Hezekiah cleanses the temple. This section can also be found in Second Kings, chapter 18 1 through 12. Second Chronicles 29 verse 1. Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem 29 years. His mother's name was Abijah. the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father, David, had done.

In the first month of the first year of his reign, Hezekiah opened and repaired the doors of the house of the Lord. Then he brought in the priests and Levites, and gathered them in the square on the east side. Listen to me, O Levites, he said. Consecrate yourselves now, and consecrate yourselves now, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers. Remove from the holy place every impurity.

For our fathers were unfaithful, and did evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They abandoned him, turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the Lord, and turned their backs on him. They also shut the doors of the portico and extinguished the lamps. They did not burn incense or present burnt offerings in the holy place of the God of Israel. Therefore, the wrath of the Lord has fallen upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them an object of terror, horror, and mockery, as you can see with your own eyes. For behold, this is why our fathers have fallen by the sword,

and our sons and daughters and wives, are in captivity. Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord the God of Israel so that his fierce anger will turn away from us. Now my sons, do not be negligent, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, to minister before him, and to burn incense. Okay, so pause there. How is Hezekiah different? How is his leadership different from some of the kings who came before him?

what kind of turmoil did we experience and read about in the previous chapter? And do you think part of the reason Hezekiah is making these changes and giving this speech and talking about these issues, do you think part of the reason is because of the turmoil they experienced in the past? And what effect do you think these changes Hezekiah is making, restoring the temple, bringing back the Levites? What effect do you think it'll have on the people of Verse 12. Then the Levites set to work. Mahath, son of Amassai, and Joel, son of Azaria from the Kohathites.

Kish, son of Obdi, and Azaria, son of Jahalal, from the Mararites. Joa, son of Zima and Eden, son of Joa, from the Gershanites. Shimri and J. U.L. from the Elizaphonites. Zechariah and Mataniah from the Asiphate. Jael and Shemai from the Hemenites, and Shemaiah and Uziel from the Juduthanites. When they had assembled their brothers and consecrated themselves, they went in to cleanse the house of the Lord according to the command of the king by the words of the Lord.

So the priests went inside the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and they brought out to the courtyard all the unclean things that they found in the temple of the Lord. Then the Levites took these things and carried them out to the Kidron Valley. They began the consecration on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they reached the portico of the Lord. For eight more days, they consecrated the house of the Lord itself, finishing on the 16th day of the first month. Then they went in to King Hezekiah and reported, We have cleansed the entire house of the Lord, the altar of burnt offerings with all its utensils,

and the table of the show bread with all its utensils. Moreover, we have prepared and consecrated all the articles that King A has in his unfaithfulness cast aside during his reign. They are now in front of the altar of the Lord. Okay, so pause there. why did it take them so many days to cleanse the temple of the Lord? And why did King Ahaz bring all of these artifacts into the temple of the Lord that should not have been there in the first place?

Why is it so important that the people of God keep the temple holy? We see when kings are doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, they make sure that the temple stays pure and stays holy. And then when we see kings who are not doing what is right in the sight of the Lord, they will often bring things into the temple that are not of God or use it for purposes that are not of God. And later in the Bible, there is a verse that says, our body is a temple unto the Lord.

You know, when Jesus comes, our body becomes the living temple. of God when we accept him into our lives. And so as we see how they treat the temple and how the temple should be treated throughout the Old Testament, how can we use that information in our own lives now with regards to how we treat ourselves and each other? The next section is Hezekiah restores temple worship.

Early the next morning, King Hezekiah gathered the city officials and went up to the house of the Lord. They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And the king commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the Lord. So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests took the blood and sprinkled it on the altar. They slaughtered the rams and sprinkled the blood on the altar. And they slaughtered the lambs and sprinkled the blood on the altar. Then they brought the goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly,

who laid their hands on them. And the priests slaughtered the goats and put their blood on the altar for a sin offering to make atonement for all Israel, because the king had ordered the burnt offering and the sin offering for all Israel. Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the Hezaheus. house of the Lord with symbols, harps, and liars, according to the command of David, of Gad, the king's seer, and of Nathan, the prophet. For the command had come from the Lord through his prophets. The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.

And Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be sacrificed on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord and the trumpets began. as well, accompanied by the instruments of David, King of Israel. The whole assembly was worshipping, the singers were singing, and the trumpeters were playing. All this continued until the burnt offering was completed. When the offerings were completed, the king and all those present with him bowed down and worshipped. Then King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the Lord

Lord in the words of David and of Asaph, the Seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed their heads and worshipped. Then Hezekiah said, Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the Lord. So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings. The number of burnt offerings the assembly brought was 70 bulls, 100 rams, and 200 lambs. All these were for a burnt offering to the Lord, and the consecrated offerings were 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep. However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had been consecrated,

for the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been. Furthermore, the burnt offerings were abundant, along with the fat of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for the burnt offerings. So the service of the house of the Lord was established. Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had prepared for the people, because everything had been accomplished so quickly. Okay, so pause there. What differences do you see in this community

now that they are living for God again and now that they have a king who is doing what is good in the Lord's sight? Why is it meaningful that they are worshiping together as a community? What kind of bond does that bring about among these people? How will Hezekiah's reign as king affect and change the people of Israel and Judah? And how do you think God will respond to what Hezekiah has done? Okay, so now we can start 2nd Chronicles chapter 30, which begins with a section called Hezekiah proclaims a Passover.

2 Chronicles Chapter 30, verse 1 Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the Lord the God of Israel. For the king and his officials, and the whole assembly in Jerusalem,

had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, since they had been unable to observe it at the regular time. because not enough priests had consecrated themselves, and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem. This proposal pleased the king and the whole assembly, so they established a decree to circulate a proclamation throughout Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come to keep the Passover of the Lord,

the God of Israel, in Jerusalem, for they had not observed it as a nation as prescribed. Okay, so pause there. What is Passover? What are the people of God celebrating when they celebrate Passover? And what are they remembering? Why were they commanded to remember the Passover and celebrate this holiday? Verse 6.

So the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his officials, which read, children of Israel return to the Lord the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel so that he may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped the grasp

of the kings of Assyria. Do not be like your fathers and brothers who are unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their fathers, so that he made them an object of horror as you can see. Now do not stiffen your necks as your fathers did. Submit to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever.

Serve the Lord your God so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful. He will not turn his face away from you if you return to him, and the couriers traveled from city to city through the land of Ephraim and Manasseh as far as Zebulun, but the people scorned and mocked them. Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulin humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. Moreover, the power of God was on the people in Judah to give them one heart,

to obey the command of the king and his officials according to the word of the Lord. Okay, so pause there. What message were these couriers bringing to the people of God? What characteristics of God did they reveal through their message? And then how did the people of God respond? Some of them responded one way. Some of them responded in other ways. The next section is Hezekiah celebrates the Passover.

Verse 13. In the second month, a very great assembly gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread. They proclaimed to remove the altars in Jerusalem and to take away the incense altars and throw them into the Kidron Valley. And on the 14th day of the second month, they slaughtered the Passover lamb. The priests and Levites were ashamed. and they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings to the house of the Lord.

Okay, so pause there. Why does it say that the priests and Levites were ashamed? What do you think caused them shame in this situation? Verse 16. They stood at their prescribed posts, according to the law of Moses, the man of God. The priests sprinkled the blood which they received from the hand of the Levites. Since there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves, the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover lambs

for every unclean person to consecrate the lambs to the Lord. A large number of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Isacar, and Zebulan, had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them saying, May the Lord, who is good, provide atonement for everyone who sets his heart on seeking God, the Lord, the God of His fathers, even if he is not cleansed according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.

Okay, so pause there. Earlier, the couriers were talking about God's grace and mercy. So how have we seen that theme continue in this section? Verse 20, and the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the feast of unleavened bread for seven days with great joy. And the Levites and priests praised the Lord day after day, accompanied by loud instruments of praise to the Lord. And Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who performed skillfully before the Lord. for seven days they ate their assigned portion, sacrificing fellowship offerings and giving thanks

to the Lord, the God of their fathers. The whole assembly agreed to observe seven more days, so they observed seven days with joy. For Hezekiah, king of Judah, contributed a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep for the assembly, and the officials contributed a thousand bowls and ten thousand years. sheep for the assembly, and a great number of priests consecrated themselves. Then the whole assembly of Judah rejoiced, along with the priests and Levites, and the whole assembly that had come from Israel, including the foreigners who had come from Israel, and those who lived in Judah. So there was great rejoicing in Jerusalem, for nothing like this

had happened there since the days of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into his holy dwelling place in heaven. Okay, so pause there. What do you think the Israelites are feeling right now, as they're experiencing this Passover feast together? Why are we seeing this joy and peace among the Israelites? How did Hezekiah their king shape their community and turn their focus back toward God?

