June 10, 2006 - II Chronicles 34-36 and John 19:1-22
It has taken us two months to read through Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. We have read about how Israel fared once they asked God for a king. Today, we end up by reading about the Exile into Babylon, again. What is God trying to say to us? What lesson should we learn from all of this? I am sure there are many lessons, but the main lesson for me is that each of us has to choose whom we will serve as king of our lives. That choice determines everything in our lives. Think about that as you read these passages today. Then, ask yourself who is king of your life.
In chapters 34 and 35 we read about the reign of Josiah. He started young, and he chose to follow God and His Word, so he had a positive influence on the people of Israel and Judah. However, his reforms were too late to turn the country around. God had already determined to take the country into exile because of their rebellion against Him. (34:21,25) The people had decided to reject God as their king. Many of the kings had led the people away from the Lord, because they did not make Him king of their lives. It is a sad story of defeat, but you could see it coming, since God did not want them to have a king in the first place. He wanted to be their king, but they wanted a human king. Why can't we be satisfied with God as our king? It would make things so much better.
Chapter 36 shows how God is the king of the universe. He was leading the Babylonians to take over Jerusalem and to take the people away for 70 years. (v.21) That was the number of Sabbath years the land should have rested, since they came into the Promised Land. They had disobeyed their Heavenly king. They had not allowed the land to rest, but now it would rest, because God would make sure it did. Ultimately, no one can rebel against God, the king, and get away with it. We should just follow Him each day, instead of trying to get our own way.
Even in John 19 we see this truth in the crucifixion of Jesus. Pilate chooses to scourge Him and then to have Him crucified. However, he is not in ultimate control. God is. The people cry out for Jesus to be killed. They have decided to reject the son of God. They have decided to reject God as their king and do things their way. They even go to the point where they say, "We have no king but Caesar." (v.15) I know they meant no earthly king but Caesar, but do you see the irony? Here are the leaders of the Jewish people who are swearing their allegiance to a pagan king, while seeking to kill the Son of God. They got to that point, because God had ceased to be their king a long time ago. How about you? Are you serving God as your king, or are you going your way? If you go your way, you are against God, and that is never a pleasant path. Surrender to Jesus as your king today. Bow down and serve Him each day. Let's all worship and serve Him here, until one day we get to bow before our king in heaven.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 1-2 and John 19:23-42.
In chapters 34 and 35 we read about the reign of Josiah. He started young, and he chose to follow God and His Word, so he had a positive influence on the people of Israel and Judah. However, his reforms were too late to turn the country around. God had already determined to take the country into exile because of their rebellion against Him. (34:21,25) The people had decided to reject God as their king. Many of the kings had led the people away from the Lord, because they did not make Him king of their lives. It is a sad story of defeat, but you could see it coming, since God did not want them to have a king in the first place. He wanted to be their king, but they wanted a human king. Why can't we be satisfied with God as our king? It would make things so much better.
Chapter 36 shows how God is the king of the universe. He was leading the Babylonians to take over Jerusalem and to take the people away for 70 years. (v.21) That was the number of Sabbath years the land should have rested, since they came into the Promised Land. They had disobeyed their Heavenly king. They had not allowed the land to rest, but now it would rest, because God would make sure it did. Ultimately, no one can rebel against God, the king, and get away with it. We should just follow Him each day, instead of trying to get our own way.
Even in John 19 we see this truth in the crucifixion of Jesus. Pilate chooses to scourge Him and then to have Him crucified. However, he is not in ultimate control. God is. The people cry out for Jesus to be killed. They have decided to reject the son of God. They have decided to reject God as their king and do things their way. They even go to the point where they say, "We have no king but Caesar." (v.15) I know they meant no earthly king but Caesar, but do you see the irony? Here are the leaders of the Jewish people who are swearing their allegiance to a pagan king, while seeking to kill the Son of God. They got to that point, because God had ceased to be their king a long time ago. How about you? Are you serving God as your king, or are you going your way? If you go your way, you are against God, and that is never a pleasant path. Surrender to Jesus as your king today. Bow down and serve Him each day. Let's all worship and serve Him here, until one day we get to bow before our king in heaven.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 1-2 and John 19:23-42.