Psalm 63:1-7 Thirsting After God
63:1 “God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water. 2 To see your power and glory as I have seen You in the sanctuary. 3 Because your hesed/loyal love is better than life, my lips shall praise you. 4 So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you on my bed, and think about you in the night watches. 7 For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings...
Observations: 63:1-2 David desperately seeks after God, because He has seen His power and glory in the sanctuary, and is being chased by bad guys (63:9) which probably adds some urgency to his plea.
63:3-5 David praises the goodness and loyalty of God and revels in the past blessings of God.
63:6-7 Recalling and meditating on how God had helped and protected Him deepens David's desire for God as he awaits deliverance out of his current trial.
Application: If you earnestly seek after God, you will be entirely satisfied by Him.
Prayer: God, You are totally sufficient for all my needs and desires. I praise You for being accessible and blessing me. Your hesed is better than life. Amen.
Proverbs 16:16-21 The Ways to Get What You Really Want
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who guards his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall be called/proclaimed prudent/intelligent. Pleasantness/sweetness of the lips promotes instruction.“
Observations: 16:16-21 We have two more “betters,” a pair of proverbs about pride and humility, and the blessings of applying the word, by actually obeying it (imagine that!). Sleuths for the truth might detect some glimmerings of chiasm (ABCcba) or correspondence- alternation (ABCabc). Since verse 18 corresponds better with 17 than 21, the former is more likely than the latter, making the pride/humility verses the emphasis. Even if the arrangement is “haphazard,” and there is no intended structure, one can gain clearer insight by comparing things and noting similarities and contrasts. We'll consider them as chiastic pairs.
16&21 We must choose to get wisdom and understanding, by paying the cost of time and effort, just like one would expend to get gold or silver. Wisdom is better than gold, and understanding than silver (ellipsis of “is better than” in my comment), but we're not told explicitly why, unless we look at verse 21, where both wisdom and understanding (insight/prudence) magically reappear. “Called” in the Niphal means proclaimed or have a reputation, a form of honor. The person who has acquired wisdom and understanding (major purposes of Proverbs) and makes their decisions according to a Biblical value system (heart is where decisions are made) will gain a reputation for intelligence (Strongs #0995-1b). Combining prudence with sweet (word used for beneficial counsel) words, enables one to have an influence upon others (which is a large point of why God has believers on the earth).
17&20 The sweet and smooth path of the upright doesn't wander through the stinky swamps of sin. Turning from temptations and keeping on the path that pleases God distinguishes saints from sinners. Watching over and guarding your way (knowing where your path leads, where the pitfalls are, etc), preserves your soul, yielding the benefits in verse 20: prosperity and blessedness. Of course trusting in God is the prerequisite to being blessed, but what does trust mean in this context? What are we supposed to trust? That God's way is best, and doing things His way, to please Him yields a better life than we could attain by our own schemes and indulgences. We trust that turning from the temporary pleasures that Satan dangles in front of us will result in enduring joy when we experience the blessing of the God of innumerable delights.
18&19 Pride, putting ourselves at the top of our value system, is a sure way to topple to the ground. If we have our nose in the air, we can't watch where we're going, and are an accident waiting to happen, one step away from the swamp. Our value system needs to be such that we would willingly seek out to be counted among the lowly rather than sharing the spoil of the proud. Proud people live independently of God, and do not daily depend upon Him for their needs and desires. Humble people know that worth and value do not come from hanging around the temporarily popular, but being popular with God. He is the source of all that we really want, unless we're deceived by Satan.
Application: God will give what is really valuable to those who walk in His ways.
Prayer: God, help me embrace the truth that when You say something is better than what I want, that You are always right; may I trust Your revelation, and experience the best blessings You've promised. Thanks. Amen.
2 Chronicles 21-24 These chapters illustrate the folly of aligning oneself with those who don't serve God Biblically, being influenced by them, contrasted with the benefits of listening to good counsel, and covenanting with truth seekers to follow God. God clearly curses the former and blesses the latter.