And thinking about that last verse, how powerful must this experience this Passover feast have been for their voices and their prayers to reach all the way to God in heaven? Okay, so now we can start 2 Chronicles chapter 31, which begins with a section called the destruction of idols. Second Chronicles 31, verse 1. When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the ashore poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as an Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all.

Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property. Hezekiah re-established the divisions of the priests and Levites, each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites, for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the Lord's dwelling. The next section is contributions for worship. Verse 3. The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings

and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, new moons, and appointed feasts, as written in the law of the Lord. Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the law of the Lord. As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the first fruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance, a tithe of everything. And the Israelites and Judahites, who lived in the cities of Judah, also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks, and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the Lord their God. and they laid them in large heaps. In the third month, they began building up the heaps,

and they finished in the seventh month. When Hezekiah and his officials came and viewed the heaps, they blessed the Lord and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and Levites about the heaps, and Azaria, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him. Since the people began to bring their contributions into the house of the Lord. We have had enough to eat,

and there is plenty left over because the Lord has blessed his people. This great abundance is what is left over. Okay, so pause there. What can we learn about community from this passage, and what community can look like when we are all working together

and serving God together? The next section is Hezekiah organizes the priest, verse 11. Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare storerooms in the house of the Lord, and they did so, and they faithfully brought in contributions, tides, and dedicated gifts. Konanaya, the Levite, was the officer in charge of them, and his brother, Shemai, was second. Jihel, Azazia, Neath, Asahal, Yeramath, Josabod, Josabod, Eliel, is Mikhail.

Mejahath and Benaya were overseers under the authority of Konanaya and his brother Shemai, by appointment of King Hezekiah and of Azaria the chief official of the house of God. Kor, son of Imna, the Levite, the keeper of the East Gate, was in charge of the free will offerings given to God, distributing the contributions to the Lord and the consecrated gifts. Under his authority, Eden, Miniamen, Jesua, Shemaiah, Amaria, and Chechnyaa faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike. In addition, they distributed portions to the males registered by genealogy who were three years of age or older, to all who would enter the house of the Lord for their daily duties

for service in the responsibilities of their divisions, and to the priests enrolled, according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites 20 years of age or older, according to their duties and divisions. The genealogy included all the little ones, wives, sons, and daughters in the whole assembly, for they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy. As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who lived on the farmlands around each of their cities or in any other city, men were designated by name to distribute a portion to every male among the priests and to every Levite listed by the genealogies. So this is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah.

He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord His God. He was diligent in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and the commandments in order to seek his God. And so he prospered. Okay, so pause there. It says that Hezekiah was faithful to God. He trusted in God, he served God, and he did what was good in the Lord's sight. And because he did these things, what was the result?

What was life like for the Israelites and for Judah during the reign of Hezekiah? because he was faithful to God. How did we see the community change and grow under Hezekiah's leadership? Okay, now we can start 2 Chronicles Chapter 32, which begins with a section called Sinokorib invades Judah. This section can also be found in 2nd Kings, chapter 18 verses 13 to 16, and Psalm 46 versus 1 through 11. 2 Chronicles

32, verse 1 After all these acts of faithfulness, Senechariab, king of Assyria, came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities intending to conquer them for himself. When Hezekiah saw that Senechariab had come to make war against Jerusalem,

he consulted with his leaders and commanders about stopping up the waters of the spring outside the city, and they helped him carry it out. Many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. Why should the kings of Syria come and find plenty of water, they said? Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it.

He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces of the city of David, and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields. Hezekiah appointed military commanders over the people and gathered the people in the square of the city gate. Then he encouraged them, saying, Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him,

for there is a greater one with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our own. God to help us and to fight our battles. So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah, King of Judah. Okay, so pause there. Why was the king of Assyria coming into Judah? What was he trying to do? And how do we see Judah and King Hezekiah's faithfulness to God displayed here? The next section is Senecarib threatens Jerusalem. This section can also be found in Second King, Chapter 18, verses 17 to 37, and Isaiah 36, 1 through 22.

