233rd Week, II Chronicles Intro - Chapter 4 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

 

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, II Chronicles Introduction

II Chronicles Intro

Jeanie Boldt

THOUGHT

The purpose of this book is to unify the nation around true worship of God by showing His standard for judging kings. The righteous kings of Judah and the religious revivals under their rule are highlighted, and the sins of the evil kings are exposed. The book parallels I and II Kings and serves as their commentary. Originally I and II Chronicles was one book. It was written after the exile from a priestly perspective, highlighting the importance of the temple and the religious revivals in Judah. The northern kingdom, Israel, is virtually ignored in this history.

II Chronicles relates this sordid history of Judah’s corrupt and idolatrous kings. Here and there a good king would arise in Judah, and for a time there would be revival, but the downward spiral would continue - ending in chaos, destruction, and captivity.

The Chronicler writes this volume to bring the nation back to God by reminding them of their past. Only by following God would they prosper. You will see the tragic results of idolatry.  Salt Shakers, we must learn the lessons of the past, determine to get rid of any idols in our lives and worship God alone.

II Chronicles continues the history of I Chronicles.  David’s son, Solomon, was inaugurated as king.  Solomon built the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, thus fulfilling his father’s wish and last request. He reigned for 40 years and gave the throne to his son, Rehoboam.

In Judah, there were a few good kings and many evil ones. The writer of Chronicles faithfully records their achievements and failures, noting how each king measured up to God’s standard for success.

The writer’s purpose was to reunite the nation around the true worship of God after the captivity. In this book, He reminds the people of their past. As we read Il Chronicles, we must listen to God’s voice and obey Him; and receive His redemptive, healing touch.

PRAYER

Father God, open our hearts and minds as we read this next book. May we openly admit if we have anything in our lives that is more important than You. Thank You for continuing to draw us closer together.  AMEN

Tuesday, II Chronicles Chapter 1

II Chronicles 1

Verse 12

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 12:  therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.  This was spoken by God.

THOUGHT

First of all I knew that Solomon was a wise man and was known for this. I did not remember that he had asked for it. He put the needs of his people first and asked for wisdom rather than riches. 

Have you ever thought of what you would answer if you were asked any desire of your heart? When we are younger, there are definite material things that come to mind. As we mature, there may be causes that we stand for or nonprofit organizations that could really use money. So many times we find ourselves saying, “Gosh, if only I could afford one of those.” or “Sure wish I could take 3 weeks off and tour Europe.” or “I don’t want to work anymore. Wish I had enough to quit.” or “If I had the money, I would get you to the best doctor in the world.” If you could have had anything, would you have chosen wisdom? 

I realize as I mature and age how valuable wisdom is. Delores has so much to share and what valuable lessons we can learn from her because of her experiences, years of living, reading of the Word and a close relationship to God. Solomon was young in years and was blessed with wisdom. Yes, he shared with his people that it was more valuable than rubies.

I will admit that when asked what I would want right now, I would immediately think of help for my children and their families and my extended families. I feel very blessed and content with where I am and with what I have and can do. My caring heart would go out to others. I believe Solomon had his priorities in line. We need to think that way also. May our hearts remember gifts to our churches, helping those less fortunate than us and then the things that we really need. Solomon had his list with priorities in line. The Lord Blessed Him with even more. May we live as the example that we see in our lesson today.

PRAYER

Father in heaven, things down here turn our minds to worldly things so often and put value on things that are of this world. I pray that my family members and friends would know You as their personal Savior. That is my request. Place the importance of being in the Word on our hearts with daily prayer. Teach us to share that with our little ones and be good examples and listeners. In the Spirit of the Lord we pray. AMEN

Wednesday, II Chronicles Chapter 2

II Chronicles 2

Verse 3

Jeanie Bold

Verse 3:  Solomon sent this message to Hiram, king of Tyre: “Send me cedar logs as you did for my father David when you sent him cedar to build a palace to live in.”

THOUGHT

Imagine going to the mountains of Lebanon during the reign of Israel’s great King Solomon. Can you see the majestic cedar? It is the pride of all the other trees and has wrestled many years with the cold north winds! The summer sun has loved to smile upon it, while the night has caused its soft leaves to glisten with drops of dew. Birds have built their nests in its branches, and weary travelers and wandering shepherds have rested in its shade for the midday heat or taken shelter from the raging storms. And suddenly we realize that this old inhabitant of the forest has been doomed to fall victim to the woodsman’s ax!

