2 Chronicles 21

v. 6 Here we see the fruits of Jehoshaphat’s marriage alliance with Ahab. It may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but the things that seem expedient now oftentimes lead to trouble later.

This also makes plain the fruit that comes from being unequally yoked. Marriage is such an intimate matter that it is impossible for one to be unaffected by the other. This act of disobedience led to many more.

v. 11 All this occurs only a few years after Jehoshaphat dies. We are wise to be diligent in raising our children. Who our posterity will be and what they will do 100 years from now, should matter to us a great deal. Indeed, we ought to so live as to impact that day.

v. 16-20 Here then is the fruit of disobedience. Why then will we dare go that way?

2 Chronicles 20

Notice the way in which Jehoshaphat leads the people in pursuit of the Lord. An enemy comes, an enemy too powerful for them. So rather than coming up with his plans and devises for deliverance, Jehoshaphat rightly humbles himself before the Lord in pursuit of guidance. He petitions the Lord to act for His name’s sake–essentially. While praying, He recounts the Lord’s mighty deeds of old and renews his commitment to lead the people to seek the Lord. His final words are instructive for us all: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Those are beautiful, humble words. Jehoshaphat recognized that he needed wisdom, that he didn’t have it in himself to bring deliverance for himself. So he would guidance, wisdom, direction, understanding as he sought the Lord. We are wise to humble ourselves and to do the same.

And the Lord graciously responds with a word of encouragement and a call to action. Jehoshaphat and the people believe the Word of the Lord and rightly obey. The singers went before the army in praise of the Lord and the Lord wrought a mighty deliverance. Then the people praise Him all the more. All this is exactly how it ought to be. Man humbles himself. God acts. Man responds in praise. And this is exactly how we should want it to be–every single day.

John 7

v. 37-39 The magnitude of this statement can in no way be conveyed by me in this small space. Here we have Jesus standing up in the midst of a the great feast, pointing to one of the great symbols used in the feast (that of water, lots of water), and essentially saying that He is the fulfillment of all that that water points to. The Jews may not have understood it at the time, but this is plain enough in Jesus’ words. He is the Heavenly Spring from whom we must drink if we want to know and share life.

The fact that Jesus said this in the context He did should make us marvel at Him all the more. If we could have only been there, amidst the great celebration, to hear this Man stand up and call all the people to believe in Him so that they might overflow with rivers of living….what would we have done? Surely we would have been inclined to think that He was a little crazy. But then again, He spoke with such authority, with such power. But He isn’t overly special, nothing in Him that is overly desirable, at least on the surface. So how can we accept such a teaching? How can we embrace the saying of this man? How can He say that He is the One whom a great aspect of the feast points to?

Well, our only hope–and the Jews only hope–is that their eyes would be opened by the Spirit of God. No one can come to Jesus unless the Father enables them to. No one. It is very clear cut. So even then, when a man stood up to declare Himself the means through whom every man could find satisfaction, only the Spirit of God could humble the heart and enlighten the mind to recognize that this was and is the Truth.

v. 46 The officers themselves could not even arrest Jesus while He spoke at the feast. There was a note of such authority, of such power that they dared not approach Him. This is awesome. May we marvel all the more at our great Savior.

Zechariah 3

The only reason the Lord could clothe Joshua in these pure vestments is Jesus Christ. And this is true for all the Old Testament saints. Their righteousness was based on the same Person that our righteousness is based upon, namely, the Messiah. So it certainly makes sense that after clothing Joshua with these pure vestments, the Lord immediately predicts the coming of His Branch, His Messiah, who will wipe away all iniquity. Though Joshua surely did not understand it all during his time, Jesus Christ was his only hope, just as He is ours.

2 Chronicles 18

v. 1 Jehoshaphat’s marriage alliance would not serve the coming generations well. We are wise to think through how our present decisions may affect those who follow us.

v. 4-7 Notice that Jehoshaphat immediately realizes that these prophets are all fakes. He realizes this b/c he had encountered real prophets time and again in Judah. Once you have encountered the real thing, impostors are easily exposed.