2 Chronicles 21 Wickedness Isn't Worth It
2 Chronicles 21:1 "Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Jehoram his son reigned in his place. 2 He had brothers...3 Their father gave them great gifts, of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn. 4 Now when Jehoram was risen up over the kingdom of his father, and had strengthened himself, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and various also of the princes of Israel. 5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 6 He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab as wife: and he did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh. 7 However Yahweh would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, and as He promised to give a lamp to him and to his children always. 8 In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves. 9 Then Jehoram passed over with his captains, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and struck the Edomites who surrounded him, along with the captains of the chariots. 10 So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day: then Libnah revolted at the same time from under his hand, because he had forsaken Yahweh, the God of his fathers. 11 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, and led Judah astray.
Observations: 21:1-11 Just like Asa and Jehoshaphat led Judah in the ways that were right, resulting in great prosperity, Jehoram leads them astray, resulting in judgment and destruction for the kingdom and the king. Having seen the benefits of following Yahweh in the lives of his father and grandfather (and the consequences of displeasing Him as well), how could he do what was evil in God's sight, and reinstate the high places? How could he murder all his brothers? Looking at the net result, Satan was clearly involved (as he always is when people commit irrational counter-productive folly). The influence of his wife (Ahab's daughter) and the desire for personal autonomy, preserving his throne by his own efforts at eliminating competition rather than trusting and obeying God, are two sources of the demonic influences in his life.
21:12-20 God has Elijah send him a letter announcing God's just judgment (a good way to avoid having the messenger shot). God takes all his stuff, and family, and health, and life. And when he's dead, no one misses him, even those who followed him into the folly of pagan worship. Good riddance.
Application: We're deceived when we think that God's judgments apply to the other guy, and not us. When tempted to go against God's revealed will, think again.
Prayer: God, thanks that You display Your justice in punishing evil, so I will fear You all my days. Amen.
2 Chronicles 22 Wicked Mother; Good Wife
Observations: 22:1-9 Ahaziah follows the evil counsel of his wicked mother, Athaliah the daughter of Jezebel and Ahab, (who was the son of Omri), doing what is evil in the sight of Yahweh. He fights against Hazael, and is eventually killed by Jehu, both whom God had commanded Elijah to anoint (1Kg 19:15-17) to destroy the house of Ahab. Appropriate, since he was acting just like Ahab.
22:10-12 Like her husband Jerhoram, Athaliah then does another demonic deed, attempting to wipe out the Davidic line and invalidate God's promised covenant. But God preserves those necessary for the fulfillment of His plan, and Joash is protected.
Application: Beware of evil influences, particularity of the type you might be tempted to marry.
Prayer: God thanks that You bring about justice and Your promises won't be thwarted; keep me from evil influences. Amen.
2 Chronicles 23 Reversal, Revival, and Rejoicing
2 Chronicles 23:1 "In the seventh year Jehoiada (the priest) strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds... into covenant with him. 2 They went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the heads of fathers’ households of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. 3 All the assembly made a covenant with the king (Joash) in the house of God. He said to them, "Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as Yahweh has spoken concerning the sons of David. 4 This is the thing that you shall do...7 The Levites shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever comes into the house, let him be slain. Be with the king when he comes in, and when he goes out." 9 Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds the spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’s, which were in the house of God. 10 He set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, around the king. 11 Then they brought out the king’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony, and made him king: and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him; and they said, "Long live the king!"
Observations: 23:1-11 Jehoiada, the priest, enlisting the support of the Levites, recoups the throne from Athaliah, making Joash, the rightful David heir, king.
23:12-15 Athaliah shows her true lying demonic colors, accusing others of her own sin of treason.
23:16-21 Jehoiada enters into a covenant with the people to worship God according to the law of Moses, and they bash Baal and rejoice in Yahweh.
Application: Covenanting with others to live according to God's word, as His people results in joy.
Prayer: God, thanks that a commitment to live according to Your word can reverse history, and result in joy rather than oppression. Amen.
