Sermon - Audio2 Chronicles 32-33 - Audio
2 Chronicles 32-33 - Reading
Daily Insights - Please Comment
32
2 Chronicles 32.1: This verse is a shock in the book of Chronicles. Over and over again we have been told that faithful living leads to a prosperous and hopeful nation. Hezekiah has done all things well and now he is attacked. The writer does not give us any reason for this unexpected attack. It does help keep us grounded in reality, however. Even when we do everything right, everything does not always go our way. We certainly see this in the New Testament in the life of Jesus.
32.2-4: Hezekiah trusts God, but he also knows he has responsibilities as the king to do his part in protecting the people. Stopping up the wells would make it difficult for an army to survive in the hot climate of Israel.
32.3: Reading through these chapters in Chronicles we see over and over again that Hezekiah relies not only on his own ideas, thoughts, and opinions, but also on those who are his advisors. As such, Hezekiah reflects another part of a godly person—they have wise people around them.
32.5-6: The military preparations are extensive. Rebuilding, repair, and putting systems in place to grow the army are all part of what he does.
32.7: The more that are with the people of Israel refers
not to Hezekiah and his armies, but to the fact
that God is with his people. We get a good
sense of what Hezekiah is talking about by
looking back to Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6.
In that passage God opens the eyes of Elisha’s
servant so he can see that there are more with
them than with their enemies (see box).
32.8: The people have been so committed to God are
convinced that God is committed to them. We
see this greatest commitment from God when he
sends his Son into the world to die for us.
32.9: Lachish was south and west of Jerusalem. It was
the last major city that blocked the way to
Jerusalem. We know some important
things about Lachish and this battle from letters
that were found in the ruins of Lachish by
archeologists. We also know that this was a city
that had not fully joined in the reforms of
Hezekiah. Many idols were found from
this time period by archeologists. Sennacherib defeats Lachish.
32.10-11: Given the impending fall of Lachish and the fall of many other cities in Judah, Sennacherib’s words make great sense. Why would the people assume that Yahweh would rescue
Jerusalem when he had not rescued vast parts of Judah?
32.12: Hezekiah’s reforms followed closely the book of
Deuteronomy that called for one central place of
worship. Even altars and places of worship to Yahweh
were destroyed in Hezekiah’s reforms. One of those
places of worship was uncovered at Arad. It is a replica
of the temple in Jerusalem, but on a much smaller
scale. The incense was still in the incense holders (see
diagram and archeological dig). Sennacherib implies
that the fewer places of worship means that Yahweh is
not as pleased with his people. His claim shows his lack
of understanding of the faith of Israel.
32.13: One of the consistent testimonies of the people of
Israel/Judah is that the gods of other nations are not
gods at all. So one would not expect them to rescue
from the hand of Sennacherib. It is Yahweh who
controls the nations, not idols.
32.14: At this point Sennacherib begins to truly dishonor
Yahweh. He compares the King of all the earth, to idols
that do not exist. This affront to Yahweh is the central
appeal that Hezekiah will use in calling on God to
rescue Jerusalem.
32.15: “How much less will your God deliver you out of my
hand?” ESV Not only does Sennacherib compare God
with idols, in these words he says Yahweh is less than the
idols of the other nations. It is a huge error to make such
a claim. God will not allow his honor and glory to be challenged in such a way.
32.16-19: A summary of Sennacherib’s offense against Yahweh. It is an offense carried out not only by him, but also by all who are connected with him. No one is left guiltless.
2 Chronicles 32.20: The immediate response of the faithful king is to turn to God. The prayer of Hezekiah and the subsequent words of Isaiah’s prophecy are not recorded here. Instead, we simply hear of their prayers. God’s response reflects the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple asking God to listen to his people when they are in distress. The word of Hezekiah’s prayer is recorded in 2 Kings 19.
32.21: The confrontation is shown to be between Yahweh
and Sennacherib. It is God who takes the one so
arrogantly spoke and brings him down. When
Sennacherib returns to Assyria he puts his own spin
on the situation by celebrating what he did to
Lachish and declaring that he had “shut up
Hezekiah like a bird in a cage” (words from Assyrian
documents).
32.21: Sennacherib’s assassination occurs some 20 years
after his return.
32.22: God is shown to be at the center of peace and
prosperity for the people of Judah. He is faithful to
his covenant promises.
32.23: Hezekiah’s fame increases. The “bringing of many gifts” speaks of other nations, not just the people of Israel, bringing gifts to God and to the king.
32.24-26: The struggles of remaining humble in the midst of wealth and power are again seen. Unlike some other kings before him, however, Hezekiah repents of his attitude.
32.27-28: As Hezekiah had the priests do with their overflowing wealth so he does with the riches that come his way. He wisely builds storehouses for them.
