the ruminations of aaron eberline

The reading today in 2 Chronicles 33 and 34 makes me ask wonder how the faith that we hold to with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength can be instilled into the lives of our posterity. In chapter 35 Manasseh succeeds as king of Judah after Hezekiah’s death. How did Manasseh stray so far from God? Why did he choose to undo the good and true things of his father that glorified God? The Temple of the Lord was defiled by Manasseh of which God had said, “In this House and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever; and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them according to all the law, the statutes and the ordinances given through Moses.” 2 Chronicles 33:7,8  The people of Judah were led by Manasseh to set their hearts towards Great evil. What can help in moments when we are so far from our first love of God? Read more

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. Read more

“Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord and so bring wrath on yourself from the Lord? But there is some good in you for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.” 2 Chronicles 19:3,4  Jehoshaphat was not perfect not a perfect leader of Judah. He had his faults and failures but he consistently set his heart to seek after God. Do you think that you are required to live a perfect life on earth? What expectations do you place on yourself that are unnecessary? As Jehoshaphat set his heart to seek God he was learning to cling to God and love Him with all of his heart, mind, soul, and strength. The evidence of Jehoshaphat’s focus on God is seen in 2 Chronicles 19:5-11 as he sets out to bring the people of Judah back to the Lord. Read more