Notice also that Ahab knows exactly who to turn to when asked for a prophet of the Lord. Deep down, he himself realized that Micaiah spoke on the Lord’s behalf. He just didn’t want to hear it, so he made sure to keep Micaiah away. Ahab’s spiritual dullness is obvious in the fact that though Micaiah never spoke well of him, he continued in the path of foolishness.

v. 14 What must have been Micaiah’s tone of voice when he uttered his words?! Surely there was great sarcasm that made it obvious he was mocking all the false prophets and the king himself for saying and receiving only what he (Ahab) wanted to here.

v. 16-22 Micaiah’s words are incredible. Here we have the Lord declaring disaster concerning Ahab and the means by which this disaster would come.

v. 27 Micaiah’s faithfulness is certainly something to admire. He spoke what the Lord commanded him to speak, and gave the consequences to the Lord. Indeed, he was willing to accept the consequences of faithfulness. We are all wise to follow in his steps.

v. 31 The Lord sustained Jehoshaphat even though he was not where he ought to have been.

v. 33 “at random….” We realize that ultimately nothing is ‘at random.’ Here Ahab is killed by a nameless soldier, humbled in the midst of battle, while trying to sustain himself by joining the ranks of soliders.

2 Chronicles 17

Note the wisdom that Jehoshaphat exercises in sending out officials and religious leaders to teach the people in the ways of the Lord. Rather than waiting for all of them to come and learn at the temple–something they could only do sparingly. He served the people by sending them teachers to teach them how to live….how to honor the Lord.

And so it is even today. Consistent teaching and exhortation is necessary. It is a must if any group of people is going to trust in the Lord. A wise leaders will find wise teachers, and then send them out to the ones under his care.

It is certainly no coincidence that a revival in teaching the law of the Lord coincided with a revival of Israel’s strength. Where the Word of God is known and obeyed, blessing is soon to follow.

Revelation 6

Much could be said about this chapter, as is the case with every chapter of Scripture. First, note the judgments. It seems as if they encompass judgments in every age, not simply during the time of Rome or just the final days before Christ comes. We now live in the last days, no matter how long these ‘days’ continue.

Second, note the martyrs crying out for justice. Understand that they cry out not because of sinful, selfish desires, but because they see the glory of God belittled like never before. On earth, they died willingly for the Lord’s sake and in love for their neighbor. In Heaven, they cry out for the Lord to come and avenge their blood on all the wicked who belittle His glory.

Third, note the Lord’s response. He says that the martyrs should rest longer, specifically, until the time when the full number of martyrs is complete. This is amazing b/c it shows plainly that the Lord has a specific number in mind, a number of martyrs. When the final one is killed, then and only then will Jesus come and make all things right again.

Fourth, note the response of the wicked to the presence of Jesus Christ. The kings of the earth and the great ones, rather than being exposed, flee the light just like Adam and Even, while calling out for the rocks to crush them. What they fail to realize, however, is that they cannot help but be exposed. Even if the rocks crush them, they will still have to face the Holy Judge.

We all flee His presence, just as Adam and Eve did after they sinned. Even believers will do so now and again. Unbelievers, however, very obviously do so. They do not even want to speak of God oftentimes b/c they know deep down that they will have to deal with their sin. We are wise to encourage them in the path of humility and wisdom. Let us tell them (and ourselves and our children) that they cannot hide from God, that they cannot resist His presence. So they are best to face the Holy Judge and to plead with Him for mercy on the basis of Jesus Christ.

While witnessing to others concerning the Christ, let us be very forthright (and gracious) in speaking about their sin and the need to deal with their sin. That way, they will be in no way surprised when the time comes for them to really face up to it and to make the call to follow Jesus.

2 Chronicles 16

v. 2 Notice that Asa did not consult the Lord. Surely he grew proud and began to trust in all that the Lord had provided for him. Here he trusted in ‘chariots and horses.’

When we lean upon our own devisings, our own wisdom and our own resources, we are bound to fall. When opposition comes, we are wise to go directly to the Lord and to wait upon His intervention. This lesson is one that we see time again throughout the history of Israel.

v. 9 “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”

Notice also what follows: discipline for his lack of faith.

v. 10 Asa’s pride is obvious. We are wise never to rely upon our past successes, particularly in the area of faith. Today’s mercies are new. And they are meant to be used in the exercise of our faith.

v. 12 Again, the Lord was trying to get his attention to lead him to humble himself, yet he refused. Surely, the Lord was doing the same thing with the army of Baasha. He was giving opportunity to Asa to humble himself before the Lord.