Verse 9. Later, as Senechereb King of Assyria and all his forces besieged Lakhish, he sent his servants to Jerusalem with a message for King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem. This is what Senechrib King of Assyria says, What is the basis of your confidence that you remain in Jerusalem under siege? Is not Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and thirst? When he says,

The Lord, our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria. Did not Hezekiah himself remove his high places and his altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, you must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifice. Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Have the gods of these nations ever been able to deliver their land from my hand? Who among all the gods of these nations that my fathers devoted to destruction has been able to deliver his people from my hand? How then can your God deliver you from my hand?

So now, do not let Hezekiah deceive you, and do not let him mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no God of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand? Okay, so pause there. What is the king of Assyriot trying to do to the people of Jerusalem through his speech? What is he trying to convince the people of Jerusalem of? Verse 16.

And the servants of Seneca-Rib spoke further against the Lord God and against his servant, Hezekiah. He also wrote letters mocking the Lord, the God of Israel, and saying against him, just as the gods of the nations did not deliver their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver his people from my hand. Then the Assyrians called out loudly in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall to frighten and terrify them in order to capture the city. They spoke against the God of Jerusalem as they had spoken against the gods of the peoples of the earth, the work of human hands. Okay, so pause there. What tactics are the Assyrians using to try and defeat the people of Jerusalem?

The next section is Jerusalem delivered from the Assyrians. This section can also be found in 2nd King's Chapter 19, verses 35 to 37, and Isaiah, chapter 37, verse 36 to 38. Verse 20. In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, son of Amaz, cried out to heaven in prayer, and the Lord sent an angel who annihilated every mighty man of valor and every leader and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace, and when he entered the temple of his God, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword.

So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hands of King Senechrib of Assyria, and all the others, and he gave them rest on every side. Many brought offerings to Jerusalem for the Lord and valuable gifts for Hezekiah, King of Judah, and from then on, he was exalted in the eyes of all nations. Okay, so pause there. After the Assyrians were mocking the God of Israel, how did Hezekiah respond? And what can we learn from Hezekiah's response that we can apply to our own lives when we feel attacked, when we feel like we are under fire?

What should our response be? The next section is Hezekiah's illness and recovery. This section can also be found in 2nd King's chapter 20 versus 1 through 11 and Isaiah 38 verses 1 through 8. Verse 24. In those days, Hezekiah became mortally ill, so he prayed to the Lord who spoke to him and gave him a sign. But because his heart was proud,

Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart, He and the people of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah. Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuable articles.

He also made storehouses for the harvest of grain and new wine and oils, stalls for all kinds of livestock, and pins for the flocks. He made cities for himself, and he acquired herds of sheep and cattle in abundance, for God gave him very great wealth. It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the spring of Gaon and channeled it down to the west side of the city of David, and Hezekiah prospered in all that he did. And so, when ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon were sent to him to inquire about the wonder

that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him that he might know all that was in Hezekiah's heart. Okay, so pause there. Towards the end of Hezekiah's life, was he all perfect, or did he make some mistakes? And what mistakes did Hezekiah make? What was the sin that he struggled with toward the end of his life? And why do you think God left Hezekiah alone to test him? The next section is Hezekiah's death.

Verse 32. As for the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his deeds of loving devotion, they are indeed written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah, son of Amaz, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. And Hezekiah rested with his fathers and was buried in the upper tombs of David's descendants. All Judah and the people of Jerusalem paid him honor at his death. and his son Manasseh reigned in his place. Okay, so now we can start Second Chronicles chapter 33,

which begins with a section called Manasa reigns in Judah. This section can also be found in Second Kings, chapter 21 verses 1 through 9. 2 Chronicles 33, verse 1. Manassah was 12 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem 55 years, and he did evil in the sight of the Lord by following the abominations of the nations

that the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baal's and made Asherapoles, and he worshipped and served all the host of heaven. Manasseh also built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, My name will remain in Jerusalem, forever. In both courtyards of the house of the Lord, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the valley of Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the Lord provoking him to anger. Manasseh even took the carved image he had made and set it up in the house of God, of which God had said to David and his son Solomon, in this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish my name forever. I will never again cause the feet of the Israelites to leave the land that I assigned to your fathers, if only they are careful to do all that I have commanded them through Moses, all the laws, statutes, and judgments.

So Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem astray so that they did greater evil than the nations that the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites. Okay, so pause there. What caused this shift in Judah? What caused them to turn away from God? And what was different in society compared with when they were being ruled by someone who did what was right in the Lord's sight? The next section is Manassas' repentance and restoration. This section can also be found in Second Kings, Chapter 21, verses 10 through 18. Verse 10.

