2 Chron 21:1–23:21, 1 John 1:1–4, Ps 102:1–28

Today’s Theme: Covenant

And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 21:6 (ESV)

Here we see the evil sting of compromise. The bible tells us that believers should not be aligned with unbelievers, we should not be unequally yoked or bound together and one of the key areas concerning this is Marriage.

Paul speaking in 2 Corinthians 6:14–15 states, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?”

Jehoshaphat’s compromise of marrying into the family of Ahab exposed his son to the evil influence and demonic strongholds of Ahab which were idolatry and witchcraft.

If we allow compromise in our lives we open the door to death and destruction. For our own sake and the sake of the upcoming generations we must not give way to compromise through unwise unions with the ungodly.

Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever. 2 Chronicles 21:7 (ESV)

Covenant is very important to God, as we see here, it is because of covenant that God was not willing to destroy the house of David.

The word covenant is used in the sense of a contractual arrangement between two parties, which required binding action from one or both parties.

The Hebrew word used here is “berit” which means covenant, league, confederacy or treaty.

A covenant is an agreement enacted between two parties in which one or both make promises under oath to perform or refrain from certain actions stipulated in advance.

Covenant in the Bible is the main way used to describe the relationship between God and his people and serves as the legal constitution of the kingdom of our God the King.

God’s covenants are a great lens to reveal to us who God is. We thank God for the new covenant we have in Christ.

And after all this the LORD struck him in his bowels with an incurable disease. 2 Chronicles 21:18 (ESV)

God is both judge and executioner. God’s hands are not tied, nor is his will weak. God will see justice done and will judge the wicked.

Modern ideas of God see him as someone who would never inflict sickness or misfortune on anyone but this is not the God of the bible. Jesus told us to fear the one (God) who could destroy both soul and body in Hell. Matthew 10:28

We should fear God as judge and at the same time give thanks that he will not allow injustice and wickedness to go on unpunished.

No matter what man does God will see his purpose and plan come to pass and has the power and authority to kill whoever he desires for their own sin, for leading God’s people astray and for being a tool in the enemies hands to frustrate Gods plans.

This wicked King received no honour in his death, God also allowed him to die in great agony, these are both signs of his death not merely being natural but judicial punishment for breaking the law (the covenant).

And Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains the spears and the large and small shields that had been King David’s, which were in the house of God. 2 Chronicles 23:9 (ESV)

We are called to be a royal priesthood and at the same time we should be like soldiers ready to defend and restore the kingdom of God here on the earth. Jesus is our great General and King and we are called to be like Soldiers and Priests in his service. See 1 Peter 2:9 and 2 Timothy 2:3

As a side note: Today’s account is like reading a really good novel, full of action and intrigue, it is like the script to a really good film. Gods word is full of real life accounts and is written so beautifully that it engages the heart while teaching us lessons for our own life.

I thank God that his word is not just records, I’m grateful that through the wonder of creation and the beauty of his word, God tells us stories (true stories) to engage our hearts and minds. If you missed that today and think what is he talking about, read it again.

And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the LORD’s people. 2 Chronicles 23:16 (ESV)

We thank God for this godly man Jehoiada, it is though his stand for God that Joash will grow up to be a godly king and he has led the way in these reforms that have seen God’s people restored to covenant relationship with him.

Compromise and sin is cut off as the people destroy the house of baal.

It is also significant that Jehoida set watchmen and gatekeepers for the house of the Lord. We are called to be watchmen in prayer and gatekeepers in the word and truth.

Jesus told us to watch and pray and the bible teaches us that we should guard the gates of the church from heresy by knowing, rehearsing, living and defending the truth.

that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 (ESV)

This is how we received the New Testament, eye witnesses from the ministry of Jesus like John wrote down what they had seen, heard and experienced for our sake that we might believe and come into relationship with God.

We should thank God for the writing and preservation of the New Testament / Covenant today.

We testify about what God has done for us too, so that others may come into fellowship with him.

Jesus is the word of life, Jesus is eternal life and has always been with God.

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:4 (ESV)

Our joy will only be complete when we share the Gospel with others, good news shared is great news!

But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. Psalm 102:12 (ESV)

We say amen and affirm again that God is the great King

to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, Psalm 102:20 (ESV)

We can use this as we pray for our inprisoned brothers and sisters around the world

But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD. 2 Chronicles 19:2 (ESV)

Jehoshaphat was not just compromising with a sinner but with an apostate (one who knows the truth and turns away from it) who had made it his mission to attack God’s people. Paul tells us to turn away for these sorts of people in 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 2 Timothy 3:5 and Titus 3:10 (from yesterday’s reading)

We are called to draw a very clear line of demarkation, we should not walk in compromise or throw in our lot with those who are clearly opposed to the Lord.

It goes against conventional wisdom but to truly love we have to truly hate. If I love my wife, I should hate the thought of being unfaithful. If we love God and his ways we will hate sin and those who set themselves against the Lord.

