Read: 2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27; Romans 13:1-14; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 20:11
Amaziah had been put to death by his own people and they made his son, Uzziah king. Uzziah was only sixteen years old but he was mentored by Zechariah the priest and walked with the Lord most of his life.
He sought the Lord’s help and God caused him to prosper and become very strong. He fought the Philistines, the Ammonites, and the Meunites and grew his territory. They feared him and paid him tribute. He built up his army and fortified his land.
But, when Uzziah became strong, he let pride destroy him. He became unfaithful to God and took incense to burn into the holy place in the temple. The priest tried to stop him but not before his head broke out with leprosy. The priests hurried him out of the Temple and he was never able to enter again. He had to live apart from the people because of his leprosy and his son, Jotham had to rule his kingdom.
When Uzziah died thy buried him in the field that belonged to the kings but not with the kings, because he was a leper.
Jotham was 25 years old when he became the king of Judah. He ruled 16 years. and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but the people still followed corrupt practices. He repaired the upper gate of the house of the Lord and built on the wall of Ophel. He also built cities in the hills of Judah and forts and towers. He prevailed against the Ammonites so they began to pay him tribute in silver, wheat and barley. He was mighty because he honored the Lord. He was 41 when he died and was buried in the city of David.
Jotham’s son, Ahaz began to reign at the age of 20. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and led the people into idolatry of all kinds. So, the Lord gave him over to the king of Syria and took a number of his people to Damascus. Also, the king of Israel, Pekah attacked Judah and killed 120,000 of them.
An Ephraimite named Zichri killed Ahaz’s son, his palace commander and his second-in-command officer. They took 200,000 captive of the people of Judah and much spoil. Obed the prophet met the army coming with the captives on their way to Samaria. He told them that God was not happy with them for what they had done to their own brothers and sisters. They had enough sins piled up against them to add this to their list. So some of the chiefs of Ephraim told the army that they couldn’t bring their captives into the city and bring guilt upon them. They took the captives and the spoil and clothed those who were in need. They gave them food and drink, anointed them and carried those who were injured on donkeys to Jericho. They left them there and returned to Samaria.
King Ahaz sent for the help of the Assyrian army because the Edomites were attacking their land and taking captives. The Philistines also raided them because God was humbling Judah because of the sins of Ahaz and the nation. The Assyrian army didn’t help them, they came up against them instead. Ahaz took portions from the house of the Lord and the kings and princes houses to pay the Assyrians not to kill them, but it didn’t help.
Instead of turning to the Lord and repenting, Ahaz went after the gods of the Syrians since it looked like their gods were stronger than his. He shut down the house of the Lord and set up altars to idols and other gods. He was not buried with the kings when he died. Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.
In Romans, Paul encouraged them to honor their rulers, because God had set them up to rule. Good rulers are there to enforce the laws which is a good thing. All true authority is instituted by God so to resist them is to resits God who has appointed them. His leaders enforce his laws. If we disobey the law then we deserve the consequences.
We are to pay taxes to whom they are owed and respect the ones who deserve respect and honor those who deserve honor.
We owe everyone our love because God loves them. Many of God’s laws had to do with how we treat one another. Love is how we fulfill his law.
We are not to walk in this world like the heathen do but to put on the armor of light and put on the Lord Jesus Christ so that we will not gratify our flesh.
Lord, may we put on your armor of light. You live in us so may we let your shine through all we do. May we honor what you honor and hate what you hate.
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