2 Chronicles 34 "Finding The Book"

“I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” So Shaphan carried the book to the king.” (v.15)

When Shaphan brought the book of the law to king Josiah, it didn’t look like anything special, just an old scroll. But when the king heard the words of the law, he realized immediately the importance of the scroll and how the nation had already broken the covenant and stood under judgment. Tearing his robes showed he comprehended fully the seriousness and sorrow of their sin (v. 21). What could he do?

Josiah recommitted himself to the Lord and renewed His holy covenant that had been badly broken. Then led the people in a formal pledge renouncing idols and rededicating them to the Lord. Thanks to his leadership, during his lifetime they “did not fail to follow the Lord.” However, despite Josiah’s reforms, he couldn’t change the nation’s heart and thereby prevent the coming disaster. He did however delay it over the course of his lifetime.

It was the failure to keep the old covenant that eventually led to the new covenant, sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ. As believers, we truly live by grace and not by works.

The Truth

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

2 Chronicles 33 "All Things Are Possible"

 “So Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel” (v.9). “Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God” (vv.12-13).

This story confirms there is no sinner beyond the mercy of God. There was hardly a sin possible to man that Manasseh did not commit. “He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.” And he made his people do worse than the heathen.

However, the good news here is, “The blood of Jesus Christ Gods Son cleanses a man from all sin” and the grace of God is exceedingly abundant with faith and love. All sins and blasphemies may be forgiven if you turn to Him with brokenness of soul. Then, He will not only forgive, but bring you again as He did Manasseh, an opportunity of undoing some of the evil things which have marred your past.

The Truth

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:19)

2 Chronicles 32 "Hezekiah's Prayer Answered"

"King Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed about this (the blasphamy) and cried out to heaven. And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed every mighty warrior, commander and officer in the camp of the king of Assyria.” (vv.20-21)

Here in chapter 32 Sennacheribe, the king of Assyria, was planning to make war against the city of Judah through a siege, depriving it of water and food (v.1). Hezekiah, king of Judah, had made plans earlier to avoid such a tactic by stopping the water from the springs which were outside the city, depriving his enemy of water instead (v.4). He also strengthened himself by making walls, towers, weapons and shields in abundance (v.5). Then he set military captains over the people and encouraged them by saying, "Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God" (vv.7-8).

Sennacheribe, realizing he might not win this long siege, began to speak against Jehovah, the God of Jerusalem, as if He were no different than other earthy gods (vv.14-18). This constituted the main reason why Hezekiah cried out to the LORD against Sennacheribe. Not that he feared war for he was prepared, but that he despised the shameless accusations being spoken against the LORD God of Jerusalem (v.20).

We can see from our text that the end result was, God heard Hezekiah’s prayer and sent a single angel to destroy every mighty warrior, commander, and officer in the camp of the Assyrian’s. This single angel killed 185,000 men in one night (2 Kings 19:35), defending God's people, His city, and His Name. Thus, "He saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacheribe the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side" (v.22). 

The lessons for us here are simple: 1) God hears our prayers, 2) He defends His people and 3) He will judge the wicked. Therefore in the words of Hezekiah, "Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed - for with us is the LORD our God."

The Truth

“I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:3)

2 Chronicles 31 "Hezekiah Prospers"

“And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered.” (v.21)

What a great lesson for us, in everything we do in our service to God, to do it wholeheartedly. In our work, do it as unto the LORD. In our giving, do it cheerfully - not out of pressure. In our worship, praising Him with all that is within us. Hezekiah prospered because he served the LORD with all his heart, and not begrudgingly. He was all in - may we follow his example.

The Truth

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree, planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

2 Chronicles 30 "Hezekiah's Prayer"

Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord pardon

everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though not according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.” So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. (vv.18b-20)

At this time the ten northern tribes were in great disarray and in the process of being led into captivity by the Assyrians. To unite the people, Hezekiah sent a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the LORD (v.5). He encouraged them to lay down their differences and, “return to the LORD who is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from them” (v.9).

Typically, even as we see today, though the people of Israel were going through great troubles, trials, and difficulties, “they laughed them (the messengers) to scorn, and mocked them” (v.10). However, a few from Israel responded positively and came to Jerusalem to enjoy the revival and eat of the Passover (v.11). Even though those who came had not gone through the “purification ceremony” outlined in the Scriptures, they were not turned away. Because their hearts were inclined to, “seek the LORD”, Hezekiah interceded to God in prayer for their ceremonial purification, and his prayer was heard (vv.18-20).

We too can be like the messengers in this story, inviting family or friends to church. Yes some may laugh or give a cutting remark, but your faithfulness will be rewarded, seeds have been planted, God will give the increase, and eventually some will come. Once the word goes out, be like Hezekiah and intercede for them to God in prayer. For His desire is, “that none should perish, but all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

The Truth

 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)