King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Saturday, August 05, 2023
Chapters: II CHRONICLES 33-35
Study: Train Up A Child Though God’s Eyes
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
As I was reading the chapters for today it reminded me of my oldest nephew when he was a baby, I mean crawling age, if he saw a penny, he would pick it up and hand it to you. Years later when my brother got remarried and they had their first son, he put everything in his mouth. So, I learned real quick that not everyone learns at the same pace and that each and every one of us sees what we see through our own eyes. We can all learn a thing or two from looking through God’s eyes and not our own, [Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.]
It does not matter who we are or what family we came from, we are responsible for where our soul ends up. Remember how Godly Hezekiah was? Well, his son, Manasseh, was the complete opposite. As we return to the reading 2 Chronicles, it gives the account of Manasseh, and how quickly he turned Judah into something more wicked than the heathens that God had thrown out of Canaan.
[2 Chronicles 33:1-4.6 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: 2 But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. 4 Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. 6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.]
[also he observed times, and used enchantments,] Manasseh, not only worshiped false gods, he practiced witchcraft, astrology, and even sacrificed some of his own children. On top of that, he did these things in the very temple of God. Talk about some guts, if I was going to rebel against everything that my father had taught me I would definitely not do it in the house of God. I suspect that since Manasseh was only twelve when his father died that he had gotten his counsel from someone who was not Godly. We cannot expect kids to know the ways of God if they are being taught, or even worse, left to teach themselves, [Proverbs 22:4-6 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.]
Since we are all given freewill, two things can come of our teaching our kids in the way they should go through God’s eyes, they will either mimic us or rebel then later return with the discovery that they ought to get right with God. This is what happened when God had approached Manasseh. At first, he did not listen, that was until God had him captured and held captive to Babylon.
[2 Chronicles 33:9-13 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10 And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.]
[he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly] God, definitely knows how to humble us, but His fear only works on those who are willing to seek Him in the first place. You see, had God any sign that Manasseh could not be turned around in his heart, then He would not have given him the time of day. God, works on the hearts of those who have some faith, even if it is only the size of a mustard seed. If God sees any sign that one would turn from their wicked ways, no matter how wicked they were, He will hear their call, [1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.]
You see, this is why we are saved by grace and not of our works. If God could convince Satan to let go of his pride He would save him as well, but he truly is a reprobate, even though he too must get permission from God to afflict us. Now, Manasseh, did not just stop there, he removed all the idols and enchantments that were in the house of God as well as throughout all of Israel.
[2 Chronicles 33:14-18 Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. 15 And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. 16 And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel. 17 Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only. 18 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel.]
[and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.] You see, Godly leadership will always lead to a Godly nation. The second that we get someone in office that is not Godly, it will turn quickly. In fact, when Amon reigned after his father, he followed his previous wicked ways, but unlike Manasseh, he would not humble himself to God, [2 Chronicles 33:21-24 Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem. 22 But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them; 23 And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more. 24 And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house.]
[And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father] No one ends up in hell because God wanted them there, He does not want one soul in hell, but those who end up there are there because of their own hard or fearful heart. You see, God’s judgments are just that, His judgments. We are not to take someones life under any circumstances, but that does not mean that we are bound to them. God, will handle them in His time, [2 John 1:9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.]
We hear a lot about kids becoming delinquents because they were brought up in single parent homes, often without a father. I do not believe that, while granted a child with both parents is ideal, that is not always ideal. I always say that the best thing that my dad did for my brothers and I was leave, and the reason I say that is because I have seen how my half-brothers turned out under his influence. Of course, their mother was a big factor as was mine in how me and my two brothers were raised. Later on in life, my dad did see the error of his ways, got saved, and now is in heaven with two of my brothers. It is only by the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, that lives inside of every saved, born again Christian, that we are able to stand up to the evils of Satan. With the power of Christ in us, we can turn any nation around, but it takes two things for that to happen. One; a Godly leader, and two; the willing hearts of that nation. At the age of sixteen, Josiah did more to turn the nation of Israel back to God since David was king.
[2 Chronicles 34:1-3,5-6 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. 3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. 5 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. 6 And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.]
[while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David] This is the key right here, if children are not taught about Jesus, and I mean the truth, then they are more likely to fall into the world and away from God all together, [Galatians 6:6-8 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.]
