Tues.’s Devo - Time to Restore the Temple

Read: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21 Josiah instituted the Passover and had the Ark put in the Temple to stay. All the priests were sanctified and put in their offices. Josiah, his officials, and the Levite leaders gave 41,400 animals to be given to the people for their sacrifice. The priests followed the instructions of the Law of Moses and never since the days of Samuel had there been a Passover like Josiah’s. The people celebrated seven days. Josiah restored the Temple but thirteen years later, King Neco of Egypt led his army past Josiah’s land. Josiah thought he was coming to attack him so he went out with his army to meet him. King Neco told him he was not coming to attack him but was on his way to fight another nation. He explained that God had told him to hurry and warned Josiah not to interfere because he was on a mission from God. He was actually telling the truth. Josiah didn’t believe him so he attacked him and was fatally wounded in the battle. He went home to die. His son, Jehoahaz was crowned king but only reign three months. The king of Egypt (Neco) took Jehoahaz to Egypt as a prisoner and set his brother as king of Judah. His name was Eliakim but Neco changed it to Jehoiakim. He reigned 11 years doing evil. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and captured Jerusalem and led Jehoiakim in chains to Babylon. He also took treasures from the Temple and put them in his palace. Jehoiachin was made king next but he only reigned three months and ten days. He did evil, so Nebuchadnezzar took him to Babylon and placed his uncle, Zedikah as the king in Judah. He also did evil and refused to listen to Isaiah and repent. The leaders of the priests and the people became more unfaithful to God and turned to idols even though God sent his prophets to warn them. The people mocked the prophets and refused to listen to their words. God brought the king of Babylon against them. He killed all ages with no mercy. Nebuchadnezzar took all the treasures of the Temple, burned it, tore down the wall of Jerusalem and burned all the palaces and anything of worth. Survivors were taken to Babylon and become slaves. The land enjoyed 70 years of peace and its Sabbath rest until the Persians came to power. King Cyrus of Persia took over the world and in his first year, he sent a proclamation to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem for God. Corinth was a Greek city known for its prostitution and the worship of Aphrodite or Venus who was the goddess of licentious love. A thousand professional prostitutes served in the temple dedicated to her worship. This spirit of licensiousness had crept into the church and Paul wrote this letter to address it and other doctrinal problems. First, Paul addressed their identity in Christ and who they were now that they have given their lives to Him. He urged them to walk in unity and not division. There was division about who was their leader and he pointed them back to Christ. He is the leader, period. Lord, help us to look to You only as our leader and the commander of our faith.