The Importance of the Word of God
Soon after I was engaged, my fiancee went to spend a few months with her parents who were then living in rural South Africa. How I loved those frequent letters she sent to me. I read and reread them, that is, until she returned to a joyful reunion.
The great Christian leader, John Stott once said,
“A man who loves his wife will love her letters and her photographs because they speak to him of her. So if we love the Lord Jesus, we shall love the Bible because it speaks to us of him.”
That God has spoken to mankind is fundamental to all our thinking. Reject this teaching and you reject all hope of finding answers to the big questions of life, why are we here and how should we behave. The importance of the written ‘Word of God’ is aligned to this. We can either accept it or reject it. What God says becomes the two-edged sword that cuts society right down the middle, dividing us into believers and nonbelievers. The writer of the book to the Hebrews said,
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two edged sword, it penetrates even to to dividing soul and spirit.” Hebrews 5:12
2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles is a poorly known book in the Old Testament. It was probably written by the great religious leader, Ezra who helped to lead God’s people spiritually after they returned from exile in Babylon in 538BC. Jewish tradition affirms that Ezra wrote 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah. The language used strongly suggests it was written when Ezra was alive and These books all are s strong spiritual message which would suggest they were written by a priest such as Ezra. The writer relies on other historical documents which we now have as books in the Old Testament. It is the last book in the Hebrew Scriptures and has much that is practical to teach all people. 2 Chronicles recounts the spiritual lessons to be learned from the lives of the kings of Judah from Solomon onwards.
Solomon
The book starts with Solomon giving us a summary of his life,
“Solomon, son of David, established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the LORD his God was with him . . . “ 2 Chronicles 1:1
In 1 Chronicles David is portrayed as a man devoted to obeying what God had said and done. When he brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, David had said,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. . . . He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant for ever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations.” 1 Chronicles 16:8,14-15
When Solomon is described as a son of David, he is not just talking about their physical relationship, he also followed in his father’s faith.
Moses had foreseen that a day would come when Israel would want a king to rule them. The main criterion was that such a person had to be a man of God who faithfully followed what God had taught.
“When he takes to the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and carefully follow all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left.” Deuteronomy 17:18-20
This book emphasises that sin is man’s greatest problem and sin is defined as rebellion against God’s rule.
“When they sin against you – for there is no-one who does not sin – and you become angry with them and give them over to to the enemy . . . and if they have a change of heart . . and repent and plead with you . . . and say ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly’ . . . uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you.” 2 Chronicles 6:36-39
When Solomon had finished building the temple God spoke to him about what people must do when they face problems such as a plague or drought. Could this have relevance to our societies today as we are being disrupted by the plague of Covid-19?
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. . . . And now, O LORD, God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David come true.”” 2 Chronicles 7:14,17
Solomon realised that God does not live in a temple but that the temple was only a symbol of God’s presence. Yet how they regarded the temple, was a good indicator of how they really regarded God. This is the same for us all today. Our attitude to God’s church, his temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16) betrays how we really think about God.
Rehoboam (930-913 BC)
Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, is portrayed as a fool who listened to the word of his young friends instead of listening to God. His actions led to the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah. It is likely that Proverbs chapter 1-9 were written by Solomon to try and help this son who was known to behave foolishly. Solomon summarises where real knowledge begins,
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7
There was a division amongst the people. Some remembered what God had taught and determined to remain true to God.
“Those from every tribe of Israel, who set their hearts on seeking the LORD, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD, the God of their fathers.” 2 Chronicles 1111:16
A common problem is that people drift away from God and this happened to Rehoboam.
“After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD. Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak, king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem . . .” 2 Chronicles 12:1-2
Abijah (913-910 BC)
According to 1 Kings, Abijah was half-hearted in his commitment to the Lord,
“He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David, his forefather had been.” 1 Kings 15:3
The Lord doesn’t look at our outward behaviour, he knows our hearts. However when a crunch test came in the form of a war with the separated tribes of Israel, he announced where he stood,
“We are observing the requirements of the LORD our God. But you have forsaken him. God is with us; he is our leader.” 2 Chronicles 13:11-12
Asa (910-869 BC)
When Abijah died, his son Asa became king of Judah.
“Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.” 2 Chronicles 14:2
What an important reminder this is – it is what God sees is going on in our hearts that matters. A prophet named Azariah met Asa and said to him,
“The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2
The biographer continues,
“Asa’s heart was fully committed to the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 15:17
What a wonderful epitaph for anyone to have said about them, especially when it is written in god’s Word. Asa did make foolish decisions but his heart was right with God.
Jehoshaphat (872-869 BC)
As so often happens, the children of someone whose heart is right with God follow in the same footsteps.
“The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways that his father David had followed. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. . . His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 17:3-6
One consequence of this was his concern to teach others God’s word. He arranged for some officials , some Levites and some priests to teach in the towns of Judah.