And the Lord spoke to Manassah and his people, but they did not listen. So the Lord brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria, who captured Manassah, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. and in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the Lord, his God, and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him, the Lord received his plea and heard his petition. So he brought him back to Jerusalem and his kingdom.

Then Manasa knew that the Lord is God. Okay, so pause there. What caused Manassas' heart to shift? Verse 14. After this, Manaso rebuilt the outer wall of the city of David from west of Gaon in the valley to the entrance of the fish gate, and he brought it around the hill of Awful and heightened it considerably. He also stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah. He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord,

along with all the altars he had built on the temple mount, and in Jerusalem, and he dumped them outside the city. Then he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and he told Judah to serve the Lord the God of Israel. Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the Lord their God. As for the rest of the Acts of Manasseh, along with his prayer to his God,

and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, they are indeed written in the chronicles of the kings of Israel. His prayer and how God received his plea as well as all his sin and unfaithfulness, and the sites where he built high places and set up Asherapoles and idols before he humbled himself, they are indeed written in the records of the seers. And Manasseh rested with his fathers and was buried at his palace, and his son Ammon reigned in his place. The next section is Ammon reigns in Judah.

This section can also be found in Second Kings, chapter 21, verses 19 through 26. Verse 21. Ammon was 22 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. Ammon served and sacrificed to all the idols that his father Manasa had made, but he did not humble himself before the Lord as his father. Father Manasseh had done. Instead, Ammon increased his guilt. Then the servants of Ammon conspired against him and killed him in his palace. But the people of the land killed all

those who had conspired against King Ammon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place. Okay, so pause there. We have Ammon also doing what is evil in the side of the Lord, but what's the difference between Ammon and Manasa? What is the difference? What is in Manassad do that Ammon didn't do. Okay, so now we can start Second Chronicles chapter 34, which begins with a section called Josiah reigns in Judah. This section can also be found in Second Kings, Chapter 22 verses 1 through 2. 2 Chronicles 34 verse 1.

Josiah was 8 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem 31 years. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father, David. He did not turn aside to the right or to the left. The next section is Josiah destroys idolatry. This section can also be found in 1 Kings, chapter 13, 1 through 10, and 2nd Kings, Chapter 23, verses 4 through 20. 2 Chronicles 34, verse 3. In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young,

Josiah began to seek the God of his father, David. And in the 12th year, he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherapoles, the carved idols, and the cast images. Then, in his presence, the altars of the Baal's were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherapoles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had. sacrifice to them. Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars, so he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. Josiah did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Noftali, and in the ruins around them. He tore down the altars and Asherapoles, crushed the idols to powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the

land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Okay, so pause there. Why did Josiah destroy all of these idols? And when did this idea come to him? When did he decide to destroy all of these idols? It said that in the eighth year of his reign, he started to seek God. And it wasn't until the 12th year that he began cleansing Judah and Jerusalem of these idols. Why do you think it took that time? What does that teach us about our relationship with God and how it should grow? Do we learn everything immediately? Do our lives change immediately when we start following God?

Or is there a process to it? Is there a time of growth? Are we always growing closer with God and growing deeper in understanding? The next section is Josiah Repairs the Temple. This section can also be found in 2nd Kings, Chapter 22, verses 3 through 7. 2 Chronicles 34, verse 8. Now in the 18th year of his reign,

in order to cleanse the land in the temple, Josiah sent Chafan, son of Azalea, Masia, the governor of the city, and Joa, son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord His God. So they went to Hilkaya, the high priest,

and gave him the money that had been brought in to the house of God, which the Levites at the doors had collected from the people of Manasseh and Ephraim, from all the remnant of Israel, Judah, and Benjamin, from the people of Jerusalem. They put it into the hands of the supervisors of those doing the work of the house of the Lord, who in turn gave it to the workmen restoring and repairing the house of the Lord. They also gave money to the carpenters and builders to buy dressed stones, as well as timbers for coupling and beams for the buildings that the kings of Judah had allowed to deteriorate.

