The Human Cry: "Why?"

Job 3:23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden,
    whom God has hedged in?
24 For my sighing comes instead of my bread,
    and my groanings are poured out like water.
25 For the thing that I fear comes upon me,
    and what I dread befalls me.
26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
    I have no rest, but trouble comes.”

The account of Job really hits home to most because it describes the human experience. Life is going along the way we hope and plan, then something hits. Or many things hit, one after another. Every possible problem that comes to mind comes to pass. We think the worst and become prophets. We worry. It is not that God has changed in His character or plan, but that we realize we are not the captains of our souls or creators of our destiny.  Our minds stop processing reality and our souls cannot keep up with the changes. That leads us to the series of "Whys?" like in this chapter.  We need to "get out of our heads." It can be a bumpy path, but the end of the trip is worth it.

Remembering Justice

 Esther 9:25 But when it came before the king, he gave orders in writing that his evil plan that he had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 Therefore they called these days Purim, after the term Pur. Therefore, because of all that was written in this letter, and of what they had faced in this matter, and of what had happened to them, 27 the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to what was written and at the time appointed every year, 28 that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, in every clan, province, and city, and that these days of Purim should never fall into disuse among the Jews, nor should the commemoration of these days cease among their descendants.

The book of Esther is an amazing and intriguing account of how God spared his people while they were away from the promised land. It is a lesson repeated throughout history which at times has been forgotten, even by the Jews. When accounts of justice like this are forgotten, the history of treacherous acts repeats itself and we need to learn it all over again.  May we remember and sustain justice all our days. 

Acting Treacherously...

 Nehemiah 13:23 In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people. 25 And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. 27 Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?”

After rebuilding the wall, restoring worship, and renewing the covenant, Nehemiah stood back to evaluate how the resettling in the land was going, and he found several things that were not being done properly: unqualified people were serving in the temple; some Levites were not being properly cared for; pagans were selling their goods in the city on the sabbath, etc.  But the one which grieved him the most was the intermarriage taking place with idol-worshipping women. Nehemiah saw that this was the slippery slope which began Israel's decline, beginning with Solomon. It was "acting treacherously," a phrase used in the scriptures to describe the worst possible departures from God's covenant. His reaction may have been "over the top," but do we tend to go the other way in taking lightly acts of treachery?  

More than a Wall

Nehemiah 12:26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra, the priest and scribe. 27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered together from the district surrounding Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites; 29 also from Beth-gilgal and from the region of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built for themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and they purified the people and the gates and the wall.

Finally, the day came to dedicate the wall around Jerusalem.  It was a great celebration drawing in people from all the outlying areas. They all came to be purified as well. The wall represented their safety and their unity with one another under the covenant they made with God. On that day they also reinstated all the offices of worship: the gatekeepers, singers, and those who cared for the temple. They were celebrating much more than a wall. May we have the same attitude when it comes to places God entrusts to us.

Accepting God's Conditions

 

Nehemiah 10:28 “The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, 29 join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes.

After the return to the land after the exile, with all the restorations of the city and the renewal of worship, the people recommitted themselves to the covenant they had broken with God.  It wasn't just for the leaders to agree to: it had to do with everyone involved.  Throughout history they had repeatedly left the commandments of God for the culture and religion of the surrounding peoples. It happened as they broke one commandment after another. Sometimes it was a slow side, while at others it spiraled downward quickly.  The point was that they realized they could not pick and choose which of His laws to obey.  The key word was and always is all the commands of the Lord. Are you always trying to renegotiate with Him?

Memories of Many Mercies

 Nehemiah 9: 26 “Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. 27 Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies. 28 But after they had rest they did evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies. 