2 Chronicles 24 Good Guy Goes Bad, God Pays Back
23 It happened at the end of the year, that the army of the Syrians came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus. 24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and Yahweh delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment on Joash. 25 When they were departed for him (for they left him in great suffering), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they didn’t bury him in the tombs of the kings. 26 These are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess. 27 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid on him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. Amaziah his son reigned in his place."
Observations: 24:1-14 Under Jehoiada's counsel, Joash does what's right in God's sight, and repairs the temple and re-institutes Biblical Yahweh worship.
24:15-22 When Jehoiada dies, Joash listens to the counsel of the princes of Judah rather than the priests, and they re-institute sensual pagan idol worship, forsaking Yahweh, and incurring God's wrath. He graciously sends prophets to bring them to repentance, but they don't listen. The Spirit of God sends Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who had rescued Joash and the kingdom, with the message: “Because you have forsaken Yahweh, he has also forsaken you.” They stone him to death. That's gratitude for you. As he's dying he calls out for vengeance.
24:23-27 God repays their iniquity by delivering Judah into the hands of a much smaller force of Syrians, who kill all the princes and take all their stuff. Joash is left in great suffering, and his own servants assassinate him. That's payback.
Application: Listening to the wrong people leads us to do evil that we would normally find abhorrent, and reap consequences we won't like either.
Prayer: God, keep me in the company of people who follow You according to truth, and don't let me stray from Your way. Amen.
Digging Deeper:
God in a nutshell: God lets people chose their way rather than His way, and lead others astray, but brings evil consequences upon their wickedness. God uses those committed to Him to fulfill His promises, revive His people, and bring blessing upon them. He will raise up unbelievers to punish His disobedient people, and bless the agents of doom with what He's given to His people. God will always pay back injustice.
Us in a nutshell: We are susceptible to counsel, for good or bad. Unless we have a commitment to following God in truth, we will be led astray by our desires for independence. Covenanting with others to follow God according to His word, keeps us in a position to be blessed, and results in rejoicing. Following those who don't follow God results in extreme pain, without the option for repentance.
Where to Go for More:
2 Chronicles 21-24 complete text
2 Chronicles 21
21:1 Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Jehoram his son reigned in his place. 2 He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. 3 Their father gave them great gifts, of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn. 4 Now when Jehoram was risen up over the kingdom of his father, and had strengthened himself, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and various also of the princes of Israel. 5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 6 He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab as wife: and he did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh. 7 However Yahweh would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a lamp to him and to his children always. 8 In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves. 9 Then Jehoram passed over with his captains, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and struck the Edomites who surrounded him, along with the captains of the chariots. 10 So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day: then Libnah revolted at the same time from under his hand, because he had forsaken Yahweh, the God of his fathers. 11 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, and led Judah astray.
12 A letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, "Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your father, ‘Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, 13 but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, like the house of Ahab did, and also have slain your brothers of your father’s house, who were better than yourself: 14 behold, Yahweh will strike with a great plague your people, and your children, and your wives, and all your substance; 15 and you shall have great sickness by disease of your bowels, until your bowels fall out by reason of the sickness, day by day.’" 16 Yahweh stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians who are beside the Ethiopians: 17 and they came up against Judah, and broke into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king’s house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons. 18 After all this Yahweh struck him in his bowels with an incurable disease. 19 It happened, in process of time, at the end of two years, that his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness, and he died of severe diseases. His people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers. 20 Thirty-two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years: and he departed without being desired; and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
2 Chronicles 22
22:1 The inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his place; for the band of men who came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned. 2 Forty-two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. 3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab; for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly. 4 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as did the house of Ahab; for they were his counsellors after the death of his father, to his destruction. 5 He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth Gilead: and the Syrians wounded Joram. 6 He returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick. 7 Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went to Joram: for when he had come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom Yahweh had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. 8 It happened, when Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, that he found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brothers of Ahaziah, ministering to Ahaziah, and killed them. 9 He sought Ahaziah, and they caught him (now he was hiding in Samaria), and they brought him to Jehu, and killed him; and they buried him, for they said, "He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Yahweh with all his heart." The house of Ahaziah had no power to hold the kingdom.