So, here is this young man, only twenty years old, removing the images, groves, and idols from not only Judah and Jerusalem, but the rest of the nation as well. At this point, none of them, even the priests, had no knowledge of the Law, but their hearts were willing and when the time was right, God would reveal the Law to them. Now, think about this, before Josiah became king, the nation went fifty-five years without the Law in their possession, add that to the eighteen years that Josiah reigned and that would be seventy-three years. That is two generations that went without the Word of God, and all those who did seek God during that time did so with their heart. So, imagine what they thought when they found it.
[2 Chronicles 34:8,12-14 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God. 12 And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick. 13 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters. 14 And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.]
[Also they were over the bearers of burdens,] These were the ones who carried the timber and stones to the workmen, to look after them, while the workmen made the repairs. These were men who were not dilatory, faithful to God and willing to be there at all times so that the workmen might not stand around waiting for materials. I believe that many times God’s faithful fall into sin because they feel like they are all alone and have no one to help them so they turn to no so faithful Christians and even the world for help. We cannot do this alone, we need other Godly saved, born again Christians to help us with our burdens, [Galatians 6:1-3 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.]
Faithful, saved, born again Christians really are good at helping others, but not always so good at seeking help from others, which I admit I am like this. Now, once the priest found the Law, he immediately had it sent to king Josiah, who then had it read to him only to discover that they had it all wrong.
[2 Chronicles 34:16,18-21 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it. 18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. 19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. 20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king’s, saying, 21 Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.]
[Go, enquire of the LORD for me,] This is how we all should be after learning of the judgments that God has placed on our nations. To be honest, we learn of Judgment Day well before we read the Bible, and that scares a lot of people. I know it scared me, but what we end up hearing from the world is hearsay and not actually what God’s Word says. Then what happens to true believers is that they start going to church to understand it more, which is what Josiah did. Well, he sought a prophet, which actually ended up being a prophetess, who confirmed that what they read about God judging Israel.
[2 Chronicles 34:24-28 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah: 25 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched. 26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard; 27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD. 28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.]
[neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring] Now, what would you do if you found out that your country was going to be destroyed, but you do not need to worry because you will not live to see it? Most people would just live it up, but Josiah got the kingdom in order.
[2 Chronicles 34:30-33 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. 31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book. 32 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.]
[and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God.] While the judgment still stood, God, promised that Josiah, and anyone else living who stood by Him, would not face the judgment. We who are saved and born again know that Christ will return, and judgment is coming to the entire world, God promises us the same peace to our graves as long as we are faithful to Him. And even if we are to be blessed to be raptured out of here before our grave, we would not have to see the evil either as we will be safe in the clouds while it all takes place, [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.]
Once Josiah and all the people found out that judgment was about to come, a huge revival took place. Josiah, knowing that he would not have faced any of it could have just left things alone, but he chose to follow the Word of God. Josiah went through all of Israel and purged it from everything that encouraged idol worship. He even gathered the remnants of Israel (the northern kingdom had already been taken over and the Jews scattered or taken to Syria) for a true Passover. In fact, the first Passover in centuries.
[2 Chronicles 35:1,3-4,16,18 Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. 3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel, 4 And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son. 16 So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according to the commandment of king Josiah. 18 And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.]
[and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,] You know, those who are faithfully serving God ought to be encouraging others who are saved to be doing the same thing, not tearing each other down. I swear, those who call themselves Christians are more judgmental than the world. Instead of fighting with each other, it is time that we fight for Jesus! Stand up for Him! We cannot stop the judgment, but the only way we can see lost souls turn their heart to Jesus is to give Him all of our heart first, [Romans 14:8,11-13 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for sending Your Son to save me from the judgment that is about to come, and for the great sacrifice that led to my permanent salvation. I believe and know that I must fully trust Your Son as my Saviour to do be saved. I also know that I can never do anything to merit salvation as it has already been bought and paid for by Jesus. Now. I can live the rest of my life the best I can in obedience to Your Word so that I can be a testimony of who my true Lord and Saviour is. Lord, Lead me and guide me, let the Holy Spirit work in me so that I am a faithful and true witness, never let me be intimidated by those who expose me to evil spirits, give me the wisdom and discernment of Your Word so that I might be able to teach the Gospel in a way that all can understand and know Christ as well. While we cannot change Your mind to the coming judgment, we can be faithful witnesses to lead a few more to Christ before He returns. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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