32:27-29: “Hezekiah’s prosperity. Hezekiah’s prosperity is described in terms of the increase in royal assets. The gold, gems and spices suggest success in trade and perhaps in collection of tribute. The crops and herds suggest bountiful harvests and the administrative savvy to collect and stockpile effectively. Such success is surprising in light of his vassal status and would serve as evidence of God’s blessing.” From IVP Old Testament Background Commentary
32.33: A good burial (we have seen many that were not) for a king who God and the people honored.
2 Chronicles 33: Manasseh becomes king in the place of his godly father. His name means “forgetfulness; he that is forgotten”. It seems that Manasseh is quickly forgetful of all that God has done and the importance of following the covenant to bring peace to himself and the nation. Manasseh has the longest reign of any king (696-641 BC). Ten years of his reign (age 12 -22) were most likely a co-regency with his father. But he did not learn much or at least did not accept much of what he was taught. During his reign Assyria continues to be the powerhouse in the region.
2 Chronicles 33: As Manasseh begins his reign two of the greatest prophets, Isaiah and Micah, end their prophetic careers. Tradition tells us that it is Manasseh who ends the career of Isaiah by putting him to death.
33.2: Manasseh turns back the clock. He revives the idolatry of the nations that had been driven out hundreds of years later, but still snared the people of Israel.
33.3: It is the grand reversal of all his father had done. One of the deep struggles that Judah/Israel had was that new kings could undo the faithfulness of a former king in short order. The people of Judah seemed all too willing to make the change (although we know there were always people who remained faithful).
33.4-5: Manasseh takes over the temple for the worship of other gods. He puts god out of his own house.
33.6: Manasseh’s use of fortune-telling and all the rest shows how far he has removed himself from God. It also shows that he does not care about the Law (Torah), which expressly forbids such things. Manasseh’s reign sinks Judah to unimagined lows.
33.7: We hear a second time, “put my name forever”. The place that was to be God’s place forever and become the place of other gods. It is possible that Manasseh, like some of his predecessors thought that if he took the gods of other nations (especially Assyria) that he could keep himself out of trouble with those nations. He would just be a good vassal, not bothering anyone.
33.9: The idea in the first part of this verse is the Manasseh misleads the people of Judah. As his father led them with truth that brought life, so he misled the people and taught them things that brought death.
33.9: One of the most condemning statements in the book of Chronicles. The people had become worse than the people who God had driven out of the land because of their sin.
2 Chronicles 33.10: “The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people…” In 2 Kings we are given the words that God spoke. In that passage we are told that God spoke through prophets. (See “Manasseh in the book of Kings” on the next page). However, we have no Biblical record of who the prophets were during the reign of Manasseh. There is a more than 50-year gap where there are no prophets who speak out and whose words and names are recorded.
33.11: Behind these few words stands a political drama that was unfolding about 652 BC in Assyria. Two brothers were ruling Assyria. The one who was subordinate to the other began a war to take power. In that war he recruited vassal states such as Judah. It seems that Manasseh joined in the younger brother’s quest for power. The war ended in disaster for the younger brother when he dies in a fire during the siege of Babylon. With the loss of the war, Manasseh is captured and sent into captivity.
33.12: The distress if real. A captured king was treated with great cruelty. A hook was put through the jaw and the king led away. That we the beginning of a horrible life.
33.12: This part of the life of Manasseh is not recorded in
the book of Kings. We hear nothing about his
imprisonment or his repentance. The purpose of the
author of Chronicles causes him to include this part
of the Manasseh’s life, while it was not important to
the writer of Kings.
33.13: We find again a picture that flows from Solomon’s
prayer at the dedication of the temple. 36 “If they
sin against you—for there is no one who does not
sin—and you are angry with them and give them to
an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to
a land far or near, 37 yet if they turn their heart in
the land to which they have been carried captive,
and repent and plead with you in the land of their
captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned and have acted
perversely and wickedly,’ 38 if they repent with all
their mind and with all their heart in the land of their
captivity to which they were carried captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their
fathers, the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, 39 then hear from heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their pleas, and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you.” 2 Chronicles 6
33.14: The repentance of Manasseh leads to limited pictures of a great prosperity and peace. One of those pictures is of rebuilding.
33.15-16: Manasseh begins a reversal of the early days of his reign. He now begins to lead the people in he right direction.
33.17: Worship at the high places continues. The worship of God was supposed to have one central location: Jerusalem. The leaving of the high places opens the door for the future to turn those high places into places of pagan worship.
33.18-19: The sources used as background material for the book of Kings and the book of Chronicles are different. That reality also explains some of the differences between the two accounts.
33.20: Manasseh is not buried with the kings of Judah. His burial is proper, but his reign is not upright enough to gain him entry into the most hallowed ground of the kings.
33.21: Amon’s name means “faithful, true”. In the context of living up to God’s covenant he does not live up to his name.