And the men did the work faithfully. The Levites overseeing them were Jahath and Obadiah, descendants of Marari, and Zechariah and Meshalam, descendants of Korn. Kohath. Other Levites, all skilled with musical instruments, were over the laborers and supervised all who did the work, task by task. Some of the Levites were secretaries, officers, and gatekeepers. The next section is, Hilkaya finds the book of the law. This section can also be found in 2nd Kings, Chapter 22, verses 8 through 13. Second Chronicles 34 versus 14. While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the house of the Lord,

Hilchaya the priest found the book of the law of the Lord written by Moses. And Hilkaya said to Schaephen the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And he gave it to Schaffin. Then Schaffin brought the book to the king and reported, Your servants are doing all that has been placed in their hands. They have paid out the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and have put it into the hands of the supervisors and workers.

Moreover, Schafen the scribe told the king, Hilkaya the priest has given me a book, and Schaen read it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes, and commanded Hilkaya, Ahikam, son of Shafan, Abden, son of Micah,

Schafen the scribe, and Asiah, the servant of the king, the king, go and inquire of the Lord for me, and for those remaining in Israel and Judah concerning the words in the book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that has been poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord by doing all that is written in this book. Okay, so pause there. What is this book of the law of the Lord written by Moses that they've found?

Why is this significant to the people of Judah? How do you think this will change the way they live their lives and change their community? And why do you think the king reacted the way he did when they read the book of the law together? The next section is Holda's prophecy. This section can also be found in 2nd Kings chapter 22 verses 14 to 20. Verse 22 So Hilkaya, and those the king had designated, went and spoke to Hilda, the prophetess,

the wife of Shalom, son of Takah, the son of Hazra, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the second district. And Hulta said to them, This is what the Lord the God of Israel says. Tell the man who sent you that this is what the Lord says. I am about to bring calamity on this. this place and on its people, according to all the curses written in the book that has been read

in the presence of the King of Judah, because they have forsaken me and burnt incense to other gods that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be poured out upon this place and will not be quenched. But as for the King of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, tell him that this is what the Lord the God of Israel says. As for the words that you heard, because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and against its people, and because you have humbled yourself before me, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I have heard you, declares the Lord.

Now I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place and on its inhabitants. So they brought her answer back to the king. Okay, so pause there. What do you make of God's message? What is he telling the king? And why is God bringing this calamity or this punishment on his people? The next section is Josiah Renews the Covenant.

This section can also be found in 2nd Kings, Chapter 23 verses 1 through 3. 2 Chronicles 34, verse 29. Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem, and he went up to the house of the Lord with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites, all the people small and great, and in their hearing he read all the words, of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord,

and to keep his commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand in agreement to it. So all the people of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. And Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the Israelites, and he required everyone in Israel to serve the Lord their God. Throughout his reign, they did not turn aside from following the Lord, the God of their fathers. Okay, so pause there.

How did finding the book of the law of the Lord affect? the people of God. It seems like they might have forgotten God's laws or forgotten the covenants that have been made by the people and the kings and the leaders who came before them. So why is it important for us to remember our history and to remember God's word and to be in relationship with him? What can we learn from this story to help us now stay close with God and God's word? Okay, so now we can start 2 Chronicles chapter 35, which begins with a section called Josiah Restores the Passover. This section can also be found in 2nd Kings, Chapter 23, verses 21 to 27.

2 Chronicles 35, verse 1. Then Josiah celebrated the Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem, and the Passover lamb was slaughtered on the 14th day of the first month. He appointed the priests to their duties, and encouraged them in the Passover. the service of the house of the Lord. To the Levites who taught all Israel and were holy to the Lord, Josiah said, put the holy ark in the temple built by Solomon's son of David, king of Israel. It is not to be carried around on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and his people, Israel. Prepare yourselves by families in your divisions according to the instructions written by David,

king of Israel, and Solomon his son. Moreover, state. and in the holy place by the divisions of the families of your kinsmen, the laypeople, and by the divisions of the families of the Levites. Slaughter the Passover lambs, consecrate yourselves, and make preparations for your fellow countrymen to carry out the word of the Lord given by Moses. From his own flocks and herds, Josiah contributed 30,000 lambs and goats, plus 3,000 bulls for the Passover offerings for all the people who were present. His officials also contributed willingly to the people and priests and Levites.

