April 21 - II Chronicles 33-36
Manasseh was one of the most evil kings of Judah. During his long reign, he led the people into the worst types of idolatry. The Bible says that God's people did more evil than the nations the Lord destroyed in Canaan. However, when Manasseh was led away to Assyria with a hook in his nose, he came to his senses and repented before the Lord. God heard his prayer, and God restored him. Then, he removed the idols from Judah. This shows that no one is too far gone for God to forgive him, if he will sincerely repent.
Josiah was a very godly king of Judah. While his people were cleaning the Temple, they found a copy of the Word of God, and they read it to him. The result was that Josiah saw the sin of God's people, and he knew God would have to punish them. He led them to repent, but the people were too far gone. Their hearts were set on evil even though they participated in the Passover together. God still had to send His judgment, but He spared Josiah, because of his soft heart for the Lord. This story shows us that cleaning up is important, but finding the Word is even more important. A clean building is wonderful, but what God wanted was for them to rediscover His Word. However, when they heard the Word, they did not submit to it. As soon as Josiah was dead, they went back to their idols. Josiah went to Paradise, but Judah marched to destruction.
The last chapter is a sad commentary. Things became worse and worse. Then, the Temple was burned, and the walls of Jerusalem were torn down. God had destroyed His home on this earth, because His people would not remain faithful to Him. He would force them to observe the 70 years of Sabbaths, but it would be in Babylon instead of Canaan. God wanted to bless them, but they had rejected His efforts. Now, they would live in exile for 70 years. The last verses tell of God's plans for their return to the Land. Would they learn their lesson? We will find out soon. The real question is, "Will we learn from their sins and remain faithful to Jesus?" That is why all of this is written and preserved for us. If we depart from the Lord, it is even worse than their sin, because we have so many more warnings than they had. Now, we have Jesus living inside of us and the Holy Spirit to empower us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 1-3.
Josiah was a very godly king of Judah. While his people were cleaning the Temple, they found a copy of the Word of God, and they read it to him. The result was that Josiah saw the sin of God's people, and he knew God would have to punish them. He led them to repent, but the people were too far gone. Their hearts were set on evil even though they participated in the Passover together. God still had to send His judgment, but He spared Josiah, because of his soft heart for the Lord. This story shows us that cleaning up is important, but finding the Word is even more important. A clean building is wonderful, but what God wanted was for them to rediscover His Word. However, when they heard the Word, they did not submit to it. As soon as Josiah was dead, they went back to their idols. Josiah went to Paradise, but Judah marched to destruction.
The last chapter is a sad commentary. Things became worse and worse. Then, the Temple was burned, and the walls of Jerusalem were torn down. God had destroyed His home on this earth, because His people would not remain faithful to Him. He would force them to observe the 70 years of Sabbaths, but it would be in Babylon instead of Canaan. God wanted to bless them, but they had rejected His efforts. Now, they would live in exile for 70 years. The last verses tell of God's plans for their return to the Land. Would they learn their lesson? We will find out soon. The real question is, "Will we learn from their sins and remain faithful to Jesus?" That is why all of this is written and preserved for us. If we depart from the Lord, it is even worse than their sin, because we have so many more warnings than they had. Now, we have Jesus living inside of us and the Holy Spirit to empower us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 1-3.