Repeated rejection and failure: that could describe the history of Israel which had landed them in exile. Now that they had returned to the land, rebuilt the walls and restored worship, they were rejoicing. But in their rejoicing, they also paused to remember God's mercy to them many times in the exodus, wilderness wandering, and wild living under the judges. This was the platform from which they committed to a new covenantal relationship with God. He is merciful and we need His mercy. How many times have we rebelled and failed and received His mercy. His merciful acts are new every morning. Thank Him today.

Building Together

 Nehemiah 3:24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress and to the corner. 25 Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the buttress and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh 26 and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. 27 After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel.

The book of Nehemiah joins with Ezra in helping us see what is possible when we trust and obey God. He had given vision, wisdom, and courage to these leaders to leave the comforts of Persia to return to the rubble and rebuild.  In this chapter we could get caught up in trying to read the names and miss the big picture: these people were working together to rebuild the walls, each doing their part. Each section was meaningless on its own, unless all were joined together.  Like many things, there is so much more meaning when we do the work rather than have others do it for us. We have a greater sense of ownership and responsibility. We realize how much we need one another. We must also not wait around for others to do their part before starting ours. We're in this together.

If They Don't Know... Teach Them

 

Ezra 7:25 “And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach. 26 Whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment.” 27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, 28 and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.

After the Exile, it is amazing how the Persian leaders gave such freedom and authority for the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, the city, and a life there. They provided them with everything they needed. Ezra was able to see that this was much bigger than himself or even those Persian leaders; it was the steadfast love of the Lord.  With this privilege came great responsibility: to teach and reteach the people the ways of the Lord.  As God gives us opportunity to build and rebuild, may we respond with the same kind of appreciation and action Ezra did.

What One Bad Choice Can Do

 

II Chronicles 35:22 Nevertheless, Josiah did not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to fight in the plain of Megiddo. 23 And the archers shot King Josiah. And the king said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am badly wounded.” 24 So his servants took him out of the chariot and carried him in his second chariot and brought him to Jerusalem. And he died and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. 25 Jeremiah also uttered a lament for Josiah; and all the singing men and singing women have spoken of Josiah in their laments to this day. They made these a rule in Israel; behold, they are written in the Laments. 26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his good deeds according to what is written in the Law of the Lord, 27 and his acts, first and last, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

Josiah, like Hezekiah, had made a lot of good choices in restoring worship, the Passover, and obedience to God and His Word. For whatever reason, when Neco came through the region (as Egypt often did in going to battle with their enemies, Josiah decided to try to stop him.  There was no need. There was no seeking God for direction. Notice the effect on the nation: long-lasting laments. People looked back on this decision as a turning point: the revival under Josiah ended abruptly and Judah was never the same again. May we take heed.

Humility Makes the Difference

II Chronicles 34:23 And she said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 24 Thus says the Lord, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book that was read before the king of Judah. 25 Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands, therefore my wrath will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched. 26 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, 27 because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 28 Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place and its inhabitants.’”

As we saw yesterday, when Hezekiah ruled over Judah, there was a lot of positive renewal in the land, but eventually his pride settled in. Then next two kings thrived on that pride, and the kingdom took a nosedive. In this chapter, we find another bright spot in the reign of Josiah. Under his rule the Law of God was found, read, and responded to.  This postponed the eventual disaster and proper respond of God to carry out the covenant curses agree upon by the people with God. But Josiah would not see this disaster. Why? His humility. God was also going to be faithful to keep His covenant promises toward true humility. He is the same God today.

Hezekiah: AKA Solomon II

 

II Chronicles 32:24 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the Lord, and he answered him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. 26 But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

As we have seen, great things happened in Judah during the days of Hezekiah. The temple was restored; worship was revitalized; Passover was reinstated; Jerusalem prospered; the Assyrians were repelled. Life was safe, comfortable, and good. Things had never been better than the days of Solomon. Including pride. When success permeates, the temptation to pride is great. We can see in some of the wisdom literature of Solomon his struggle with it, and it led to problems after his death. The same would be true of Hezekiah. Pride does lead to that fall; it just might not be in our lifetime. Hezekiah's rule was good, but not perfect. May we never be deluded to think our lives are either. May we avoid at all costs the temptations to pride.