Hilkaya, Zechariah, and Jael, the administrators of the House of God, gave the priests 2,600 Passover offerings and 300 bowls. Additionally, Conaniah and his brothers, Shemaiah and Nethanel, as well as Hashibiya, Jail, and Josabad, officers of the Levites, donated to the Levites 5,000. Passover offerings and 500 bowls. So the service was prepared. The priests stood in their places, and the Levites in their divisions according to the king's command. And they slaughtered the Passover lambs while the priests sprinkled the blood handed to them, and the Levites skinned the animals. They set aside the burnt offerings to be given to the divisions of the families of the people

to offer to the Lord, as is written in the book of Moses. And they did the same with the bulls. They roasted the Passover animals on the fire according to the regulation, and they boiled the other holy offerings in pots, kettles, and bowls, and quickly brought them to all the people. Afterward, they made preparations for themselves and for the priests, since the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were offering up burnt offerings and fat until nightfall. So the Levites made preparations for themselves and for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. The singers, the descendants of Asoph, were at their stations according to the command of David, Asaf, Haman, and Jadathan, the king's seer.

And the gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their positions because their fellow Levites made preparations for them. So on that day, the entire service of the Lord was carried out for celebrating the Passover, and offering burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord according to the command of King Josiah. The Israelites who were present also observed the Passover at that time, as well as the feast of unleavened bread for seven days. No such Passover had been observed in Israel since the day of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel ever observed a Passover like the one that Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah, the Israelites who were present,

and the people of Jerusalem. In the 18th year of Josiah's reign, this Passover was observed. Okay, so pause there. What is Passover? What are they celebrating and what are they remembering that happened during the time of Moses, that they are celebrating through this festival they call Passover? Why is it important that Jerusalem, the Judah, that the Israelites celebrate Passover? How do you think it affected this community who had not been celebrating Passover for many years?

How do you think it affected them to experience this celebration together and remember what God had done for their ancestors? And how did they prepare for the Passover? How did they collect their resources and come together? as a community to make sure that they had everything they needed to celebrate this holiday. The next section is the death of Josiah. This section can also be found in Second Kings, chapter 23, verses 28 to 30. Verse 20.

After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neko, king of Egypt, marched up to fight at Karkamish by the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to confront him. but Nekko sent messengers to him saying, What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty. God told me to hurry,

so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you. Josiah, however, did not turn away from him. Instead, in order to engage him in battle, he disguised himself. He did not listen to Nekko's words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the plain of Megadot. There, the archers shot King Josiah,

who said to his servants, Take me away, for I am badly wounded. So his servants took him out of his chariot, put him in his second chariot, and brought him to Jerusalem where he died, and Josiah was buried in the tomb of his fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him. Okay, so pause there at the end of that section.

why do you think Josiah did not believe King Neko of Egypt when Nekko said, don't fight me, God told me to come here because he was fighting another dynasty. And what happened to Josiah because he did not believe that God had actually sent King Nekko? The next section is Lamentz over Josiah. Verse 25. Then Jeremiah lamented over Josiah and to this day, all the choirs of men and women sing laments over Josiah. They established them as a statute for Israel,

and indeed they are written in the book of laments. As for the rest of the acts of Josiah, along with his deeds of loving devotion, according to what is written in the law of the Lord, his acts from beginning to end, they are indeed written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. Okay, so pause there. there was such a reaction over Josiah's death. Why were people lamenting? What kind of king was he?

And what does this tell us about his leadership that the people would lament over his death? Okay, so now we can start the final chapter of Second Chronicles, Second Chronicles 36, which begins with a section called Jehoahas succeeds Josiah. This section can also be found in 2 Kings chapter 23 verses 31 to 35 second chronicles 36 verse 1 then the people of the land took jehovah has son of josiah and made him king in jerusalem in place of his father jehovah has was 23 years old when he became king and he reigned in jerusalem three months and the king of egypt dethroned him in jerusalem and imposed on judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. Then Nekko, king of Egypt, made Elyakim, brother of Jehoahaz, king over Judah and Jerusalem,

and he changed Elyakum's name to Jehoicum. But Nekko took Elyakum's brother, Jehoahaz, and carried him off to Egypt. Okay, so pause there. Why did the king of Egypt have power to do this in Jerusalem and Judah? The next section is Jehoicum reigns in Judah. This section can also be found in Second Kings, Chapter 23 verses 36 to 37. 2 Chronicles 36 verse 5. Jehoichum was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem 11 years, and he did evil in the sight of the Lord His God. Then Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came up against Jehoicum and bound him with bronze shackles

to take him to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar also took to Babylon. Babylon, some of the articles from the house of the Lord, and he put them in his temple in Babylon. As for the rest of the acts of Jehoicum, the abominations he committed, and all that was found against him, they are indeed written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, and his son Jehoikin reigned in his place. The next section is Jehoikin reigns in Judah. This section can also be found in 2nd Kings, Chapter 24, verse 6 through 9.