10 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal seed of the house of Judah. 11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were slain, and put him and his nurse in the bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that she didn’t kill him. 12 He was with them hidden in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
2 Chronicles 23
23:1 In the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him. 2 They went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the heads of fathers’ households of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. 3 All the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. He said to them, "Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as Yahweh has spoken concerning the sons of David. 4 This is the thing that you shall do. A third part of you, who come in on the Sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the thresholds. 5 A third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation. All the people shall be in the courts of Yahweh’s house. 6 But let no one come into the house of Yahweh, except the priests, and those who minister of the Levites. They shall come in, for they are holy, but all the people shall follow Yahweh’s instructions. 7 The Levites shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever comes into the house, let him be slain. Be with the king when he comes in, and when he goes out." 8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath; with those who were to go out on the Sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest didn’t dismiss the shift. 9 Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds the spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’s, which were in the house of God. 10 He set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, around the king. 11 Then they brought out the king’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony, and made him king: and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him; and they said, "Long live the king!"
12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of Yahweh: 13 and she looked, and, behold, the king stood by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets; the singers also played musical instruments, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, and said, "Treason! treason!" 14 Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, "Bring her out between the ranks; and whoever follows her, let him be slain with the sword." For the priest said, "Don’t kill her in the Yahweh’s house." 15 So they made way for her. She went to the entrance of the horse gate to the king’s house; and they killed her there. 16 Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, and all the people, and the king, that they should be Yahweh’s people. 17 All the people went to the house of Baal, and broke it down, and broke his altars and his images in pieces, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 18 Jehoiada appointed the officers of the house of Yahweh under the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of Yahweh, to offer the burnt offerings of Yahweh, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the order of David. 19 He set the porters at the gates of the house of Yahweh, that no one who was unclean in anything should enter in. 20 He took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of Yahweh: and they came through the upper gate to the king’s house, and set the king on the throne of the kingdom. 21 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. Athaliah they had slain with the sword.
2 Chronicles 24
24:1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Zibiah, of Beersheba. 2 Joash did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 3 Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he became the father of sons and daughters. 4 It happened after this, that Joash intended to restore the house of Yahweh. 5 He gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, "Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather money to repair the house of your God from all Israel from year to year. See that you expedite this matter." However the Levites didn’t do it right away. 6 The king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said to him, "Why haven’t you required of the Levites to bring in the tax of Moses the servant of Yahweh, and of the assembly of Israel, out of Judah and out of Jerusalem, for the tent of the testimony?" 7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and they also gave all the dedicated things of the house of Yahweh to the Baals. 8 So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of the house of Yahweh. 9 They made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of God laid on Israel in the wilderness. 10 All the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end. 11 It was so, that whenever the chest was brought to the king’s officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the chief priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. 12 The king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of Yahweh; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of Yahweh, and also such as worked iron and brass to repair the house of Yahweh. 13 So the workmen worked, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands, and they set up the house of God in its state, and strengthened it. 14 When they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, of which were made vessels for the house of Yahweh, even vessels with which to minister and to offer, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. They offered burnt offerings in the house of Yahweh continually all the days of Jehoiada.
15 But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; one hundred thirty years old was he when he died. 16 They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and his house. 17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king listened to them. 18 They forsook the house of Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols: and wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness. 19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to Yahweh; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. 20 The Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them, "Thus says God, ‘Why do you disobey the commandments of Yahweh, so that you can’t prosper? Because you have forsaken Yahweh, he has also forsaken you.’" 21 They conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Yahweh. 22 Thus Joash the king didn’t remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. When he died, he said, "May Yahweh look at it, and repay it." 23 It happened at the end of the year, that the army of the Syrians came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus. 24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and Yahweh delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment on Joash. 25 When they were departed for him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they didn’t bury him in the tombs of the kings. 26 These are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess. 27 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid on him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. Amaziah his son reigned in his place.
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