Brought Back Together

 II Chronicles 30:23 Then the whole assembly agreed together to keep the feast for another seven days. So they kept it for another seven days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep for offerings, and the princes gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep. And the priests consecrated themselves in great numbers. 25 The whole assembly of Judah, and the priests and the Levites, and the whole assembly that came out of Israel, and the sojourners who came out of the land of Israel, and the sojourners who lived in Judah, rejoiced. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. 27 Then the priests and the Levites arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to his holy habitation in heaven.

We have seen how far downward Judah had spiraled spiritually, having been influenced by the idolatry of the surrounding nations, including Israel. The reign of Hezekiah not only halted that but brought about the restoration of worship in the temple, including the long-lost feast of Passover, which had not been held for generations. It was a glorious celebration. Once phrase which might go unnoticed is extremely significant: and the whole assembly that came out of Israel. Some from the northern kingdom left their false worship to rejoin the spiritual fold of true Israel, just like when it had been one united kingdom. That was monumental. God took notice and heard their voice and prayer. One day all believers of all times will worship that way. What a day that will be!

Worship Restored!

II Chronicles 29:25 And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king's seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the Lord through his prophets. 26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 27 Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. 28 The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished. 29 When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. 

We saw yesterday how King Ahaz had brought things in Judah to a new low. Not only did he promote idol worship in the land; he also shut down worship of the True and Living God in the temple and left it in ruins, allowing pagan worship there. Hezekiah was a breath of fresh air, coming in and cleansing the temple, repairing it, restoring the work of the Levites, and consecrating it and the people to the worship of the Lord. What a great day it would be to get back to worshipping Him! Lay aside anything you have put in way of doing so. Worship Him.

A New Low

 

II Kings 28:22 In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the Lord—this same King Ahaz. 23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. 24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and he shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, and he made himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem. 25 In every city of Judah he made high places to make offerings to other gods, provoking to anger the Lord, the God of his fathers. 26 Now the rest of his acts and all his ways, from first to last, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem, for they did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel. And Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.

This chapter begins with a description of Ahaz's approach to worship: he chose to worship the Baals and to practice child sacrifice. Because of this, God allowed Syria to defeat him. Rather than call out to God in repentance, Ahaz tried calling on other pagan nations to help him. Rather than aid him, they defeated and plundered Judah even more. Rather than repent, he chose to totally abandon the worship of the worship of the Lord and add other idols to his menu. Once again, this earned him a place outside the cemetery of the kings and the list of good Kings in Jerusalem. How do you respond to discipline? Do you just go lower and farther away from God?

Role Reversal

23 And Joash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem for 400 cubits, from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate. 24 And he seized all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God, in the care of Obed-edom. He seized also the treasuries of the king's house, also hostages, and he returned to Samaria. 25 Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel. 26 Now the rest of the deeds of Amaziah, from first to last, are they not written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel? 27 From the time when he turned away from the Lord they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. 

As we read through Kings and Chronicles, we need to constantly pay attention as the historian switches back and forth between the Southern kingdom, Judah, or "house of David," and the Northern Kingdom, Israel, which rebelled and established their own religion.  With the latter, Israel, we usually see their kings "did evil in the sight of the Lord," and thereby their nation fell sooner. But sometimes, like above, we see God using the Northern Kingdom to chastise the Southern Kingdom. Why? He turned away from the Lord. Lest we become complacent, thinking we are better than pagans around us, God often uses them to keep us straight. 

At Second Glance...

 II Chronicles 24:24 Though the army of the Syrians had come with few men, the Lord delivered into their hand a very great army, because Judah had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers. Thus they executed judgment on Joash. 25 When they had departed from him, leaving him severely wounded, his servants conspired against him because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed. So he died, and they buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings. 26 Those who conspired against him were Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonite, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabite.