And the Lord certainly does the same thing in our lives as Christians. He may or may not use armies. But He will certainly use a word of rebuke or a sickness if need be. He is jealous for our good. And it is certainly go

2 Chronicles 16

v. 2 Notice that Asa did not consult the Lord. Surely he grew proud and began to trust in all that the Lord had provided for him. Here he trusted in ‘chariots and horses.’

When we lean upon our own devisings, our own wisdom and our own resources, we are bound to fall. When opposition comes, we are wise to go directly to the Lord and to wait upon His intervention. This lesson is one that we see time again throughout the history of Israel.

v. 9 “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”

Notice also what follows: discipline for his lack of faith.

v. 10 Asa’s pride is obvious. We are wise never to rely upon our past successes, particularly in the area of faith. Today’s mercies are new. And they are meant to be used in the exercise of our faith.

v. 12 Again, the Lord was trying to get his attention to lead him to humble himself, yet he refused. Surely, the Lord was doing the same thing with the army of Baasha. He was giving opportunity to Asa to humble himself before the Lord.

And the Lord certainly does the same thing in our lives as Christians. He may or may not use armies. But He will certainly use a word of rebuke or a sickness if need be. He is jealous for our good. And it is certainly good for us to be humble. O Lord, give us the grace to be responsive to your pruning work, so that we might bear more fruit for you.

Note also that it is most difficult for us to respond in humility before the Lord’s tests of faith when we are most at ease and comfortable. This is surely why our faith in American is often so weak and pathetic.

2 Chronicles 15

v. 2 “The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”

The words that followed these encouraged Asa in his pursuit of the Lord. In particular, these words of the prophet encouraged Asa to implement more radical religious reform. Asa wisely acted upon the prophet’s words immediately. He wasted no time. “As soon as Asa heard these words….”

This is wisdom b/c if we fail to act right away, chances are, we will forget to act at all.

What is the Lord calling you to do? What decision much you make right now? What change must you implement today?

Whatever it is….do it. Act now. Do not delay.

v. 9 The godly within Israel deserted to Judah when they saw that the Lord was with King Asa. Naturally, this led to a more rapid decline of Israel.

v. 12,13 Not only did Asa act quickly. He also acted decisively. There was no room for error. He gathered the people and led them in making a covenant with the Lord. Then he told the people how it was going to be, and even that those who refused to seek the Lord would die. Such an order is by no means right today. However, it does point to the seriousness with which we should commit ourselves to the Lord. Such a seriousness should be present within the local church through a church covenant and the promised use of church discipline.

2 Chronicles 14

v. 11 When you cast yourself and your cause upon the Lord, the Lord fights for you. But when you trust in your own devising, the Lord fights against you. He even did so for His people in order for them to see the great fruit that comes from relying upon Him. And though He is never against those in Christ, He will not allow our self-devised strivings to succeed, for He wants to make it plain that we need to trust in Him.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses; but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.

We must fight everyday for neediness. Fight everyday to recognize our need for the Lord and to live in constant dependence upon Him.

Haggai 2

v. 10-13 To reverse the effects of the Fall is much harder than to encourage the effects of the Fall. The vast majority of mankind is given over to sin, hardened in heart. So where sin is, more sin will come. Sin encourages sin in a more rapid manner than righteousness. It’s swimming upstream really. But this is exactly why it is the work of the Lord. It is here that He receives glory, using a broken people to mend a broken world.

The new Adam has come and died and risen again to raise up a new humanity through which all things might be redeemed. In the same way that the first Adam’s sin brought ruin upon all of creation, so the new Adam’s righteousness has brought redemption to all of creation. But that redemption begins with the redemption of man, the new humanity, the new Adam’s chosen people.

The Church is a very big deal b/c the Church is the means through which God reverses the Fall and manifests His glory in the world. The Church’s assignment is indeed impossible. But nothing is impossible with God!

v. 18-19 Notice that the Lord did not bless the people with provision right away (that is, immediately when they started building). He does the same for us. For if He blesses us too quickly, we are very apt to turn from our assignment. Because we are very apt to make an idol out of receiving the blessing.

So the Lord waits to bless us until we are ready to receive the blessing without neglecting our task.

