June 30, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

2 Chronicles 19 - Though Jehoshaphat was rebuked for taking sides with Ahab, he did much to bring back some of the Israelites to return to the Lord.  He also spoke frankly with those who were appointed judges in the land.  He emphasized that their judgment was not just for people, but it was ultimately for the Lord. 

2 Chronicles 20 - Though Jehoshaphat feared the Lord there were still times when enemies would threaten him and his people.  This gave opportunity for Jehoshaphat to turn everyone to prayer and he himself would boldly asked God if "He was not their God?" and reminded Him that He had given the land to "Abraham, His friend" verse 7.  He admitted his own helplessness and confessed he didn't know what to do other than trust God.  Which is exactly what he needed to do!  And when he trusted the Lord he found out he didn't even have to fight!  God did it all!

2 Chronicles 21 - Jehoshaphat's decision to take a daughter of Ahab to be married to his son, Jehoram, shows its sad consequences.  Jehoram was a wicked king and after Jehoshaphat's death he had his brothers murdered.  Elijah wrote him a letter stressing his brothers were far better than him, verse 13.  Jehoram would die a painful death and his epitaph is clearly stated in verse 20, "...he departed without being desired..." (KJV)*

2 Chronicles 22 - Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram, had a very brief kingship, just one year.  His mother, Ahab's daughter, advised him which led to his destruction, vs. 3,4.  Once he died, his mother, wicked Athaliah, murdered all her grandchildren, except one.  That one, Joash, would be hidden away for seven years.   

2 Chronicles 23 - This chapter shows intrigue, as Jehoiada, the priest, would arrange for Joash to be brought out in public view at age seven and be anointed king.  This would inflame Athaliah, but she was put to death.  Jehoiada would strongly influence the young king and he would also bring about a spiritual revival in Judah and the land would have a period of peace and praise under his care.

*The death of Jehoram and the reaction of the people to his departure always brings back to my memory what I read years ago.  The evangelist, Rodney Smith, better known as Gypsy Smith, noted an epitaph on a grave in Scotland.  He would use it from time to time to emphasize the sad end that sin can bring into a person's life who rejects the Lord.  I quote it for the same reason:  "Here lies a man who never did any good; and, if he had lived, he never would.  Where he's gone and how he fares, nobody knows and nobody cares."