We should not love the wicked or those who are enemies of God, however we are commanded to love those who have made themselves our personal enemy. Matthew 5:44

Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 19:4 (ESV)

The king’s heart was set on the Lord. His response was not one of pride or anger when Jehu spoke to him. Instead we see that he set about bringing the people back to the Lord.

We need to ask ourselves, what will we do when corrected, will it spur us on in the the work of the kingdom or cause us to draw back.

Hebrews 10:39 encourages us “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

And Jesus reminds us that pruning is just so we can grow in John 15:2 “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. 2 Chronicles 19:6 (ESV)

We are called to minister on God’s behalf too. We have received the power of attorney which is “the authority to act for another person in specified legal or financial matters.” We speak and act as God’s ambassadors and government ministers for his kingdom.

Jesus gave us authority to work on his behalf in the world in Luke 10:19 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Also see John 20:23 and Matthew 28:18-20

Paul points to this same idea of us ministering on God’s behalf in 2 Corinthians 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” Also see Ephesians 6:20 and Galatians 4:14

Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 2 Chronicles 20:3 (ESV)

Again Jehoshaphat’s response when faced with a fearful situation is not to be swallowed up by the fear but to acknowledge it and turn to trust in God.

He saw that his dad ended up in pride, not seeking God for help and he learned the lesson that he should not harm himself in pride but humbly ask God for help.

When we are afraid, we should not ignore the fear, we should acknowledge it and then turn to God with it and ask for help.

We are reminded in 1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 2 Chronicles 20:6 (ESV)

This verse remind us of one of the bible’s overarching themes, that God is sovereign over the universe, over every government and no one can withstand him. He is the king ruling by divine decree, when he speaks a thing it comes to pass, no one can resist him. God is The God King, The Sovereign Ruler over all. This truth should fill us with awe and faith.

O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)

God does not require that we know what to do, just that we keep our eyes on him and trust him.

Hebrews 12:2 reads “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17 (ESV)

We fight by standing firm and seeing God work. We need to make up our minds to stand for the truth, just making a stand for the truth means we are at war with the enemy.

We need to stand firm holding to our faith no matter what the world says, we should not compromise or shift around, we need to stand.

Paul rallies us to stand in Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

We stand. God fights. We win!

And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 2 Chronicles 20:22 (ESV)

We pray this will happen today as we come together to worship the Lord this Pentecost Sunday

Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.” And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish. 2 Chronicles 20:37 (ESV)

We should not seek to build God’s kingdom through compromise with sinners and those opposed to God and the bible. Whatever is accomplished will ultimately be destroyed.

As we read earlier (verse 20) we are established and successful if we trust the Lord and believe the prophets and leaders he has appointed over us. We do not need to scheme and work things out in our own way, we need to trust God!

Paul reminds us that we must be careful how we build because all we have done will be appraised and rewarded and anything done in compromise is like building with wood, hay or stubble which will not survive the testing by fire as we read in 1 Corinthians 3:12–15 “…If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. Titus 3:14 (ESV)

We are called to practical good works, we should actively serve one another and not assume that”someone else” will do it.

Good works here speaks of “visible acts of service that emerge from genuine faith”. Paul was calling for the believers to help the ministers he was sending to them. This gave them a practical way to work out all he had taught them in the letter.

We all have duties to fulfil in and as the body of Christ. We noted earlier in todays reading that the work we do is on the Lord’s behalf.

Today we celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit and birth of the church. We were given the Spirit to empower and enable us to work on God’s behalf and serve one another.

I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; Psalm 101:2 (ESV)

This is the very essence of integrity, doing right when no one is looking

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. Psalm 101:3 (ESV)

The western world is so saturated with media that we need to be very careful about what we allow to come before our eyes.

There is the obvious things we should not allow to come before our eyes like the sexually immoral and pornographic media that floods the airwaves.

The more subtle thing is just general sin, displayed and spoken about as normal through media, this can slowly change our minds and bring us to a place of compromise like king Jehoshaphat with Ahab.

As we read today we should not love the sin and ways of the world or those that push / promote it we should hate sin and the wicked because we love the Lord.

His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 2 Chronicles 17:6 (ESV)

Courage is the strength of spirit that enables a person to face fear and difficulty. We are called to have this virtue in our character as Christians in the way we serve God just like Jehoshaphat. We must be bold and stand for the Lord.

Paul encourages us to be bold because of the hope we have through Christ in 2 Corinthians 3:12 “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold”

Jesus gives us boldness, we can be courageous because he gives us assurance in Ephesians 3:12 “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.”

We should pray for one another that we would have courageous faith. Paul asked for this prayer for himself in Ephesians 6:19–20 “and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3:8 (ESV)

As Christians we should be devoted to good works in both our own behaviour and doing good for others. We were not saved by works but we do work because we are saved.

The word devote here has the sense of “to be preeminent”. We should lead the way in good works as an example to others and it should be one of the highest priorities of our lives.

Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he! Psalm 99:5 (ESV)

Here and in verse 9 we read that the Lord is holy. This is one of Gods great, unique attributes and speaks of Gods essential being, God literally is Holy.