John 2

v. 13-22        

1) Who is this Jesus? We just read about Him turning water into wine for a wedding feast. And now He is entering the temple to throw things around and kick people out. I think there is something within all of us that thinks our understanding of Jesus is somehow more accurate than the next man’s understanding of Jesus. We are wise to recognize how limited our view of the Lord Jesus really is, to humble ourselves accordingly, and to change accordingly.

We will change to the degree that our vision of Jesus changes. Our greatest need is to become more familiar with Him. The reason we live such weak lives is b/c we know a weak Jesus. O Lord, open our eyes to see who Jesus really is–in every facet of His glory.

2) Jesus alludes to rebuilding the temple in three days. Certainly He is pointing to the fact that He is the fulfillment of all that the temple pointed to. He is the new ‘meeting place.’ If we want to meet with God, we will meet with God through Jesus Christ.

Haggai 1

First the Lord rebukes the people. When they responded in humility and repentance, He then encourages the people.

A word of rebuke such as this one is needed when hearts grow hard and excuses mount. But if those spoken to respond in repentance, encouragement is then needed. In particular, we are wise to encourage others of the simple reality that the Lord is with them. The people were first exhorted do to what they should have already done, namely, build the temple of the Lord. When they begin that project in response to Haggai’s words, they are then told by what power they can do so (for surely they were overwhelmed by the project itself).

Also note the way in which the Lord stirred up key leaders to respond to His word and embrace the building project. This is virtually always how it works. God raises up men who will respond to His word and in turn, lead the people in doing His will. We are wise to pray daily for such leaders.

Also note the way in which the people put themselves first. This was clearly a manifestation of unbelief. In their minds, they could not seek the Lord’s interests at this point, b/c they themselves were not settled and provided for. Sadly, they didn’t understand the divine order. First things first. God first. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given you. Such a mentality flows from faith in His Word. And it results in great fruit.

Let us ask ourselves consistently (daily), am I trusting the Lord and seeking first His kingdom? Or am I devising my own schemes to provide for my needs and comforts?

Of course, this doesn’t mean that we will not work. But it does mean that we will not overwork and indeed, will work in a certain manner. We will work in faith and leave plenty of time to wait upon the Lord.

2 Chronicles 13

v. 18 “Thus the men of Israel were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord, the God of their fathers.”

It was all a matter of who they trusted in. They did not trust in chariots or horses, but in the name of the Lord their God. And that made all the difference. And so it is for us. We find victory when we hope not in our own devisings and strength, but in the Lord Himself. Abijah reminded himself of the Lord’s promises to David before fighting and when it came time to go to battle, they cried out to the Lord (v. 14). We are strongest when we recognize how needy we are for the Lord.

Zephaniah 3

v. 1-2 “Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city! She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord; she does not draw near to her God.”

Notice the connection between the failure to listen to others and accept correction (especially, I suppose, the prophets of the Lord) and the failure to trust in and draw near to the Lord. Where there is an unwillingness to accept correction, there is certainly a lack of faith in God. For where there is faith, there is the humility to recognize that one is in need of correction, and that, all the time.

Let us take note of that reality once again: where there is unwillingness to listen to others and accept correction, there is probably a lack of faith in God and a failure to draw near to God. We are wise to take note of this, so that we may better understand the issue when we (or someone we know) is having a difficult time listening to others and accepting correction.

Our fight is always ultimately a fight for faith in God!

v. 7 Again, the connection is clear.

2 Chronicles 12

v. 1 This is the danger for us all. When we grow strong–or better yet, when the Lord makes us strong–we are inclined to abandon the Lord and trust in our own devises.

In this instance, Solomon’s failures become very evident. His unfaithfulness was passed on quickly to his sons and thus, the rest of the people. O how diligent must we be to pass on our faith to the next generation. Our first order of business is to remain faithful ourselves. Our next order of business is to train them diligently so that they might have all the resources to do the same. Indeed, we ought to so raise our children that they would be unable to imagine walking in anything less!

v. 8 Essentially, so that they may know the blessing of being the Lord’s servants. If we persist in sin, the Lord may well hand us over to that which we desire–our idol. Possibly (among other reasons) to show us how great it is to trust Him. We are so spiritually dull that it seems very necessary for us to learn the hard way, virtually all the time.

v. 14 “And he [Rehoboam] did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.”

