Tag: Old Testament

2Chronicles 14, Rest in HIM!

2Ch 14:1-2, So Abijah rested with his fathers…. THEN ASA HIS SON REIGNED IN HIS PLACE. In his days the land was quiet for ten years. ASA DID WHAT WAS GOOD AND RIGHT IN THE EYES OF THE LORD HIS GOD,

He removed perverted idol-temple prostitutes which came in during Rehoboam’s reign! He even removed his grandmother Maachah from being queen mother because she made an obscene image! (1Ki 15:13).

2Ch 14:4, HE COMMANDED JUDAH TO SEEK THE LORD GOD OF THEIR FATHERS, AND TO OBSERVE THE LAW AND THE COMMANDMENT. 

Asa commanded his people to follow the LORD, BUT HE LED BY EXAMPLE IN HIS LIFE!

1Ki 15:14, But the high places were not removed. NEVERTHELESS ASA’S HEART WAS LOYAL TO THE LORD ALL HIS DAYS. 

2Ch 14:6, … HE HAD NO WAR IN THOSE YEARS, BECAUSE THE LORD HAD GIVEN HIM REST.

Psa 46:9, He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. 

ONLY THE LORD CAN GIVE YOU TRUE REST!

Mat 11:28-30, COME TO ME, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST. Take My yoke upon you and LEARN FROM ME, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. FOR MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT.

THIS WORLD OFFERS NOTHING BUT TROUBLE, BUT JESUS’S OFFERS YOU REST

Isa 11:10, “And in that day there shall BE A ROOT OF JESSE, WHO SHALL STAND AS A BANNER TO THE PEOPLE; FOR THE GENTILES SHALL SEEK HIM, AND HIS RESTING PLACE SHALL BE GLORIOUS.” 

SO, GIVE TO JESUS YOUR ANXIETIES, YOUR WORRIES, YOUR DAILY BATTLES, AND HE SHALL GIVE YOU REST! TRUST IN THE LORD!

2Chronicles 13, Relied on the LORD!

2Ch 13:1, In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah became king over Judah. 

1Ki 15:3, … HIS HEART WAS NOT LOYAL TO THE LORD HIS GOD, as was the heart of his father David. 

Abijah wasn’t loyal to the LORD and walked in the steps of Rehoboam, his father! Abijah was outnumbered by Israel, but he stood up and spoke to Jeroboam and all of Israel!

2Ch 13:5-6, Should you not know that the LORD GOD OF ISRAEL GAVE THE DOMINION OVER ISRAEL TO DAVID FOREVER, to him and his sons, BY A COVENANT OF SALT? Yet JEROBOAM .. ROSE UP AND REBELLED AGAINST HIS LORD.

A covenant of salt, salt preserves and endures, The LORD’s covenant with David also endures! YET, Abijah must be the father of “CNN”iens because Jeroboam didn’t rebel against Rehoboam, but northern kingdom was given to him by the LORD, because of Solomon’s sin! “1kings 11:11” 

2Ch 13:13-14, But Jeroboam caused an ambush to go around behind them; so they were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them. And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; AND THEY CRIED OUT TO THE LORD, AND THE PRIESTS SOUNDED THE TRUMPETS.

2Ch 13:18, Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, BECAUSE THEY RELIED ON THE LORD GOD OF THEIR FATHERS. 

Nah 1:7, THE LORD IS GOOD, A STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE; AND HE KNOWS THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM. 

THE VICTORY DIDN’T COME BY ABIJAH, BUT BECAUSE THEY RELIED ON THE LORD! IN THIS LIFE WE WILL HAVE TROUBLES, BUT THE LORD CAN CHANGE ANY SITUATION! TRUST IN THE LORD!

2Chronicles 12, Judgement starts with us!

2Ch 12:1, Now it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom and HAD STRENGTHENED HIMSELF, THAT HE FORSOOK THE LAW OF THE LORD, AND ALL ISRAEL ALONG WITH HIM. 

As Rehoboam strengthen himself, he grew confident in his preparations, (2Ch 11:11-12)!

1Ki 14:22,24, Now Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked Him to jealousy… And there were also perverted persons in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations…

Rehoboam and the rest of Judah turned their backs to GOD and worshipped idols, the work of men’s hands! 

2Ch 12:2, And it happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, BECAUSE THEY HAD TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THE LORD, 

One may say that the Egyptians were worse than the people of Israel! The difference is that they are not called by HIS name! Judgement must start with HIS people, then the rest!

1Pe 4:17 NLT, For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 

2Ch 12:6,8, SO THE LEADERS OF ISRAEL AND THE KING HUMBLED THEMSELVES…. Nevertheless, they will be his servants, THAT THEY MAY DISTINGUISH MY SERVICE FROM THE SERVICE OF THE KINGDOMS OF THE NATIONS.” 

THE LORD WILL ALLOW YOU TO LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES WHEN YOU FALL INTO SIN! FOR YOU SHALL REAP WHAT YOU HAVE SOWN, BUT HIS EARS ARE ALWAYS OPENNED FOR YOUR REPENTANCE!

