2 Chronicles 36:1-23 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 2 Chronicles 36:1-23. Let’s go!
On verses 1-19: These verses describe the four kings who rule the nation of Judah after King Josiah: Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. Notice that while each of these kings of Judah were in power, they were controlled by, opposed by and at the whim of a stronger foreign king. Jehoahaz was controlled by Neco king of Egypt. The other three kings were controlled by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. As a result, these kings never really had full authority to rule over the people of Judah, and the people of Judah would not thrive but lived under great fear and oppression. During this time, God sends prophet after prophet to turn the people back to the Lord, but instead of listening and repenting the people of Judah mock the prophets God sends. Their persistent rebellion against God ultimately results in the destruction of all of Jerusalem (including the temple and the royal palace) and Judah’s exile to Babylon. The Promised Land is destroyed and Judah is ousted.
What can we learn from this? The biggest reason for all of this taking place was the persistent sin of the people of Judah. This was God on one hand disciplining the people of Judah for their persistent sin against Him, and at the same time fulfilling his promise in 2 Chronicles 34:28 not to bring about disaster to the people of Judah until after Josiah had died. The lesson for us today is this: Often we sin because we think it will bring us freedom and happiness, when in fact the opposite is the result. Sin results in our bondage and unhappiness. Sin causes us to be slaves to foreign powers that were never meant to rule over us. Sin causes us to miss the land of blessing God intended for us to live in.
On verses 20-23: While the people of Judah are in exile in Babylon, there seems little hope for them until Cyrus King of Persia overpowers the Babylonian empire. Sensing that God has commissioned him to build a temple for the Lord in Jerusalem, Cyrus allows the exiled people of Judah to return to their homeland (v23).
What can we learn from all this? Just when you think all hope is lost, God sends a deliverer to restore God’s people again. Just as God sends and commissions Cyrus king of Persia to help restore the people of Judah to their homeland and to build the temple of the Lord, so centuries later God would send the greatest king of all, Jesus Christ, to restore us to Himself and to build us into a temple to worship Him.
A Final Word on 1 and 2 Chronicles
That brings our 3 month study of the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles to an end. Phew! It took a while but it was worth it! We started our look at 1 Chronicles on January 17 and ended our look at 2 Chronicles today on April 15. I think I’ll eat a brownie tonight as a prize to myself.
Praise God for all the valuable insights we could learn from His Word. What were the most powerful lessons you learned from our time in 1 and 2 Chronicles? So that you can digest God’s Word even more, I encourage you to write them down and feel free to share them with me.
Heavenly Father, thank You that when our persistent rebellion against You meant that we would be separated from You forever, You had mercy on us and sent a King to save us. Of all the rulers and kings we see in 1 and 2 Chronicles, no one compares to You, Jesus. The worst kings in 1 and 2 Chronicles show us how much we need a Saviour. And the best kings we see in 1 and 2 Chronicles are like a shadow pointing us to You, the real deal and the only perfect king. Thank You that the greatest king of all is not just one we read about in history, but One who is alive today and writing our story. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
