2 Chr 25: 25-28

It is amazing how the life of this king turned from bad to worse. He lived the balance of his life as fugitive and was killed by some men that plotted against him. His life, after his defeat with Edom, moved further away from the Lord and the Lord moved further away from him. It seems like his life was not redeemable and his death was inevitable. He died in Lachish around 767 BC and was brought back to be buried with his ancestors. The book of 2 Kings 14 record his life and deeds as well.

Hopefully heading out of work relatively early and making my way up to Boston to pay my last respects (on earth) to Donna's mom with Irene and David. Glad the routes are not taking me through NYC so that should make life relatively easier. Got stuff done down here so as to keep Saturday as free as possible. A lot of driving in a short period time these next few days.

Praise for today: I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:11-12

2 Chr 25:17-24

Talk about getting a swelled head! Amaziah felt that his recent defeat of Edom gave him the impetus to now go and face off against Israel. He sent a challenge to Jehoash stating that he will go to battle with Israel who had a much greater army. Jehoash told him basically to have a marriage between the two nations between their children because if Amaziah wanted to pursue this, Judah would go down hard. Amaziah still wanted to pursue this and the Lord gave Israel the victory as payback over him. They destroyed part of the wall and soundly defeated the Judeans and with the victory took the plunder from the palace and Amaziah as well as others as prisoners.

Another incident where disobedience and placing trust away from the Lord leads to disaster. This was simply another instance where "pride goeth before the fall".

Decent day yesterday work wise, great day weather wise as I got back to read outside on the patio. Still reading the Steven Jobs bio and it's a decent but long read - more than half way through it. Glad to see that Dana is recovering nicely and our WWF battle continues. Prayers for Donna and Wilfred and their families as they mourn the loss of her mom. Will plan to go up to Beantown on late Friday so we can attend and head back on Sat. Praying that the weather will hold up for our late night drive.

Praise for today: For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1: 6

2 Chr 25: 11-16

Amaziah showed his true colors after dismissing the Israeli army from his own troops. He fought against the Edomites and won taking the plunder that is usually associated with the victory. The problem was that he also took their gods and started to worship them as if they were the source of his victory. The victory was only from the grace of God.God sent a prophet to him but was dismissed and threatened with death if he did not cease the Lord's charges against him. The prophet agreed to but warned Amaziah of his death via the Lord for his actions.

Decent day at work but the day was overshadowed by the significance of the date - both on a personal and national level. Prayers today for Donna's family as they lost their mom and now how we are to go there to pay our respects. 4+ hour drive back and forth and hopefully we can do it without incident on Saturday. Also prayers for my sister in Christ, Dana as she is under going surgery today. Praying!!!!

Praise for today: Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer hi; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him and show him my salvation. Psalm 91: 14-16

2 Chr 25:1-10

Violence breeds violence. Joash was killed by two officials that were working in the palace which were of foreign descent. Amaziah, Joash's son killed them as he ascended the throne. Amaziah was 25 years old when he became king and ruled for 29 years. In Israel, For the first 14 years of his rule, Jehoash was the king in Israel. Then for the rest of Amaziah’s rule, Jeroboam II was the king in Israel. It seems that he was leaning more towards the ways of the Lord but without true commitment and sincerity. To solidify his kingdom, he hired soldiers from Israel but was rebuked by his prophets who told them to return the soldiers given that Israel had abandoned the Lord. He was told that the price he paid for them would be made even greater with the Lord so he was less reluctant to comply. Needless to say, the mercenaries that were hired were not happy as they returned back to Israel.

How often we look beyond what we think the Lord can provide to make a "better way"? Trust is such an unexploited tool in our arsenal because we tend to take the easy way out and "trust our instincts" rather than the Lord. We really need to lean on the Spirit and ask him for discernment daily so when the "big" situations come we are in tune with Him. 

Had a decent day yesterday - busy on many accounts but a lot accomplished. More of a chill out evening so not much accomplished on that front. All good things must come to an end as my rent will now be jacked up by the usage of gas heat in the winter. Needless to say when I'm not going to be there in during the day, it will colder than a meat locker. Still gas cooking heat will be included. I guess they are trying to recoup whatever $ they  can in this economy. Also prayers for Donna and her family as they attend her mom in what might be her final days.