33.24: We see another king whose life is ended by assassination. We find no description of his burial.
2 Chronicles 32.1: This verse is a shock in the book of Chronicles. Over and over again we have been told that faithful living leads to a prosperous and hopeful nation. Hezekiah has done all things well and now he is attacked. The writer does not give us any reason for this unexpected attack. It does help keep us grounded in reality, however. Even when we do everything right, everything does not always go our way. We certainly see this in the New Testament in the life of Jesus.
32.2-4: Hezekiah trusts God, but he also knows he has responsibilities as the king to do his part in protecting the people. Stopping up the wells would make it difficult for an army to survive in the hot climate of Israel.
32.3: Reading through these chapters in Chronicles we see over and over again that Hezekiah relies not only on his own ideas, thoughts, and opinions, but also on those who are his advisors. As such, Hezekiah reflects another part of a godly person—they have wise people around them.
32.5-6: The military preparations are extensive. Rebuilding, repair, and putting systems in place to grow the army are all part of what he does.
32.7: The more that are with the people of Israel refers
not to Hezekiah and his armies, but to the fact
that God is with his people. We get a good
sense of what Hezekiah is talking about by
looking back to Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6.
In that passage God opens the eyes of Elisha’s
servant so he can see that there are more with
them than with their enemies (see box).
32.8: The people have been so committed to God are
convinced that God is committed to them. We
see this greatest commitment from God when he
sends his Son into the world to die for us.
32.9: Lachish was south and west of Jerusalem. It was
the last major city that blocked the way to
Jerusalem. We know some important
things about Lachish and this battle from letters
that were found in the ruins of Lachish by
archeologists. We also know that this was a city
that had not fully joined in the reforms of
Hezekiah. Many idols were found from
this time period by archeologists. Sennacherib defeats Lachish.
32.10-11: Given the impending fall of Lachish and the fall of many other cities in Judah, Sennacherib’s words make great sense. Why would the people assume that Yahweh would rescue
Jerusalem when he had not rescued vast parts of Judah?
32.12: Hezekiah’s reforms followed closely the book of
Deuteronomy that called for one central place of
worship. Even altars and places of worship to Yahweh
were destroyed in Hezekiah’s reforms. One of those
places of worship was uncovered at Arad. It is a replica
of the temple in Jerusalem, but on a much smaller
scale. The incense was still in the incense holders (see
diagram and archeological dig). Sennacherib implies
that the fewer places of worship means that Yahweh is
not as pleased with his people. His claim shows his lack
of understanding of the faith of Israel.
32.13: One of the consistent testimonies of the people of
Israel/Judah is that the gods of other nations are not
gods at all. So one would not expect them to rescue
from the hand of Sennacherib. It is Yahweh who
controls the nations, not idols.
32.14: At this point Sennacherib begins to truly dishonor
Yahweh. He compares the King of all the earth, to idols
that do not exist. This affront to Yahweh is the central
appeal that Hezekiah will use in calling on God to
rescue Jerusalem.
32.15: “How much less will your God deliver you out of my
hand?” ESV Not only does Sennacherib compare God
with idols, in these words he says Yahweh is less than the
idols of the other nations. It is a huge error to make such
a claim. God will not allow his honor and glory to be challenged in such a way.
32.16-19: A summary of Sennacherib’s offense against Yahweh. It is an offense carried out not only by him, but also by all who are connected with him. No one is left guiltless.
2 Chronicles 32.20: The immediate response of the faithful king is to turn to God. The prayer of Hezekiah and the subsequent words of Isaiah’s prophecy are not recorded here. Instead, we simply hear of their prayers. God’s response reflects the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple asking God to listen to his people when they are in distress. The word of Hezekiah’s prayer is recorded in 2 Kings 19.
32.21: The confrontation is shown to be between Yahweh
and Sennacherib. It is God who takes the one so
arrogantly spoke and brings him down. When
Sennacherib returns to Assyria he puts his own spin
on the situation by celebrating what he did to
Lachish and declaring that he had “shut up
Hezekiah like a bird in a cage” (words from Assyrian
documents).
32.21: Sennacherib’s assassination occurs some 20 years
after his return.
32.22: God is shown to be at the center of peace and
prosperity for the people of Judah. He is faithful to
his covenant promises.
32.23: Hezekiah’s fame increases. The “bringing of many gifts” speaks of other nations, not just the people of Israel, bringing gifts to God and to the king.
32.24-26: The struggles of remaining humble in the midst of wealth and power are again seen. Unlike some other kings before him, however, Hezekiah repents of his attitude.
32.27-28: As Hezekiah had the priests do with their overflowing wealth so he does with the riches that come his way. He wisely builds storehouses for them.