2 Chronicles 36 verse 9 Jehoiken was 18 years old when he became king and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and 10 days and he did evil in the sight of the Lord. In the spring, King Nebuchadnezzar summoned Jehoiken and brought him to Babylon along with the articles of value from the house of the Lord. And he made Jehoikin's relative Zedekiah king over Judah and Jerusalem.

Okay, so pause there. Do you remember from Second Kings, what we read earlier, who Nebuchadnezzar was and why Babylon was trying to take over Judah and Jerusalem? We just came out of the reign of Josiah, who was doing what was right in the Lord's eyes, and really brought about flourishing in the community. And they stayed true to God, and they kept God's laws, and they celebrated the festivals. So compare that to what's going on now, where we have kings who are doing evil in the side of the Lord, and how that's changing the community, and it's changing who's taking over the community.

The next section is Zedekiah reigns in Judah. This section can also be found in Second Kings, chapter 24 verses 18 through 20, and Jeremiah, chapter 52, verses 1 through 3. 2 Chronicles 36 verse 11 Zedekiah was 21 years old when he became king and he reigned in Jerusalem 11 years and he did evil in the sight of the Lord his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet

who spoke for the Lord. He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear by God. But Zetekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord the God of Israel. Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, following all the abominations of the nations, and they defiled the house of the Lord, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem. The next section is the fall of Jerusalem.

This section can also be found in 2nd Kings chapter 25 verses 1 through 7. 2 Chronicles 36 verse 15 Again and again The Lord, the God of their fathers sent word to his people Through his messengers Because he had compassion on them And on his dwelling place

But they mocked the messengers of God Despising his words and scoffing at his prophets Until the wrath of the Lord Against his people Was stirred up beyond remedy So, he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, who carried off everything to Babylon,

all the articles of the house of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and of the king and his officials. Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. Those who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon,

and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of desolation until 70 years were complete in fulfillment of the word of the Lord through Jeremiah. Okay, so pause there at the end of that section. Why was Jerusalem taken into captivity by the Babylonians? Why did God allow the Babylonians to capture Jerusalem and allow Jerusalem to fall? through these stories of Jerusalem and Judah and the Israelites going back and forth, where during one king's reign, they're following God and everything's great,

and then another king comes along and they're doing evil, and they're destroying everything, and they're not keeping God's law, and they're not keeping God's festivals, and they're not keeping up the land that God has given them. through this back and forth. This is the Old Testament, but how is this setting up the stage

to show us that there's a need for a Savior, that there is a need for grace and mercy, not to say that God doesn't show grace and mercy to the Israelites during this time, but we always have to look at the Old Testament as pointing toward Jesus. And so I think it's kind of important to understand the Old Testament and how they lived

and how it showed the need for a Savior and the need for God to send Jesus. And then what about the land? It said in that last verse that the land enjoyed a Sabbath rest. Why did the land need rest? The next section is The Proclamation of Cyrus. The section can also be found in Ezra, chapter 1 verses 1 to 4 and Isaiah chapter 45 versus 1 to 25 2.

2. Chronicles 36 verse 22. In the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia, to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah, the Lord stirred the spirit of Cyrus, King of Persia, to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows. This is what Cyrus King of Persia says. The Lord, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to his people, may the Lord His God be with him,

and may he go up. Okay, so pause there at the end of Second Chronicles. What does that last section show us about God's faithfulness? how do we see God keeping his promises to his people and protecting them? Okay, so we finished Second Chronicles, which really acted as a summary of what had happened to Israel, to Judah, to Jerusalem, to the people of God up until now in the Bible. It was written to instill hope in God's people

and to show them all that they had been through and how God had remained faithful to them throughout this time. So before we did first and second chronicles, we ended with Second Kings. And right at the end of Second Kings was when we saw the fall of Jerusalem. And that is where Second Chronicles ends as well. So we're kind of back to where we ended at Second Kings. And this section of the Bible is all histories. It's all historical texts and what was going on in Israel during that time.

So when we start Ezra, which is our next book, it's going to kind of pick up after the fall of Jerusalem and continue telling the history of Israel. So I hope you're enjoying it. Thank you for all your kind messages and thoughtful words. And I will talk to you in the next one.