Praise for today: I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27: 13-14

2 Chr 24:17-27

With the death of Jehoiada came the end of Judah and Joash following the Lord. Joash was easily swayed into the life of idolatry and with the influence of the leaders returned the nation into the same malaise. While the leaders and the nation hated the rule under Athaliah, their hearts were not completely sold out to God. They were able to persuade Joash to return the nation back to the idol worship which completely angered the Lord. The Lord sent several prophets to voice His displeasure such as Elisha, Micaiah, Jehu, son of Hanani, Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, (20:14), and Eliezer, son of Dodavah (20:37). Then the LORD sent Zechariah, son of Jehoiada. But the people refused to listen to the prophets. The people would not repent of their sin. They would not turn back to the Lord. In fact it was Joash who had Zechariah killed. While he was dying, he pleaded to the Lord to see his death and take revenge on His chosen one. When Aram chose with a smaller army to attack Judah they were defeated but left Joash ill where he was killed by his own officials in retaliation for the death of Zechariah. Evidently his good was outweighed by his evil and was not buried in the land of the kings.

Overall, it was a good weekend. I had a decent day at work in Princeton and was treated to a great dinner with fam and friends at a pretty good Korean bbque. It was good to have GG around and I think he was blessed as well. Saturday was a great day despite the weather to spend with my s-i-l and her family and to see our flower girl all grown up and now a mom. Still the car problems persist and I hope it doesn't cost me another arm and a leg. The inconvenience on the home front for this is bad so I hope this can be rectified quickly.

Praise for today: By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me- a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42: 8

2 Chr 24: 1-16

The kingdom was now in the hands of Joash, under the guidance of Jehoiada - the chief priest. He was like a father to Joash and arranged for him as early as possible to have sons to continue the throne of David. During the first 15 or so years of his reign (40 in total), he followed the Lord as long as Jehoiada was alive. One of the main things that were accomplished under Joash, was the restoration of the temple which was neglected by his predecessors and the removal of the baals that filled the temple. He chose the Levites to collect taxes for the repair but they were neglient in their tasks According to the commentary:

There were three sources of income for the temple. There was the money that people gave for the work of the temple. Also, when people visited the temple they gave gifts for the temple. And there was the tax that Moses charged (2 Kings 12:4). This tax was half a shekel of silver for everyone who was over the age of 20 years (Exodus 30:11-16). The Levites did not collect this tax money. Jehoiada ought to have made the Levites go to collect the tax. Joash asked him why he had not done so.

 

Nevertheless the temple was repaired even better and stronger than before and the excess monies were used to replace/repair the items that were in the temple that were necessary for worship. While Jehoiada was alive, there were daily sacrifices in the temple and all was well. When he died, he was buried with the kings of David since he did so much to restore Judah to its glory for the Lord.

 

What a man he was! He was faithful beyond measure and even though he did have his faults, he was true to the Lord and His purposes.

 

Decent day yesterday, looking forward to heading home and working out of Princeton tomorrow. Heading up there on 9/21 which is good as well. Celebrating or recognizing my birthday on Friday with fam and friends - nothing better than that. Hopefully, the rain doesn't wash out the barbeque on Saturday for  my nephews' birthday party as well.

 

Praise for today: When I said, "my foot is slipping", your love, O Lord, supported me. Psalm 94: 18

2 Chr 23

All credit for the change in regime must rest with Jehoiada, the priest. He had the foresight and the blessing from God to carry forth his plan and restore the kingdom away from paganism. Joash, who was now 7 years old, was deemed ready to take the throne and he would follow the precepts of the Lord. What made it easier was the fact how hated Athaliah was. Jehoiada would gather a groundswell support and would do it systematically and judiciously so that the new king would be able to ascend to the throne with little incident. The guards that surrounded the newly anointed king would protect him and also seize the hated Athaliah and lead her off where she was killed away from the palace.

Not only was the priests such as Jehoiada tired of the neglect of the Lord, but more importantly, the people were as well. They were in accord with Jehoiada in a change of regime and attitude in the kingdom. The destruction of the temple of Baal as well as the killing of their chief priest was symbolic in the change of attitude and heart that would carry Judah in the coming years.

All in all, decent day yesterday. Tons of rain in the area down here which caused minor flooding and cleaner cars. Hard to believe that up north in NJ there was just minor rain and little incidents. Most of the same down here today and with my late night later I am glad that tonight is just a microwave day. Heading home tomorrow night so I can work out of Princeton on Friday. It will be good to see GG when I get home. It has been awhile.

Praise for today: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150: 6