We should not be so quick to complain, but should follow the gigantic tree as the workmen of “Hiram king of Tyre” take it down the mountainside. From there it had to sail on the rafts along the blue water of the Mediterranean. And finally, we should behold it being placed as a glorious and polished beam in the temple of God. The cedar had once stood majestically in nature’s sanctuary, but “the glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.”

So many people are like these cedars of old!! God’s axes of trials have stripped them bare, and yet we can see no reason for such harsh and difficult circumstances. But God has a noble goal and purpose in mind; to place them as everlasting pillars and rafters in His heavenly Zion. And He says to them, “You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”

These thoughts are from one of the devotions that I read daily. Solomon sought the best council for the construction and used the best material with the best men. This one cedar had an important job just as each of us (small but mighty) has an important job in the kingdom of God.

Let’s be strong and DO IT!!!

PRAYER 

Thank You, Father, our Creator!! We see the beauty and strength in all Your creations.  Thank You for the materials used to build this temple. I pray that we will be strong cedars in this world of Yours so that You can use us mightily.  May the Holy Spirit direct our comings and our goings.  We pray for the Will of the Lord in each of our lives. AMEN

Thursday, II Chronicles Chapter 3

II Chronicles 3 

Verse 1

Jane Jones

Verse l:  Then Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mt. Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David.

THOUGHT

Through all the reading of the Word in regards to the building and the construction of the temple, it is mind-boggling to me what a specific general contractor the Lord was. He instructed David and Solomon on the size, the materials, the color, how elaborate it was to be. Sometimes I wonder, ’why construct such a shrine?  Was it idolatry in some form?’

But then I think of my Jamaican friend, Ms Therm, who dresses to the hilt along with everyone else to go to church on Sundays. They are in laces, silks, their best garments, their best shoes, their finest apparel, to go to a church that is fresh with flowers, sparkling clean, with the podium in the center to hear the message of Jesus preached. All the men have suits with ties, and the boys and young men have dress pants, shirts and ties as well. None of the ladies are dressed in pants.

So I said to Ms. Therm, “All of you dress up so much to go to church. You all look so beautifully amazing.” Her response is, “My Lady, why would you not dress up in your finest in the presence of the Lord? It is His day to be honored. It is His day that we bow before Him. May we never lose sight of the importance of being in His presence.”

So in conclusion, I am beginning to understand why such a temple was to be built and house the Holy Tablet and Honor God.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, may we never lose sight of the fact that we are to bring to You our best. We are to build for You our best. We are to honor You with thoughts that no one is greater than You. Thank You for my friend, Ms Therm, who helps me daily put things in perspective.  May we treasure her wisdom as we grow in Christ Jesus. AMEN

Friday, II Chronicles Chapter 4

II Chronicles 4 

Verse 18

Jane Jones

Verse 18:  All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze was not determined.

THOUGHT

I don’t think we realize what depth and magnitude the construction of this temple was. The craftsmen followed God’s specification carefully—with spectacular results. When God gives specific instructions, they must be followed to the letter. There is a time to be creative and a time to put forth our own ideas, but not when the ideas add to, alter, or contradict any specific directions God has already given to us in the Bible. For best results in your spiritual life, carefully seek and follows God’s instructions.

Examples where God was half-heartedly obeyed are as follows:

Uzziah - Only a priest can touch the holy furnishings and articles. He touched the Ark of the Covenant.  Uzziah died instantly.

Uzziah - Only the priests could offer incense in the temple or tabernacle sanctuary. He entered the Holy Place in the temple where only priests were allowed to go. He became a leper.

In today’s time, although the articles we use to aid our worship have changed, the purpose of worship remains the same — to give honor and praise to God. We must never let our worship of God be overshadowed by things we use to help us worship Him.

PRAYER

Our most Holy God, thank You for Your church and a place where we can come into Your presence with holiness, singing, and praying. We pray that our lives will find direction from You tomorrow as we walk through the day with You. AMEN