Chapter 24
v1 Joash was 7 years old when he became king.
v10 It feels good to use your money for God's purposes. "All the officers and all the people rejoiced."
v14 They collected more than they even needed.
v19 Even though the remaining priests were evil, God kept sending righteous prophets to the land to speak truth to the king.
He is always giving us the opportunity to make good choices and turn our lives around to His way.
v22 He gives in to evil once again and murders the son of the man who raised him.
Sin binds us. Satan always plays to our pride and greed, and we are eager to follow him into it.
v25 Even Joash's men felt he had gone too far, and they conspired against him.
Chapter 25
v1-5 the difference a godly king makes on the prosperity of a nation.
v2 ...yet not with a whole heart. How often is this true o me!
v3 Except for the murder thing...
v8 A man of God warns him not to go into battle:
"...for God has the power to help and to bring down."
v9 This is exactly what God has been showing me about money! The king is concerned, because if her fires the army from Israel, the 100 talents will go to waste. But the man of God responds, "The Lord has much more to give you than this."
Basically the same thing He pressed upon my heart when I faced the wasted money wrapped up in all of our extra "stuff." Don't you think the
Lord is capable of making up for any lost money?!?!
v13 The scorned troops acted our and raided Judah.
v14 why? We all are born with a tendency toward idolatry. We want security we can feel and see. We want to cover all our bases, just in case.
v15 God makes a great point. Why would you believe in gods of the people you have imprisoned? They can't even set their own worshipers free!
v17 There is nothing that will turn God's favor from you like the worship of other gods. Everything this king had built, is ruined.
Chapter 26
v1-5 a good king, with a godly mother.
v14 This godly king was well known--famous--for his battle preparations and inventions.
v15 "he was marvelously helped until he was strong." AMEN
v16 But he threw it all away instead of letting the priests burn incense to the Lord, he walked in and did it himself. And when the priest warned him to stop, he became belligerent.
So the Lord SMOTE him with leprosy!
v21 His fame, his glory were over. He was separated from the rest of the kingdom, and his son Jotham became acting king in his place.
GOD DOES NOT PLAY AROUND WITH THIS STUFF.
Next time: II Chronicles 27-30