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2 Chronicles Chapter 21 (ESV)
1 Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Jehoram his son reigned in his place. 2 He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. 3 Their father gave them great gifts of silver, gold, and valuable possessions, together with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn. 4 When Jehoram had ascended the throne of his father and was established, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also some of the princes of Israel. 5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 6 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. 7 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…
20 He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he departed with no one’s regret. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
REFLECTION:
- Jehoram, the new king of Judah, took Athaliah, daughter of the incapable King Ahab of Israel, as wife. She later became the mother of Ahaziah, the next king of Judah (22:2). Athaliah’s mother Jezebel was the wickedest woman in the history of Israel. Jehoram’s marrying a wife led to the fall of Judah because Athaliah brought her mother’s evil customs to Judah, causing the people of Judah to forget about God and turn to worship Baal (22:3). Referring to this page in history, reflect on what lesson we Christians should learn on choosing our spouse nowadays.
- The reign of Jehoram was marked with sins and cruelty. He married a woman who worshipped idols, killed his six brothers, and allowed people to worship idols; and God struck him in his bowels with an incurable disease (21:18-19). No one remembered him when he died. God may not punish sins immediately with dramatic action, however, any sin will be punished by God. Reflect on God’s unchanging righteousness. If we ignore God’s law, we will eventually receive God’s punishment and taste the bitter fruit of sin.
PRAYER:
Ask God to let you understand not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. If you are not married, ask God to prepare a godly spouse for you; if you are married, ask God to help you glorify Him with your spouse in your marriage, and give you wisdom and love to advise your children on their marriage.
HYMN:
“Came to My Rescue” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWPABE3gycs