This is much to be said about ‘setting one’s heart to seek the Lord.’ This seems to point clearly to a decisive decision of the will. A point of consecration. A line in the concrete (not the sand). It seems as if there is something deep inside of us that is capable of making a decision of the will that we simply cannot go back upon. A vow maybe you can call it. But it often doesn’t seem like a vow. It just seems like something clicks inside of us and says, “From this point forward, this is where I am headed, for good or for ill.” And when it comes to seeking the Lord, of course, it is always for good.

2 Chronicles 11

v. 13-17 The fact that most (if not all) the priests came to Jerusalem after being kicked out of their land by Jeroboam is clearly a reason why Judah remained faithful to the Lord longer than Israel. Where there is godly leadership–and especially a concentration of godly leadership–there is blessing everywhere else, b/c the leaders lead their people in godliness.

Essentially, Jeroboam kicked out the very means of blessing for himself and his people. Rather than trusting in the Lord, Jeroboam trusted in his own devising. And, as always, this led to his downfall and the downfall of his people.

There is simply no greater blessing to a people than godly leaders. O Lord, raise up such men today!

v. 22-23 Though Rehoboam set Abijah over the rest of his sons, he wisely carved out areas of influence for his other sons. This is wise for the leader of a household. For unless and until ones offspring has some reason for ‘possession,’ they will not be faithful within the house. We must do things with our children to help them realize their responsibility for the good of the home. That may mean chores or whatever else. Today, children often just sit around and bask in their blessings without ever doing anything to take part in the good of the house. They think their parents are there to serve them. And then we wonder why we have so many issues in society at large. We ought to wonder no longer. For there is a profound breakdown in the home.

Luke 24

v. 32 “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

Preachers, take note. If you want your hearers’ hearts to burn, preach to them Jesus Christ. No matter where you may be, point them to the Savior. Indeed, use the Word to show them the Savior. No matter where you may be in Scripture, Jesus is there. Help your people to see it and soon their hearts will burn.

Could there be a correlation between the lack of burning hearts and the failure to properly and persistently preach Jesus?

2 Chronicles 10

v. 1-19 First of all, Rehoboam and his friends were absolute idiots for their response to the people. Totally arrogant and foolish. That is plain enough.

But what is especially interesting to note is the way in which Rehoboam sought our counselors who would tell him what he wanted to hear. It seems clear enough (knowing my heart to some degree) that when we really to do something without seeming to cast off all advice in complete arrogance, we pursue people who will agree with us. This happens so much that I suppose I could tell myself or someone else to simply be on the look out for 2 or 3 examples today.

So, in light of Rehoboam’s foolish arrogance (the two go hand in hand), we are wise to first, seek out elderly counsel and second, to listen to them. We must pursue counsel with a humble heart, a heart willing to hear and embrace that which we do not want to hear and embrace. Our agenda must be set aside and we must submit to the will of the community. In this sense, community can at times hinder us from what we really want to do. But what we really want to do may not be best. And if we don’t believe that, we are arrogant as can be.

Two things can exist within us when trying to discern the Lord’s will. 1) A conviction concerning what that will actually is. And 2) A firm and settled belief that we may be wrong.

To possess these two things at the very same time is by no means easy. It will require much prayer and a humble, broken heart before the Lord that trusts Him to reveal His will through our community.

Finally, one other thought…..we make far too many decisions by ourselves. It is easy in one respect to allow our ‘many counselors’ to make decisions for us. But it is more difficult in another respect, namely, b/c it requires us to humble ourselves in recognition that we don’t have it all figured out. We are wise to learn from Rehoboam’s folly. Indeed, we are wise to learn from our own, for we have surely done exactly what he did at some point during our days.

v. 15 “So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affiars brought about by God that the Lord might fulfil his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.”

Now that is simply incredible. But the beauty of it is that it is also true when we make such foolish decisions. Indeed, it is true in some sense in every single decision made on Earth. The Lord God is fulfilling His will and even using the foolish decisions of arrogant men to do so. Lessons are learned. Sin is exposed. Cause and effect relationships continue, relationships that we can by no means follow, but that the Lord knows full well.

This is a great comfort to us when we have failed to learn as we ought to have learned, when we have gone our own way. The Lord is still in control and He wants to teach us something and work in us something that might not otherwise have been exposed, had we taken the right and humble path.

The Lord is working all things out for good for those who love Him, for those who have been called according to His purpose. And this is true even of our sin and poor decisions. It is just wonderful to know He is that big!