In 2 Chronicles 27 why did Jotham not enter the temple of the Lord? Do the corrupt actions of the Israelites result from a lack of spiritual leadership from Jotham? Chapter 27 recounts Jotham’s life and that he ordered his life towards God. Why is the human race so obstinate and headstrong? We so readily run off and seek out idols and whatever else seemingly meets our needs and desires to only realize our failure when we are ensnared in the grip of sin.
Did the wickedness of Ahaz, who ruled Judah after Jotham, stem from the perverse wickedness of the people of Judah during the reign of Jotham? When Ahaz wholeheartedly turned away from God what effect did it have on the nation of Judah? The protection and blessing of God was removed from Judah as they were invaded by Israel. God will ordain or allow difficult moments in our lives to remind us of our dependance upon Him.
When Israel was dealing a heavy blow against Judah God sent the prophet Oded to give them the a warning. “Behold, because the Lord, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage which has reached heaven. Now you are proposing to subjugate for yourselves the people of Judah and Jerusalem for male and female slaves. Surely, do you not have transgressions of your own against the Lord your God? Now therefore, listen to me and return the captives whom you captured from your brothers, for the burning anger of the Lord is against you.” 2 Chronicles 28:9-11 What can we glean from the words of Oded? What do these words proclaim about God and His faithfulness?
In the midst of His anger against Judah God was not ignorant of what was happening. He knew the pain that was inflicted upon Judah by Israel. In the midst of Israel’s rebellion and their rage against Judah God reminds them that He is watching them and aware of all that happens. No matter what you are doing in life whether: good or bad, helping or hurting, caring or uncaring God is always watching what you do. Seek to set your heart towards God in all that you do. We will never obtain perfection this side of heaven but God judges our hearts and intentions today so seek to cling to him with all your being.
