June 30: 2 Chronicles 19-23

June 30, 2 Chronicles 19-23

2 Chronicles 19 After the battle, Jehoshaphat returned in safety to Jerusalem. He was met by Jehu, the prophet, who told him that he had helped the wicked (Ahab) and helped those against the Lord. But there was some good in Jehoshaphat and he destroyed the Asherah’s, and also had his heart to seek the Lord.

Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and appointed Judges over the people and called all the people to get right before the Lord, to be just, and to fear the Lord. Also - stop taking bribes or showing partiality. He also set appointed Levites and priests to give judgments on Israel in the disputed cases - but all under the fear of the Lord. 

2 Chronicles 20 After this, the Moabites & Ammonites came against Judah for battle, a lot of them. Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned to seek the Lord. Additionally, he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. Judah assembled the people to seek the Lord.

Here we get records of Jehoshaphat’s prayer. Basically, they are corporately seeking the Lord and we see a great example of a prayer, as Jehoshaphat reveres God and His attributes. In his prayer to God, we learn the following about God: He is God in Heaven, Ruler, Powerful, Mighty, Warrior, Savior, Judge, and Guide. He also recognized that they are powerless without God and their eyes are on Him. 

Meanwhile, all Judah was standing before the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord came upon a prophet, Jahaziel, “Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s." God was going to fight this battle for them. “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” And it was so. What was the result in God’s people? Jehoshaphat bowed his head to the ground and worshipped the Lord and they praised God with a loud voice. They got up early the next morning and Jehoshaphat reminded them to believe in God and His prophets, and they will succeed. And a very famous refrain that we can all repeat and cry out:

“Give thanks to the Lord,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.”

When they were praising and singing, God set an ambush against the enemies coming after them. They basically attacked each other and literally all of them were destroyed. When Jehoshaphat and the people went to go check on it, they were all dead and there was with them many great goods, clothing and precious things - they took all they could carry - it took them 3 days to gather all the spoil, they were blessed by God. They returned to Jerusalem praising God and the fear of the Lord came upon all the surrounding countries that heard of what God did for them. God gave Judah rest. At the end of Jehoshaphat’s life, he made a commercial alliance with Ahaziah, Israel’s King, to make ships. Eliezer, the prophet, prophesied against it and said, “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.” 

2 Chronicles 21 Jehoshaphat died and his son Jehoram reigned in his place. He had brothers that Jehoshaphat took good care of with gifts and things, but Jehoram was given the Kingdom. As soon as he was King of Judah, he killed all his brothers and the princes of Israel. He was 32 when he became King, lasted only 8 years and acted like Israelite Kings. Oh yeah, he married Ahab’s (King of Israel) daughter and like many before him, “And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” But because God made a covenant with David, He was not willing to destroy Judah. 

Jehoram made high places for false worship and brought Judah into whoredom and made Judah go astray. Then he gets a letter from Elijah, the Prophet. “Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel and have enticed Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem into whoredom, as the house of Ahab led Israel into whoredom, and also you have killed your brothers, of your father's house, who were better than you, behold, the Lord will bring a great plague on your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions, and you yourself will have a severe sickness with a disease of your bowels, until your bowels come out because of the disease, day by day.” Nothing is hidden from God. If you obey God blesses you. If you disobey, you may end up having your bowels come out of your body. 

The Lord stirred up anger in the Philistines against Jehoram and they attacked and took all the possessions of Jehoram, including his wives and kids. They left only one son, Jehoahaz. Then God struck Jehoram with the disease and he died a painful death. Judah did not even give him a proper burial. Do you want this to be your legacy? “And he departed with no one's regret.”

2 Chronicles 22 So, the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Judah) made Ahaziah, Jehoram’s youngest son, King in his place. He was 22 when he became King and only lasted for 1 year. He did evil in the sight of the Lord and acted like Ahab - Ahaziah’s mom was his counsellor and gave wicked advice. He went to war with Syria and was wounded. God ordained it that Ahaziah would travel where he did… He was on his way to meet up with Jehu, whom God anointed to destroy the house of Ahab, and while he was doing that, he also destroyed Ahaziah (killed). So, the wicked mom, Athaliah, found out that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all that was left of the royal family (hers) and reigned in his place. However, Jehoshabeath was the daughter of the King, she took Joash and hid him for 6 years. Yup - the mom was wicked alright. 

2 Chronicles 23 Finally, a reprieve from all the nastiness! Jehoiada was a priest and he entered into a covenant with he commanders of Judah. He also gathered all the Levites from around Judah. He called an assembly and revealed that the King’s son was still alive, and that he should reign. Jehoiada was bringing back what had been lost - the law and fear of God. He reinstated Sabbath, guarding the temple, Levitical rules and the like. The Levites and all of Judah did what Jehoiada said. Then they brought the kings son, Joash and they anointed him King. When the mom, Athaliah heard the noise she cried out that this was treason. She was killed, not in the temple of course. 

Jehoiada then made a covenant between himself and all the people and the King that they should be God’s people. They agreed. They tore down the false altars, broke down the house of Baal and killed the Baal priest. The people were on the right track again…

To sum it all up:

• We are also called like those in Judah, to get right before the Lord, to be just, and to fear the Lord. Also - stop taking bribes or showing partiality.
• For us, do not be afraid, God is fighting our battles for us when we go to Him and rely on Him (not on our own strength).
• What is your legacy? Did you live your life for you or for the service of others? Will anyone say about you, And he departed with no one's regret…?
• Remember, God guides all and ordains all. Rest in that assurance.