Psa 34:4, I SOUGHT THE LORD, AND HE HEARD ME, AND DELIVERED ME FROM ALL MY FEARS. 

2Chronicles 11, Armed with the WORD!

2Ch 11:1, Now when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled from the house of Judah and Benjamin ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THOUSAND CHOSEN MEN WHO WERE WARRIORS, to fight against Israel, that he might RESTORE THE KINGDOM to Rehoboam. 

Rehoboam was preparing for a civil war

2Ch 11:2,4, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO SHEMAIAH THE MAN OF GOD, saying, … ‘THUS SAYS THE LORD: “YOU SHALL NOT GO UP OR FIGHT AGAINST YOUR BRETHREN! Let every man return to his house, FOR THIS THING IS FROM ME.” ‘ ” Therefore they obeyed the words of the LORD, and turned back from attacking Jeroboam.

One man armed with the Word of GOD stopped an army of 180,000 men from going to war! We are also armed with the powerful WORD of GOD to do HIS work and proclaim HIS Name!

Heb 4:12, FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND POWERFUL, AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD, …

The king of the North, Jeroboam was scared that his people would worship in Jerusalem; so he setup his own idols in the high places saying 1KINGS 12:28, “HERE ARE YOUR GODS, O ISRAEL, WHICH BROUGHT YOU UP FROM THE LAND OF EGYPT”!

2Ch 11:15, Then he appointed for himself priests for the high places, for the demons, and the calf idols which he had made. 

When someone worships an image or idol they are actually worshipping demons!

1Co 10:20, Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice THEY SACRIFICE TO DEMONS AND NOT TO GOD…

ONE MAN ARMED WITH THE WORD OF GOD CAN CHANGE A NATION, BUT A FOOL WOULD WORSHIP THE WORK OF MEN’S HANDS! PSALM 115:4-8!

2Chronicles 10, unwise advice!

2Ch 10:3-4, … And Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, “YOUR FATHER MADE OUR YOKE HEAVY; NOW THEREFORE, LIGHTEN THE BURDENSOME SERVICE OF YOUR FATHER AND HIS HEAVY YOKE WHICH HE PUT ON US, AND WE WILL SERVE YOU.”

Solomon son Rehoboam became king over Israel and the people wanted some relief from all the burdens placed on them by Solomon!

2Ch 10:6, Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon …, “How do you advise me to answer these people? …”If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.” 

Pro 15:1, A soft answer turns away wrath, BUT A HARSH WORD STIRS UP ANGER. 

2Ch 10:8, BUT HE REJECTED THE ADVICE WHICH THE ELDERS HAD GIVEN HIM, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. 

2Ch 10:15, So the king did not listen to the people; for the turn of events was from God… 

Rehoboam took unwise advice from the young men, and with that the kingdom was divided! YET, THE LORD WAS IN FULL CONTROL OF THIS SITUATION!

Isa 30:1, “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “WHO TAKE COUNSEL, BUT NOT OF ME, AND WHO DEVISE PLANS, BUT NOT OF MY SPIRIT, THAT THEY MAY ADD SIN TO SIN; 

Pro 2:6, For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 

TRUE WISDOM COMES FROM THE LORD THAT’S WHY WE SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK HIS FACE AND TAKE COUNSEL OF HIM FROM HIS WORD!

2Chronicles 9, Solomon’s wisdom!

2Ch 9:1-2, When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with HARD QUESTIONS. … she talked with him about everything she had on her mind. SOLOMON HAD ANSWERS FOR ALL HER QUESTIONS; NOTHING WAS TOO HARD FOR HIM TO EXPLAIN TO HER.

Solomon was blessed by GOD with great wisdom to answer hard questions! We may not have the wisdom given to Solomon, but we need to study HIS word in order to answer the hard questions asked of HIS word!

1Pe 3:15, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and ALWAYS BE READY TO GIVE A DEFENSE TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 

SOLOMON ASKED THE LORD FOR WISDOM AND HE GOT IT!

Jas 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Mat 12:42, The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, FOR SHE CAME FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH TO HEAR THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON; AND INDEED A GREATER THAN SOLOMON IS HERE. 

Solomon was indeed wise, yet one greater that Solomon is our LORD JESUS! The queen of Sheba traveled hundreds of miles to hear the wisdom of Solomon, YET WE HAVE HIS WORD IN OUR VERY HOME BUT FAIL TO READ IT DAILY!

Psa 119:11, YOUR WORD I HAVE HIDDEN IN MY HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST YOU. 

THE WISDOM OF OUR LORD JESUS IS BETTER THAN THAT OF SOLOMON; FOR HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE!

2Chronicles 8, slowly falling away!

2Ch 8:6, also Baalath and all the storage cities that Solomon had, AND ALL THE CHARIOT CITIES AND THE CITIES OF THE CAVALRY, …

Deu 17:16, BUT HE SHALL NOT MULTIPLY HORSES FOR HIMSELF, NOR CAUSE THE PEOPLE TO RETURN TO EGYPT TO MULTIPLY HORSES…

It’s not that Solomon didn’t know GOD’s command, but that he didn’t take it seriously! Chariots is a symbol of military strength; something to trust in case of war! David, Solomon’s father wrote the following!