The hebrew word “qados” is translated as “holy,” It describes that which is by nature sacred or that which has been admitted to the sphere of the sacred by divine rite. It describes, therefore, that which is distinct or separate from the common or profane.

With this definition in mind we realise that we are made holy by God and called to live in honour of that by remaining separate from sin.

Hebrews 12:14 reminds us to “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3 (ESV)

In the middle of our secular society we should affirm again that yes, the Lord is God.

While the lie of evolution has become the conventional wisdom on how we got here, we must stand by the truth that God created us, we belong to him, he is the king and deserves our allegiance.

For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5 (ESV)

Another great attribute of God is that he is good. God is not evil and can not be tempted with evil he is good, he always has been and always will be

We see the reflection of Gods goodness all around us in creation, in the coming of Jesus and in the truth of his word.

Romans 2:4 remind us “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”

‘Thus says the LORD, You shall not go up or fight against your relatives. Return every man to his home, for this thing is from me.’ ” So they listened to the word of the LORD and returned and did not go against Jeroboam. 2 Chronicles 11:4 (ESV)

God is sovereign, the splitting of the kingdom was not the work of the devil, it was Gods own discipline and plan which he brought to pass for his own purposes.

This teaches us that even things that on the surface seem negative may be something God has brought to pass or allowed for his purposes. We must keep a full picture of God, he is not just a God who blesses, he brings judgement too. See Romans 8:28

And those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came after them from all the tribes of Israel to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 11:16 (ESV)

In the area of apologetics some will challenge the scripture in Revelation 7:4-8 for example which speak about 144,000 Jewish believers 12,000 form every tribe. The contention is that 10 of the tribes were lost in the Assyrian exile of the northern kingdom.

This scripture show that God actually preserved all Israel in the land of Judah with those faithful to God fleeing the northern lands.

We must be like those who fled the north, we should not stand with compromise. This also helps us to understand why the reformation was so necessary.

Paul reminds us of God’s promise for setting ourselves aside to stand with the Lord in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

We should stand for and defend the true faith, once for all handed down to the saints Jude 3

When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. 2 Chronicles 12:1 (ESV)

This is a wicked trait of the human heart, we can often abandon God once seeking him produces our desired end. This is why he must be our end. God should be our aim and treasure.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:8 “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”

Again in Philippians 3:12 we read “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the LORD, ‘You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.’ ” 2 Chronicles 12:5 (ESV)

Jesus echoes this characteristic of God which flies in the face of modern images of God as a beneficent father who only dispenses blessings.

Jesus, in his call to us to be loyal and faithful to our King and the kingdom said in Matthew 10:33 “but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

and in Luke 9:26 “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the LORD. 2 Chronicles 12:14 (ESV)

Like the pull of gravity, if we do not set our hearts to serve the Lord we will inevitably do evil, it is our nature as fallen creatures.

We are reminded to keep our hearts focused on Jesus and serving him in Hebrews 12:2 “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed.” 2 Chronicles 13:12 (ESV)

This is true, it is foolish to fight God, no one can win no matter how much they try, it is like a boxer vs an ant…. no contest. This is why it is foolish to resist God or to rebel against him, he is God and we are not, he is the King, we should submit to him and end the offence of rebellion.

Gamaliel echoes this truth in Acts 5:39 “but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,”

Then the men of Judah raised the battle shout. And when the men of Judah shouted, God defeated Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. 2 Chronicles 13:15 (ESV)

We can take confidence from this that we can cry out to God today to see his deliverance in the middle of the battles we face.

Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 2:9 “then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,”

not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. Titus 2:10 (ESV)

This scripture (from verse 9 – 10) is a call for all of us who are employed to be submissive to our superiors, we should not be argumentative and should be honest. This behaviour will be like the dressing for our teaching and belief.

Correct beliefs without correct living is worthless and shameful.

This is the Christian manifesto for the workplace and we must adhere to it to be good witnesses and for the glory of God’s church and in turn God’s own glory.

training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, Titus 2:12 (ESV)

God’s grace does not teach us that we can live however we want because we made a confession, no.

Here we learn that Gods grace and goodness which has appeared for all people through the good news actually trains us to turn away from ungodly behaviour and evil passions driven by our heart and culture, to instead live self controlled, honest and godly lives in whatever age we are living in.

Gods grace means we can live in holiness as God requires no matter our surroundings.

There is no excuse for Christians to live in compromise or sin , those who have truly been saved by grace will have new natures that desire to live for God.

waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13 (ESV)

The scripture quite clearly teach that Jesus is God

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:14 (ESV)

Jesus substitutionary atonement for the church on the cross was not made to give us a licence to sin but to set us free from the tyranny of sin.

Jesus intention is that we be pure, a pure people who stand and live for the King and his kingdom as we read in the OT today.

Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” Psalm 96:10 (ESV)

We are called to declare this truth, the good news of the kingdom, that God is King and he reigns