“They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went round to all the towns of Judah and taught people.” 2 Chronicles 17:9
This has always been the priority of God’s churches – to teach people the Word of God and encourage them to live accordingly..
The prophet Micaiah lived at this time and his guidance was sought concerning a possible military action. He was told,
“How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 18:15
Micaiah continued,
“Therefore hear the word of the LORD . . .” 2 Chronicles 18:18
He contrasted what he had to say from God with what 400 other local prophets had told the godless Israelite king Ahab. Needless to say, it was the word of God that came to be true. Later Jehoshaphat was told,
“Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this the wrath of God is upon you. There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.” 2 Chronicles 19:2-3
Later a vast army of Edomites threatened to invade Judah from the south. His response was to seek the help of God, saying,
“For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12
The Lord answered their prayer and the Edomites destroyed themselves!
Jehoram (848-841 BC)
Jehoshaphat’s eldest son, Jehoram, became the next king but his reign was a disaster,. He ordered the killing of all his rival brothers but note the reason for his apostasy from God.
“He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab, He did evil in the eyes of the LORD. . . . Jehoram had forsaken the LORD . . . and had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.” 2 Chronicles 21:6, 10-11
We keep being told the name of the mother of these kings. The godless kings all had godless mothers. There is clearly a lesson here which is repeated throughout the bible, ensure you marry someone who is deeply committed to following the Lord. The prophet Elijah spoke out against him on behalf of God, warning him that he would face an awful end because of his priorities. His epitaph is telling,
“He passed away, to no-ones regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.” 2 Chronicles 21:20
Ahaziah (841-814 BC)
The next king was just as bad.
“He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his fathers death they became his advisors, to his undoing.” 2 Chronicles 22:3-4
It was his association with the house of Ahab that resulted in his being killed in battle and then his mother showed her true colours..
Athaliah (841-835 BC)
We now see godlessness with any veneer. When Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah, herself a daughter of Omri, king of Israel, heard of her sons death she decided to seize power. She ordered the death of everyone in the Royal Family. However one child was rescued because the Jehosheba, a daughter of King Jehoram had married a godly priest Jehoiada. She had hid her nephew in the temple.
When the child was just seven years old Jehoiada arranged for his grandson to be declared king and Athaliah was executed.
Joash (835-796 BC)
An interesting summary is give of this young man’s reign,
“Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.” 2 Chronicles 24:2
When young, Joash arranged for the temple and its worship to be restored. His protector and great uncle, the priest Jehoiada was very old when he died but then the king and the people of Judah drifted away from serving the Lord.
“Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them they would not listen.” 2 Chronicles 24:19
Finally God sent Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, the godly priest to warn the people again:
“Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says:, ‘Why do you disobey the LORD’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.’” But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the LORD’s temple.” 2 Chronicles 24:20-23
Joash was murdered in his bed for his involvement in Zechariah’s murder so his son became king.
Amaziah 792-767 BC)
We are told,
“His mother’s name was Jehoaddin; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.” 2 Chronicles 25:1-2
We are yet again warned about the influence a mother can have on her children. However what God wants is clear – he wants all of us to be wholehearted in our devotion to him. Sometimes a price will have to be paid in this life, much as Zechariah did, but we are assured that in eternity all will be made right.
However, yet again time resulted in Amaziah turning his back on the Lord and he began to worship the gods of the Edomites that he had conquered, possibly for political reasons. How often there are excuses for turning away from a single-minded commitment to serving the one true God.
What a tragedy:
“From the time that Amaziah turned away from following the LORD .“ 2 Chronicles 25:27
Uzziah (792-740 BC)
We are given a brief summary of Uzziah’s life:
“His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD just as his father Amaziah had done.” 2 Chronicles 26:3-4
Why was it that he started so well? Doubtless his mother was a great influence but there another reason.
“He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of the LORD. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.” 2 Chronicles 24:5
Unfortunately his godly advisor was murdered and then we read,
“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.” 2 Chronicles 26:16
He took on the role of priest and was rewarded with his contracting leprosy. This resulted in his living alone and excluded from the House of God.
Jotham (750-735 BC)
“His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done.”
Zadok was name associated with godly priests since the time of David. Ezra was himself a direct descendant of this godly line. (Ezra 7:2) However his influence was limited,
“The people however continued their corrupt practices.” 2 Chronicles 27:2
Leaders must lead their people and their family. Perhaps this is why his son did not continue to carry God’s light.
Ahaz (732-715 BC)
“Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 28:2
Ahaz followed the heathen practices of the kings of Israel, even to the point of ritually sacrificing his own sons. Problems can affect people in two ways, some return humbly to God in repentance, others, like Ahaz go the other way:
“In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD. . . , In every town in Judah he built high places to burn sacrifices to other gods and provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers, to anger.” 2 Chronicles 28:22,25
Hezekiah (715-686 BC)
This son of Ahaz was very different, probably because of his mother, who had been raised in a god-fearing home. Note who her father was, the godly priest who had been murdered for telling people the word of God. He may have been murdered but his heritage lived on.