Psa 20:7, SOME TRUST IN CHARIOTS, AND SOME IN HORSES; BUT WE WILL REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD. 

Solomon later wrote proverbs 21!

Pro 21:31, The horse is prepared for the day of battle, BUT DELIVERANCE IS OF THE LORD. 

True strength only comes from the LORD! What good is a strong military in a Plague or pestilence?

2Ch 8:11, … “My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, BECAUSE THE PLACES TO WHICH THE ARK OF THE LORD HAS COME ARE HOLY.” 

It’s always sad when a husband or wife doesn’t share the same faith. Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh for political reasons, but this is the beginning of his downfall!

Deu 17:17, Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. 

Solomon’s heart was turned away from the LORD because of the multiple women in his life! TRUST IN THE LORD FOR HE KNOWS BEST! IF IT’S WRITTEN IN HIS WORD THEN OBEY FOR THE LORD KNOWS THE HEART OF MEN!

2Chronicles 7, IF my people “IF”

2Ch 7:12, Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I HAVE HEARD YOUR PRAYER, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.

GOD heard Solomon’s prayer 2Chr 6:12-42

2Ch 7:13-14, When I shut up heaven and there is NO RAIN, or command the LOCUSTS TO DEVOUR THE LAND, or send PESTILENCE among My people, 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.

IF, MY PEOPLE!  Not only the Jewish nation, but also believers of the MOST HGH GOD! Solomon included the foreigner in his prayer (2Chr 6:32-33), “concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel”

Will HUMBLE themselves, PRAY and SEEK MY FACE and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS

Jesus has given us an example to follow! FOR HE, BEING GOD, HUMBLED HIMSELF AS AN EXAMPLE FOR US. HE PRAYED IN THE GARDEN AND SOUGHT HIS FATHERS FACE! THAT WE MAY TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS AND FOLLOW HIM!

Php 2:7, BUT MADE HIMSELF of no reputation, TAKING THE FORM OF A BONDSERVANT, AND COMING IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN. 

2Ch 7:15, Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. 

SEEK THE LORD AND PRAY; FOR HE IS ALWAYS LISTENING TO THE PRAYERS OF HIS SAINTS! NOT THAT WE DESERVE IT, BUT THAT HE HAS FORGIVEN US BECAUSE OF HIS SON!

2Chronicles 6, HE is the way!

2Ch 6:12-13, Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD … and spread out his hands 

… he stood on it, knelt down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; 

Solomon’s knelt down with his hand spread out before the Altar of GOD and prayed!

2Ch 6:14, and he said: “LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, THERE IS NO GOD IN HEAVEN OR ON EARTH LIKE YOU, WHO KEEP YOUR COVENANT AND MERCY WITH YOUR SERVANTS WHO WALK BEFORE YOU WITH ALL THEIR HEARTS. 

Psa 89:8, O LORD God of hosts, WHO IS MIGHTY LIKE YOU, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. 

There is no one like our GOD for HE is the creator of all that is in Heaven and Earth; And HE is faithful to HIS Promises! 

2Ch 6:24,26, “Or if Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy BECAUSE THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU…  “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain BECAUSE THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, AND TURN FROM THEIR SIN BECAUSE YOU AFFLICT THEM,

Psa 32:8, I WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND TEACH YOU IN THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO; I WILL GUIDE YOU WITH MY EYE. 

2Ch 6:27, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, THAT YOU MAY TEACH THEM THE GOOD WAY IN WHICH THEY SHOULD WALK; …

The Father is always guiding HIS Children in the way that they should walk! HIS SON JESUS IS THE WAY! FOLLOW HIM AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATH!

2Chronicles 5, the presence of GOD!

2Ch 5:1, So all the work that Solomon had done for the house of the LORD was finished..

1Ki 6:37-38, In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid… And in the eleventh year, … the house was finished in all its details and according to all its plans. SO HE WAS SEVEN YEARS IN BUILDING IT.

Seven is the number of completeness or perfection for GOD rested on the Seventh day!

Gen 2:3, Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. 

2Ch 5:13  INDEED IT CAME TO PASS, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and WHEN THEY LIFTED UP THEIR VOICE WITH THE TRUMPETS AND CYMBALS AND INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC, AND PRAISED THE LORD, saying: “FOR HE IS GOOD, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER,” THAT THE HOUSE, THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, WAS FILLED WITH A CLOUD, 

THE PEOPLE WERE PRAISING THEIR GOD AND THE LORD SHOWED UP FILLING THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD!

Psa 150:6, Let everything that has breath PRAISE THE LORD. PRAISE THE LORD! 

2Ch 5:14, … FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD FILLED THE HOUSE OF GOD.

THIS IS THE SKEKINAH GLORY OF GOD IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS PEOPLE! HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRIASED; FOR HE IS HOLY, HOLY, HOLY! SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE STILL CAN BE FOUND! TIME IS SHORT!