08/26/08: 2 Chronicles 14-16
2 Chronicles 14-16 describe King Asa, who in key ways was somewhat of a paradox. Initially, he did what things that pleased God (14:2-7, 15:8). He even deposed his own grandmother for making an Asherah pole (15:16). He was fully committed to God all of his life (15:17)...except near the end.
After 36 years, instead of turning to God when one of Judah's enemies attacked, he foolishly gave the treasures of the temple and his palace to another king to form an alliance with him against that enemy (2 Chronicles 16:2,3). God was very unhappy with this, and that made Asa very bitter (16:10). Basically, after that, he turned away from God and rejected His help (16:12).
It is interesting to know that we never can really figure out anyone's spiritual connection with God, for certain. Many live the majority of their lives in rebellion to God but turn to him at the end. Others live their lives under God's grace but turn away from him in later years, sometimes after only one bad experience. Personally, I suspect that King Asa will be with God in eternity. But, in any case, he was an unhappy, discontented man at the end of his life.
After 36 years, instead of turning to God when one of Judah's enemies attacked, he foolishly gave the treasures of the temple and his palace to another king to form an alliance with him against that enemy (2 Chronicles 16:2,3). God was very unhappy with this, and that made Asa very bitter (16:10). Basically, after that, he turned away from God and rejected His help (16:12).
It is interesting to know that we never can really figure out anyone's spiritual connection with God, for certain. Many live the majority of their lives in rebellion to God but turn to him at the end. Others live their lives under God's grace but turn away from him in later years, sometimes after only one bad experience. Personally, I suspect that King Asa will be with God in eternity. But, in any case, he was an unhappy, discontented man at the end of his life.
08/26/08: 2 Chronicles 10
When King Solomon's son, Rehoboam, became king, there was a split in Israel. He foolishly took the advice of his peers, rather than the older advisors, and chose to burden them heavily (2 Chronicles 10:8-14), presumably with more work and taxes than Solomon had done. Of course, God was the one who had caused him to do this (10:15), which supports my view that God ultimately is behind every decision of men and women.
As a result of Rehoboam's choice, most of Israel split away from the house of David (2 Chronicles 10:19); only those in the region around Jerusalem--the Judaites and the Benjamites--remained loyal to Rehoboam (who, of course, was a descendant of Judah, as his father and grandfather had been). For centuries thereafter, there were conflicts and wars between Judah and the rest of Israel. Furthermore, eventually, the ten breakaway tribes of Israel were taken into captivity by Syria, and later Judah and Benjamin were taken captive by Babylon. All of this happened because all of the twelve tribes of Israel had forsaken God's commands and had failed to obey Him.
As a result of Rehoboam's choice, most of Israel split away from the house of David (2 Chronicles 10:19); only those in the region around Jerusalem--the Judaites and the Benjamites--remained loyal to Rehoboam (who, of course, was a descendant of Judah, as his father and grandfather had been). For centuries thereafter, there were conflicts and wars between Judah and the rest of Israel. Furthermore, eventually, the ten breakaway tribes of Israel were taken into captivity by Syria, and later Judah and Benjamin were taken captive by Babylon. All of this happened because all of the twelve tribes of Israel had forsaken God's commands and had failed to obey Him.
08/26/08: 2 Chronicles 9
Ted: Messianic Prophecy: Remember from 1 Chronicles 17:11-14 that King Solomon was a "type" or "foreshadowing" of Jesus. In fact, the name "Solomon" sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for "peace," and Jesus is the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
Solomon was wiser and richer than all the other kings on earth (2 Chronicles 9:22). All the kings of the earth came to Solomon to hear the wisdom of God (9:23). Likewise, people from all the nations will go to Jerusalem to see Jesus when He sits there on His throne (Zechariah 14:16).
In Jerusalem, during Solomon's time, gold was very abundant (2 Chronicles 9:13-21), and silver was as common as stones (9:27). After Jesus returns, great quantities of gold and silver will be brought into Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:14). No one on the earth will be wiser, and surrounded by more wealth, than Jesus after He returns.
Solomon was wiser and richer than all the other kings on earth (2 Chronicles 9:22). All the kings of the earth came to Solomon to hear the wisdom of God (9:23). Likewise, people from all the nations will go to Jerusalem to see Jesus when He sits there on His throne (Zechariah 14:16).
In Jerusalem, during Solomon's time, gold was very abundant (2 Chronicles 9:13-21), and silver was as common as stones (9:27). After Jesus returns, great quantities of gold and silver will be brought into Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:14). No one on the earth will be wiser, and surrounded by more wealth, than Jesus after He returns.
08/26/08: 2 Chronicles 3-6
Presumably, the third temple, to stand in Jerusalem by the midpoint of the final seven years, will be constructed to the same dimensions and specifications as the first temple, which Solomon had built (2 Chronicles 3:3,4,8,15). Furthermore, all of the furnishings within the temple (4:19-22) have been manufactured and now sit at the Temple Institute in Jerusalem, ready to go into the third temple. The only thing lacking to go into the temple is the Ark of the Covenant (5:2), the location of which, presently, is unknown. However, many believe that it will be found and placed inside of the third temple by the middle of the 70th Week.
Messianic prophecy: "Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built for my Name to be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be the leader over my people Israel. But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel" (2 Chronicles 6:5,6). This passage was true in the past, and presumably it also will be true in the future when God's "Name" (that is, the Messiah, Jesus) will sit on His throne in Jerusalem to rule and reign over the world, and David (who will be resurrected) will rule again over Israel. This is a prophecy with both a past (6:10) and a future fulfillment.
Messianic prophecy: "Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built for my Name to be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be the leader over my people Israel. But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel" (2 Chronicles 6:5,6). This passage was true in the past, and presumably it also will be true in the future when God's "Name" (that is, the Messiah, Jesus) will sit on His throne in Jerusalem to rule and reign over the world, and David (who will be resurrected) will rule again over Israel. This is a prophecy with both a past (6:10) and a future fulfillment.
08/26/08: 2 Chronicles 2
Ted: King David had wanted to build the first temple (house) for God, but God did not want him to because David was a warrior and had shed much blood in the sight of God (1 Chronicles 22:7,8). Instead, God chose David's son, King Solomon, to build the temple (22:10). Therefore, Solomon gave orders to build the temple (2 Chronicles 2:1), even though he knew full well that a mere temple could not contain God and that it would be simply a place to offer sacrifices before Him (2:6, 6:18).
Due to the immense wealth and riches God had bestowed upon Solomon (2 Chronicles 1:12), there was an abundant amount of wheat, barley, oil, and wine to provide for the workers who would build the temple (2:10,15). Interestingly, near the end of the age, after the third seal of the heavenly scroll has been opened, wheat and barley will be in such short supply that even a small amount of them will cost a "day's wages" (Revelation 6:6a). Although there may be a plentiful amount of oil and wine (6:6b), since olive trees and grape vines are more durable and more resistant to drought than wheat and barley, they probably will be very expensive as well.
Due to the immense wealth and riches God had bestowed upon Solomon (2 Chronicles 1:12), there was an abundant amount of wheat, barley, oil, and wine to provide for the workers who would build the temple (2:10,15). Interestingly, near the end of the age, after the third seal of the heavenly scroll has been opened, wheat and barley will be in such short supply that even a small amount of them will cost a "day's wages" (Revelation 6:6a). Although there may be a plentiful amount of oil and wine (6:6b), since olive trees and grape vines are more durable and more resistant to drought than wheat and barley, they probably will be very expensive as well.