“His mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. He (Hezekiah) did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done.” 2 Chronicles 29:1-2
Hezekiah was a leader who was not only concerned for his own godliness but ensured that the temple was in a state that represented God and that his people ‘dedicated themselves to the Lord’ He sent out couriers to urge people,
“People of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left . . .” 2 Chronicles 30::6
When the Assyrians, under Sennacherib, besieged Jerusalem he remained faithful and the Assyrian hoards were destroyed by a rampant plague. Hezekiah was not perfect, ‘he became proud’, but the mark of his greatness was that he then ‘repented of the pride of his heart’ (2 Chronicles 32:25-26) There is one fascinating sentence that explains why good people may not experience the presence of God and this has great relevance to all of us:
“God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.” 2 Chronicles 32:31
Manasseh (697-642 BC)
Manasseh was only twelve when he became king and
“He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.” 2 Chronicles 33:2
He worshipped the stars, put statutes in the temple and furthermore,
“He sacrificed his sons in the fire of the Valley of Ben Hinnon, practised sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists.” 2 Chronicles 33:6
However he was taken captive by the Babylonians and this catastrophe brought him to his senses.
“In his distress he sought the favour of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.” 2 Chronicles 33:12
The effect was that when he returned to Jerusalem he restored worship of the true God in the temple.
Amon (642-640 BC)
Unfortunately Amon followed the example of his father’s early life:
“He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon offered sacrifices to all the idols Manasseh had made. But unlike his father Manasseh, he did not humble himself before the LORD; Amon increased his guilt.” 2 Chronicles 33:22-23
Amon was assassinated after only two years in office and his eight year old son then reigned.
Josiah (640-609 BC)
What a bright light this young man was.
“He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning to the right or to the left.” 2 Chronicles 34:2
When he was just sixteen years old, ‘he began to seek the LORD’ (2 Chronicles 34:3) Altars to other gods were destroyed and later the temple was repaired. It was during this repair work that a significant discovery was made, a book had been found and they recognised it as being the ‘Book of the Law’, the Word of God. When it was read to Josiah he recognised its importance, saying,
“Great is the LORD’s anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.” 2 Chronicles 34:21
A local prophetess, Huldah, was asked what was the significance of what they had read. She replied
“Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all that their hands have made,[a] my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.’ 26 Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: 27 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 34:25-27
What an important lesson this is. God is a righteous God who hates all unrighteousness but he is also full of grace and loves to welcome all who sincerely turn back to him. Josiah summonsed all people of Israel, ‘from the least to the greatest’:
“He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the LORD. The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD – to follow the LORD and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book.” 2 Chronicles 34:30-31
It is clear what god wants all people to learn from this remarkable book. God has told people what he wants in his Word. We have a choice – go his way or go our own way. The consequences of that decision may not be immediate, but the Bible makes it clear that there are consequences in this life and in eternity. Jesus emphasised this very point, there is a heaven for God’s true people and a hell for those who reject him. God sees what is in our hearts just as he saw the hearts of these kings.
Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), Jehoiachin (598-597 BC)
The lives of these kings are each summarised with the catastrophic phrase,
“He did evil in the eyes of the LORD his God.” 2 Chronicles 36:5, 9
Zedekiah (597-586 BC)
Zedekiah was no better. God even sent another prophet to share God’s message with him but to no avail:
“He did evil in the eyes of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 36:12
He became intransigent against God,
“He became stiff-necked and hardened his heart and would not turn to the LORD, the God of Israel.” 2 Chronicles 36:13
The rot spread, even to include the religious leaders of that day,
“Furthermore, the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the LORD which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.” 2 Chronicles 36:14
God still longed for people to change direction and gave people warnings before he finally took action.
“The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place.. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.” 2 Chronicles 36:15-16
The disastrous invasion by the cruel Babylonians was the result.
How foolish we are to neglect to listen to the Word of God. It was seventy years before Babylon was itself conquered by Cyrus, king of Persia and some of the exiles were allowed to return home to Jerusalem. The writer succinctly reminds his readers,
“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfil the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus . . .” 2 Chronicles 36:22
Lessons for us today
Ezra, assuming he was the writer of Chronicles, uses repetition to make his points clear.
1. God looks at the heart of all of us to see if our primary concern is to please him.
2. Our actions will betray how we think.
3. The beliefs of the father and mother deeply influence how their children develop.
4. Godly, close influences can change a person’s life
5. God refuses to be rejected for ever. There will ultimately be consequences, sometimes in this life, but certainly in the next.
6. The Word of God is how God communicates with all people authoritatively; what he says is sidelined at our peril.
7. Their lives were compared with David. Our lives are compared to Jesus, the descendant of David.
BVP