32:27-29: “Hezekiah’s prosperity. Hezekiah’s prosperity is described in terms of the increase in royal assets. The gold, gems and spices suggest success in trade and perhaps in collection of tribute. The crops and herds suggest bountiful harvests and the administrative savvy to collect and stockpile effectively. Such success is surprising in light of his vassal status and would serve as evidence of God’s blessing.” From IVP Old Testament Background Commentary
32.33: A good burial (we have seen many that were not) for a king who God and the people honored.
2 Chronicles 33: Manasseh becomes king in the place of his godly father. His name means “forgetfulness; he that is forgotten”. It seems that Manasseh is quickly forgetful of all that God has done and the importance of following the covenant to bring peace to himself and the nation. Manasseh has the longest reign of any king (696-641 BC). Ten years of his reign (age 12 -22) were most likely a co-regency with his father. But he did not learn much or at least did not accept much of what he was taught. During his reign Assyria continues to be the powerhouse in the region.
2 Chronicles 33: As Manasseh begins his reign two of the greatest prophets, Isaiah and Micah, end their prophetic careers. Tradition tells us that it is Manasseh who ends the career of Isaiah by putting him to death.
33.2: Manasseh turns back the clock. He revives the idolatry of the nations that had been driven out hundreds of years later, but still snared the people of Israel.
33.3: It is the grand reversal of all his father had done. One of the deep struggles that Judah/Israel had was that new kings could undo the faithfulness of a former king in short order. The people of Judah seemed all too willing to make the change (although we know there were always people who remained faithful).
33.4-5: Manasseh takes over the temple for the worship of other gods. He puts god out of his own house.
33.6: Manasseh’s use of fortune-telling and all the rest shows how far he has removed himself from God. It also shows that he does not care about the Law (Torah), which expressly forbids such things. Manasseh’s reign sinks Judah to unimagined lows.
33.7: We hear a second time, “put my name forever”. The place that was to be God’s place forever and become the place of other gods. It is possible that Manasseh, like some of his predecessors thought that if he took the gods of other nations (especially Assyria) that he could keep himself out of trouble with those nations. He would just be a good vassal, not bothering anyone.
33.9: The idea in the first part of this verse is the Manasseh misleads the people of Judah. As his father led them with truth that brought life, so he misled the people and taught them things that brought death.
33.9: One of the most condemning statements in the book of Chronicles. The people had become worse than the people who God had driven out of the land because of their sin.
2 Chronicles 33.10: “The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people…” In 2 Kings we are given the words that God spoke. In that passage we are told that God spoke through prophets. (See “Manasseh in the book of Kings” on the next page). However, we have no Biblical record of who the prophets were during the reign of Manasseh. There is a more than 50-year gap where there are no prophets who speak out and whose words and names are recorded.
33.11: Behind these few words stands a political drama that was unfolding about 652 BC in Assyria. Two brothers were ruling Assyria. The one who was subordinate to the other began a war to take power. In that war he recruited vassal states such as Judah. It seems that Manasseh joined in the younger brother’s quest for power. The war ended in disaster for the younger brother when he dies in a fire during the siege of Babylon. With the loss of the war, Manasseh is captured and sent into captivity.
33.12: The distress if real. A captured king was treated with great cruelty. A hook was put through the jaw and the king led away. That we the beginning of a horrible life.
33.12: This part of the life of Manasseh is not recorded in
the book of Kings. We hear nothing about his
imprisonment or his repentance. The purpose of the
author of Chronicles causes him to include this part
of the Manasseh’s life, while it was not important to
the writer of Kings.
33.13: We find again a picture that flows from Solomon’s
prayer at the dedication of the temple. 36 “If they
sin against you—for there is no one who does not
sin—and you are angry with them and give them to
an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to
a land far or near, 37 yet if they turn their heart in
the land to which they have been carried captive,
and repent and plead with you in the land of their
captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned and have acted
perversely and wickedly,’ 38 if they repent with all
their mind and with all their heart in the land of their
captivity to which they were carried captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their
fathers, the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, 39 then hear from heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their pleas, and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you.” 2 Chronicles 6
33.14: The repentance of Manasseh leads to limited pictures of a great prosperity and peace. One of those pictures is of rebuilding.
33.15-16: Manasseh begins a reversal of the early days of his reign. He now begins to lead the people in he right direction.
33.17: Worship at the high places continues. The worship of God was supposed to have one central location: Jerusalem. The leaving of the high places opens the door for the future to turn those high places into places of pagan worship.
33.18-19: The sources used as background material for the book of Kings and the book of Chronicles are different. That reality also explains some of the differences between the two accounts.
33.20: Manasseh is not buried with the kings of Judah. His burial is proper, but his reign is not upright enough to gain him entry into the most hallowed ground of the kings.
33.21: Amon’s name means “faithful, true”. In the context of living up to God’s covenant he does not live up to his name.
33.24: We see another king whose life is ended by assassination. We find no description of his burial.
0 comments:
Post a Comment