Reading: II Chronicles 25 – 27
Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father. But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the Lord commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin (II Chr. 25:3-4).
The kings that ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah fluctuated wildly in their attempts at righteousness. While at times the nation was blessed with several kings in succession who faithfully followed after the ways of the Lord, it also suffered through periods when it was forced to endure an extended line of evil kings. Often, the two sides would alternate - God-fearing one generation and evil the next. Some of these kings, such as Amaziah and his father, Joash, did not fit neatly into either category. These kings were obedient to God for a time, but then in one way or another they faltered.
This type of on-again, off-again leadership wreaked havoc on the citizens of Judah, who followed the whims of their leaders. This inconsistent, fluctuating behavior towards God had been a problem for the nation of Israel for as long as she had been in existence, and it often resulted in the people lusting after idols for extended periods of time. It was not uncommon for two or three generations to be raised outside of the will of God, in the manner of their heathen neighbors.
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods (Gal. 4:8). Knowing that God was all but forgotten for generations at a time begs the question – If the nation went these long periods of time without turning to God, how is it that His Word was still able to be recognized and obeyed by their descendants? Here in today's reading, we find Amaziah recalling part of the law that was given to Moses by God for the purpose of governing the children of Israel, proving that God's Word survived in some form among his people even during times of suppression. It was not always used as God intended it to be, but it was always there, waiting to be rediscovered.
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away (Luke 21:33). God's Truth cannot be perverted or destroyed by the lies of men. The Word of God will always continue. It matters little as to which direction the world system goes, nor does it matter how many ungodly rulers ascend to thrones or are elected into power. The very existence of God can be denied all around the world, and the majority of the people can cling to a godless religion, but it the Word of God will never be erased. God has promised that there will always be at least a remnant of people who will hold fast to His Word regardless of what is happening around them. They will cherish the Word, and pass it on to their children. The Bible was given by God to the people, and it is indestructible.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you (I Pet. 1:23-25).
Thought for Today: God is not weakening. Even as people drift away from or ignore His Word He does not become frustrated. All He has promised will still come to pass as He intended it to
Christ Portrayed: By Azariah the high priest who stood between King Uzziah and the Altar, because there was only one proper way to approach the Lord God of Israel and that was through the service of the priests (II Chr. 26:17-18). Jesus, our great High Priest (Heb. 4:14), is The Only Way for anyone to come to God. Jesus saith unto him, I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6).
Word Studies:25:21 saw one another in the face = faced each other in battle; 26:10 husbandry = farming.
Pray for Staff: Jennifer Palafox • Government Officials: Sen. Marco Rubio (FL), Rep. Steve King (IA) • Country: Northern Mariana Islands (51,170) North Pacific Ocean • Major Languages: Philipine Languages, Chinese, Chamorro, English • Religious Freedom • Christian (Roman Catholic majority; Traditional Beliefs and Taboos) • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to give you discernment and an understanding heart (I Kings 3:9). .
Optional reading I Corinthians 15.