At first glance, it appeared that Joash was going to be a good king. He repaired the temple and resumed the offerings so there would be regular worship.  But when the priest spoke out against the sins and idolatry of the people, Joash allowed him to be killed.  We see that he was not whole-heartedly devoted to the Lord as he had allowed pagan people to infiltrate the palace, and they joined in the plot to assassinate him.  It is also telling that he was not buried with the kings.

Prayer and Worship Leads to Victory

II Chronicles 20:24 When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the Lord. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies. 28 They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the Lord. 29 And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

Judah was surrounded by their enemies who had joined against them. The response of Jehoshaphat was to fast, pray, and call the people to worship and trust God. While they worshipped, God won the victory, turning the enemies on one another.  What a picture for us: realizing we are surrounded by spiritual enemies, knowing we cannot win the battle on our own, calling out to Him in repentance and faith and trusting Him to win the battle while we worship Him alone.

Hear, all you peoples!

 II Chronicles 18:23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “Which way did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?” 24 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 25 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, 26 and say, ‘Thus says the king, Put this fellow in prison and feed him with meager rations of bread and water until I return in peace.’” 27 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”

God made it very clear to Israel how to know who the true prophet was: his word came true. After the kingdom divided into Israel and Judah, the two were often at odds with one another. On occasion they did join together against their enemies. It then became muddy who to listen to.  There were true and false prophets from both nations.  Ahab, the king of Israel at this point had built a lifetime of wickedness and was about to reap what he had sown. Micaiah the prophet lays it on the line well: If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” In other words: "You won't be coming back from battle alive." My we learn to discern who speaks the Word of the Lord, and listen.

Wisdom and Wealth Followed...

II Chronicles 9:22 Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. 23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. 24 Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and of gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year. 25 And Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. 26 And he ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. 27 And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah. 28 And horses were imported for Solomon from Egypt and from all lands.

As we have seen, Solomon's first acts were to build the temple and establish Jerusalem as the worship capital of the world. His stated purpose and purposeful acts were to raise up the name of the Lord. As he did so, people came - kings, queens, and the wise from all over. They brought wealth and listened to his wisdom. This should have brought glory to God. But it all came to focus on Solomon and his wisdom and wealth.  These pass, but the Glory of God continues forever. What happens when we focus on our blessings over the One who gives them?

If and When...

 

II Chronicles 6:24 “If your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn again and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, 25 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land that you gave to them and to their fathers. 26 “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them, 27 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.

After David had passed and Solomon took the throne in Jerusalem, he made his first order of business to do what his father had requested: build and furnish the temple. When he did so, he offered a lengthy prayer to God, including the verses above.  Notice the first situation involves "if", while the second begins "when."  No one wants to lose soldiers in battle, but Solomon was wise enough to know that the people would sin, forfeiting the blessing of rain in the Promised Land." In either case (and more listed in this chapter) Solomon's request-in-advance was for God to "hear and forgive" when His people called out in repentance.  Solomon knew He would.  We know it also. Will we do it?

A Life of Impact

I Chronicles 29:26 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 28 Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place. 29 Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the Chronicles of Samuel the seer, and in the Chronicles of Nathan the prophet, and in the Chronicles of Gad the seer, 30 with accounts of all his rule and his might and of the circumstances that came upon him and upon Israel and upon all the kingdoms of the countries.

David's reign was lengthy and impactful.  He pulled together a people living in fear, struggling to survive, and shaky in commitment, and organized it into a nation known for strength and the presence of God. He was by no means perfect, but what he did was recorded by many. He lived a full life with positive reviews. We may not live a life of fame, riches, and power, but we can also have an impact if we are: willing to be patient like he was, waiting years to become king; focused on making it known that we serve the True and Living God, and committed to His worship; open to inviting others to join with us and advise us as we make decisions and take actions toward our goals.